Betsided

Rockies vs. Reds Prediction and Odds for Friday, September 2 (Can Colorado Fix Their Disastrous Road Offense?)

By Ben Heisler

Colorado Rockies second baseman Brendan Rodgers heads to the dugout after striking out vs. the New York Mets.
Colorado Rockies second baseman Brendan Rodgers heads to the dugout after striking out vs. the New York Mets. / Gregory Fisher-USA TODAY Sports
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I thought I'd get cute on Thursday and back the Colorado Rockies at a massive moneyline price at the Atlanta Braves Thursday night. After all, Colorado had been 3-0 on the run line in their last three games with two wins on the moneyline in super-close games.

Unfortunately, Spencer Strider saw my picks, chucked to himself, and then struck out 16 Rockies hitters, setting a Braves record in his rookie season.

Perhaps the bandbox in Cincinnati can wake up the Rockies' bats when they take on the Reds tonight. The Rockies have scored a total of six runs since last Saturday as they play their eighth game on a 10-game road trip.

Left-hander Kyle Freeland gets the ball for the Rockies tonight against Reds right-hander Luis Cessa.

Here's a look at the latest odds for tonight's matchup at Great American Ballpark.

Rockies vs. Reds Odds, Run Line and Total

Rockies vs. Reds Prediction and Pick

The Reds being favorites comes once in a blue moon, so I'm curious as to why oddsmakers have them here. Is it simply because the Rockies' offense is this bad away from Denver?

Luis Cessa has been awful at home; pitching to an 8.10 ERA at Great American Park, compared to a 3.67 ERA away from home. As for Freeland, he gets out of Coors Field this evening where his road ERA comes in at a very respectable 3.62; limiting opponents to a .244 batting average against.

Perhaps why Vegas trusts the Reds is that they don't think Cessa will be in the game for very long. He's been in the bullpen for the bulk of the year, having only made three starts on the season. If he can survive a time through the Rockies' order with actual decent pitching weather in Cincinnati, they'll take the team that knows how to hit in their home ballpark, even against a pitcher who's been solid on the road.

I think the oddsmakers know something I don't, and I'll go ahead my initial lean and side with the folks in the desert instead.

Follow all of Ben's betting plays in real-time HERE!

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