The Milwaukee Brewers reached the MLB score All Star break in first place in the National League Central, tied with the St. Louis Cardinals for the best record in the division. It won’t be easy for the Brewers to hold on to top spot with the Cardinals and Pittsburgh Pirates right there with them, and with eight straight games on the road to start the second half they will look to open on a positive note against the Colorado Rockies on Thursday.Milwaukee Brewers @ Colorado Rockies
Thursday July 14, 2011 – 8:40 PM ET
Coors Field, Denver, Colorado
MLB Betting Odds: Milwaukee Brewers - 120
The good news is that the Rockies haven’t been very good at home this season, battling through inconsistencies to reach the All Star break at .500. The bad news is that the Brewers have the worst win total as the visiting team in the NL this season.
MLB Betting Preview: Milwaukee Brewers
Milwaukee will turn to young Yovani Gollardo to get the job done in their first game back. The 25-year old is 10-5 with a 3.76 ERA this season, and had won two of three heading into the break, but a closer look at his numbers tell a much different story. Gollardo is 7-1 at home this year, but just 3-4 on the road and his ERA in visiting ball park’s is 4.39. The Brewers will need to lean on their offense down the stretch regardless, and if they can get him some run support early Gollardo should be able to get the job done at Colorado. Milwaukee’s offense entered the All Star break at the top of the NL in home runs, and with a postseason spot within reach Prince Fielder and company will look to open the second half strong.
MLB Betting Preview: Colorado Rockies
While Gollardo has struggled, Colorado’s starter for Thursday night’s game offers an entirely different perspective. Ubaldo Jimenez has been awful at home in 2011, going 1-5 with an awful 6.24 ERA. The 27-year old was brilliant in his only start against Milwaukee this season, allowing just two earned runs in eight innings of work. The Rockies offense has done enough to get the job done at home this season, but it will be a tough sports betting challenge against a powerful Brewers’ offense. The Rockies have done a good job of manufacturing runs, but will likely need to provide plenty for Jimenez to get him the win.
MLB Betting Preview: Outlook & Pick
The Brewers have been awful on the road this season, but they understand that they will have to be better in the second sports betting bonus half if they are going to clinch a suddenly crowded NL Central. Jimenez has struggled at home, and with the elevation at Coors Field Fielder and company should be able to ride the long ball and do enough to get Gollardo the win as long as he pitches to his ERA.
MLB Betting Pick: Milwaukee Brewers - 120
