The set-up: The Colorado Rockires are happy to be home, after going 1-8 on a nine-game road trip to LA, SF and Arizona. The Rockies will play seven games at home this week prior to the All, Star break and their opponents will be two last-place teams, the 35-46 Cincinnati Reds and the 36-45 Chicago White Sox. Colorado has dropped 10 of 11 overall, to fall seven games back in the National League West but this homestand against a pair of last-place clubs gives them an opportunity to pick up the pieces. The Reds are up first, coming off winning two of three against the Cubs but Cincy owns a 12-26 road record, getting outscored 6.00-to-4.29 RPG.

The pitching matchup: Luis Castillo (0-0 & 3.38 ERA) starts for the Reds and Jeff Hoffman (4-1 & 4.04 ERA) for the Rockies. Castillo is a rookie making just his third ML start. He's pitched in hard luck so far, as he has left with the lead in each of his first two, only to see a pair of blown saves deprive him of a win. He limited Milwaukee to two runs and five hits while striking out nine in 5 2/3 innings on Wednesday. He was 4-4 with a 2.58 ERA at Double-A Pensacola before his recent promotion. Hoffman has seven starts in his eight appearances this season and has allowed two runs or less in five of his last six. This is Castillo's first appearance vs. Colorado and Hoffman's first time seeing Cincinnati.

The pick: The Rockies were outscored 53-26 and batted just .211 on their nine-game road trip but they drew one of MLB's worst road teams in the Reds these next four days. Colorado averages 5.81 RPG at home in Coors Field. Yes, the Rockies have lost 10 of 11 but this team still owns MLB's third-best moenyline mark at plus-$1480. It's time to turn things around. Make Colorado a 10* play.