Arizona Diamondbacks vs. Colorado Rockies September 22 Free Pick

By MLB

Todd Helton plays his final National League game at Coors Field Sunday when Patrick Corbin and the Diamondbacks finish up a three game set looking for a sweep. The Rockies play two more at Coors against the Boston Red Sox before finishing the season on the road against the Dodgers. Corbin and the Snakes open as small -115 favorites on the road with a total of 9.5 against Juan Nicasio and the Rockies.

Free Pick

In his last outing against the Dodgers, I backed Corbin and got burned when both Hanley Ramirez and Matt Kemp unexpectedly played and Arizona Diamondbacks v Miami Marlinsproduced from the right side against the lefty. Well, I’m going right back to the well in this one, backing Corbin to put a good start together and limit the Colorado lineup.

Corbin was roughed up in his last start going only two innings – his shortest outing of the year. He’s had plenty of time to review that outing where he was hurt by some good right-handed bats. You know the young Corbin doesn’t want to end his All-Star campaign with the bad taste of a couple bad outings in his mouth. Look for the southpaw to come out sharp and keep the Rockies in check. It will also be nice to face a lineup where one would think Corbin has a huge advantage.

With Carlos Gonzalez long on the shelf, Troy Tulowitzki doubtful and Michael Cuddyer very up in the air, the Colorado lineup looks very thin and especially susceptible to a left-hander. In fact, the Rockies three biggest offensive threats very well may be down to Helton, Corey Dickerson and Charlie Blackmon. All three are lefties, all three struggle to hit lefties and none are particularly dangerous in the grand scheme of things. More importantly, lefties simply do not touch Patrick Corbin. He is limiting lefties to .185 on the season with that nasty, sweeping slider that is nearly unhittable.

Even with some of the right-handed pop that shouldn’t be in the lineup Sunday, the Rockies have struggled to hit Corbin all season anyway. Corbin is 3-0 with a 1.52 ERA against Colorado on the year. He’s allowed just 15 hits in just under 24 innings, which equates to a .179 batting average against. If the Rockies can’t hit Corbin with Tulo, Carlos Gonzalez and Michael Cuddyer why should they be expected to produce anything without two or all three of them?

I just don’t see the Rockies pushing across five runs on Sunday. Corbin was undervalued in his last start and the Dodgers just got to him early. He’s even more undervalued here and I feel comfortable going right back to him in a great spot on Sunday afternoon.

Free Pick: Colorado Rockies Team Total Under 4.5

2013 MLB: 26-16-3 +10.83


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