Los Angeles Dodgers Vs. Colorado Rockies (6/28/22) Starting Lineup, Betting Odds, Prediction
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The Dodgers meet the Rockies this week for the first time since the season’s opening series, when Colorado took two out of three from the preseason World Series favorites. Los Angeles is chugging right along, going into Coors Field already 5-1 on this road trip, while the Rockies sit last in the NL West. Future Hall of Famer Clayton Kershaw gets the ball for the Dodgers on Tuesday, as the Rockies roll out Kyle Freeland after back-to-back starts of 7 innings.
Let’s take a look at starting lineups, betting odds, and predictions for Tuesday’s matchup.
Los Angeles Dodgers Vs. Colorado Rockies Betting Odds
The Dodgers are decisive favorites with Kershaw on the mound, coming in at -215 on the money line. The 3-time Cy Young winner has rounded back into form after an IL stint, and Coors Field gives LA’s bats a chance to pick up momentum after some ups and downs during their series in Atlanta. The over/under is set at 11.5 thanks to the high run production typically seen at Coors, and hot temperatures will only accelerate these offenses. While the Dodgers’ stars have been hitting the ball well, maybe Coors will allow Max Muncy or Justin Turner to find a rhythm and start contributing.
Los Angeles Dodgers Starting Lineup
C. Kershaw L
5-1 2.00 ERA
SS T. Turner R
1B F. Freeman L
C W. Smith R
3B J. Turner R
DH M. Muncy L
LF C. Taylor R
CF C. Bellinger L
RF T. Thompson R
2B H. Alberto R
Los Angeles Dodgers Vs. Kyle Freeland
Kyle Freeland has had the kind of year you’d expect, struggling in the thin air of Coors Field but thriving on the road. Freeland has a 4.29 ERA and 4.14 FIP over 14 starts (79.2 IP), with 53 strikeouts and 23 walks. He’s posted a 2.91 ERA over six starts on the road but has struggled to a 5.32 ERA at home despite very similar strikeout and walk numbers. This start comes at home against a deep Dodgers lineup, so it figures to be an uphill battle for Freeland. Freeland’s best attribute this season might be the length he gives the Rockies. He’s lasted 7 innings in three of his last four starts and has been pretty steady over his last seven starts with a 3.77 ERA.
The Dodgers haven’t always hit like fans expected this season, and they’re still dealing with the absence of Mookie Betts. That doesn’t mean this lineup isn’t among the most dangerous in baseball. The trio at the top of it – Trea Turner, Freddie Freeman, and Will Smith – has been raking of late. Freeman and Turner both hit well over .400 last week, while Smith hit 3 home runs with an OPS of 1.125. Even injury fill-in Trayce Thompson has been producing – he tied the game with a 9th inning hit against the Braves on Sunday. One thing to watch against Freeland: the Dodgers have a .723 OPS against lefties, down from a .772 OPS against righthanders.
Colorado Rockies Starting Lineup
K. Freeland L
3-5 4.29 ERA
RF C. Joe R
DH C. Blackmon L
LF K. Bryant R
1B C.J. Cron R
2B B. Rodgers R
CF R. Grichuk R
3B R. McMahon L
SS J. Iglesias R
C E. Diaz R
Colorado Rockies Vs. Clayton Kershaw
Clayton Kershaw isn’t the electrifying ace he once was, but he’s still a pitcher no one wants to face when he’s healthy. Health has been a problem for Kershaw over the last few seasons, and this year is no different: after missing the postseason last fall, he spent some time on the IL with a lower back issue this spring. Still, you can’t argue with Kershaw’s numbers this year. He has a 2.00 ERA across eight starts (45 IP), with a 2.44 FIP, 0.91 WHIP, and a 47:7 K:BB ratio. Kershaw is allowing 0.6 HR/9, his lowest mark since 2016, but it’s possible that just means he’s due to give up a few more blasts in the coming weeks. Coors Field is the kind of stadium that can make that happen.
The Rockies haven’t been hitting for much power lately. While Will Smith hit 3 home runs last week alone, Colorado only hit 3 as a team. A return to Coors Field after trips to Miami and Minnesota may help. As usual, the Rockies are a much different offensive team at home, batting .279 with a 123 OPS+ compared to their .237 AVG and 84 OPS+ on the road. Kershaw will have to watch out for Brendan Rodgers, who had 6 extra-base hits last week – including two triples. Thanks to its expansive outfield, Coors Field is a bandbox even when balls aren’t flying over the wall. It’ll be worth monitoring whether Rodgers, hitting .294 since the start of May, can keep his momentum going.
Los Angeles Dodgers Vs. Colorado Rockies Picks & Prediction
My pick: Trea Turner to Record 2+ Hits
Part of the reason the Dodgers are so dominant is how reliable some of their hitters are. Last week, I picked Freddie Freeman to record 2+ hits against the Reds, and he delivered. It was his third consecutive game with multiple hits, and he’s now tied for baseball’s longest active hit streak at 10 in a row. I also touted Trea Turner, who had recorded a hit in 39 of his last 40 games. He came through with 3 hits in that game against Cincinnati – then he did it again the next night in Atlanta. If you’re going to pick any player to have multiple hits, no one is a safer bet than Turner right now. At Coors Field against Freeland’s 1.37 WHIP and a bad bullpen, lock it in.
