The Rockies have won four of five games and won the first game of this interleague series against the struggling Red Sox.

The Red Sox have lost all four of their games since the All-Star break. They are still seven games above .500 at 53-46 and are also seven games out of first place, which is third in the AL East.

The Rockies had lost three in a row and six of seven games before winning four of their last five. They are out of the playoff race with the second-fewest wins in the NL and in the basement of the NL West. Colorado enters Game 2 as an underdog at +135 with a 10.5-run total.

Red Sox wrestle on the mound

While the Red Sox are a respectable 10th in the Majors in team ERA, they have given up 29 runs in their four-game skid. They have given up nine runs in each of their last two games, and in this series opener they lost to the Rockies 9-8 in 12 innings. In the loss Jamie Westbrook had a HR of three points, Connor Wong had a solo shot, and three other players had an RBI. Years Duran (.288 12 HR 48 RBI) leads the club in batting average and at-bats and was 1 for 6 with no RBI in Game 1 of this series after hitting three HR and nine RBI in the previous four games. Rafael Devers (.284 23 HR 62 RBI) leads the club in HR and RBI, but has just one hit and one RBI in the four games since the break. On the season, Boston is 29-21 on the road.

Cooper Criswell (3-4 4.50 ERA 1.28 WHIP) takes the mound for Game 2 and was not sharp in his last start, giving up five runs on nine hits over six innings in a 6-1 loss to the Kansas City Royals. He has been inconsistent in his last five starts, with the Sox losing three in which he allowed 16 runs while allowing just three runs total in the two wins. Criswells His last start was his first after spending nearly a month on the injury list.

Tovar plays hero for the Rockies

In the 9-8 extra inning victory in the opener of this series Ezequiel Tovar played the hero role with a walk-off RBI single with two outs in the 12th inning.

In the victory, the Rockies had 15 hits and Charlie Blackmon And Sam Hilliard each had two-run HR. On the season, the team ranks last in the Majors in team ERA and 18th in runs scored. Tovar (.280 16 HR 47 RBI) leads the team in batting average and RBI and I’m swinging a hot bat with six straight multi-hit games in which he has nine RBI. While Colorado has the worst away record in baseball, they are 23-28 at home. C Elias Diaz (.283 5 HR 30 RBI) has missed the last two games due to injury and is listed as day-to-day.

Ty Blach (3-5 5.46 ERA 1.58 WHIP) gets the nod for Game 2 and has pitched out of the bullpen in his last four appearances. He has given up at least four runs in three of his last four starts, and in his last he allowed five runs on 10 hits in just four innings in a 5-3 loss to the LA Dodgers. In his last four appearances out of the bullpen Black has pitched a total of five innings and allowed five runs.

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Best Bets

Full game side bet

Judgement:

The Rockies won the first game of this series and have won four of five games, while the Red Sox have lost their four games since the All-Star break. Criswell has been inconsistent in his last few starts, giving up runs in his last five. He will not have a good game in this game against a Colorado lineup that scored nine runs in the Game 1 win. Blach is back and making a start after his last four appearances were out of the bullpen. He has not pitched well in those appearances, giving up five runs in five innings and giving up five runs in his last start. The Red Sox will get him in this game and while both teams will score runs, the Rockies will win in a close one to take Game 2 and send Boston to its fifth straight loss.

Take the Rockies for example at +135.

Prediction: Rockies +135

Full game total choice

Judgement:

Game 1 of this series went to Over and that is the pick I am leaning towards in this game. The biggest reason is the pitching matchup. Criswell gave up five runs in his last game and has given up at least four runs in three of his last four starts. Blach is a starter who has not seen the bullpen in his last four appearances, where he gave up five runs in five innings. He also gave up five runs in just four innings in his last start. These teams combined for 17 runs in the series opener and this game will also be a barnburner, meaning the Over is the pick.

Take the Over 10 runs.

Prediction: More than 10.5 runs

Written by
Jason Groen, “Jason Groen”

Jason loves all sports, but the NFL is his favorite. His team is the Washington Football Team and his 2nd favorite is the one that plays the Cowboys! Jason is a strong handicapper who has graced us here at Stat Salt with his talents. Not only does he write about sports, but he is also an avid sports bettor. Jason has done very well there and you would do well to follow his picks.