Giants vs Rockies Odds - Neither NL West rival will lie down

The Giants vs Rockies odds could very well be the baseball betting series of the year to date. Here we have two teams not only competing hard for the National League Wild Card, but also playing well enough that they’re within striking distance of the Dodgers atop the NL West. This series could very well decide the NL playoff picture.

Giants vs Rockies odds: A 2-2 series split seems likely this weekend

• Rockies will beat up Jonathan Sanchez, Joe Martinez
  
• Lincecum will rise to the occasion in biggest start of his career
  
• Giants will get the “Winn” over Jason Marquis on Monday

Tonight, 9:10 p.m. ET
Jonathan Sanchez (5-10, 4.49) vs Aaron Cook (10-5, 4.31)

Whatever you think of Jonathan Sanchez, you can’t say he isn’t interesting. He’s walked three or more batters in five straight starts but uses his nasty stuff to pitch out of jams and has managed a 2.84 ERA this month. He got torched in his first trip to Coors for five runs in five innings and is terrible against the Rockies in his career – 1-3 with a 7.65 ERA and 30 WALKS in 42.2 innings.

Aaron Cook hasn’t been lights out in 2009 – opponents are hitting .293 off him – but he’s 4-1 at home and beat the Giants once this season already. Go with his Giants vs Rockies odds.

MLB betting pick: Rockies

Saturday, August 22, 8:10 p.m. ET
Joe Martinez (3-1, 4.76) vs Jorge De La Rosa (11-8, 4.58)

Joe who? He’s hardly a household name among betting sharps, but he’s sorta, kinda survived in his three major-league starts. He has a tall order matching up in the Giants vs Rockies odds against Jorge De La Rosa, who is 5-1 with 41 strikeouts in 39 innings and a 3.00 ERA since the All-Star break. While De La Rosa is beatable at Coors, where he has a 4.98 ERA this season, Martinez simply doesn’t look like a rookie sensation. His first visit to Colorado could be a nightmare. Go with the home team.

MLB betting pick: Rockies

Sunday, August 23, 3:10 p.m. ET
Tim Lincecum (12-3, 2.37) vs Ubaldo Jimenez (11-9, 3.41)

The AL has Sabathia/Beckett on Sunday and the NL answers with a phenomenal pitching matchup of its own, as two of baseball’s most unhittable hurlers go head to head. Flamethrowing Jimenez has been lights out of late, going 5-0 since the break and 4-0 with a 1.47 ERA this month while averaging the highest velocity of any starter in baseball. He’s pitched well against the Giants this season and it would be a shock to see him allow more than two or three runs.

However, Tim Lincecum could very well be the best pitcher of his generation already. He hasn’t lost in five starts at Coors Field and, more importantly, has an opportunity to take himself to the next level by excelling in a game with major playoff implications. This may be the most important start of Tiny Tim’s career to date. Would you be against him at the sportsbook in that context?

MLB betting pick: Giants

Monday, August 24, 8:40 p.m. ET
Barry Zito (8-11, 4.26) vs Jason Marquis (14-8, 3.58)

For as much flak as we give Barry Zito for his albatross contract, we should give credit where credit is due. Barry has allowed three or fewer runs in seven straight starts and is a big reason why the Giants are in the playoff hunt. As for his Giants vs Rockies odds – it may surprise you to learn that he has a 3.00 ERA in four starts at Coors Field and a 2.25 career ERA against the Rockies overall.

Jason Marquis is 9-4 all-time at Coors, but he may add a fifth loss to that column. Much of his recent success has come against bottom dwellers; his last four wins were against Washington, Pittsburgh, San Diego and Washington again. The Giants may get to him – especially Randy Winn, who bats .364 off Marquis and should get a start.

MLB betting pick: Giants

For full Giants vs Rockies odds and more sports betting tips, read the Betting Edge at betonline.com.

Before his arm flamed out, Dale “Skip” Lalonde was famous for his high-90s heat and power at the plate. He retired young but never turned his back on baseball, earning the nickname “Skip” for his high-school coaching prowess. A true student of the game, he loves crunching the numbers when he handicaps baseball.