SPORTS ADVISORS
Colorado (92-70) at Philadelphia (93-68)
The defending World Series champion Phillies, coming off their third straight N.L. East title, open up what they hope will be a repeat playoff run against the National League wild-card winning Rockies at Citizens Bank Park in Philadelphia. Colorado is sending right-hander Ubaldo Jimenez (15-12, 3.47 ERA) to the hill opposite Philadelphia southpaw Cliff Lee (14-13, 3.22) in Game 1 of the best-of-5 division series.
Philadelphia has dominated this series lately, winning nine of the last 11 meetings overall – all decided by multiple runs – including five of the last six in the City of Brotherly Love. This year, the Phillies took two of three against Colorado both at home and on the road. However, two years ago, the Rockies shocked Philadelphia in the first round, winning 4-2 and 10-5 at Citizens Bank Park, then closing things out with a 2-1 road win.
The Rockies finished the regular season on a 5-2 roll as they made a run at the Dodgers in the race for the N.L. West crown, only to fall short on Saturday. Colorado is on positive runs of 5-1 as an underdog, 6-1 against the N.L. East and 4-0 in series openers. However, they were swept in the 2007 World Series by the Red Sox, and they’re on current slides of 4-10 against teams with a winning record and 1-6 on the road against left-handed starters.
The Phillies won the N.L. East by six games over the Marlins, but they finished by losing eight of their last 13 contests, going 1-4 in their last five against teams with winning records. Still, Charlie Manuel’s squad is on a plethora of positive streaks, including 32-13 at home, 7-1 against the N.L. West, 7-0 in home playoff games, 30-11 as a home chalk and 6-1 in playoff games after last year’s World Series run.
Colorado has won nine of Jimenez’s last 12 starts overall and six of his last seven after getting four days off, but with the right-hander on the hill, the Rockies are also on slides of 12-25 on the road, 7-18 as a road ‘dog and 1-4 on the road against winning teams.
Jimenez was 2-1 with a 2.70 ERA in his final three starts of the season, including a gem in his final start on Friday when he held the Dodgers to one run on two hits in six innings, striking out 10 and walking four in a 4-3 win in Los Angeles. He has faced the Phillies twice in the regular season, both times at Citizens Bank Park, and he allowed a total of nine runs on 14 hits in 10 innings of work with the Rockies losing both by scores of 6-5 and 7-4. However, Jimenez made the start in Colorado’s 2-1 Game 3 clincher against the Phillies at Coors Field, yielding the one run on three hits with four walks and five strikeouts in 6 1/3 innings.
Lee, the reigning A.L. Cy Young Award winner, made 12 starts in a Phillies uniform after being acquired in late-July from Cleveland. He won his first five starts after joining the senior circuit, allowing just six runs (three earned) in 40 innings (0.68 ERA). However, he only had one quality start in his final seven outings and finished 7-4 with a 3.39 ERA with the Phillies.
Lee last pitched on Thursday at home against the Astros, giving up four runs (three earned) in 5 2/3 innings of a 5-3 loss, dropping to 3-2 with a 2.52 ERA in five starts at Citizens Bank. The southpaw’s lone career start against the Rockies came at home on Aug. 6, and he gave up one run on six hits in seven innings, striking out nine and walking one as he recorded a 3-1 victory.
While Jimenez went 0-1 with a 2.25 ERA in three starts during the 2007 playoffs for Colorado, this is Lee’s first-ever playoff appearance.
With Jimenez on the hill, Colorado is on several “under” runs, including 15-5-1 overall, 4-1-1 on the road, 8-2 when he faces N.L. East teams and 25-10 when he starts after four days of rest. As a team, the Rockies are on “over” streaks of 4-1-1 overall, 4-1-1 in series openers and 4-0 after getting a day off.
The Phillies have stayed below the total in four of their last six playoff games and six straight as a playoff favorite, but otherwise the team is on “over” streaks of 12-3-1 overall, 4-1-1 at home, 8-1-1 against right-handed starters, 4-0 in series openers and 9-1-1 as a favorite. Finally, the “over” has been the play in eight of the 11 matchups between these teams since the beginning of last season.
ATS ADVANTAGE: PHILADELPHIA
St. Louis (91-71) at L.A. Dodgers (95-67)
Division winners square off in Game 1 of their best-of-5 NLDS at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles when the Cardinals send Chris Carpenter (17-4, 2.24 ERA) to the hill opposite Dodgers’ lefty Randy Wolf (11-7, 3.28).
St. Louis took five of the seven series matchups with the Dodgers this season and have gone 11-4 in the last 15, including 4-2 in Southern California. Going back further, the Cardinals are 10-4 in their last 14 trips to Dodger Stadium and 36-16 in the last 52 meetings overall.
The Cardinals struggled in the final week of the season, going 1-6 overall, 1-7 as a favorite and 1-4 as a road favorite, costing them a shot at the National League’s best record and home-field advantage in the first two rounds. However, St. Louis still finished the regular season on runs of 14-6 against left-handed starters, 22-5 in series openers, 16-6 against N.L. West teams and 9-3 after an off-day. The Cardinals have traditionally been a tough out in the playoffs, going 5-1 in their last six playoff games overall (all en route to the 2006 title), 17-5 in NLDS games and 4-0 in NLDS road affairs.
The Dodgers struggled down the stretch, losing five straight games almost blowing the N.L. West title to the surging Rockies. However, they woke up in time to beat Colorado on Saturday (5-0) and Sunday (5-3) to not only claim their second straight division championship but also home-field advantage throughout the N.L. playoffs. Los Angeles is on positive streaks of 4-1 at home, 7-3 against right-handed starters and 5-1 as an underdog, but it still finished on slides of 1-4 in series openers, 2-6 after an off day and 2-8 on Wednesdays.
With Carpenter pitching, St. Louis is on impressive surges of 92-38 overall (13-4 last 17), 39-19 when he’s a road favorite, 21-6 against N.L. West teams, 25-4 after getting five days off and 35-10 when he starts the first game of a series.
Carpenter went 9-2 with a 2.05 ERA on the road this season and allowed just one run over his last 20 innings of work, including five shutout innings on Thursday in Cincinnati, striking out six, walking one and hitting a grand slam in a 13-0 rout of the Reds. The veteran right-hander had 22 quality starts – at least six innings pitched while allowing three earned runs or fewer – in his 28 trips to the mound, and he yielded two runs or fewer in 20 of those 28 games.
Carpenter has dominated the Dodgers in his career, going 5-0 with a 2.20 ERA in six career starts covering 41 innings, including 2-0 with a 1.80 ERA in two games this year (6-1 home win; 3-2 road win). St. Louis has never lost to L.A. with Carpenter starting.
With Wolf on the hill, the Dodgers are on several positive runs, including 9-2 overall, 19-7 at home, 4-1 against the N.L. Central and 5-1 when he faces teams with a winning record. He was 4-3 at home with a 3.63 ERA this season, but L.A. finished 13-5 in his 18 outings at Dodger Stadium.
Wolf last pitched on Friday, holding the Rockies to two runs on five hits in five innings, but he got a no-decision as the Dodgers fell 4-3 at home. Wolf allowed three earned runs or fewer in each of his final 10 regular-season starts and two runs or fewer in 13 of his final 18 outings, with 15 of those 18 qualifying as quality starts.
Wolf faced Carpenter and the Cardinals on July 27 in St. Louis and gave up two runs in six innings, but Los Angeles lost 6-1. Wolf is 3-5 with a 3.64 ERA in 10 career starts (64 1/3 innings) versus the Redbirds.
Carpenter’s postseason experience is limited to the 2005 and 2006 seasons with St. Louis, and he went 5-1 with a 2.53 ERA in eight starts, including 3-0 with a 1.40 ERA in three division-series outings. Wolf has never pitched in the playoffs.
With Carpenter on the hill, St. Louis is on “under” runs of 5-1 in series openers, 4-1 against N.L. West teams and 5-1 against teams with winning records, while as a team, the Phillies are on “under” streaks of 20-8 in playoff road games, 21-6-3 on Wednesdays, 20-8-2 against southpaws and 6-2 against the N.L. West.
It’s been all “overs” for the Dodgers, including 4-0-2 in Wolf’s last six starts overall, 5-1 when he’s a home ‘dog and 10-4-1 when he faces a winning team at home, plus the team is on “over” runs of 7-1-1 against winning teams, 4-1-1 at home and 6-1-1 against right-handed starters.
In this rivalry, the “under” is 9-4 overall dating to the start of 2008, including 5-1 in Southern California.
ATS ADVANTAGE: ST. LOUIS
Minnesota (87-76) at N.Y. Yankees (103-59)
Less than 24 hours after capturing the A.L. Central title with a thrilling, 12-inning victory over the Tigers in a one-game playoff, the Twins return to action in the Bronx when they open the best-of-5 American League Division Series against the Yankees. Rookie Brian Duensing (5-2, 3.64) will toe the rubber for Minnesota, while the Yankees counter with ace CC Sabathia (19-8, 3.37).
The Twins rallied from deficits of 3-0 and 5-4 to outlast Detroit 6-5 at home last night, completing a stunning rally in which they made up seven games in the standings over the final 3½ weeks. Minnesota enters this playoff series on a five-game win streak and they’re on positive runs of 17-4 overall, 7-3 on the road and 5-0 against left-handed starters. On the downside, Minnesota has lost 38 of 55 road games to lefty starters and 36 of 52 against the A.L. East, and Ron Gardenhire’s squad is also 3-13 in its last 16 playoff games, losing six straight ALDS contests.
New York ended the regular season on a 41-17 surge to capture the A.L. East title and become the only team to win 100-plus contests in 2009. The Yankees are also on runs of 41-13 in their new stadium, 37-14 against the A.L. Central, 40-17 versus teams with a winning record and 42-14 on Wednesday. However, Joe Girardi’s squad, which has made the postseason 14 of the last 15 years, has lost back-to-back divisional series, going 1-6.
The Yankees have absolutely owned Minnesota in recent years, going 47-16 in the last 63 meetings, including 23-3 during Gardenhire’s tenure with the Twins. Also, the Yankees are 25-5 in the last 30 clashes in the Bronx. This year, New York went 7-0 against Minnesota, and while four of the contests were decided by one run (and another in extra innings), the Yankees hit .300, averaged 5.9 runs per game and had a 3.27 team ERA, while the Twins batted .232, averaged 3.6 runs per contest and posted a 5.45 ERA.
Duensing appeared in 24 games with the Twins this season, making nine starts, with Minnesota going 6-3 (2-2 on the road). Over his last two starts, both on the highway, the right-hander gave up nine runs (eight earned) in 10 1/3 innings (6.97 ERA), with the Twins winning 8-6 at Chicago and losing 6-5 at Detroit. Duensing’s only career appearance came against the Yankees on July 7 at home – a game Sabathia started – and the Kansas native got rocked for four runs on two hits and four walks in 2 2/3 innings of relief, with the Twins losing 10-2.
Sabathia had an outstanding first season with the Yankees, leading the team in wins, ERA, innings pitched and strikeouts. He had a nine-game winning streak halted in his final regular-season outing Friday at Tampa Bay, when he allowed a season-high nine runs (five earned) on eight hits in just 2 2/3 innings, losing 13-4. Prior to that, the hefty lefty had posted a 1.62 ERA over his previous 10 starts with 80 strikeouts against just 19 walks.
Sabathia finished 7-2 with a 3.17 ERA in 15 starts at home, with New York winning his last seven in a row in the Bronx, and he’s 13-8 with a 3.05 ERA in 28 career starts versus Minnesota. In the 10-2 win in Minneapolis back on July 7, he surrendered a run on three hits over seven innings. Since the start of the 2007 season, Sabathia has given up a total of 10 earned runs in eight starts versus the Twins over 58 2/3 innings (1.53 ERA). The one negative for Sabathia: He’s 2-3 with a 7.92 ERA in five career playoff starts.
Minnesota is on “over” streaks of 6-0-1 overall, 6-2-1 on the road and 5-0 against left-handed starters, but the under is 18-6-2 in its last 26 against the A.L. East and 8-3-3 in its last 14 on Wednesday. For New York, the “under” is on runs of 5-2-1 overall, 4-0-1 at home, 4-0 on Wednesday, 4-1-1 versus the A.L. Central and 5-1-1 with Sabathia pitching at home.
Finally, the under is 27-11-4 in the last 42 Twins-Yankees battles in New York (2-1-1 this year).
ATS ADVANTAGE: N.Y. YANKEES and UNDER
DUNKEL
Colorado at Philadelphia
The Phillies look to take advantage of a Colorado team that is 2-9 in the last 11 meetings. Philadelphia is the pick (-130) according to Dunkel, which has the Phillies favored by 1. Dunkel Pick: Philadelphia (-130)
Game 951-952: Colorado at Philadelphia
Dunkel Ratings: Colorado (Jimenez) 15.407; Philadelphia (Lee) 16.529
Dunkel Line: Philadelphia by 1; 9
Vegas Line: Philadelphia (-130); 8 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Philadelphia (-130); Over
Game 953-954: St. Louis at LA Dodgers
Dunkel Ratings: St. Louis (Carpenter) 15.306; LA Dodgers (Wolf) 16.473
Dunkel Line: LA Dodgers by 1; 6
Vegas Line: St. Louis (-140); 7
Dunkel Pick: LA Dodgers (+130); Under
Game 955-956: Minnesota at NY Yankees
Dunkel Ratings: Minnesota (Duensing) 15.608; NY Yankees (Sabathia) 17.283
Dunkel Line: NY Yankees by 1 1/2; 8 1/2
Vegas Line: NY Yankees (-300); 9 1/2
Dunkel Pick: NY Yankees (-300); Under
NHL
Phoenix at Pittsburgh
The Penguins look to take advantage of a Phoenix team that is 3-7 in its last 10 road games. Pittsburgh is the pick (-230) according to Dunkel, which has the Penguins favored by 1/2 a goal. Dunkel Pick: Pittsburgh (-230)
Game 51-52: Phoenix at Pittsburgh
Dunkel Ratings: Phoenix 12.747; Pittsburgh 13.173
Dunkel Line & Total: Pittsburgh by 1/2; 5
Vegas Line & Total: Pittsburgh (-230); 6
Dunkel Pick: Pittsburgh (-230); Under
Game 53-54: Montreal at Vancouver
Dunkel Ratings: Montreal 11.438; Vancouver 11.275
Dunkel Line & Total: Montreal by 1/2; 5
Vegas Line & Total: Vancouver (-180); 5 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Montreal (+170); Under
WNBA
Phoenix at Indiana
The Mercury look to bounce back from their Game Three loss and take advantage of an Indiana team that is 2-5 ATS in its last 7 home games. Phoenix is the pick (+2 1/2) according to Dunkel, which has the Mercury favored by 1 1/2. Dunkel Pick: Phoenix (+2 1/2)
Game 607-608: Phoenix at Indiana
Dunkel Ratings: Phoenix 116.683; Indiana 115.275
Dunkel Line & Total: Phoenix by 1 1/2; 176 1/2
Vegas Line & Total: Indiana by 2 1/2; 179
Dunkel Pick: Phoenix (+2 1/2); Under
Frank Jordan
Minnesota Twins vs. New York Yankees
Play: New York Yankees -1.5
Minnesota used everyone in the three game weekend series and Tuesday in the one game playoff to make it into the playoffs. With that they will rely on rookie Brian Duensing who did pitch in one game against the Yankees this season, but gave up 4 runs in 2 2/3 innings. The Yankees went 7-0 this year against Minnesota in the regular season including three straight walkoffs at home. In this one look for CC Sabathia to dominate a tired Minnesota team. Play NY Yankees
Jr Tipps
Cardinals at Dodgers
Randy Wolf has seen a lot in his 11-year career but never the playoffs but he's finally getting a chance today as the 33-year-old left-hander is the starter for the La Dodgers against St. Louis' ace Chris Carpenter. Carpenter is the 2005 Cy Young winner is a strong contender again this season, boasting a 17-4 record and a NL-best 2.24 ERA. Wolf set career highs with 34 starts and 214 1/3 innings and ended the regular season strong going 6-1 in his final nine starts with a 2.51 ERA. Overall, he was 11-7 with a 3.23 ERA that was second on the staff to Clayton Kershaw's 2.79. Carpenter is 2-0 with 1.20 ERA against the Dodgers this season. He has a bunch of weapons so he can pitch to all areas as he competes like a maniac. Dodgers slugger Manny Ramirez comes into the playoffs having batted .218 with four home runs and 14 RBIs in his last 25 games as Ramirez tailed off after returning from a 50-game suspension for violating baseball's drug policy. He was hitting .348 with six homers and 20 RBIs before sitting out and returned to hit .269 with 13 homers and 43 RBIs in 77 games although Ramirez is baseball's all-time postseason home run leader with 28 and his 74 RBIs are second only to former New York Yankees star Bernie Williams' 80. Both these pitchers have beeen stellar giving up less than 2 runs a game in their last 10 starts combined. There will be alot of nerves in game 1 and runs will have to be maufactured by both teams keeping this a low scoring game. 3 Runs will get the win for either of these teams today.
TAKE UNDER 7
Bobby Maxwell
Colorado at PHILADELPHIA -130
I handed out a FREE baseball winner in this spot on Tuesday, playing the Twins at home over the Tigers. Today the comp selection is on the Phillies as they are at a good price against the Rockies.
Colorado played like crap the first month of this season and it's hard to believe they actually made the postseason. They fired their manager a month in and still had the time and ability to turn things around and get to the playoffs.
It won't be a long run in the playoffs as Philadelphia has dominated the Rockies lately, winning nine of the last 11 meetings overall and they've done it by multiple runs instead of just sneaking by. The Phillies are 5-1 in the last six meetings in Philadelphia and this year they took two of three both at home and on the road against these Rockies.
The Phillies are still a little pissed off a the Rockies for the 2007 divisional playoffs when Colorado went to Philadelphia and stole the first two games.
Philadelphia won the division by six games and basically had it on cruise control the final two weeks of the regular season. They got everybody somewhat healthy for just having played 162 and set up the pitching rotation for the first few rounds.
Cliff Lee was nails for the Phils after arriving at 7 p.m., making 12 starts for the Phils, winning his first five and finishing 7-4 with a 3.39 ERA. In Lee's lone career start against the Rockies on Aug. 6, he allowed just one run on six hits in seven innings of a 3-1 win.
Colorado is starting Ubaldo Jimenez (15-12, 3.47) who has not had much luck against the Phillies, allowing nine runs on 14 hits in 10 innings of work, all at Citizens Bank Park. With Jimenez on the hill, the Rockies are on slides of 12-24 on the road, 7-18 as a road 'dog and 1-4 against winning teams.
Philadelphia is on 32-13 in its last 45 home games. A dominating stat and they'll deliver a dominating performance tonight.
Play the Phillies in this opener.
4♦ PHILADELPHIA
Dominic Fazzini
Colorado at PHILADELPHIA -130
I've won two straight complimentary selections with Troy's easy victory Tuesday. And now I'm going to start you off right in the MLB playoffs with another big winner!
The Phillies are going with Cliff Lee (14-13, 3.22 with Cleveland and Philadelphia) to begin their run toward a second straight world championship. While Lee wasn't around for last year's fun, he definitely is going to play a big role in determining the team's fortunes this October.
The left-hander dominated Colorado in his only career start against it, giving up one run and six hits with nine strikeouts in seven innings on Aug. 6. He was 3-2 with a 2.52 ERA in five starts in Philadelphia this year.
Rockies starter Ubaldo Jimenez (15-12, 3.47) is 0-1 with an 8.10 ERA in two career starts against the Phillies in the regular season. He did hold them to one run in 6 1/3 innings during the 2007 playoffs, but received a no-decision.
The right-hander was just 7-7 with a 3.58 ERA in 18 road starts this year.
Philadelphia has won nine of the last 11 games against Colorado, including five of the last six at Citizens Bank Park. Go with the Phillies to take Game 1 of this series.
3♦ PHILADELPHIA
Karl Garrett
Minnesota at NY YANKEES
Minnesota Twins made it 3 straight comp play winners.
For Wednesday, take the OVER between the Twins and the Yankees.
Obviously, the Minnesota staff has to be a little tired after yesterday's 12 inning affair, and the G-Man feels the runs may start to add up at Yankee Stadium in this one.
The Twins are on a 6-2-1 OVER run their last 9 on the road, and an overall 6-0-1 OVER run their last 7 games.
The Yankees come into this one having played OVER in 2 of their last 3 games to close the season.
It will be Duensing and Sabathia, and while both have been solid down the stretch, Brian Duensing's ERA is at 4.32 for his last 3 starts, and with little help behind him, expect the Yanks to get the runs cranking early in this one.
G-Man taking the OVER.
3♦ OVER
Sports Gambling Hotline
St. Louis at LOS ANGELES
Winner for free yesterday, as Detroit-Minnesota went OVER the total for us. Now 42-29-4 our last 76 comp play selections.
In the National League this Wednesday, we will go UNDER the total in the Cardinals-Dodgers contest.
5 of the 7 meetings between the teams this year stayed LOW, and that includes both starts Chris Carpenter made against the Dodgers, as the St. Louis righty was able to work 15 innings, while allowing just 3 earned runs to cross.
LA closed by going 3-1-1 UNDER the total in their last 5 games, and we just don't see many runs being scored in this one tonight.
Play on the UNDER between St. Louis and Los Angeles.
1♦ UNDER
Michael Cannon
St. Louis -140 at LA DODGERS
Take the Cardinals for the win tonight over the Dodgers in Game 1 of their NLDS series.
Chris Carpenter gets the start for St. Louis and he went 17-4 with a 2.24 ERA on the year. The right-hander has dominated the Dodgers in his career, going 5-0 with a 2.20 ERA in six starts, including 2-0 with a 1.80 ERA in two games this year.
With Carpenter pitching St. Louis is on impressive runs of 92-38 overall, 39-19 when he’s a road chalk, 221-6 against NL West teams, 25-4 after getting five days off and 35-10 when he starts the first game of a series.
The Dodgers will counter with Randy Wolf, and he’s just 3-5 with a 3.64 ERA in 10 career starts against the Cardinals. Los Angeles also struggled down the stretch, losing five straight games before winning Saturday and Sunday. They are also on slides of 1-4 in series openers, 2-6 after an off day and 2-8 on Wednesdays.
Take the Cardinals as they grab the road win.
3♦ ST. LOUIS
Jeff Benton
St. Louis at LA DODGERS
After nailing back-to-back free plays with totals (Vikings-Packers OVER on Monday; Twins-Tigers OVER on Tuesday), I’m going to try to make it three straight totals winners on Wednesday by playing Game 1 of the Dodgers-Cardinals postseason series UNDER the posted price.
I know there’s not much room for error with this total sitting firm at 7 runs, but I honestly believe this is going to be one of those first-one-to-three-runs wins contests (if that). Not only is that because of the pitching matchup (Chris Carpenter vs. Randy Wolf), but also because both offenses went real cold down the stretch. To wit: St. Louis hit just .248 over its final 10 games, while L.A. was even worse at .231 in its last 10.
It’s hard enough to hit guys like Carpenter and Wolf when your offense is rolling. When it is in a funk, forget about it. Carpenter went 17-4 with a 2.24 ERA and a 1.01 WHIP this year (9-2, 2.05 ERA 0.88 WHIP on the road), while Wolf was 11-7 with a 3.28 ERA and a 1.10 WHIP (4-3, 3.63 ERA, 1.14 WHIP at home). Over his last three starts, Carpenter allowed one run in 20 innings (0.45 ERA), and Wolf closed the season by giving up three earned runs or fewer in each of his last 10 starts, and 13 times in his last 18 outings, he gave up two runs or less.
Wolf has a respectable 3.64 ERA in 10 starts against the Cardinals, including giving up two runs in six innings versus Carpenter in St. Louis back on July 27. Of course, Carpenter one-upped Wolf in that one, yielding a single run in seven innings. In fact, in five starts against L.A. since 2005, Carpenter has allowed just five earned runs in 36 innings. That’s a 1.25 ERA.
The under is 9-4 in the last 13 meetings between these teams since the start of the 2008 season, including 5-1 in Dodger Stadium, and that includes eight contests that featured a combined seven runs or fewer. Confidently play this one low, as both starters will bring their A games and both bullpens are rested and strong, backed by All-Star closers.
4♦ UNDER
Chris Jordan
Colorado (+150) vs. Philadelphia SERIES
Right up front, I think the Rockies are as spunky a bunch that emerged two years ago to advance to the World Series, so even though Philadelphia has owned them ever since it was swept in the 2007 Playoffs by this same Colorado team, this is the playoffs, and the Rockies are entering postseason play as one of baseball's hottest teams.
In all actuality, the Rockies have been hot since Jim Tracy replaced Clint Hurdle as manager.
Colorado was an amazing 74-42 under Tracy, thanks to an improved statistical breakdown that went from a batting average of .249 as a team, 4.9 runs per game and a 4.93 team ERA to an impressive .265, 5.0 and 3.95.
As part of that 74-42 run, the Rox closed the campaign on a 20-11 (.645) run and came close to catching the Dodgers in the NL West race. And quite frankly, this might be one of the best 'wild-card teams' we've seen in the postseason the past decade.
All five starters totaled double-digit wins, led by Jorge De La Rosa's 16. There's also Aaron Cook (11 wins), Jason Marquis (15 wins) and Game 1 starter Ubaldo Jimenez, who also won 15 games, and was the Game 2 winner back in 2007, when the Rockies won the first two in Philly before closing out the series sweep in Denver.
As for the offense, despite trading Holliday from the middle of their lineup, the Rockies scored 804 runs, second on the senior cicuit, behind the Phillies. These were the top long-ball teams in the N.L. as well, as the Rockies smoked 190 home runs, just behind the Phils.
Though Philly won four of six meetings this season, the Rockies were only outscored by a margin of 31-28.
Honestly, I like the make-up of this lineup and think the Rockies can steal home-field advantage with a Game 1 win. Iff Cliff Lee were opening this series for Philly, I might be talking differently, but it only takes one win at Citizens Bank Park to achieve the goal. . UPDATE - Maybe Charlie Manuel read my free-pick analysis, because all of a sudden he's smartened up and has Lee penciled in as the Game 1 starter. But, you know what, it tells me he's scared and has NO CONFIDENCE in Hamels. Thus, we can still get the split in Philly
That's because back at Coors Field, the Rockies were an astounding 51-30 - second best in the National League behind San Francisco.
Take the value price with the Rockies in this series, and as we move forward, I'll alert you of hedging opportunities.
2♦ ROCKIES IN N.L. DIVISION SERIES
Craig Davis
Tonight's free play winner is on the Yankees, with CC Sabathia, on the run line over a very exhausted Minnesota team. Think about this... the Twins have to play a near 5-hour marathon with Detroit, they celebrate for an hour afterwards, then they have to shower, pack up, kiss the wife and kids goodbye, and get on a plane to NYC. They'll arrive in New York overnight, try to get some sleep in a hotel, and will then have to wake up at some point during the late morning (on little sleep) in order to get to the field to dress and prepare for batting practice. Meanwhile, the Yankees are well rested, got to stay in their own beds on a restful night's sleep, and have been preparing for this day for the past few days. So, you tell me who's more prepared to play today's game? The rested Yankees or the exhausted Minnesota Twins? CC Sabathia takes the hill for New York, and despite some poor post-season outings in the past, he knows the job at hand and will likely give the Yankees his best performance of the season. After a short, three-inning outing vs. Tampa Bay in which he got shelled, one has to think he'll be fully rested and ready to prove all the critics wrong. There's no doubt he was looking past Tampa towards the playoffs, and tonight he gets to prove he's worth what the Yankees are paying him. With this potent lineup hitting as well as they have been lately and the fact they have their ace on the hill, I don't see any way the Twins keep this game within three runs. Play the Yanks on the run line as your free play winner.
3♦ NY YANKEES -1.5
DAVE COKIN
ST. LOUIS CARDINALS / LOS ANGELES DODGERS
TAKE: ST. LOUIS CARDINALS
The Dodgers managed to get the ship back on course by winning their last two games and they own the home field advantage against the Cardinals. But St. Louis is sending out the best for this series opener. Chris Carpenter has been nothing short of amazing and I absolutely believe he's deserving of the NL Cy Young Award. Carpenter has never lost to the Dodgers, owning a perfect 5-0 ledger, and Randy Wolf has been better on the road than at home. I also like the way the Redbirds line up against Wolf, and with the way Carpenter has pitched, they won't need much to position him for the win. I'll spot the price with the Cardinals in Game One of the NLDS.
JIM FEIST
MONTREAL CANADIENS / VANCOUVER CANUCKS
TAKE: UNDER
So how did the Canadiens win their first two games? De-Fense! They allowed 4 total goals in those two contests. The Canadiens added some depth to their injured blue line, signing unrestricted free-agent defenseman Marc-Andre Bergeron. The injuries have forced them to play a more defensive-oriented style, as well. They face a slumping Vancouver offense with just 6 total goals in 3 games during their 0-3 start. Play the Canadiens/Canucks Under the total.
LT Profits
Stl Louis Cardinals @ Los Angeles Dodgers
Chris Carpenter of the St. Louis Cardinals was the most dominant pitcher in the National League over the final month, and even though this total seems low at first glance, we look for him to key this Under vs. the Los Angeles Dodgers in Game 1 of the NLDS.
Carpenter allowed a grand total of one run and 13 hits in 20 innings over his last three starts, and he has allowed two runs or less on eight of his last 10 outings and three runs in one of the other ones. Also, he was his usual masterful self in two stats vs. the Dodgers this season, allowing a total of three runs in 15 innings. As if that is not enough, unlike past seasons, he now has a good bullpen behind him as the St. Louis pen ranked fifth in the majors with a 3.67 ERA.
The Dodgers are forced to start Randy Wolf in Game 1 because their ace Chad Billingsley was terrible down the stretch and their number two starter Clayton Kershaw has been out with an injury. Wolf had a decent season at 11-7 with a 3.28 ERA and 1.10 WHIP, and given that the LA offense may have a tough time scoring more than two runs vs. Carpenter, he only need a normal effort for this game to stay Under.
Finally, the Dodgers had the lowest bullpen ERA in the bigs at 3.18, so do not expect many late tack-on runs by either team tonight.
Pick: Cardinals/Dodgers Under 7
Stl Louis Cardinals (Series) (-135)
The St. Louis Cardinals are our choice to win the World Series this season, but first things first. We feel that their pitching edge is enough to offset the home field advantage that the Los Angeles Dodgers own in the NLDS.
The Cardinals have two Cy Young Award candidates on their staff in Game 1 starter Chris Carpenter and Adam Wainwright, and Carpenter may have been the most dominant pitcher in the National League over the final month.
Carpenter allowed a grand total of one run and 13 hits in 20 innings over his last three starts, and he has allowed two runs or less on eight of his last 10 outings and three runs in one of the other ones. St. Louis should get a leg up in Game 1 vs. Randy Wolf, and then come back with Wainwright in Game 2 and Joel Pineiro in Game 3, who could have won 20 games himself with some run support. Then, if the Cards are up 2-1, John Smoltz is a nice fourth starter.
The Dodgers are forces to start Wolf in Game 1 because their ace Chad Billingsley was terrible down the stretch and their number two starter Clayton Kershaw has been out with an injury. Now Wolf has had a decent season at 11-7 with a 3.28 ERA and 1.10 WHIP, but he is nowhere near the class of Carpenter.
The Cards simply have too many arms, and do not forget that unlike past seasons, they actually have a good bullpen this year, ranking fourth in the National League and fifth in the majors with a 3.67 pen ERA.
Cardinals in 4
Pick: Cardinals -135