The post-season in the MLB has begun and it is sudden death in the National League Wild Card game between the Arizona Diamondbacks and the Colorado Rockies.
The New York Yankees have already forced their way into the next round with their wild card win over the Twins, but the National League still needs its final team to make up the eight.
The Diamondbacks hold home ground advantage after a strong season, but the Rockies will be out to upset the party with a mix of youth and experience.
The wild card games can go either way as it’s a straight one-game shoot out. The starting pitchers are on a short leash and one big inning could decide the team’s fate. Whichever team wins on Thursday morning, they will be a force to be reckoned with in the first round of the playoffs.
MLB Wild Card round – Diamondbacks vs. Rockies – Chase Field, Phoenix, Arizona – Wednesday 5:08 p.m
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Draw Best Odd of: 5/1 at Ladbrokes |
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Diamondbacks
RockiesArizona Diamondbacks form
The Diamondbacks finished the regular season with a 93-69 record and 52 of those wins came on home soil.
The Diamondbacks finished second in the National League West standings, behind only the L.A. Dodgers which got off to an early lead and held on with 104 wins. They will start star pitcher Zach Greinke for this game who has started 32 games this season for 17 wins and only seven losses.
His ERA of 3.2 is note-worthy as it ranks sixth in the National League and he’s in the top six for almost every statistic. He’s second in wins, fourth in innings pitched, fifth in strikeouts and fourth in WHIP.
The 13-year veteran still has fire in his belly and he will be eager to start the game with his best stuff on Thursday. He’s also 9-5 against Colorado in his career and he has recorded multiple wins against them this season. He will be backed by a powerful offense which is headed by Paul Goldschmidt. He would be a household name if he didn’t play for the Diamondsbacks and his season has been spectacular. He has hit 36 home runs, 120 RBI’s and at an average of .297. That’s a great rate for a slugger and he leads the team in all three categories.
J.D. Martinez, who hits behind Goldschmidt, has hit for 29 homers and 65 RBI since being traded from the Detroit Tigers. His addition has been key to their success and expect both Goldschmidt and Martinez to fire up on this occasion.
Colorado Rockies form
The Rockies may have lost their last two games heading into the playoffs, but the 87-75 team played well throughout the season and they have earned this shot.
The Rockies don’t get much air time and rightfully so, but they’re a team which has been on the verge of making a run for some years now.
It came as no surprise to see Jon Gray listed as the starting pitcher here. The 25-year-old ended the year with a 10-4 record and an ERA of 3.67 – which in Colorado is a good number. Gray will have his work cut out for him in another ball-hitting park at Chase Field, but he has beaten the Diamondbacks twice from three starts this season and that will give him some confidence – both wins came at Chase Field. He struck out 10 hitters in both games at this stadium which is a good sign and he’s backed by two hitters which can turn the game on its head.
Charlie Blackmon and Nolan Arenado are two of the best hitters in the league with Blackmon hitting 37 homers with an average of .331 and Arenado going for 130 RBI’s at an average of .309.
That consistent hitting will make it tough for Zack Greinke and the Rockies should be taken seriously in this aspect.
Diamondbacks vs. Rockies prediction
Both teams have lethal offenses so we might see a high scoring game. It could depend on which starting pitcher settles down first and we give that advantage to the Diamondbacks.
Zack Greinke is the more seasoned pitcher and he’s been in big situations before. Look for him to start the game well and the Diamondbacks offense could strike early against a nervous Jon Gray.
The Diamondbacks are 10/17 at bet365.com to win outright, but go with –1.5 at 5/4 for a little more value.