The Giants are hoping starting pitcher Barry Zito’s success against tonight’s opponent will ultimately snap their losing streak.
San Francisco Giants at Colorado Rockies
San Francisco lost its seventh straight game in dropping a 6-3 contest to the Colorado Rockies at Coors Field. The offense is much to blame during the streak, failing to score more than three runs in any contest over that span. The Giants have now lost nine of their last 10 games and 11 of their previous 14. Facing division foes will not make turning things around any easier, with the team going 8-19 against the NL West division this season (-1,500). That mark gets even worse with the team being 2-10 on the road against divisional opponents. The team has produced a dismal 3-7 record in games after three or more consecutive losses (-460).
Giants starting pitcher Barry Zito has a 7-4 record and 3.43 ERA in 16 starts this season (+190), as he looks to end a personal two-game losing streak. Over his last three starts, all team losses, the left-hander has allowed 10 earned runs and 17 hits over 18 innings of work. He brings a 2-3 record and 4.23 ERA in seven road starts into this contest (-70), surrendering just two home runs in 44.2 innings. In 13 career starts versus the Rockies, Zito has tallied a 5-2 record and 1.95 ERA. In his last nine outings against the division rivals, he has not allowed more than two earned runs, compiling a 1.49 ERA.
Colorado has now won 10 of its last 14 games since star shortstop Troy Tulowitzki fractured his left wrist. The Rockies are a banged up ball club all around, as manager Jim Tracy held out first baseman Todd Helton and outfielder Brad Hawpe from Friday’s lineup. Playing divisional opponents this season has been a profitable venture for the Rockies, producing an 18-14 record this year (+280) compared to a 81-95 mark over the last three years (-2,560). The lineup is producing an average of 5.5 runs per game at home this season, but will be tested to reach that mark tonight in managing just 4.1 runs against left-handers.
Rockies starting pitcher Ubaldo Jimenez is an ultra-impressive 14-1 with a 1.83 ERA in 16 starts (+1,380), but has shown signs of slowing down recently. He has allowed 10 earned runs and 14 hits over his last two starts (11.2IP). The hard-throwing right-hander is a perfect 5-0 with a 2.95 ERA in six home starts on the year (+600), with the team outscoring opponents by a 42-17 margin. He stands at an even 4-4 with a 2.79 ERA in 11 career starts against the Giants. Jimenez faced off against San Francisco ace Tim Lincecum back on May 31, tossing a complete game in a 4-0 shutout victory at AT&T Park.
Bettors can expect an honest effort out of the Giants this evening due to Zito’s recent run against the Rockies. San Francisco stands at 0-2 as a road underdog of +175 to +200 this season, but is a profitable 8-12 in this spot the last three years (+280). From a total perspective, it’s hard to ignore the Rockies being 2-12 O/U on Saturdays this year.
