MLB Betting Odds: Washington Nationals vs Colorado Rockies
Thursday, August 04, 2011
by Frank Martin
The Colorado Rockies are facing an uphill climb. Since trading away fireballer Ubaldo Jimenez, the Rockies have surrendered 25 runs en route to losing four in a row. Manager Jim Tracy's club will look to stop the bleeding on Thursday when it sends Esmil Rogers to the mound for the opener of a four-game set against the visiting Washington Nationals.
With Jimenez toiling for the Cleveland Indians, Rogers has been shifted from the bullpen to the starting rotation. Washington saw its four-game winning streak come to an end with a 6-4 loss to the Atlanta Braves on Wednesday afternoon.
- Washington Nationals (53-57) vs. Colorado Rockies (51-60)
When: 8:40 PM ET, Thursday, August 4, 2011
Where: Coors Field, Denver, Colorado
TV: 8:40 p.m. ET, MASN2 (Washington), ROOT Sports (Colorado)
The Rockies have opened as 138-moneyline favorites on Bet Online Sportsbook’s Live MLB Baseball Odds.
Nationals LH Ross Detwiler (1-0, 2.35 ERA) vs. Rockies RH Esmil Rogers (4-1, 7.31).
After making five of his six appearances out of the bullpen this season, Detwiler will try his luck as a starter Thursday. The 25-year-old St. Louis native hasn't permitted a run in his last three trips to the mound, but is making his first start since July 5. Detwiler allowed one hit over two scoreless innings of relief against the Rockies on July 9.
After recording a pair of brutal relief outings, Rogers righted the ship Saturday. The 25-year-old Dominican took over for Jimenez when the latter was informed he was traded despite pitching one inning against the San Diego Padres. Rogers filled in admirably, allowing one run over five solid innings in a 10-6 victory.
The road has not been kind to Washington, which has posted a 21-34 mark away from Nationals Park this season. Davey Johnson's club better get used to being without the comforts of home since it is opening a 10-game road trip in the Rocky Mountains.
Ryan Zimmerman will look to extend his team-best hitting streak to 13 games - he has fared well against the Rockies in his career. He is batting .336 against Colorado, although he mustered only three hits in 11 at-bats when the teams met last month. Jayson Werth homered to extend his hitting streak to seven games. His two-run shot Wednesday gave Werth 11 RBIs in his last 17 games since the All-Star break. Prior to that, he drove in 31 runs in 88 contests.
Todd Helton homered and drove in three runs Wednesday, but Colorado was swept by the Philadelphia Phillies 8-6. The homer was only the second for Helton since the All-Star break. He fared well against the Nationals last month, going 5-for-11 with a homer. Helton is 3-for-4 with two doubles in his career versus Detwiler. Outfielder Carlos Gonzalez (wrist) began a three-game rehab assignment with Triple A Colorado Springs. Should all go well, Gonzalez could be reinstated from the disabled list in time for Saturday's contest. Mark Ellis snapped an 0-for-25 skid with a single in the third inning Wednesday.
"If we were fighting for a pennant, we might not do it. But since we’re where we’re at, it’s time to start looking at some young arms.” - Johnson, on Detwiler taking the rotation spot of Tom Gorzelanny.
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atlanta braves - carlos gonzalez - cleveland indians - colorado rockies - coors field - davey johnson - esmil rogers - jayson werth - jim tracy - mark ellis
