Aaron Cook has allowed just one homer in 14 starts spanning 81 innings.
The Colorado Rockies had scored 43 more runs than they had allowed going into their three-game weekend series at Anaheim against the Angels. Conversely, the Halos had yielded 10 more runs than they produced. Nevertheless, the Angels had the better record.
Colorado entered this series after taking two of three home games against the Boston Red Sox. The Rockies almost completed the three-game sweep, but suffered a 10-inning 13-11 loss in Thursday's finale.
Despite the setback, the Rockies were still a fine 8-4 this season against AL foes prior to Friday's contest. Additionally, the club is 19-7 in its last 27 interleague matchups.
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The last two games of the Red Sox series soared above the closing total, which allowed the ‘over' to improve to 41-29-2 in Colorado's first 72 contests.
The Rockies entered this weekend series at Anaheim with a 15-20 record away from Coors Field. They were also 11-13 in one-run games and 13-10 versus southpaw starters.
Though Jim Tracy's troops were outscoring the opposition by 43 runs through their first 72 games, they were just four games above .500. Compare that to an Anaheim team that had a minus-10 run differential (355-365) through 75 games, but was seven games above .500.
The Halos also were denied a sweep of their recent three-game home series Thursday when the Dodgers handed them a 10-6 setback. The combined 16 runs catapulted above the 10-run closing total, lifting the ‘over' to 5-1 in Anaheim's last six games and 38-35-2 overall.
The loss also lowered the Angels' home ledger to 19-16 and left their interleague record at 9-6. They are 12-7 in one-run games and 28-22 against right-handed starting hurlers.
Saturday's middle game of this weekend set will feature a pitching matchup between Colorado's Aaron Cook and the Angels' Joe Saunders.
Though Cook (2-4, 4.78 ERA) is coming off his best start of the season, he received a no decision when the Rockies suffered a 6-1 loss last Sunday against Minnesota as a 120 home favorite. The right-hander allowed just one run on three hits in seven innings spanning a season-high 97 pitches. He walked four batters and fanned five.
The Rockies have dropped Cook's last four starts and are now 6-8 in his first 14 assignments this season. The ‘under' is 7-6-1 during that span.
Don't look for the Angels to smack the ball over the fence against Cook in this spot, as the 31-year-old Kentucky native has allowed just one round tripped in 14 starts spanning 81 innings.
Saunders will attempt to improve on his 5-8 record and lower his 5.07 ERA. The Angels are 7-8 when the southpaw has taken the ball this season.
Saunders has been shelled in his last two starts, including Sunday's 12-1 drubbing against the Cubs at Wrigley Field in his most recent outing as a 130 road underdog.
The 29-year-old was tagged for eight runs (five earned) on nine hits (one homer) in just 2 2/3 innings spanning 84 pitches. It was Saunders' shortest outing of the season.
Saunders has now yielded 14 runs on 15 hits in his last two starts over just 8 1/3 innings, which has sent his ERA soaring above five runs per game.
The Angels are 9-3 in their last 12 series meetings against the Rockies, with the ‘over' going 5-1-2 in the last eight.
Jerry Lane will be calling balls and strikes in Saturday's middle game of this three-game series. Their has been an average of 8 1/2 runs scored in the 12 games where he has been behind home plate, helping the 'under' go 7-5