Colorado Rockies vs La Dodgers Picks and Predictions September 28th 2024

Home field, a Triple Crown on the line as Dodgers face Rockies

The Dodgers are the heavy favorite on the money line today, as they are sitting at -271 compared to the Rockies at +225. This NL West matchup has an over/under line of 11 runs, and the game is being played at Coors Field in Denver.

First pitch for this one is set for 8:10 PM ET, and the forecast from Denver calls for clear skies and temperatures in the upper 80s. Yoshinobu Yamamoto is starting for the Dodgers, and he is facing off against Antonio Senzatela. Los Angeles is 96-64, while the Rockies are 61-99 and are 5th in the NL West.

Los Angeles vs. Colorado Key Information

• Teams: Dodgers at Rockies
• Where: Coors Field Denver
• Date: Saturday, September 28th
• Betting Odds LAD -271 | COL +225 O/U 11

The Dodgers Can Win If…

Right-hander Yoshinobu Yamamoto gets the start for the Dodgers today as he faces the Rockies on the road. He has made 17 starts this year and has a record of 6-2 with an ERA of 2.96. Yamamoto has pitched well on the road, coming in with a record of 3-1 and an ERA of 1.94. In his last outing, he finished with a no-decision, giving up four earned runs in three innings of work. Before that, he had put together three straight outings without giving up a home run. Yamamoto has a WHIP of 1.13 this season.

Shohei Ohtani has been on an absolute tear for the Dodgers, going 25/39 in his last nine games, with six homers and 20 RBIs during that stretch. Ohtani’s 130 RBIs this season is 2nd in the league and is also the top mark on the Dodgers. His 54 home runs are also 2nd in the league. Teoscar Hernandez has also been a big power threat for the Dodgers, with 32 homers, which is 10th in the league.

As a team, the Dodgers are the top scoring team in the league, averaging 5.2 runs per game. They are also the league’s best team in terms of OPS and slugging percentage. Overall, they have the best team ISO in the league and are 2nd in team home runs.

• The Dodgers are 7-3 in their last ten games.
• Over their last five games, the Dodgers are 2-3 vs. the run line.
• Los Angeles has an over/under record of 7-2-1 in their last ten games.
• The Dodgers have an average of 6.0 runs per game over their last five games.
• Across their last ten road games, the Dodgers are 6-4
• Looking back across the Dodgers last five games as the favorite, they are 3-2
• Los Angeles has gone 3-0 in their last three games as the underdog
• In their ten most recent road games, the Dodgers have averaged 7.6 runs per game on offense

The Rockies Can Win If…

Antonio Senzatela is getting the start for the Rockies today as they take on the Dodgers. This will be his second start of the season, and in his first outing, he went 5 innings and gave up 1 earned run on 2 hits. Senzatela finished with 2 strikeouts and 2 walks.

So far this season, the Rockies offense is averaging 4.2 runs per game, which is 18th in the league. However, they have been better at home, averaging 5 runs per contest. As a team, they are batting .242, which is 10th in the MLB, and have the 13th best slugging percentage in the league. The Rockies have been a tough team to strike out this season but have been near the bottom of the league in terms of drawing walks.

Ezequiel Tovar and Michael Toglia are tied for the team lead in home runs this season, with Tovar also leading the team with 77 RBIs. Tovar has been swinging a hot bat of late, going 10/35 in his last eight games. Charlie Blackmon has also been hot, going 9/24 with three homers in his last seven games. Blackmon is also on a four-game hitting streak.

• The Rockies are 4-6 in their last ten games.
• Over their last five games, the Rockies are 2-3 vs. the run line.
• Colorado has an over/under record of 5-4-1 in their last ten games.
• The Rockies have an average of 4.8 runs per game over their last five games.
• Across their last ten home games, the Rockies are 5-5
• Looking back across the Rockies last five games as the favorite, they are 1-4
• Colorado has gone 1-2 in their last three games as the underdog
• In their ten most recent road games, the Rockies have averaged 3.5 runs per game on offense

The Lean

Our lean for this Dodgers vs. Rockies matchup is to take the Dodgers to win straight-up. We are also leaning towards the under, as this is projected to be the 9th lowest-scoring game of today’s slate. Colorado starter Antonio Senzatela has the 4th best innings pitched projection among today’s starters, but we like Yoshinobu Yamamoto’s strikeout potential for the Dodgers.

MLB EXPERT PICKS, PREDICTION & BETTING TIPS

The Los Angeles Dodgers are gearing up for the playoffs, but they still have business to settle as they face the Colorado Rockies on Saturday night in Denver. With home-field advantage for the National League (NL) postseason at stake and Shohei Ohtani chasing history, this game is crucial for both team and individual achievements.

Dodgers on the Verge of Home-Field Advantage

After an impressive 11-4 win over the Rockies on Friday night, the Dodgers (96-64) have already secured a bye into the National League Division Series (NLDS). However, securing the top seed in the NL is still within reach. They lead the Philadelphia Phillies by two games but need to finish with a better record due to the Phillies holding the tiebreaker after winning the season series.

With Philadelphia losing to the Washington Nationals 9-1 on Friday, a Dodgers win on Saturday would clinch home-field advantage throughout the NL playoffs. Having that edge could be pivotal as Los Angeles aims to make a deep postseason run.

Key Matchup: Yamamoto vs. Senzatela Los Angeles will send Yoshinobu Yamamoto (6-2, 2.96 ERA) to the mound in what is an important game for playoff positioning. Yamamoto has faced the Rockies twice this season, with mixed results (1-0, 5.00 ERA). The 25-year-old rookie has delivered a strong debut MLB season, and the Dodgers are counting on him to keep Colorado’s lineup in check at Coors Field, a notorious hitter’s park.

He’ll be opposed by Rockies’ right-hander Antonio Senzatela (0-0, 3.38 ERA), who is still working his way back after missing more than a year due to Tommy John surgery. Senzatela’s recovery is still a work in progress, but he has shown some promise since his return. In his last outing against the Dodgers on Sunday, he allowed just one run over five innings in a no-decision. However, he has struggled historically against Los Angeles, going 4-5 with a 5.68 ERA in 16 appearances.

Shohei Ohtani’s Triple Crown Chase

While the Dodgers focus on playoff seeding, all eyes are also on Shohei Ohtani, who is tantalizingly close to securing the first National League Triple Crown since 1937. Ohtani currently leads the NL in home runs (54) and RBIs (130), but he trails San Diego’s Luis Arraez in batting average (.309 to .314).

Ohtani’s remarkable performance on Friday — going 4-for-5 with a homer and four RBIs — has brought him even closer to the coveted Triple Crown. He now sits just six hits shy of 200 for the season, and his bid to become the first player since Joe Medwick to lead the NL in all three major offensive categories adds immense excitement to the final games of the regular season.

Dodgers manager Dave Roberts has committed to playing Ohtani in both remaining games against Colorado to give him every opportunity to claim this historic achievement. “Shohei put on a show last night,” Roberts said. “Now I’m personally invested in the Triple Crown. He’s close, and he knows it.”

Health First for Dodgers Ahead of Postseason

While the pursuit of the top seed is important, Dodgers manager Dave Roberts is primarily focused on keeping his players healthy and ready for the playoffs. Roberts has been resting key starters, including rotating position players out of the lineup during the final weekend of the regular season. First baseman Freddie Freeman, one of the team’s most vital offensive contributors, sprained his ankle in Thursday’s division-clinching win and did not make the trip to Denver. Freeman is undergoing treatment and is expected to be ready for Game 1 of the NLDS on October 5.

Roberts emphasized that maintaining his team’s health takes precedence over playoff seeding. “It’s more about getting everyone ready for the postseason. We’re not too concerned about which seed we get; the priority is being healthy and in form,” he said.

Rockies’ Fight to Avoid 100 Losses

For the Colorado Rockies (61-99), avoiding a second consecutive 100-loss season is the primary goal. To do so, they must win both remaining games in the series against the Dodgers. The team has been struggling all season, but they’ve seen a few bright spots, particularly with Senzatela making his way back from injury.

Senzatela has looked better with each outing, increasing his pitch count and effectiveness since his return. “It feels really good overall,” Senzatela said after his start against the Dodgers last Sunday. “My arm feels good, and my pitches worked better this time.”

Although Colorado’s playoff hopes have long been dashed, they are determined to finish the season on a positive note, and avoiding another 100-loss season would provide some solace.

Conclusion: High Stakes for Both Teams

Saturday’s game carries significant weight for both teams, but for different reasons. For the Dodgers, securing home-field advantage in the playoffs could provide a key edge as they look to return to the World Series. Meanwhile, Ohtani’s Triple Crown pursuit adds a historic element, making this a must-watch game for fans.

The Rockies, though out of contention, are playing for pride, hoping to avoid a dubious milestone. Antonio Senzatela’s continued recovery will be vital if Colorado is to achieve that goal. Both teams have much at stake as the 2024 MLB regular season winds down.