MLB Baseball
2012-07-23 - Colorado Rockies at Arizona D-Backs
A Sports Betting Pick by Auls
United States: Major League Baseball
Monday 23 July 2012 - First Pitch 9:40pm ET
2:40am (British Standard Time)
Preview
These two teams are both involved in the National League West and both have had a number of trade rumours surrounding them ahead of the deadline. The Arizona Diamondbacks (47-48) are only 6 games behind the San Francisco Giants, but there are still some suggestions that they would be willing to trade some of their top talent, while the Colorado Rockies (36-58) are 16.5 games behind in the Division.
Ian Kennedy is given the ball for Arizona and will look to improve his 7-8 record and his 4.33 ERA and he comes into the contest having given up one run in eight innings when he last took to the mound.
The pitcher has also enjoyed success against Colorado in the past having a 2-0 record and a 1.75 ERA in his last six starts against the Rockies.
Colorado get to send their newly recruited Jonathan Sanchez to the mound having picked him up in a trade with the Kansas City Royals. He has really struggled in his last twelve starts for the Royals having picked up a win in his first start of the 2012 season.
In fact, over his last twelve starts, Sanchez had a 1-6 record and a 7.76 ERA, while even that has ballooned to 12.18 over his last four starts.
The pitcher will at least point to the success he has had against Arizona, going 6-1 and a 2.75 ERA in his last nine starts against them.
Head to Head
Arizona and Colorado have split the season series 4-4 so far in 2012.
The Diamondbacks won a two game series against the Rockies earlier this season and they have improved to 16-5 over the last 21 games when they have entertained Colorado.
Arizona are 26-21 at home this season, Colorado are 16-29 on the road.
Prediction
I think the Arizona Diamondbacks are going to win this game and most likely by a couple of runs at the least if their weekend batting out put is anything to go by.
However, I am not going to go in big as there are a couple of concerns.
For example, I think Ian Kennedy has been a bit hot and cold on the mound for the Diamondbacks and there is a chance that he may leave his batting line up too much to do to cover the run line.
The other concern is the performance of Jonathan Sanchez on the mound for the Colorado Rockies. He has really been struggling this season, but he may have a change in fortune now that he has moved on from the Kansas City Royals and he does have a good record against the Diamondbacks in starts against them.
Still, I think there is enough to suggest Arizona will be too strong and that is what I will be backing for minimum stakes.
The Pick :
Arizona D-Backs 6-3 Colorado Rockies
FIXED ODDS BETTING TIP :
I'll back the Arizona Diamondbacks - 1.5 Runs @ 1.95
