Hard To Take Bet Highlights Game Between Rockies And Dodgers

Rockies vs. Dodgers, 10:10 ET

It was another ugly day from yours truly yesterday. I ended up somewhat forcing a bet on the Royals game after I got frustrated that Brady Singer was scratched. It wasn't that I didn't back the bet, but I should've reassessed it after some time. Such is the life when you write articles about sports betting. Either way, it was a loser and that's not what we are looking for here. I knew a slump was coming eventually after a ridiculously hot start to the season. Let's try and rebound here as the Rockies take on the Dodgers. 

I've mentioned this for years, and I probably should continue to mention it for any new reader. The Rockies are a terrible road team. You'll be a profitable person if you can identify the 20 or so times they will win this season on the road. Right now, they are just 7-21 for the season. Over the course of the year that would come out to winning somewhere around 21 games for the year and losing 60. That's brutal. This isn't a new phenomenon for them though, the Rockies have struggled on the road for years. The Rockies were able to sweep the Padres on the road, when they were playing their best baseball of the year. Outside of that they've never won a series on the road. Now they have to travel to face the best team in the division and hope they can get something going. Tonight, the task of beating the Dodgers falls on the right arm of Dakota Hudson. Hudson might actually be happy to see a non-Coors Field site as he has struggled at home, but has been better on the road. As a road starter, he has a 3.95 ERA. The Rockies are just 1-4 in his five starts, but he has only allowed more than three earned runs once in those starts. Despite the character of the Dodgers' hitters, they are just 9-for-38 against Hudson in their careers.

LOS ANGELES, CA - AUGUST 20: Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Walker Buehler (21) throws a pitch during the MLB game between the New York Mets and the Los Angeles Dodgers on August 20, 2021 at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles, CA. (Photo by Brian Rothmuller/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

Unlike Colorado, it really doesn't matter where the Dodgers play. Los Angeles, Colorado, a little league park, whatever, they are going to mash the ball. On the season, the Dodgers have a .257 batting average and are only behind the Phillies with 288 runs scored. They are tied for the Major League lead with 508 hits. Perhaps what you should like best about the Dodgers is that while they can tear the cover off of the ball, they also are willing to take their walks. They are second in the league, behind the Yankees, for most walks as a team. You can get them to chase, as evidenced as them sitting in 11th place for strikeouts, but overall, they are making good contact and finding ways to score. Tonight, Walker Buehler takes the hill. I've been a big fan of Buehler and thought he could put together a Cy Young year last season before he was injured. He's made four starts this season and covered just 19 innings, but has been fairly consistent, allowing three earned runs in three of his four starts. His best start was his most recent home start where he allowed just three hits over six scoreless innings. Charlie Blackmon and Kris Bryant are the only ones who have had success against him. 

The Dodgers and Buehler should not be favored at -340. I get it that the Rockies suck on the road. I've just explained that quite a bit in the paragraphs above. However, Buehler is not quite sharp yet. It is always hard to back the Rockies, but I think Hudson can at least go toe-to-toe with Buehler. I'm going to take them through five. This isn't a bet for the faint of heart, but it is the right side in terms of value. Back the Rockies through five innings at +230. 

For more sports betting information and plays, follow David on X/Twitter: @futureprez2024