Rockies vs Astros Picks and Odds- Aug 18
By Robert Duff in MLB Baseball
Updated: March 5, 2021 at 11:53 am ESTPublished:
- The Houston Astros are -200 favorites to defeat the Colorado Rockies on Tuesday afternoon (Aug. 18, 3:10 pm ET)
- Houston entered Monday’s game against the Rockies on a five-game win streak against Colorado
- The Astros have scored at least nine runs in four of those victories
A year ago, the MLB pitching stats were dominated by members of the Houston Astros. Justin Verlander and Gerrit Cole ran neck-and-neck for the AL Cy Young Award.
At the trade deadline, they added former AL Cy Young Award winner Zack Greinke to go three deep in sensational arms at the top of the rotation.
This season, signs of trouble were there for the Astros from the get-go. MLB strikeout leader Cole departed for the New York Yankees via free agency. Verlander, the eventual AL Cy Young Award winner, has been on the injured list with arm trouble since late July.
At least Houston still has Greinke. Thrust into the role as staff ace, it suits him. Although he’s only 1-0, Greinke is one of four MLB pitchers yet to surrender a home run this season.
Facing the Colorado Rockies in a 3:10 pm ET start on Tuesday, Houston is the solid -200 odds-on favorite in the Rockies vs Astros odds.
Rockies vs Astros Odds – Aug. 18
| Team | Moneyline | Runline | Total at DraftKings |
|---|---|---|---|
| Colorado Rockies | +170 | +1.5 (-118) | O 9.0 (-115) |
| Houston Astros | -200 | -1.5 (+100) | U 9.0 (-106) |
Odds as of Aug. 17.
Houston is just 6-4 against the spread this season as a home favorite. Colorado is 7-0 ATS as a road underdog.
Astros Have Owned Rockies
Houston isn’t merely beating Colorado. For the most part, the Astros are beating up the Rockies.
Their last two meetings in 2019 saw Houston post 11-6 and 14-3 victories at Minute Maid Field. The Astros have scored no fewer than nine runs in four of the last six games between these two teams.
Astros rotation 1.89 ERA last 10 games, best in @MLB. @astros starters have finished 5+ innings and allowed 1 ER or less 7 times in this stretch. @astros
— Richard Justice (@richardjustice) August 17, 2020
They’ve hit double digits in three of those games.
Meanwhile, the Rockies were held to three runs or fewer on three occasions. At Houston, the Astros are 8-2 in their last 10 games against Colorado.
Greinke’s Rockies Mountain High
Greinke has Colorado’s number. In his big-league career, he’s fashioned 14 wins against the Rockies.
Only the San Francisco Giants (15) have been vanquished more frequently by the 6-foot-2, 200-pound right-hander. Greinke is 14-7 with a 3.66 earned-run average and 1.192 WHIP against the Rockies.
He’s pitched more innings (214) and struck out more batters (209) when facing Colorado than any other team.
Rockies Career Stats vs Greinke
| Player | AB | HR | RBI | AVG |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nolan Arenado | 60 | 0 | 6 | .300 |
| Charlie Blackmon | 61 | 2 | 4 | .230 |
| Drew Butera | 1 | 0 | 0 | .000 |
| David Dahl | 18 | 1 | 2 | .278 |
| Garrett Hampson | 6 | 0 | 0 | .000 |
| San Hilliard | 0 | 0 | 0 | .000 |
| Matt Kemp | 27 | 1 | 2 | .185 |
| Ryan McMahon | 15 | 0 | 3 | .267 |
| Daniel Murphy | 17 | 1 | 3 | .235 |
| Chris Owings | 2 | 0 | 0 | .000 |
| Trevor Story | 47 | 5 | 12 | .298 |
| Raimel Tapia | 20 | 1 | 3 | .150 |
| Tony Wolters | 26 | 0 | 1 | .192 |
The Astros lost their first three decisions with Greinke on the mound but he can hardly take the blame for those outcomes. He held the Oakland Athletics scoreless for six innings. In his previous start, Greinke checked the Los Angeles Angels on two earned runs and three hits over 5.2 innings.
Zack Greinke yelling out the signs, and then getting the out, is amazing. pic.twitter.com/sO5ys6PL1k
— Michael Schwab (@michaelschwab13) August 13, 2020
He won his last start 5-1 against the Giants. Greinke taunted San Francisco batters by calling out the signs before delivering his pitches and still retired them.
He’s gone deeper and thrown more pitches with every start this season. In his last two starts, Greinke allowed one earned run and 12 hits through 12.1 innings pitched.
Senzatela and Sensibility
Antonio Senzatela won a career-high 11 games for the Rockies last season. So far in 2020, he’s perfect.
Senzatela is 3-0 with a 3.91 ERA this season.
Historically, he’s required significant run support to succeed. Senzatela is just 9-20 when his team scores five runs or fewer. He’s 19-1 when they put at least six runs on the board for him.
Astros Career Stats vs Senzatela
| Player | AB | HR | RBI | AVG |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jose Altuve | 0 | 0 | 0 | .000 |
| Yordan Alvarez | 0 | 0 | 0 | .000 |
| Alex Bregman | 0 | 0 | 0 | .000 |
| Carlos Correa | 0 | 0 | 0 | .000 |
| Dustin Garneau | 0 | 0 | 0 | .000 |
| Yuli Gurriel | 0 | 0 | 0 | .000 |
| Martin Maldonado | 0 | 0 | 0 | .000 |
| Jack Mayfield | 0 | 0 | 0 | .000 |
| Josh Reddick | 0 | 0 | 0 | .000 |
| George Springer | 0 | 0 | 0 | .000 |
| Myles Straw | 0 | 0 | 0 | .000 |
| Garrett Stubbs | 0 | 0 | 0 | .000 |
| Abraham Toro | 0 | 0 | 0 | .000 |
| Kyle Tucker | 0 | 0 | 0 | .000 |
The 6-foot-1, 235-pounder struggled with consistency last season, spending parts of two months in the minor leagues. This year, Senzatela, who lost 15 pounds during the offseason, seems to have a bit more zip on his fastball and better command of his curveball and changeup.
Antonio Senzatela, 96mph Fastball (called strike) and 88mph Slider (swinging K), Overlay pic.twitter.com/FHD2862FCP
— Rob Friedman (@PitchingNinja) August 12, 2020
In his last start, a no-decision, Senzatela was roughed up by the Arizona Diamondbacks. He coughed up nine hits and five earned runs in six innings.
Senzatela has never previously faced the Astros.
Pick: Houston Astros moneyline (-200)
Sports Writer
An industry veteran, Bob literally taught the course on the history of sports at Elder College. He has worked as a Sports Columnist for Postmedia, appeared as a guest on several radio stations, was the Vice President of the Society For International Hockey Research in Ontario, and written 25 books.
