The Colorado Rockies have broken out of their slump in a big way and we're going to recommend them as a home underdog tonight.
The Rockies 43-19 home record is third best in the Majors and they have been very profitable for their backers at +18.5 units. They have routed the Marlins 10-2 and 9-3 in the first two games of this series to continue their Jekyll-and-Hyde reputation. Last night's win came despite the loss of starting pitcher Darren Oliver in the first inning.
Jose Jimenez (1-6, 5.81 ERA) starts for the first time this season tonight. The Rockies career saves leader owns the third-best ERA of any pitcher with at least 80 innings at Coors Field. He will be encouraged by the performance of team-mate Cory Vance last night who appeared over-matched on paper against Mark Redman but pitched well to record his first major-league win. And in Game 1 of this series Denny Stark answered questions about his status in the rotation by allowing just one run and four hits in seven innings.
Florida are now 69-57 overall (.547) and a half-game behind the Phillies in the NL wild-card race. Their .475 road mark compares less than favorably with the Rockies .694 record at Coors Field.
Brad Penny (11-9, 4.00 ERA) has the responsibility for getting the Marlins back on track tonight. Penny has given up 24 earned runs in his last six road starts and that is not a good sign for a Coors Field visitor. While it's a concern for us that he has been so successful at night (11-3) that record has definitely been factored into tonight's line with Florida being favored.
The Marlins do appear to have the pitching edge tonight but we believe getting the Rockies at home in the role of underdog offers tremendous value.
Colorado are 8-1, +6.8 units against Florida the last three seasons at Coors Field and we expect them to fry the Fish again tonight.
Recommended Play: Rockies +115
Good luck
Mike Thomas
Champion Plays
The Rockies 43-19 home record is third best in the Majors and they have been very profitable for their backers at +18.5 units. They have routed the Marlins 10-2 and 9-3 in the first two games of this series to continue their Jekyll-and-Hyde reputation. Last night's win came despite the loss of starting pitcher Darren Oliver in the first inning.
Jose Jimenez (1-6, 5.81 ERA) starts for the first time this season tonight. The Rockies career saves leader owns the third-best ERA of any pitcher with at least 80 innings at Coors Field. He will be encouraged by the performance of team-mate Cory Vance last night who appeared over-matched on paper against Mark Redman but pitched well to record his first major-league win. And in Game 1 of this series Denny Stark answered questions about his status in the rotation by allowing just one run and four hits in seven innings.
Florida are now 69-57 overall (.547) and a half-game behind the Phillies in the NL wild-card race. Their .475 road mark compares less than favorably with the Rockies .694 record at Coors Field.
Brad Penny (11-9, 4.00 ERA) has the responsibility for getting the Marlins back on track tonight. Penny has given up 24 earned runs in his last six road starts and that is not a good sign for a Coors Field visitor. While it's a concern for us that he has been so successful at night (11-3) that record has definitely been factored into tonight's line with Florida being favored.
The Marlins do appear to have the pitching edge tonight but we believe getting the Rockies at home in the role of underdog offers tremendous value.
Colorado are 8-1, +6.8 units against Florida the last three seasons at Coors Field and we expect them to fry the Fish again tonight.
Recommended Play: Rockies +115
Good luck
Mike Thomas
Champion Plays
