MLB Tue, Jul 26, 2005
Rockies` Helton out; expect lines to adjust
Brian Covert
No manager likes to see this scene.
Your best hitter being helped down the dugout steps after injuring himself on what looked like a routine play. That’s exactly what happened to Colorado Rockies manager Clint Hurdle Monday night when slugger Todd Helton hurt himself running between second and third base in the seventh inning. Colorado went on to beat the New York Mets 5-3 as +130 home underdogs, but Helton is now expected to be out for at least one game.
"You never like to see your best player be hurt," Hurdle told the Rocky Mountain News. "So there was a little pang, maybe a big pang. It wasn`t overwhelming once I saw he was able to limp off. I felt a little better."
Helton, who went 3-for-4 on the night, was diagnosed with a strained calf muscle.
"No big deal," Helton told reporters.
Despite its seeming lack of severity, the injury comes at an unfortunate time for Colorado. The Rockies` 20 wins since June 1 are the most of any NL West team during that period and Helton has been a major factor. The 2000 NL batting champion is hitting .400 with 16 RBIs in that span and is batting a jaw-dropping .514 in his last 10 games at Coors Field.
It is anticipated his injury will have some effect on the lines for Tuesday`s game versus the Mets. The Rockies are currently –103 favorites opening as high as -111 at some books.
“With Helton out you will probably see the odds shift to the Mets being something like –112 favorites," says oddsmaker J.J. from online sportbook betcom.com. “As for the total, it could slide down to 12, but it is still Coors Field and it is a tough place to play.”
The total, meanwhile, opened at 12 1/2 runs and moved down to 12 by early afternoon.
“There does appear to be some value to the under here,” says Covers Expert Dave Malinsky. “After the worst start of his career Helton was really coming around. And instead of the sweltering heat that has raised scores all over both leagues the last few weeks, it will be another cool rainy evening in Denver. Coors Field has been much tougher to score in under those conditions.”
Rockies` Helton out; expect lines to adjust
Brian Covert
No manager likes to see this scene.
Your best hitter being helped down the dugout steps after injuring himself on what looked like a routine play. That’s exactly what happened to Colorado Rockies manager Clint Hurdle Monday night when slugger Todd Helton hurt himself running between second and third base in the seventh inning. Colorado went on to beat the New York Mets 5-3 as +130 home underdogs, but Helton is now expected to be out for at least one game.
"You never like to see your best player be hurt," Hurdle told the Rocky Mountain News. "So there was a little pang, maybe a big pang. It wasn`t overwhelming once I saw he was able to limp off. I felt a little better."
Helton, who went 3-for-4 on the night, was diagnosed with a strained calf muscle.
"No big deal," Helton told reporters.
Despite its seeming lack of severity, the injury comes at an unfortunate time for Colorado. The Rockies` 20 wins since June 1 are the most of any NL West team during that period and Helton has been a major factor. The 2000 NL batting champion is hitting .400 with 16 RBIs in that span and is batting a jaw-dropping .514 in his last 10 games at Coors Field.
It is anticipated his injury will have some effect on the lines for Tuesday`s game versus the Mets. The Rockies are currently –103 favorites opening as high as -111 at some books.
“With Helton out you will probably see the odds shift to the Mets being something like –112 favorites," says oddsmaker J.J. from online sportbook betcom.com. “As for the total, it could slide down to 12, but it is still Coors Field and it is a tough place to play.”
The total, meanwhile, opened at 12 1/2 runs and moved down to 12 by early afternoon.
“There does appear to be some value to the under here,” says Covers Expert Dave Malinsky. “After the worst start of his career Helton was really coming around. And instead of the sweltering heat that has raised scores all over both leagues the last few weeks, it will be another cool rainy evening in Denver. Coors Field has been much tougher to score in under those conditions.”
