Thursday
July 14, 2011
8:40 PM EST
Coors Field, Colorado
Milwaukee Brewers @ Colorado Rockies
YOVANI GALLARDO vs. UBALDO JIMENEZ

On Thursday, the "second half" of the baseball season begins with some good matchups.  One of the top games is Colorado taking on Milwaukee. Both teams are still very much in contention for the playoffs.  The line isn't out yet but we figure that it will be close to a "pick em" with the way that the pitchers have played this year. Yovani Gallardo has been stellar with a (10-5 win/loss) and a (3.76 ERA).  He is matched against a slumping Ubaldo Jimenez who is just (4-8 and 4.14 ERA).

Pitching aside, the teams have averaged about 4.4 runs for and against on both sides of the ball this season. So defense and offense are pretty even all the way around.  Milwaukee has a winning record this year and is near the top of their division right behind St. Louis and has earned $169 differential in betting terms this season. Colorado, having been a major disappointment thus far is just 43-48 and -$1802, mainly because of Jimenez's record.  He was Cy Young material just last season.

So what will happen in this game. We feel you can count on Jimenez to come out and establish a good pitching game after being rested and having a chance to lick his wounds.  Gallardo will play well also but will give up 3 or 4 runs and that will be what it takes to have Colorado win. We see Colorado being the pick here.


BETTING TRENDS

MILWAUKEE BREWERS
The total has gone OVER in 8 of Milwaukee's last 10 games
Milwaukee is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games
The total has gone OVER in 9 of Milwaukee's last 12 games on the road
Milwaukee is 1-6 SU in its last 7 games on the road
Milwaukee is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games when playing Colorado
Milwaukee is 3-13 SU in its last 16 games when playing on the road against Colorado

COLORADO ROCKIES
Colorado is 2-6 SU in its last 8 games
Colorado is 1-4 SU in its last 5 games when playing Milwaukee
Colorado is 13-3 SU in its last 16 games when playing at home against Milwaukee