The four-game NL West series between the Colorado Rockies and San Francisco Giants continues with Game 3 going from Oracle Park. Colorado has dropped the first two games of this set and is now riding a seven-game losing slide, while San Francisco has won three of its last four contests. Kyle Freeland (COL) and Madison Bumgarner (SF) toe the rubber with the Giants Sportsbook as a -137 favorite and the Rockies coming back at +117 and the total Sportsbook at 7 runs.
Standout Stats
- The Rockies have been in free-fall mode since Sportsbook the season with back-to-back wins as they are now 1-11 SU and 2-10 ATS in their last 12 games with an average losing margin of 3.82. Meanwhile, the Giants have been floating around mediocrity this season sporting a record of 6-9 SU and ATS with an average losing margin of 2.11. San Fran won the first two games of this series, both by just one run.
- With both teams struggling at the plate, it should come as no surprise that the UNDER has been a profitable play for these squads through the early stages of the season. The total has gone UNDER in nine of the Giants’ first 15 games and UNDER in eight of Rockies’ first 14. San Fran and Colorado have combined for just six runs through their first two contests.
- Getting the ball for the Rockies is young lefty Kyle Freeland, making his third appearance of the season. The 25-year-old had two strong starts to the season, surrendering four runs (three earned) on five hits over 11.2 innings going 1-1 in those games. However, the wheels came off in his last outing vs Atlanta as he was shelled for seven runs on seven hits with four walks over five innings in an 8-6 loss. Freeland will have to be cautious around Giants second baseman Joe Panik who is career 7-for-18 vs the lefty. The Colorado hurler is 5-2 with a 2.61 ERA over his eight lifetime starts vs San Fran.
- Opposing Freeland today is San Francisco ace Madison Bumgarner, who is seeking his first win of the season. MadBum has been pitching well through his first three outings, sporting a record of 0-2 with a 3.32 ERA and a 0.95 WHIP, but SF is 0-3 in his starts and the long ball has hurt him. The North Carolina native has already allowed four homers through his first three starts. Rockies third baseman Nolan Arenado has just a .239 career batting average vs the lefty, but six of his 11 career hits off him have been for extra bases, including two home runs.
- Neither team has been that impressive against southpaws this season as Colorado is 0-4 vs left-handed starters and rank 27th with a .196 team batting average vs lefties. Similarly, San Francisco is 3-5 vs lefty starters and ranks 25th with the club hitting just .216 vs LHP.
My Best Bet for Colorado vs San Francisco
UNDER 7
I think this is a perfect opportunity for both staff aces to have strong performances against lackluster hitting lineups. MadBum has been allowing the long ball early in the season, but Colorado has hit the second-fewest homers in the majors this year with eight. Meanwhile, Freeland has been getting hurt by surrendering free passes, but San Francisco has drawn the third-fewest walks this season.
