We all love to visit Colorado and the Rockies baseball team is in the same boat as they want to get back home after a disastrous 1-5 road trip thus far. The Brewers have won two in a row in the battle of the beer stadiums and look to continue that streak today in the August 5th NL free pick. Milwaukee is just a game back from the Cubs in the NL Central but the Rockies need today’s game too as they are just 3 back in the West. Oddsmakers have made the Brew Crew slight favorites (MIL -110) but which team has the true value?
Can Rockies Salvage the Trip Behind Gray?
Colorado has optimism (COL +100) in today’s game as they send Jon Gray (9-7, 4.99 ERA) to the hill. Overall his numbers aren’t that impressive but since doing some tinkering around the all-star break he’s been much improved. Gray has allowed just 4 ER his last 3 starts, has pitched into the 8th twice, and allowed just 1 hit vs. Houston across that span. Gray is in a tough spot in the August 5th MLB free pick as the Brewers have won 5 straight against RH pitching but he has held Milwaukee batters to a .256 average across 39 AB.
Sunday afternoon’s total is set at 8.5 for the third straight game. Colorado needs to get the bats going if bettors want to see that number go ‘over.’ The Rockies have been a bit sluggish on their latest road trip, scoring more than 4 runs just once in the last 6 games. Only two everyday Rockies players are hitting over .310 the past 7 days (Gerardo Parra, Trevor Story) and Nolan Arenado (.214) and Charlie Blackmon (.167) are especially struggling over that span. Can the Rockies get it going today or are they just ready for this road trip through the Midwest to be done with like a bad family vacation?
Brewers Look to Keep On Keeping On
Milwaukee has gone 7-3 over their last 10 games to keep pace with Chicago in the NL Central. That includes 4-1 in their last 5 games at Miller Park and 7-2 in their last 9 at home against a right hand starter. The Brewers have hit 11 home runs over their past 7 games and had the bats rolling yesterday in an 8-4 win over these Rockies that included a 6 run 1st inning. Christian Yelich was 3-4 in that game and Ryan Braun hit his 12th HR of the season (one of 3 Brewers long balls). Four Brewers regular players are hitting over .350 the past 7 days (Braun, Yelich, Manny Pina, Hernan Perez) which bodes well for Milwaukee in the August 5th NL free pick.
It’s almost surprising that the Brewers aren’t favored by more on Sunday afternoon considering the success today’s starter Wade Miley (2-1, 1.53 ERA) has had against Colorado in his career. In 12 starts vs. the Rockies Miley is 7-2 with a 3.79 ERA. In six starts since coming to Milwaukee from Baltimore, Miley has allowed just 5 total ER. He has three outings of 0 runs allowed and a start against Cincinnati with just 1 run given up. Things are looking good for the Brew Crew today.
August 5th NL Free Pick Betting
There’s not as much action on Milwaukee as you’d expect today – in fact 51% of the public actually likes the Rockies. Colorado has been a bit sluggish at the plate and Sunday afternoon’s contest should be a pitching battle for most of the game. Therefore a total play is the way to go:
Free Pick: Colorado Rockies / Milwaukee Brewers *Under* 8.5
