| MLB Picks: Phillies vs Rockies Game 4 NLDS |
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| Written by Scott Burgess | |||||||
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Monday, 12 October 2009
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The Philadelphia Phillies can close out the NLDS tonight, Monday Oct 2, against the Colorado Rockies as Game 4 gets underway at Coors Field. Pitching for the Phillies will be Cliff Lee, while the Rockies counter with Ubaldo Jimenez. MLB oddsmakers at BetUS.com have the Rockies as slim -115 moneyline favorites over the Phillies (-105) with the over/under listed at 8 runs . Be sure to get your MLB Picks: Phillies vs Rockies Game 4 NLDS in now at BetUS.com The Phillies start lefty Cliff Lee (1-0, 1.00 ERA) after he pitched in a solid Game 1 victory where they won 5-1. While making his first career postseason appearance in Game 1 at Citizens Bank Park, Lee fell one out shy of completing a shutout. Lee retired 16 straight batters before surrendering a two-out seventh-inning double. Before his Game 1 win, Lee faced the Rockies on August 6. The reigning American League Cy Young Award winner limited the Rockies to one run and six hits in seven innings for a 3-1 home win. Tonight will be the first time Lee has ever pitched at chilly Coors Field. Lee won't necessarily be negatively affected by the fact that he has to face the Rockies twice in five days. "The Rockies should make adjustments," Lee said. "That's the name of the game. If you're not making adjustments, you're losing ground in this game." On Sunday night, Chase Utley had three hits - including a homer - and Ryan Howard and Carlos Ruiz drove in two runs apiece before the much-maligned Brad Lidge closed out a 6-5 victory. Ryan Howard and Shane Victorino are a combined 9 for 22 in their careers against Jimenez, with each having homered . The Rockies have lost three consecutive postseason home games, including games 3 and 4 of the 2007 World Series against Boston.The Rockies counter with right hander Ubaldo Jimenez (0-1, 9.00 ERA) who looks to rebound from a disappointing Game 1 loss. Jimenez was strong for nearly four innings in Game 1, until he started missing up in the zone and over the plate. He gave up five runs in five innings and took a 5-1 loss. He did not play up to his potential, but at home he likes his chances. At Coors Field he is 8-5 with a 3.4 ERA in 15 starts. On offense, the Rockies know what they have to do, and it starts with putting better at-bats together against Lee . Rockies third baseman Garrett Atkins hit a career-low .226 this year but came alive in Game 3, singling, doubling and driving in two runs. Left fielder Carlos Gonzalez continued to own the Phillies pitchers. The leadoff man singled in the first, homered in the fourth, doubled in the seventh, and walked and stole second base in the ninth. As for facing Phillies pitcher Cliff Lee, "Everyone should remember how he pitched them" Rockies third baseman Garrett Atkins said. "Hopefully he's not as on as he was the last time. It's not easy, but I like our chances." If the Rockies can take consolation in one fact, it's that they have been written off before. Recent Trends to Consider:
MLB Picks: Phillies vs Rockies Game 4 NLDS When: Mon, Oct 12, 2009 6:05 PM ET Line: BetUS.com Pick: Rockies -115 Point-Spreads.com MLB Picks: Phillies vs Rockies Game 4 NLDS The Bottom Line: The Rockies have been in this position before and didn’t disappoint. Be sure to get your MLB Picks: Phillies vs Rockies Game 4 NLDS in now and Bet on sports at online sportsbook BetUS.com and receive up to 145% in Cash Bonuses and start winning today!                        |
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