Struggling Starters Take the Hill – Rockies at Giants

The Colorado Rockies (8-12 SU, 10-10 RL, 12-6-2 O/U) and San Francisco Giants (10-10 SU, 11-8 RL, 8-7-4 O/U) will each look to record consecutive victories in the BetOnline Sportsbook when they square off in a battle of division rivals tonight at AT&T Park at 10 PM ET.

Catcher Chris Iannetta blasted a two-run homer and drove in three runs to lead the Rockies to a 7-5 win over the San Diego Padres on Wednesday as -145 favorites. Veteran first baseman Todd Helton also homered and finished with three RBIs for Colorado while the 12 combined runs played Over the set O/U total of 10.5 runs.

The Giants jumped out to a seven-run lead en route to their convincing 9-4 win over the Los Angeles Dodgers on Wednesday as -150 favorites.

Catcher Bengie Molina went 2-for-4 and drove in three runs while the final score played Over the posted over/under total (7.5).

Tonight, the Rockies will give the ball to struggling right-hander Ubaldo Jimenez (1-3, 7.58) who looks to avoid losing his fourth straight start.

Jimenez has allowed 16 runs and 14 walks over 12 innings in losing each of his last three starts including Saturday’s 6-5 loss to the Dodgers after giving up six runs on eight hits and four walks in four innings.

The Giants will counter Jimenez with their own struggling starter in Hall of Fame-bound southpaw Randy Johnson (1-2, 6.16 ERA).

Johnson gave up two runs on three hits and a whopping seven walks – his most since July of 2000 – in just 3.1 innings of a 5-3 victory over the Diamondbacks on Saturday.

Here is a look at tonight’s key trends, followed by my in-depth analysis and MLB Free Pick.

The Rockies are 5-2 in Jimenez’s last 7 starts during game 1 of a series.

The Rockies are 2-5 in Jimenez’s last 7 starts after scoring 5 runs or more in their previous game.

The Giants are 4-0 in their last 4 during game 1 of a series.

The Giants are 5-1 in their last 6 home games.

The Rockies are 5-1 in the last 6 meetings in San Francisco.

The Rockies are 5-1 in the last 6 meetings.

The Over is 4-1 in the last 5 meetings.

The Under is 4-1 in Jimenez’s last 5 starts vs. Giants.

The Under is 8-3-1 in the last 12 meetings in San Francisco.

MLB Odds

Colorado Rockies +1½ -210

Ubaldo Jimenez –R -105

San Francisco Giants -1½ +175

Randy Johnson –L -115

Over 8½ -105

Under 8½ -115

Analysis: While Ubaldo Jimenez has struggled in a big way recently, the Colorado Rockies have scored a whopping 29 runs over their last three victories. The Giants however, have won each of Randy Johnson’s last two starts and come into tonight’s contest having won seven of its last nine overall.

While the Rockies have won three straight and five of the last six against the Giants dating back to last season, I like the Giants to win this contest and cover the Run Line behind a strong performance from the Big Unit while getting just enough runs off of Jimenez to make the cover stand up.

I also like the Over in this contest as it has played out in four of the last five meetings between these ballclubs.

MLB Free Picks: Giants -1½ Runs/Over 8½ Total Runs