Stephen Nover's Underdog Game of the Week
(MLB) Cincinnati vs. Colorado, 07/24/2015 4:40 PM, Score: 5 - 6
Money Line: 111.00 Cincinnati (Away)
Result: Loss
Used to be that you would fear the Rockies at Coors Field. Not this season, though. Colorado is 22-26 at home and hasn't shown any signs of life.

The Rockies are the only team in the National League surrendering more than five runs per game and their offense isn't coming close to bailing out their poor pitching.

Both teams are weak in middle relief. However, the Reds have the better starting pitcher going and certainly the better closer with Aroldis Chapman.

Cincinnati starter Anthony DeSclafani has cooled off considerably since allowing only three earned runs during his first four starts. But he still has a higher ceiling than Colorado's Eddie Butler. DeSclafani has fared much better on the road with a 2.53 ERA during his past nine away outings.

DeSclafani also has done a decent job of keeping the ball in the park, which is saying a lot in that he pitches at Great American Ball Park. So he shouldn't be intimidated, nor adversely affected, pitching at Coors Field.

Butler doesn't get a lot of strikeouts, has issues with command and lacks good control. Those are all serious problems when pitching at Coors. It's reflected in Butler posting a 6.59 ERA during his last three starts at Coors, all losses.