PREMIUM
Stephen Nover's MLB Total of the Week
(MLB) San Diego vs. Colorado,
Total: 10.00 | -112.00 Over
Result: Loss
Total: 10.00 | -112.00 Over
Result: Loss
Let's start with the injuries where three key offensive stars could be out.
San Diego's Justin Upton is dealing with a sore quad. He left last night's game in the fourth inning because of the injury. The Rockies could be missing Nolan Arenado and Corey Dickerson. Arenado didn't play last night because of a left wrist injury sustained during batting practice while Dickerson departed in the third inning with plantar fasciitis after grounding out. Upton is off to a fast start while Arenado and Dickerson are Colorado's two top home run and RBI leaders.
Now let's go to the starting pitchers where a rejuvenated Brandon Morrow faces underrated Tyler Matzek.
The 30-year-old Morrow is making the switch to the National League, which usually is a plus for an American League pitcher. He missed four months last year with Toronto because of a hand injury. Now he's resurfaced in the National League and has looked very good in his first two starts with a 1.29 ERA and 12 strikeouts in 14 innings versus the Diamondbacks and Giants.
Morrow has experienced Coors Field - and conquered it with a 2.00 ERA in two starts. He's backed by one of the best bullpens in the majors. Morrow also catches the Rockies in a hitting slump. Colorado is averaging 2.2 runs in its last four games, batting .195 during this span. The Rockies haven't scored more than four runs a game during their last seven games.
San Diego is swinging hot bats scoring 14 runs on Monday while averaging 5.2 runs per game on the season. But the combination of that 14-3 Padres win on Monday and playing at Coors Field makes this a double-digit total. Those factors don't overcome the underrated pitching matchup and quality of the closers, both of whom are rested.
Matzek is under-the-radar with a 1.80 ERA through two starts. An improved changeup and more confidence have made Matzek a better pitcher. Matzek faced San Diego at Coors last Sept. 5 and held the Padres to three hits in a 3-0 victory. The under has cashed seven of the past eight times Matzek has started. He's backed by a rested Adam Ottavino, who has upgraded Colorado at closer with a 0.00 ERA through 7 1/3 innings, a 12-to-1 strikeout-to-walk ratio and two saves.
The weather forecast is for a slight wind, which will be blowing in. The scheduled home plate umpire is Chad Fairchild. The under has cashed 54 percent of the time when Fairchild has been behind the dish during the past five years.
San Diego's Justin Upton is dealing with a sore quad. He left last night's game in the fourth inning because of the injury. The Rockies could be missing Nolan Arenado and Corey Dickerson. Arenado didn't play last night because of a left wrist injury sustained during batting practice while Dickerson departed in the third inning with plantar fasciitis after grounding out. Upton is off to a fast start while Arenado and Dickerson are Colorado's two top home run and RBI leaders.
Now let's go to the starting pitchers where a rejuvenated Brandon Morrow faces underrated Tyler Matzek.
The 30-year-old Morrow is making the switch to the National League, which usually is a plus for an American League pitcher. He missed four months last year with Toronto because of a hand injury. Now he's resurfaced in the National League and has looked very good in his first two starts with a 1.29 ERA and 12 strikeouts in 14 innings versus the Diamondbacks and Giants.
Morrow has experienced Coors Field - and conquered it with a 2.00 ERA in two starts. He's backed by one of the best bullpens in the majors. Morrow also catches the Rockies in a hitting slump. Colorado is averaging 2.2 runs in its last four games, batting .195 during this span. The Rockies haven't scored more than four runs a game during their last seven games.
San Diego is swinging hot bats scoring 14 runs on Monday while averaging 5.2 runs per game on the season. But the combination of that 14-3 Padres win on Monday and playing at Coors Field makes this a double-digit total. Those factors don't overcome the underrated pitching matchup and quality of the closers, both of whom are rested.
Matzek is under-the-radar with a 1.80 ERA through two starts. An improved changeup and more confidence have made Matzek a better pitcher. Matzek faced San Diego at Coors last Sept. 5 and held the Padres to three hits in a 3-0 victory. The under has cashed seven of the past eight times Matzek has started. He's backed by a rested Adam Ottavino, who has upgraded Colorado at closer with a 0.00 ERA through 7 1/3 innings, a 12-to-1 strikeout-to-walk ratio and two saves.
The weather forecast is for a slight wind, which will be blowing in. The scheduled home plate umpire is Chad Fairchild. The under has cashed 54 percent of the time when Fairchild has been behind the dish during the past five years.
