MLB Predictions: Colorado Rockies at Los Angeles Dodgers

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Mar 10, 2015; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Colorado Rockies second baseman DJ LeMahieu (9) and third baseman Nolan Arenado (28) before a spring training game against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Camelback Ranch. Mandatory Credit: Rick Scuteri-USA TODAY Sports

Our Colorado Rockies have played three series. In each series I have gone against the grain by picking our Rockies to win both their road series and lose their home series. I stand before you with a perfect record.

It is easy to ride high into Los Angeles and believe our Rockies can take their 3rd consecutive road series. Seemingly forever pigeon-holed in the cliché “sure they can hit but they can’t pitch“, a quick glance at the numbers suggests things are changing.

A perfect snapshot of the changes can be seen by looking back at the Rockies start last season after 9 games. The Rockies had already scored 50 runs but had given up 54 runs. 2015 is a new season and after 9 games our Rockies have maintained their offensive potential scoring 45 runs BUT have only given up 25 runs to date.

Our Rockies sit 2nd overall in the NL with an ERA of 2.41. Despite all the traffic on the bases due to hit batters and walks, the Rockies still sit 4th overall in WHIP at 1.16. The Dodgers sit 11th and 7th in these pitching categories.

The Rockies lead the NL in runs (45), the Dodgers are 2nd (43).
The Rockies lead the NL in doubles (29), the Dodgers are 3rd (21).
The Rockies lead the NL in batting average (.301), the Dodgers are 3rd (.274).

I’m telling you all this good news to butter you up. I expect the Dodgers to sweep the Rockies.

Please continue reading to understand my rationale. Please feel free to leave comments below.

Colorado Rockies shortstop Troy Tulowitzki (2) Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports

How much purple juice do you need to drink to believe the Rockies can get to Clayton Kershaw? Go ahead, pour a tall glass, I’ll wait.

Last season in 22 innings pitched against our Rockies, Kershaw struck out 32!! Okay so 15 of those came in one “magical” game you may argue. Over 3 separate games, Kershaw allowed a TOTAL 5 hits. Of those hits, only one was an extra base hit – a homer to Troy Tulowitzki.

One perspective of the amazing pitching stats mentioned in the first page is that they have come against the teams currently ranked 9,10,11 in NL batting average. The LA Dodgers will be the stiffest competition bat wise this young season. They have Clayton Kershaw combating our bats, we have Kyle Kendrick combating their bats.

Prediction: Dodgers

Game 2 of the series features Zack Greinke versus Jordan Lyles.

In the Rockies first meeting last season (June 7) against Greinke, our boys put up 11 hits and 4 runs in 7 innings. In their next 3 meetings combined versus Greinke, the Rockies mustered a combined 4 runs. Not a good trend.

On April 25, 2014 Jordan Lyles pitched 7 strong innings against the Dodgers giving up only 2 runs on 6 hits. His second visit to Dodger Stadium, didn’t go so smoothly. On September 26, 2014 Lyles was torched for 8 hits and 5 runs in 5.1 innings. Again, not a good trend.

The “trend” I’m referring to is the notion of whether the pitcher is learning the batters faster than the batters are learning the pitcher. Greinke got stronger against our bats and Lyles got hit harder in his second visit.

Prediction: Dodgers

GAME 3

In case you forgot, Eddie Butler‘s last outing included 6 walks and oh yeah, he loaded the bases in the 1st AND 2nd innings. The only correct adjective to use to explain how he got out of San Francisco is “magical” (insert Disneyland joke here). This start for Butler could become the ugliest line of the year overtaking Kyle Kendrick’s Cubs implosion.

The fun fact is that even if Butler gets rocked, the Dodgers counterpart Brandon McCarthy does not project to keep the Rockies bats all that silent. Current Rockies who sport an under .300 average versus McCarthy in the past 5 years: NO ONE.

Troy Tulowitzki leads the charge at .556. Justin Morneau‘s batting .455 and Nick Hundley‘s (hopefully the Rox give him Saturday night off so he can play this early game) batting .429.

Prediction: Dodgers

Here’s hoping I’m partially wrong and that our Rockies take at least one game.

Schedule