Colorado +1.06 over CINCINNATI<?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com
fficeffice" /><o
></o>
Just like the Reds, the Rockies are in this thing and actually have a legit shot to win the NL West. Colorado has been winning with regularity on the road and in fact, they’re 22-21 away from Coors. Tonight, Jeff Francis goes and he almost always gives the Rockies a chance to win. His ERA is 4.05 and the opposition has gone yard on him just 10 times in 102 innings. Those are impressive number when you consider he pitches half his games at Coors. The Reds have never been able to do damage against Francis and this match-up is simply not a good one for the home side. Cinci relies heavily on the long ball and they also strike out too much and that plays right into Francis’s hands. Eric Milton is slowly returning to the form that has made him one of the biggest stiffs in the game. Remember, last year he was practically booed off the field every time he took the mound and his confidence after his last four starts has to be a little shaky. Although he’s 1-1 over his last four, his ERA over that stretch is 7.65 after getting bombed by the Royals, Mets, Atlanta and Cleveland to a lesser degree. Milton has surrendered 28 hits, seven jacks and 20 runs in his last 21 frames of work. The Rockies have just five decisions on the road against southpaws but they’re 4-1 in those games and we just don’t see where the Reds have any edge in this one, especially on the hill. Play: Colorado +1.06 (Risking 1.5 units).
fficeffice" /><o></o>Just like the Reds, the Rockies are in this thing and actually have a legit shot to win the NL West. Colorado has been winning with regularity on the road and in fact, they’re 22-21 away from Coors. Tonight, Jeff Francis goes and he almost always gives the Rockies a chance to win. His ERA is 4.05 and the opposition has gone yard on him just 10 times in 102 innings. Those are impressive number when you consider he pitches half his games at Coors. The Reds have never been able to do damage against Francis and this match-up is simply not a good one for the home side. Cinci relies heavily on the long ball and they also strike out too much and that plays right into Francis’s hands. Eric Milton is slowly returning to the form that has made him one of the biggest stiffs in the game. Remember, last year he was practically booed off the field every time he took the mound and his confidence after his last four starts has to be a little shaky. Although he’s 1-1 over his last four, his ERA over that stretch is 7.65 after getting bombed by the Royals, Mets, Atlanta and Cleveland to a lesser degree. Milton has surrendered 28 hits, seven jacks and 20 runs in his last 21 frames of work. The Rockies have just five decisions on the road against southpaws but they’re 4-1 in those games and we just don’t see where the Reds have any edge in this one, especially on the hill. Play: Colorado +1.06 (Risking 1.5 units).
