MLB Betting: Charging Rockies in San Francisco

Carlos Gonzalez and the Rockies will try to continue their playoff push.

Don’t look now, but the Colorado Rockies could be making another surprise playoff run. They visit the San Francisco Giants on Tuesday night in the middle game of a three-game set.

Colorado fans are still talking about the 2007 comeback when it ended the season 14-1 to make the playoffs. That team was six games back in the NL wild card on Sep. 1.

The Rockies (68-61) are 6-1 in their last seven games pending the Monday night series opener. However, most of those games were at home where they’re 43-21 (plus 10.7 units). The Rockies road has been a constant problem at 25-40 (minus 17.7 units), including 7-17 in the second half.

Colorado is just 4 ½-games back in the wild card, but it has to start hitting on the road. The 3.55 runs per game are second-worst in the NL. The ‘under’ is 7-0 in its last seven road games.

The Giants (72-59) are 12-14 this month and sit five games back of San Diego in the NL West. San Diego has lost four straight games, but San Fran didn’t fully capitalize, losing a weekend home series to last-place Arizona.

San Francisco starters have hit a speed bump lately. Tim Lincecum (7.82) and Barry Zito (7.76) have seen their ERAs skyrocket in August. Jonathan Sanchez has a 5.40 ERA over his last four starts. Only Matt Cain continues to deliver quality starts.

Madison Bumgarner (5-4, 3.95 ERA) needs a good outing for San Fran. The 21-year-old had the worst start of his career against Cincinnati last Wednesday, seven earned runs and three homers over 2 2/3 innings.

The rookie left-hander never let up more than four earned runs in his first 11 starts. It will be interesting to see how the youngster bounces back.

Bumgarner has made two starts against Colorado this year, both on the road. He’s 0-2 with a 5.73 ERA. He only lasted four innings in the most recent game on August 4, allowing four earned runs and nine hits.

Esmil Rogers (2-2, 5.66 ERA) is also coming off a horrendous start, seven earned runs over 1 2/3 innings against Atlanta. The Rockies trailed 10-1, but ended up coming back for a 12-10 home win.

The 25-year-old righty from the Dominican Republic has been up-and-down from Triple-A. He made three starts before the Atlanta game and was pretty good (1-0, 4.00 ERA). He’s made six starts and 11 bullpen appearances with Colorado this year.

Rogers did get a road start at San Francisco on May 1. He lasted just four innings and surrendered four earned runs. Colorado is 0-4 in his four career starts against the NL West.

Colorado is 7-5 against San Francisco this year, 3-3 on the road. The MLB odds ‘under’ is 8-4 this season.

Colorado starters Aaron Cook (toe) and Jeff Francis (shoulder) should both return in September. Shortstop Troy Tulowitzki and first baseman Todd Helton have hit well since returning a few weeks ago, but the offense hasn’t been great.

San Francisco catcher Buster Posey has been out recently with a forearm injury. Relief pitcher Dan Runzler (knee) should be activated on Wednesday when the rosters expand.

First pitch on Tuesday is 7:15 p.m. (PT). Weather should be clear and around 60 degrees.