As the National League West series continues, the Los Angeles Dodgers are set to face the Colorado Rockies at the iconic Coors Field on Saturday evening. This matchup comes after the Dodgers secured the top spot in the NL West with a robust 95-64 record, while the Rockies find themselves at the bottom with a 61-98 tally. The Dodgers will feature rookie pitcher Yoshinubo Yamamoto, while the Rockies will counter with right-hander Antonio Senzatela.
Dodgers Aiming for Momentum
In their previous outing, the Los Angeles Dodgers achieved a solid 7-2 victory over the San Diego Padres. The team’s performance was impressive, going 11-for-35 at the plate, with three walks and seven strikeouts recorded. Will Smith and Andy Pages each contributed with home runs, showcasing the Dodgers’ power. Despite leaving eight runners on base, the team managed to capitalize on key opportunities, finishing 3-of-10 with runners in scoring position. Walker Buehler’s solid pitching allowed just one run over five innings, further solidifying the team’s confidence.
Yoshinubo Yamamoto, a promising rookie righty, will take the mound for Los Angeles. With a record of 6-2, a 2.96 ERA, and a 1.13 WHIP across 85.0 innings, he has made a significant impact. His strikeout-to-walk ratio of 99 to 22 underscores his command on the field. Following an outstanding performance against the Baltimore Orioles, where he pitched 5.2 innings without allowing any runs, Yamamoto aims to maintain this momentum against the Rockies.
Rockies Seeking Redemption for Blackmon
The Colorado Rockies recently pulled off a thrilling 10-8 comeback against the St. Louis Cardinals, scoring five crucial runs in the eighth inning. Their batting lineup shined, hitting 14-for-35 with four walks and eight strikeouts. Veteran Charlie Blackmon added excitement with a home run, striving to leave a mark in what may be one of his final seasons. The Rockies excelled with a .400 average with runners in scoring position, ensuring they capitalized on opportunities despite leaving seven runners stranded. However, Kyle Freeland’s struggle on the mound, yielding six runs (four earned) in 4.1 innings, left fans wanting more.
On the mound for the Rockies, Antonio Senzatela will look to improve his performance. With a record of 0-0, a 3.38 ERA, and a 1.63 WHIP in 8.0 innings, he faces a challenging matchup against the Dodgers. Senzatela’s batting average against sits at .310, indicating he has had difficulty getting hitters out. In his previous appearance against the Dodgers, he pitched five innings, allowing one run on five hits while recording two strikeouts.
Best Bets for Los Angeles Dodgers vs. Colorado Rockies
The disparity between the Los Angeles Dodgers and the Colorado Rockies has been evident throughout the season. As Senzatela gears up for his second consecutive start against the Dodgers, it is likely they will aggressively approach him early in the game. The teams’ statistics with runners in scoring position further highlight their differences. The Dodgers rank seventh in Major League Baseball with a .787 team OPS, while the Rockies sit in 20th place with a .736 OPS. With Yamamoto’s recent form reflecting a 3.27 ERA in his September starts, he is expected to perform strongly, leading to a solid opportunity for the Dodgers to cover the run line on the road.
