Dodgers Should Coast Against Lowly Rockies
Dodgers vs Rockies Predictions are in Favor of the Obvious
The Los Angeles Dodgers took two of three from the Kansas City Royals but lost star outfielder-turned-shortstop Mookie Betts. He fractured his hand and will miss this week’s series against the Colorado Rockies. Still, most Dodgers vs Rockies predictions will favor Los Angeles, which is a -165 moneyline favorite in Monday’s opener of the four-game set and is -110 on the runline of -1.5. The total is an eye-popping 12.5 runs (under -118).
Without Betts, the Dodgers’ lineup isn’t nearly as formidable. But with Shohei Ohtani, Freddie Freeman, Will Smith, and Teoscar Hernández leading the way, Los Angeles will be fine.
The Dodgers are in the top three in almost every major offensive category and have the second-best bullpen in baseball. They boast a deep rotation that will be put to the test with Yoshinobu Yamamoto sidelined. For MLB results, the Los Angeles record and wide NL West lead to speak for themselves.
Colorado is at the bottom of the division, largely due to a pitching staff that has the worst starter and reliever ERA, WHIP, and hits per nine. So, the Rockies have the worst overall pitching in the majors. And their individual rotation and bullpen units are each their worst. Brutal stuff all the way around. It makes for a terrible matchup against the Dodgers.
Dodgers vs Rockies 
Records: Los Angeles Dodgers (44-29), Colorado Rockies (25-46)
Day/Time:
Location: Coors Field, Denver, CO
Stream: Spectrum Sportsnet
Dodgers Should Score At Will
Any Dodgers vs Rockies prediction has to focus on how this is a classic unstoppable force versus a very movable object type of series. Even without Betts, the Dodgers can score many runs given the conditions. They play at a mile above sea level at cavernous Coors Field against Colorado’s poor pitching staff.
Of course, this is baseball. The Rockies could still shock the Dodgers and take three of four games. But if you’re looking at the statistics and tendencies, Los Angeles should score early and often.
If you want free MLB picks, look into some of the more player-specific props for Dodgers hitters, like Ohtani and Freeman. Lefthanded hitters in particular can feast at Coors Field and you can be sure that Los Angeles will be playing a little angry after the injury to Betts. With three of the Rockies’ projected starters in this series having ERAs in the 4s or 5s, the Dodgers — who get on base more than any other team in baseball and have the highest OPS — will be constantly circling the bases.
On the mound, Los Angeles will use James Paxton, Walker Buehler, Bobby Miller, and Gavin Stone. Buehler has struggled since his return from Tommy John surgery and Miller may be limited in his first start back from the IL but this group shouldn’t have too much trouble with the middling Rockies’ lineup.
Quantrill Is a Bright Spot For Colorado
One small sign of optimism regarding the Rockies’ pitching situation this week is Monday night’s starter, Cal Quantrill. After trading for him from the Guardians this offseason, Quantrill has pitched to a 3.30 ERA through 14 starts which is incredibly impressive with roughly half of his appearances being at Coors Field.
If you want to make Dodgers vs Rockies predictions and go against the grain, Quantrill gives Colorado the best chance to win.
Quantrill hasn’t given up a run in his last two starts both of which happened to be on the road. Granted, his splits are a bit more favorable for his road starts but that’s to be expected; his 3.72 ERA at Coors Field is rather good based on Colorado’s less-than-stellar pitching history. However, he was hit hard by this Dodgers team on June 1st, giving up nine hits and four runs in 4 1/3 innings at Dodger Stadium.
So, maybe he and the Rockies aren’t one of the best MLB bets you can take for Monday but if there ever would be a game Colorado — at least on paper — can steal from mighty Los Angeles, it would be one in which Quantrill is starting against the Dodgers’ Paxton, who has a big walk problem that can be exacerbated in Denver.
Expect Dodgers To Win Big
Despite a relatively good pitching matchup from Colorado, consider betting the Dodgers at -110 on the runline. These teams are just unequally matched. As shown by the Pirates outclassing the Rockies at home, Colorado has a hard time keeping up with mediocre teams. Staying competitive with Los Angeles is a tough ask.
The over 12.5 runs (-102) is a smart pick as crazy as it seems. Quantrill may be good but he’s slightly worse at home and has already struggled against this Dodgers team.
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