The Rockies look to bounce back from a shutout loss with their ace on the hill at Citizens Bank Park.
Colorado Rockies at Philadelphia Phillies
Colorado has faced off against opposing All-Star hurlers in back-to-back games, falling in defeat in both games, including a 6-0 loss to the Philadelphia Phillies last night. “We take it one day at a time,” Rockies manager Jim Tracy said. “We’re 2-6 on since the break. We’ve had a couple games here that were winnable.” Today’s game is the second game between the two clubs at Citizens Bank Park since facing off against each other in the 2009 Division Series. It’s important for the Rockies to score first on the road this season, as the club is 3-16 away from Coors Field when the opponent scores the games first run. Colorado is 0-2 after getting shutout this season (-200), but is an impressive 5-0 after three or more consecutive losses (+580).
Rockies starting pitcher Ubaldo Jimenez is 15-1 with a 2.38 ERA in 19 starts this season (+1,110), with the club alternating wins and losses over his last four outings. The right-hander is coming off a 9-8 no decision in Florida, allowing six runs (four earned) and six hits over 5.1 innings of work. He is a dominating 9-1 with a 1.60 ERA in 11 road starts, giving up just 48 hits and striking out 73 in 78.2 frames. Jimenez has made three starts this month, posting a 1-0 mark and 5.59 ERA. In two career outings versus the Phillies, he is a winless 0-1 with a 8.10 ERA.
Philadelphia’s move of replacing hitting coach Milt Thompson paid dividends in the first game, as the team managed to score six runs after batting .239 and averaging just 3.4 runs on a 2-6 road trip. The Phillies are batting .316 during back-to-back wins and have moved within six games of the NL East-leading Braves. The club is 28-18 at home this season (-10) and have won five straight games at Citizens Bank Park. Philadelphia finds itself as a home underdog of +125 to +150 for the first time this season and just the third time over the last three years (2-0, +260).
Phillies starting pitcher Kyle Kendrick is 5-4 with a 4.82 ERA in 20 appearances (18 starts) starts this season and is coming off a dreadful outing. The right-hander dropped an 8-4 decision to the Cardinals in St. Louis, giving up seven runs and seven hits while serving up three home runs in five innings. He is an even 2-2 with a 5.79 ERA in eight home starts, allowing nine home runs in 42 frames. Kendrick will be making his first home start since July 8, as the team has won his last three outings at Citizens Bank Park. The offense has provided him with 21 runs of support in those three games. In five lifetime outings against the Rockies, he is an even 1-1 with a 5.93 ERA. Despite not garnering a win, he led the Phillies to a 9-5 road win against the Rockies on May 10, surrendering four runs and eight hits over six innings.
Bettors will remain confident in backing Jimenez at this point due to the Rockies having a 3-1 record as a road favorite of -150 to -175 this season and 9-3 mark in this situation the last three years (+440). Philadelphia is just 6-14 this season when the total is 8 to 8.5, including a 3-4 mark at home (-540).
