Colorado at Arizona
Thursday, May 5th, 9:40 PM
(matchup)
Following an 11-2 start to the season, the Colorado Rockies have pretty much been stuck in neutral, trading wins and losses. But they picked up a win last night in Arizona and tonight will go for the series win behind Jason Hammel, who is being opposed by Ian Kennedy. Oddsmakers have this matchup just about even on the money line.
Colorado has not won a series here at Chase Field since late in the 2009 season. They have lost eight of their last 11 games at Arizona overall. Prior to yesterday’s 6-4 victory, the Rockies had scored just 11 runs in its previous four games.
An early line move indicates the public is on the home team in this one, but they might want to be careful considering the Diamondbacks 1-4 record when favored this season.
Both of tonight’s starters have pitched well recently. For Colorado, Hammel is looking to win his third straight start. He has allowed just one earned run in each of his previous outings. This will be the fifth time in his career he’s faced Arizona with a previous team start record of 3-1.
Ian Kennedy was off to a great start to the 2011 campaign before suffering his first loss last time out. Despite allowing three runs and six hits in a 5-3 loss to the Cubs, Kennedy still owns a 1.29 ERA his last three starts and earlier in the year he was on the winning end of a 7-6 Arizona win over Colorado as big +180 dogs, although he did not factor into the decision.
Both teams will be on the road against NL West rivals over the weekend. Colorado is at San Francisco while Arizona visits San Diego.
Interesting note on today’s scheduled home plate umpire, Doug Eddings. The home team is a perfect 7-0 this season in games he is behind the plate with an average score of 7.4 to 2.9.
