May add later.
Phillies -138
Large
Oddsmakers have completely written off the Phillies after their late season downtick and highly publicized bullpen issues. Combine this with the notion that oddsmakers have added a premium on the Rockies with their second half surge, and it is to no surprise that the Phillies are coming at a deep discount. Home field advantage is magnified. The Rockies played .500 ball outside of Coors and have always been a much more potent home team. Although the home/road disparity for the Phillies is not as high this year compared to recent years, this is a team built for this park, and ended the season strong at home, going 20-12.
I rarely back Lee, but will do so out this price. He is a crafty veteran who has pitched well since joining the Phillies. His crafty style matches up well against a young, aggressive Rockies lineup. It is to no surprise that he dominated them in his only start against them. He is hard to him home runs against which bodes well for having to pitch in this park against the power of the Rockies lineup. The Rockies are not putting forth their best lineup. Facing a southpaw, Atkins is playing third. Despite hitting much better against southpaws, he has struggled against them this year as well. Torriaba’s recent tear and wanting him behind the plate also diminishes the Rockies lineup worth. He too has hit right handers much better this year. Hawpe is also less potent against lefties, while Lee also forces Smith to sit this one out. Lee can eat up innings as well as any pitcher in the league, which can avoid the Phillies bullpen issues.
Jimenez throws harder than any starter in the league. His sinker should also bode well when pitching in a bandbox. But this is a bad matchup for him. Right handed power pitchers/sinkerball pitchers are the ideal matchup for the Philies left handed dominated lineup that has great power and likes the fastball. Jimenez has struggled against left handed bats this year, and was dominated by this lineup in his last start against them. The Rockies don’t have the best of bullpens either, while Jimenez is not projected to go as deep as Lee in this game.
Phillies -138
Large
Oddsmakers have completely written off the Phillies after their late season downtick and highly publicized bullpen issues. Combine this with the notion that oddsmakers have added a premium on the Rockies with their second half surge, and it is to no surprise that the Phillies are coming at a deep discount. Home field advantage is magnified. The Rockies played .500 ball outside of Coors and have always been a much more potent home team. Although the home/road disparity for the Phillies is not as high this year compared to recent years, this is a team built for this park, and ended the season strong at home, going 20-12.
I rarely back Lee, but will do so out this price. He is a crafty veteran who has pitched well since joining the Phillies. His crafty style matches up well against a young, aggressive Rockies lineup. It is to no surprise that he dominated them in his only start against them. He is hard to him home runs against which bodes well for having to pitch in this park against the power of the Rockies lineup. The Rockies are not putting forth their best lineup. Facing a southpaw, Atkins is playing third. Despite hitting much better against southpaws, he has struggled against them this year as well. Torriaba’s recent tear and wanting him behind the plate also diminishes the Rockies lineup worth. He too has hit right handers much better this year. Hawpe is also less potent against lefties, while Lee also forces Smith to sit this one out. Lee can eat up innings as well as any pitcher in the league, which can avoid the Phillies bullpen issues.
Jimenez throws harder than any starter in the league. His sinker should also bode well when pitching in a bandbox. But this is a bad matchup for him. Right handed power pitchers/sinkerball pitchers are the ideal matchup for the Philies left handed dominated lineup that has great power and likes the fastball. Jimenez has struggled against left handed bats this year, and was dominated by this lineup in his last start against them. The Rockies don’t have the best of bullpens either, while Jimenez is not projected to go as deep as Lee in this game.
