Saturday evening features a National League showdown as the Philadelphia Phillies (9-10) will do battle with the Colorado Rockies (7-12). The Rockies will host this one at Coors Field, with the first pitch scheduled for 8:10 pm ET.
This is the second game of a three-game set between the two. On Friday, the Rockies were able to steal the first game 5-4. After going down 4-2, the Rockies scored one in each of the last three innings.
In the win, the Rockies hit four home runs, including the first one of the season for star shortstop Trevor Story. Michael Givens picked up the win in relief.
Rhys Hoskins hit his fourth home run in the loss. Hector Neris took the loss after he pitched just a third of an inning and gave up the game-winning home run to Raimel Tapia.
Despite dropping Friday’s game, the Phillies are the favorite Saturday. They are currently -174 to win while the Rockies’ Moneyline is +144. The runline features Colorado +1.5, and the over/under for total runs is ten.
Pitching Matchup
The Phillies will look to bounce back Saturday by sending their ace, Aaron Nola (1-1, 2.19 ERA), to the mound. In his last start, a 2-0 win over the Cardinals, Nola pitched a complete game shutout, giving up just two hits and striking out ten.
The Rockies will counter with Antonio Senzatela (1-3, 5.40 ERA). Despite picking up the loss, he pitched well in his last outing. He went six innings, allowing two runs (one earned) in the 2-1 loss to the New York Mets.
By The Number
Offensively, Colorado has been the better of the two teams thus far. They rank 15th in scoring averaging 4.33 runs per game. The Phillies dropped to 23rd averaging 3.89 runs.
Defensively, it is the Phillies that hold the advantage. They rank 12th in runs allowed per game at 4.22. The Rockies rank 17th, allowing 4.50 runs per game to opponents.
Philadelphia Hopes To Bounce Back
Any time you see a lead slip away late, it can be tough to come back from. The Phillies, behind ace Aaron Nola, will hope to do exactly that as they have to take advantage of every game they can in a loaded N.L. East.
Leading the way this season offensively has been outfielder Bryce Harper. He is hitting .333/.474/.583 with four home runs, eight runs batted in, and fourteen runs scored. He has shown really good patience at the dish as he has fifteen walks thus far this season.
Also doing well in the power department is first baseman, Rhys Hoskins. After homering Friday night, he is now hitting .250/.278/.500 with four home runs and seven runs batted in.
Rockies Look To Stay Hot
After starting the season a brutal 4-12, the Rockies have now won three in a row. While they still have an uphill battle in a division that includes the Dodgers and Padres, they will try to keep their momentum going Saturday.
Seeing Trevor Story finally hit his first home run of the season is huge for Colorado. He is now hitting .286/.320/.443 with eight runs batted in. One of his biggest problems has been the strikeout, as he has done so sixteen times versus just four walks.
Leading the offense thus far has been second baseman, Ryan McMahon. Thus far, he is hitting .274/.284/.575 with a team leading six home runs and eleven runs batted in.
Also, watch out for Charlie Blackmon, who is hitting .538 in 13 at bats versus Aaron Nola with a home run and two runs batted in.
Take Nola And The Phillies
The old baseball cliché is that you are only as good as your next day’s starter. For the Phillies, they couldn’t ask for a better starter to be taking the mound after such a brutal loss the night before.
It is worth noting that the Rockies are heating up, but it is hard to bet against Philadelphia when Nola is on the mound. Take the Phillies -174.
