The San Diego Padres will host division rival Colorado Rockies Friday at 10:10 p.m. ET for the first of a three-game series.
Both teams have been far from automatic lately, although the game will be especially important for the Padres, who still have a reason to play hard heading into the All-Star break.
The Padres’ Outlook
The San Diego Padres are 52-38 this season, third-place in the National League West and four games behind the first-place San Francisco Giants. Despite their overall success this season, they have lost five of their past eight games, including two losses to the Washington Nationals, two to the Philadelphia Phillies, and one to the Cincinnati Reds.
The Padres’ offense is in the top-third for most statistical categories on offense and is led by third-year shortstop Fernando Tatis Jr., who has hit .299 for 28 home runs, tied for the second-highest total in Major League Baseball, and 60 RBIs.
Most sportsbooks expect Blake Snell to take the mound for the home team. Snell has a record of 3-3 and a 4.99 ERA thus far, though he has faced the Rockies three times this season, failing to get a decision and allowing 10 runs— including seven in his last start— in 13.1 innings, for an average ERA of 6.87.
The Rockies’ Outlook
The Colorado Rockies, another NL West team, have not been as successful as the other members of their division, including the Padres; Colorado is 38-50 thus far, fourth in the division, and a whopping 17 games out of first place.
Trevor Story will represent his club as the hometown hero in this year’s Home Run Derby, entering with 11 homers, 42 RBIs, and a .252 standard at the plate. He has been a leading figure in a Rockies’ offense that has been consistent but unexplosive; Colorado is currently eighth in team batting average, 15th in total scoring, and 27th in home runs.
This inability to score in bunches and convert on-base opportunities is the primary reason that Colorado’s offense has failed to outscore opponents consistently.
Kyle Freeland is expected to get the starting nod for Friday’s road game, bringing with him a 1-2 record and 5.50 ERA. The 28-year-old southpaw has only allowed one earned run in his past three starts, spanning 17 innings, but was only rewarded with one decision— a win.
Betting Odds
According to FanDuel, the Padres are -1.5 (-111) favorites for the early weekend matchup at home, while the Rockies are +1.5 (-108) on the road; similarly, San Diego is -235 on the moneyline to Colorado’s +194.
The over/under has been set at 8.5 with -104 odds on the over and -118 odds on the under.
Best Pick
Take the Padres to cover the spread at home in a high-scoring affair, mostly dominated by their bats. San Diego has been slightly inconsistent as of late but still mostly done their part to protect the over.
Lock up the Padres on the spread, and if you are looking for a double dose, bet the over.
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