Will Rogers Free Pick
(MLB) Arizona vs. Colorado,
Money Line: -138.00 Colorado (Home)
Result: Push
1* free play on the Colorado Rockies...

The Arizona Diamondbacks wrapped up April by taking two of three home against the Rockies but opened May by getting swept in a three game set at Dodger Stadium. They continue a six-game road trip by opening a three game set against the Colorado Rockies at Coors Field tonight. The Rockies are off five consecutive road-losses, but they're always a force to be reckoned with home in the Rocky Mountains and I think we're getting a fair price on the home-team in this contest.

Here are my keys to the game:

1. Pitching - The D'Backs will hand the ball to Josh Collmenter (2-3, 2.76 ERA) who allowed just one run on five hits over eight innings in a home-start against the Rockies on April 29 his last time out. He might find it hard to continue that success tonight at Coors Field where he's 0-1 with a 5.49 ERA in four starts and his ERA of 4.76 away from home last year was significantly higher than his ERA at home (2.63). The Rockies will counter with Tyler Matzek (2-0, 2.70 ERA) who's off four solid outings this season. He allowed just two runs on five hits over five innings in a 5-4 win against Arizona on April 27 his last start and posted a 2.35 ERA while splitting two games against the D'Backs last year. He has the current Arizona roster limited to a combined 1.91 batting average over 47 at bats.

2. Situational - The Rockies are 10-2 in their last 12 when hosting a team with a losing road record and have won each of the last four meetings in Colorado. The D'Backs are just 1-5 in their last six following a loss and 1-4 in Collmenter's last five starts as an underdog.

3. X-Factor - Ender Inciarte is hitting .315 on the year but is 0-for-9 against Matzek lifetime.

Selection: This is a play on the Colorado Rockies (10*)