MLB Predictions: Colorado Rockies, San Francisco Rematch

Apr 13, 2015; San Francisco, CA, USA; Colorado Rockies second baseman D.J. LeMahieu (9) gets out of the way of a wild pitch that scored left fielder Corey Dickerson (6) (not pictured) from third base in the second inning of their MLB baseball game with the San Francisco Giants. Mandatory Credit: Lance Iversen-USA TODAY Sports

The Colorado Rockies have played 5 series this young season.  I have correctly selected the outcome of EACH series.  Think it’s easy?  Feel free to play along with me in the comment section below.  One positive prediction for the upcoming series, I feel the Rockies will keep pace with the team I hate the most in the NL West the Los Angeles Dodgers.  One negative prediction is that I am picking the Giants to win this weekend series versus our Rox.

Our Rockies face the same three Giants starting pitchers as they did in the series April 13-15 in San Francisco.  Here is how our batters did:

1. Charlie Blackmon 4-10, RBI, Walk, 2 K’s
2. Carlos Gonzalez 2-12, Walk, 2 K’s
3. Troy Tulowitzki 3-12, RBI, double, 3 K’s
4. Justin Morneau 3-12, double, 2 K’s
5. Nolan Arenado 2-10, 3 RBI Homerun, double, 2 Walks, 2 K’s
6. Corey Dickerson 3-12, RBI, triple, 4 K’s (all 3 hits came in one game)
7. Nick Hundley 3-7, double, walk, strikeout
8. DJ LeMahieu 6-10, RBI, walk
9. Michael McHenry 1-4, strikeout
10. BENCH 0-6, RBI groundout, strikeout

GAME ONE:

The first Giants starter the Rox face is Chris Heston.  A 0.87 ERA in 20.2 innings played, that’s a definite tip of the cap.  This young man is dialed in, unless the Rockies learned something during their first meeting on April 12, the bar is set for Mr. Heston at 7 innings of 1 run ball.  The Rockies counter with Eddie Butler, who despite having his best start last time out versus the Dodgers, is a rookie simply not pitching at the level of the equally experienced Heston.

Prediction: Giants

GAME TWO:

Jorge De La Rosa had two April starts versus San Francisco last season.  In San Francisco, an ugly 4.1 inning 6 runs against performance.  At home in Coors Field, 5 innings, 1 run against with 3 walks and 5 K’s to earn the win.  We witnessed the ugly De La Rosa in his first of this season.  Is he recovered enough to come up with a solid performance this Saturday night?  His counterpart Tim Hudson has had rare back-to-back subpar performances.  One of these veterans will find their groove and lead their team to victory.

If neither veteran pitcher is able to find their game, they can take solace in the fact their respective bullpens were solid in the April 13-15 series.  The Giants bullpen only gave up one run (RBI ground out by Wilin Rosario).  The Rockies bullpen gave up two runs but they were to the same guy, the unlikely Matt Duffy.  It must be noted, Adam Ottavino struck out 5 of the 6 San Francisco batters he faced.

Prediction: Giants

GAME THREE:

Rockies starter Tyler Matzek is coming off of a 6 walk performance versus the San Diego Padres.  In his meeting against the Giants on April 15th, Matzek allowed a total of 6 baserunners.  Giants starter Tim Lincecum sole blemish on his early season record is against our Rockies.

While I earlier admitted that the Dodgers are my least favourite NL West team, Tim Lincecum is my least favourite NL West pitcher.  Honestly, the Lincecum hate-on is for no other reason than wasting a 1st round fantasy baseball pick on him the year he hit the skids and being dumb enough to draft him again the very next year.  Here’s hoping Sunday’s game is a step toward Matzek becoming a “stream-able” pitcher in fantasy.

Prediction: Rockies