Colorado Rockies vs. Los Angeles Dodgers Betting Preview

National League West rivals will clash on Saturday as the Colorado Rockies (43-54) will take on the Los Angeles Dodgers (59-40). Los Angeles will host this one at Dodger Stadium, with first pitch scheduled for 9:10 pm ET.

This will be the second of a three-game set between the two teams. On Friday, the Rockies were able to take the opener 9-6. In the win, Trevor Story hit his 12th home run of the season, and Charlie Blackmon hit a three-run home run in extra innings that proved to be the difference-maker. Starter Chi Chi Gonzalez struggled giving up four runs in five innings, but the offense bailed him out late.

Unfortunately for Dodgers’ fans, the bullpen blew another late lead as they allowed the Rockies two runs in the eighth, one in the ninth, and three in the tenth. In the loss, Justin Turner hit his 18th home run of the season.
The Dodgers are the favorites Saturday night playing at home. They are -210 to win while the Rockies’ moneyline is +176. The runline features the Rockies +1.5 (+120), and the over/under for total runs is 8.

Pitching Matchup

The Rockies will send lefty Kyle Freeland (1-4, 5.36 ERA) to the mound on Saturday. In his last start, he faced the Dodgers at home and gave up three runs in six innings.

Los Angeles will counter with righty Tony Gonsolin (1-1, 2.83 ERA). He took the loss in his last outing, lasting just 3.1 innings and giving up three runs on five hits and four walks. He also gave up two long balls in the losing effort.

By The Number

The Dodgers are one of the best teams in baseball on both sides of the diamond. Offensively, they rank second in scoring averaging 5.26 runs per game. The Rockies rank 18th, averaging 4.29 runs per game (but just 2.81 on the road).

Defensively, the Dodgers once again rank second in scoring defense, allowing just 3.76 runs per game to opponents. The Rockies fall to 22nd, allowing 4.91 runs (5.12 on the road).

Rockies Likely Focused More On Trade Deadline At This Point

At 43-54, the Rockies are a whopping 18 games back in the division. With postseason hopes long gone, the Rockies are now focused long-term as they will likely be sellers at the trade deadline.

One of their most valuable assets is also one of their best players. In 308 at-bats, shortstop Trevor Story is hitting .244/.316/.432 with 12 home runs, 44 runs batted in, and 44 runs scored. Even in a down year, he will be a huge asset for another team and one that the Rockies hope to cash in on.

One player to keep an eye on this Saturday is outfielder Charlie Blackmon. Albeit in just four at-bats, he is two for four with a home run against Gonsolin in his career.

Dodgers Hope To Keep Pace With Giants

At 59-40, the Dodgers have the second-best record in the National League. Unfortunately, the best record in the league is also in their division in the form of the San Francisco Giants. As they chase the Giants for first in the NL West, they know every win is imperative.

The Dodgers will have to get it done without their best hitter this season. Max Muncy is out for this series as he and his wife welcome the birth of their first child.

With Muncy out, the Dodgers’ next best hitter is third baseman Justin Turner. He is hitting .304/.392/.515 with 18 home runs, 57 runs batted in, and 57 runs scored.

In his career against Freeland, AJ Pollock has had a lot of luck. In 25 at-bats, Pollock is hitting .360 with two home runs and four runs batted in.

Take The Dodgers At Home

As evidenced by his last start, Gonsolin is not the most dominant pitcher on the Dodgers’ staff. Still, the Dodgers are worthy of the bet in this one. Really, it is less about Gonsolin and more about how bad the Rockies are on the road. Despite their win Friday night, they are still a miserable 10-34 away from Coors Field.

To be completely transparent, there are legitimate concerns with the Dodgers right now, especially with a bullpen that has been a disaster over the last week, but the Dodgers to win at home is still the right call in this one.