Giants vs Rockies Picks and Odds – Sep. 2

• The Giants and Rockies close out a quick two-game series on Wednesday Sept. 2nd (3:10 pm ET)
• Colorado’s Kyle Freeland is winless in his past five starts
• For the odds, matchup analysis, and best bets, check out the article below

A National League West battle between the Colorado Rockies and San Francisco Giants rages on with Wednesday’s matchup at 3:10 pm ET.

In the expanded playoff format of the 2020 MLB season, both are still well within range of playing baseball in October (Rockies are eighth in the NL, Giants are ninth).

Here’s a look at the odds for Wednesday’s game.

Giants vs Rockies Odds

Odds as of Sept. 1.

Pillar Faces Former Team

Kevin Pillar joined the Rockies on Monday as a trade deadline acquisition, coming over from the Boston Red Sox with cash for international bonus pool money and either a player to be named later or cash.

Last season, Pillar played 156 games with the Giants and accrued a 92 OPS+. He has been better this year, with a 110 OPS+, in what has actually been the greatest offensive season of his eight-year career.

KEVIN PILLAR OVER EVERYTHING pic.twitter.com/uXkXN8SJ57

— Jared Carrabis (@Jared_Carrabis) August 30, 2020

Obviously, the sample size is quite small (30 games), but Pillar’s value as a plus fielder has had another layer to it this season. In his past six games, Pillar has seven hits, including two homers, a triple, and a double.

Rockies Career Stats vs Logan Webb

Freeland Faltering Lately

Rockies starter Kyle Freeland is having a decent year (2-1, 3.74 ERA), but he hasn’t been able to guide his team to a win in any of his past five outings. Freeland is 0-1 in that stretch, with four no-decisions.

To be fair, he holds a 4.20 ERA in those recent starts, which isn’t that bad. With exception of his most recent start (4.2 innings, 11 hits, four runs allowed) Freeland has worked at least six innings and allowed no more than three runs in those outings.

Kyle Freeland, Painted 93mph Fastball…and pitching with emotion. 🔥 pic.twitter.com/ItyvxpOd9G

— Rob Friedman (@PitchingNinja) August 23, 2020

So maybe Freeland isn’t the problem. Since Aug. 14, Colorado has a team OPS of .665. That’s absolutely dreadful! And it certainly doesn’t make life easier for pitchers like Freeland. If he can continue pitching six-plus innings on a regular basis, he’s doing his job.

Giants Career Stats vs Kyle Freeland

Season Series

As divisional foes, the Rockies and Giants are used to facing each other frequently. Those matchups are even more crucial this year, and so far Colorado has the edge.

The Rockies took three of four games against San Francisco when these teams met at Coors Field at the beginning of August.

All were tightly contested, though. None were decided by more than three runs. In three of the games, both teams held the lead at some point.

𝟱 run 𝟲th for that 𝟳-𝟲 W to get us to 𝟳-𝟮.

𝒦𝐸𝐸𝒫 👏 𝐼𝒯 👏 𝒢𝒪 👏 𝐼𝒩𝒢 pic.twitter.com/hYZFHt34cr

— Colorado Rockies (@Rockies) August 4, 2020

What should that tell you? These teams, which have played each other close and are squished up against each other in the standings, could very well be in for another nail-biter.

Given that knowledge, bettors should look to the stronger starting pitcher. That’s Kyle Freeland, in this case, despite what his recent win-loss record says.

Pick: Colorado Rockies (-136)