by Chuck Sommers
Monday, Apr 18, 2022
Time: 8:40 p.m. ET
Venue: Coors Field, Denver, CO
Where to watch: NBC Sports Philadelphia, AT&T SportsNet-Rocky Mountain
Opening Odds at USA Sportsbooks
DraftKings: Phillies -165, Rockies +145
BetMGM: Phillies -160, Rockies +135
Caesars: Phillies -169, Rockies +150
Season record
Phillies: 4-6
Rockies: 6-3
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Phillies - Rockies preview and analysis
If you would’ve told me at the beginning of the season that in an early-season series between the Philadelphia Phillies and Colorado Rockies, that the latter team would be the more exciting of the bunch, I’d check your temperature.
Because the Rockies, even though coming off a 6-4 loss to the Chicago Cubs, took a split against the uprising Cubs in a four-game set and are off to a tremendous 6-3 start. Ryan MacMahon hit a homer, and Connor Joe went 2-for-4 at the leadoff spot but didn’t get enough help from starter Austin Gomber (4.1 IP, 4 ER).
“It’s all about the attitude you take into it as a team,” McMahon said. “Feel free to have conversations, like, ‘Hey, man, I know it’s tough.’ Because we all want to succeed for each other, and we want to come through in those situations. Nobody’s trying not to.
“The more you keep those conversations going, it helps everybody move past it better. With the talent that we have here, we’re going to expect ourselves to succeed a lot.”
The Rockies left 17 runners on base and went 1-for-7 with runners in scoring position. Not an ideal showing for the group that’s been crushing the baseball as of late. But C.J. Cron, their top home run hitter, went 0-for-4 and struck out twice. Kris Bryant went 1-for-3 with an RBI.
But let’s be fair: At least it’s not as bad as what’s gone on for the Phillies at the moment. After seemingly getting back on track against the Miami Marlins over the weekend, the Phillies get smacked 11-3 to Miami on Sunday after a horrendous 3-inning showing from Zack Wheeler. The Phillies’ ace gave up seven runs and eight hits while walking three.
Bryce Harper went yard and went 3-for-5 as expected, but the rest of the Phillies totaled for just five hits. Short and sweet, it was another bad day for the Phillies who have now lost four of five.
"When your velo's down a little bit, you've just got to pitch a little different. You can't just sneak stuff past guys like I'm used to," Wheeler said. "Hopefully that will come, as I get stronger and get my feet under me. I've just got to figure out how to pitch with that velo for right now, until it comes."
Hopefully for Wheeler, at least, it’s going to come back to him after a short spring training.
"I think so. I think so," Wheeler said. "Hopefully that's what it is. I feel fine physically … It's kind of, go along the lines of spring. I hate saying that, just because I feel like I'm making an excuse. But I've just got to figure out how to pitch with what I have right now."
Prediction
It’ll be Aaron Nola against Chad Kuhl on this matchup, and I’m not a fan of Nola trying to save the Phillies. The only way the Phillies are going to win this game is if the power bats don’t come through in the hitter-friendly confines of Coors Field. Give me the red-hot Rockies in this one. Rockies win 8-4
Betting trends
Phillies are 72-58 as a favorite the past three seasons.
Phillies are 47-67 on the road the past three seasons.
Rockies are 28-41 the past three seasons as an underdog between +125 and +175.
Projected lineup
Phillies:
Kyle Schwarber (L) LF
Rhys Hoskins (R) 1B
Bryce Harper (L) RF
Nick Castellanos (R) DH
Didi Gregorius (L) SS
Johan Camargo (S) 3B
Bryson Stott (L) 2B
Garrett Stubbs (L) C
Simon Muzziotti (L) CF
Aaron Nola (RHP) 1-1, 6.75 ERA
Kyle Schwarber (L) LF
Rhys Hoskins (R) 1B
Bryce Harper (L) RF
Nick Castellanos (R) DH
Didi Gregorius (L) SS
Johan Camargo (S) 3B
Bryson Stott (L) 2B
Garrett Stubbs (L) C
Simon Muzziotti (L) CF
Aaron Nola (RHP) 1-1, 6.75 ERA
Rockies:
Connor Joe (R) LF
Charlie Blackmon (L) RF
Kris Bryant (R) DH
C.J. Cron (R) 1B
Brendan Rodgers (R) 2B
Randal Grichuk (R) CF
Elias Diaz (R) C
Jose Iglesias (R) SS
Garrett Hampson (R) 3B
Chad Kuhl (RHP) 0-0, 2.08 ERA
Connor Joe (R) LF
Charlie Blackmon (L) RF
Kris Bryant (R) DH
C.J. Cron (R) 1B
Brendan Rodgers (R) 2B
Randal Grichuk (R) CF
Elias Diaz (R) C
Jose Iglesias (R) SS
Garrett Hampson (R) 3B
Chad Kuhl (RHP) 0-0, 2.08 ERA
Statistical leaders
Phillies:
Batting average: Nick Castellanos -- .324
Hits: Nick Castellanos -- 12
Home runs: Four tied -- 2
RBI: Bryce Harper -- 9
Wins: Four tied -- 1
Saves: Two tied -- 1
ERA: Kyle Gibson -- 3.09
Rockies:
Batting average: Connor Joe -- .361
Hits: Connor Joe -- 13
Home runs: C.J. Cron -- 5
RBI: C.J. Cron -- 10
Wins: Jhoulys Chacin -- 2
Saves: Daniel Bard -- 4
ERA: Antonio Senzatela -- 2.16
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Chuck Sommers
About the Author:
Chuck Sommers has camped outside of sportsbooks since he can remember, learning the tricks and nuances of the trade. He still has nightmares of betting $5,000 on the Raiders in the Tuck Rule game but has since turned that to 25 years of veteran handicapping greatness. You can find him mostly in the shadows at the Red Rock or Aliante casinos wondering if the over is cashing on any given Sunday.
