The Colorado Rockies are set to face the Los Angeles Dodgers this Friday evening at Dodger Stadium, with the first pitch scheduled for 7:10 p.m. PT. This matchup is significant for both teams as they head into the final stretch of the season.
Colorado (59-94 SU, 76-77 RL and 74-76-3 O/U) will put left-hander Kyle Freeland on the mound. The 31-year-old has a record of 5-7 this season, holding a 4.89 ERA and a 1.38 WHIP over 19 appearances (103.0 innings).
Los Angeles (91-62 SU, 77-76 RL and 84-65-4 O/U) has yet to announce a starting pitcher. According to beat reporter Bill Plunkett, “Dave Roberts said the #Dodgers don’t have a starter for Friday’s game. It could involve an opener leading to a bullpen game.” This strategy hints at a tactical approach as they prepare for the playoffs.
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Freeland’s Challenges on the Road
In their recent series against Arizona, Colorado managed to win two out of three games, but they faced a tough loss in game three, falling 9-4. The Diamondbacks dominated early, establishing a 6-0 lead within two innings.
This season, the Rockies have struggled significantly on the road, compiling a record of 23-55 away from Coors Field and 42-57 during night games. Since the All-Star break, they have a record of 25-31 and are 17-29 against division rivals.
Freeland’s recent performance includes allowing three runs on seven hits over seven innings in his last outing against the Cubs. His road statistics show a troubling 3-6 record, a 5.98 ERA, and a 1.54 WHIP in ten starts. Historically, he has faced the Dodgers 23 times, achieving a 5-10 record with a 4.75 ERA and 109 strikeouts across 105 innings.
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Dodgers Aim to Secure Division Supremacy
The Dodgers recently showcased their offensive prowess by demolishing the Miami Marlins, scoring an impressive 20 runs. In this game, designated hitter Shohei Ohtani made headlines by becoming the first player in MLB history to record 50 home runs and 50 stolen bases in a single season.
Los Angeles boasts a strong home record of 48-27 and a 65-47 record in night games this season. They have been successful in the second half of the season with a 35-21 record and a 24-19 mark against NL West opponents.
On Friday night, the Dodgers are expected to employ a series of relievers. Their pitching staff ranks 7th in ERA (3.66) and 5th in WHIP (1.19), having allowed 72 home runs so far this season. Despite ranking 16th in ERA and 22nd in K-BB% in the second half, questions linger about their bullpen’s readiness for postseason challenges.
Key Betting Insights for Rockies vs. Dodgers
The Dodgers rank 3rd in weighted On-Base Average (wOBA), 4th in weighted Runs Created Plus (wRC+), and 4th in strikeout percentage (K%) against left-handed pitchers this season. Their historical success against Freeland is notable, as they have posted a .263 batting average, .330 on-base percentage, and .483 slugging percentage against him, hitting ten home runs and 16 extra-base hits over 209 at-bats.
Los Angeles has been consistently strong with a run line record of .500 or better as home favorites this season. They also hold a 7-3 advantage against the Rockies on the run line in their last ten encounters. Given their recent victory and overall performance, the Dodgers are poised to capitalize on Friday’s matchup.