The Coach's MLB Late Show - SPECIAL
(MLB) Philadelphia vs. Colorado,
Point Spread: 1.50 | -165.00 Colorado (Home)
Result: Win
The Colorado Rockies came into a four-game set against the Los Angeles Dodgers on the back of 11 consecutive losses, but they came out of with their heads held high taking two from the Dodgers at their own ground. Tonight they're back home at Coors Field where they'll open a four-game series against the surging Philadelphia Phillies, but I'm backing the home-team in with a 1.5 run cushion.

Here are my keys to the game:

1. Pitching - The Rockies will hand the ball to Jordan Lyles (2-3, 4.30) who hurled just one inning at Los Angeles Wednesday before taking a line drive off the hand. There was however no fracture and we can expect dominant performance from a well-rested Lyles who is 1-1 with a 2.7 ERA home in Colorado on the year. He's 1-0 with a 2.74 ERA in four career starts against the Phillies and dominated them with a 1.50 ERA over two starts last season. The Phillies will counter with ace Cole Hamels, but the way he's pitched away from home this season has been far from ace-worthy as he's allowed 12 runs on 19 hits with 11 walks over 19 innings of work outside of Philly.

2. Road Woes - Philadelphia's 4-13 road-record is the worst in the majors and it has lost four of the last five match-ups at Coors Field.

3. X-Factor - Cole Hamels has received a league-worst 2.12 run support average over his eight starts on the year.

Selection: This is a play on the Colorado Rockies (8*)