Rockies at Dodgers
O/U 9.5 · RL Dodgers -1.5 · Dodger Stadium
Dodgers -1.5-146
CONF 82%
LLostFinal 4-3
The read
Under the clear evening skies at Dodger Stadium, the division-leading Los Angeles Dodgers look to continue their home dominance as they host the division-rival Colorado Rockies. This matchup features two teams on opposite ends of the National League West standings, setting up a clash where the talent and situational disparity are too stark to ignore. The core of my read tonight rests on the starting pitching mismatch and the devastating platoon advantages the Dodgers possess against Colorado righty Michael Lorenzen. Lorenzen has struggled to a 6.91 ERA and a 1.81 WHIP over his 18 starts, but his underlying splits against lefties are particularly disastrous. He has allowed left-handed hitters to post a .365 AVG and a massive 1.063 OPS, including 9 home runs in only 189 at-bats. The Dodgers' confirmed lineup features five high-impact lefties in their top six spots, including Shohei Ohtani, Freddie Freeman, Max Muncy, and Kyle Tucker. This left-handed heavy attack is perfectly optimized to tee off on Lorenzen's 4-seam fastball and sinker early and often.
Of course, the sharp counterargument tonight centers on Dodgers starter Justin Wrobleski, whose 2.80 ERA is heavily outrunning his 4.28 expected ERA, suggesting regression is looming. Additionally, the Rockies' offense has been hot in July, and the Dodgers are starting rookie Dalton Rushing behind the plate instead of their regular catcher. However, Colorado's offense loses its teeth outside of Coors Field, and they suffered a massive blow today with key right-handed power threat Hunter Goodman being scratched from the lineup due to a wrist injury. Wrobleski has been outstanding at home with a 2.50 ERA at Dodger Stadium, and he completely neutralizes righties, holding them to a .216 AVG and a .555 OPS. Without Goodman to anchor their right-handed threats, the Rockies will struggle to generate the consistent hard-hit fly balls needed to exploit Wrobleski’s fly-ball tendencies.
The disparity becomes even wider when these starters exit. Colorado's bullpen is completely exhausted following an 11-inning marathon last night where multiple key relievers were heavily taxed. Meanwhile, the Dodgers' pen is rested and recently reinforced by the return of Evan Phillips and the addition of Carlos Duran. While the -310 moneyline price is too steep to lay in baseball, taking the Dodgers on the run line at -146 is the sharp play. Los Angeles is 30-15 at home, 8-2 in their last 10, and already holds a 6-2 head-to-head record against the Rockies this season. Expect the Dodgers' offense to jump on Lorenzen early, while their superior bullpen locks down a multi-run home victory.
Injuries noted
Dodgers: [NEW] Enrique Hernandez (1B) — Oblique (Left): Hernandez (oblique) took live batting practice against rehabbing teammate Edwin Diaz (elbow) on Sunday, Katie Woo of The Athletic reports. (Jul 5 — 2d ago) [KNOWN] Tyler Glasnow (SP) — Back (Not Specified): Glasnow (back) has been cleared to begin a throwing program, Jack Harris of the California Post reports. (Jun 29 — 7d ago) [KNOWN] Gavin Stone (Starting Pitcher) — Shoulder (Right): Dodgers manager Dave Roberts revealed Tuesday that Stone has been unable to ramp up his throwing without feeling soreness in his surgically repaired right shoulder, Cody Snavely of DodgersBeat.com reports. (Jun 3 — 34d ago) [KNOWN] Ben Casparius (Relief Pitcher) — Shoulder (Right): Casparius (shoulder) was moved to the 60-day injured list Monday. (May 18 — 50d ago) [NEW] Blake Treinen (RP) — Elbow (Right): The Dodgers announced Thursday that Treinen (elbow) has resumed playing catch, per MLB.com. (Jul 5 — 2d ago) [NEW] Blake Snell (SP) — Elbow (Left): Snell (elbow) is scheduled to face live hitters Saturday, David Vassegh of AM 570 LA Sports reports. (Jul 6 — 1d ago) [NEW] Landon Knack (Starting Pitcher) — Chest (Not Specified): Knack (intercostal) will make his third rehab start Sunday with Triple-A Oklahoma City. (Jul 5 — 2d ago) [KNOWN] Will Smith (C) — Neck (Not Specified): Manager Dave Roberts said Friday that Smith (neck) began hitting in the cages Thursday and has also begun throwing, Jack Harris of the California Post reports. (Jul 3 — 4d ago) [NEW] Edwin Diaz (Relief Pitcher) — Elbow (Right): Diaz (elbow) said he felt "really good" while facing hitters in live batting practice Sunday, Jack Harris of the California Post reports. (Jul 5 — 2d ago) Rockies: [KNOWN] Chase Dollander (SP) — Elbow (Right): Dollander underwent an internal brace procedure on his right elbow Monday, Kevin Henry of The Denver Gazette reports. (Jun 23 — 14d ago) [NEW] Brenton Doyle (CF) — Oblique (Left): The Rockies returned Doyle (oblique) from his rehab assignment Sunday, but he remains on the 10-day injured list. (Jul 5 — 2d ago) [KNOWN] Blas Castano (RP) — Pectoral (Right): Castano (pectoral) is expected to begin a throwing program next week, MLB.com reports. (Jul 3 — 4d ago) [KNOWN] Welinton Herrera (RP) — Elbow (Left): Rockies manager Warren Schaeffer announced Monday that Herrera (elbow) has been diagnosed with a torn UCL and will miss the remainder of the season, Jack Janes of MLB.com reports. (Jun 2 — 35d ago) [NEW] Jose Quintana (SP) — Elbow (Left): Quintana (elbow) is scheduled to play catch Monday, Thomas Harding of MLB.com reports. (Jul 5 — 2d ago) [KNOWN] Jaden Hill (RP) — Shoulder (Right): Hill (shoulder) resumed playing catch Wednesday, MLB.com reports. (Jul 2 — 5d ago) [NEW] Tomoyuki Sugano (SP) — Back (Not Specified): Colorado placed Sugano (back) on the 15-day injured list Saturday, retroactive to July 1. (Jul 4 — 3d ago) [NEW] Seth Halvorsen (RP) — Shoulder (Right): The Rockies placed Halvorsen on the 15-day injured list Saturday, retroactive to July 1, due to right shoulder inflammation. (Jul 4 — 3d ago) [NEW] Hunter Goodman (C) — Wrist: Goodman was scratched from the lineup for Tuesday's game against the Dodgers due to a wrist injury, Thomas Harding of MLB.com reports. (Jul 7 — 0d ago)
Props on this game
1Freddie FreemanOVER 1.5 Total Bases Total Bases-105
WActual 2
Evaluating both sides, the case for the under centers on walk risk (Lorenzen has walked 20 LHB, and walks do not count toward total bases) or the Rockies turning to a left-handed reliever early. However, the over presents immense value at near-even money.
Freeman is in an absolute smash spot against Michael Lorenzen (6.91 ERA, 1.81 WHIP), who has been historically vulnerable to left-handed batters, allowing a massive .365 AVG and 1.063 OPS along with 9 HR in 189 at-bats. Freeman, an elite left-handed bat, crushes righties to the tune of a .314 AVG and .944 OPS.
He has been in great recent form, hitting .333 in his last 10 games with 4 multi-hit games, and batting 3rd ensures high volume. The warm weather and wind blowing out further amplify the probability of extra-base hits.
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