Colorado Rockies vs San Francisco Giants: Preview, Prediction & Odds - Aug. 14, 2021

Game time: 9:05 p.m. ET

Venue: Oracle Park, San Francisco, CA

Where to watch: AT&T SportsNet-RM, NBCS BA

Rockies: 51-64 (4th place, NL West)

Giants: 74-41 (1st place, NL West)

Connor Joe (R) LF

Ryan McMahon (L) 3B

Brendan Rodgers (R) SS

Charlie Blackmon (L) RF

C.J. Cron (R) 1B

Elias Diaz (R) C

Sam Hilliard (L) CF

Garrett Hampson (R) 2B

Kyle Freeland (L) P

Austin Slater (R) CF

Kris Bryant (R) LF

Buster Posey (R) C

Darin Ruf (R) 1B

Wilmer Flores (R) 3B

Donovan Solano (R) 2B

Mike Yastrzemski (L) RF

Thairo Estrada (R) SS

Sammy Long (L) P

DraftKings: Giants -210, Rockies +170
BetMGM: Giants -200, Rockies +165

Rockies: Lost three straight

Giants: Won five straight

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Just when it seems like the San Francisco Giants are expected to fall out of the pecking order in the National League West, they keep finding ways to prove doubters wrong.

The Giants have done everything they can to stave off the Los Angeles Dodgers and San Diego Padres, and have done it well to this point.

They’ll get the chance to extend their lead over the Southern California rivals when facing the Colorado Rockies through this four-game series this weekend. The Giants won the first game, 7-0, on Thursday night. Saturday will be the third game; their nine-game homestand will end with a matchup with the New York Mets starting Monday.

Logan Webb had eight strikeouts over six IP to make it a five-game winning streak for the Giants. Since returning from the IL, Webb is 5-0 with a 1.53 ERA. Only Jacob deGrom has a better ERA, but he won’t be returning until next month.

“Just working on it every time I play catch and in bullpens has been huge,” said the starting pitcher. “Making that probably my biggest emphasis in everything I do during catch and bullpen work. I think it’s starting to pay off, but I’ve got to keep working on it and keep getting better at it.”

The Giants entered Friday’s game with the Rockies having won five straight, a timely streak as the calendar heads to mid-August. Lamonte Wade had three RBI to lead the Giants. Much like the San Francisco teams of the past that won the World Series, it’s not power that’s carrying the offense. Buster Posey is having another MVP-caliber season, Kris Bryant hasn’t settled in, but his performance will be valued more come playoff time.

And if the Giants keep winning, there’s no better playoff advantage than home games at Oracle Park. Hell, they’ll be tough in road games, too.

San Francisco is heading into the playoffs knowing Brandon Crawford has been locked up with a two-year, $32 million contract extension.

As for the Rockies, the struggling rebuild continues. Colorado is on a three-game losing streak; they lost a two-game series to the Houston Astros before being shut out by San Francisco on Thursday. German Marquez allowed all seven runs in four innings before being pulled. The damage was already done; Colorado’s bullpen dominated on the mound, allowing no hits in the final eight innings.

“I felt really good,” Marquez  said. “I had great fastball command. I had good command on the curveball. Even my slider was really good. They made an adjustment, somehow, and I was unlucky in the fourth inning.”

The right-hander has done well against opponents not named San Francisco; he has a 2.64 ERA against every other team. Against the Giants, he has a 7.19 ERA. I don’t think we’re in Coors Field anymore.

The Rockies lineup is not that dangerous outside of Trevor Story, and even he is having a rough go this season with a .256 batting average. It may be a few years before they’re back in contention, but at least they’re not the Arizona Diamondbacks. They’ll return to Denver for a three-game series against the San Diego Padres starting Monday.

Not only have the Giants been dominant on the field; they’ve taken advantage of it on the books. As a favorite at home, the Giants are 32-11 with the over going 23-19. Runs will be scored, but it’s shown pitching can dominate on the run line.

The over is 6-0 when the Giants are a favorite of -200 or more, in which the Giants are 4-2. Entering Friday, the Giants have a 7-3 season series lead over the Rockies. 

It’s almost unfair to pick the Giants in this game, but this is what it’s come to. The Giants are better, on a roll, and the Rockies don’t seem to be on the right path to get through this weekend with a win. This seems like a game the Giants will dominate. Giants win, over cashes.

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