Both teams are loose and playing well showing plenty of offense. The Rockies are averaging 6.1 runs in their last six games batting .375 during this span. San Diego is averaging 5.7 runs in its last four games.

I understand the Rockies hit far less away from Coors Field and are playing at Petco Park, the premier pitcher's park in the league. But I can see each team getting at least three runs, which would be enough to make this total go over.

The pitching matchup is Tyler Matzek against 17-game loser Eric Stults. These two just faced one another on Sept. 5. So the offenses should know what to be expecting. Matzek has a 4.29 career ERA versus the Padres in three starts. Matzek was fortunate to allow just two runs in 5 1/3 innings during his last start this past Tuesday against the Dodgers, who got 11 hits off him.

The left-handed Stults has a 4.88 career ERA against the Rockies in five starts. He was knocked out in the fifth inning during his last start this past Wednesday against the Phillies after surrendering four runs.

The Rockies faced two lefthanders during their just completed series against the Diamondbacks. They scored a combined 15 runs in those games against southpaws Vidal Nuno and Wade Miley, both of whom had been pitching well. Red-hot Justin Morneau, batting .415 in his last 11 games and bidding for a batting title, is expected back in the Colorado lineup after resting on Sunday. Michael Cuddyer, last year's NL batting champ, also should play. He's hitting .448 in his last seven games.