Houston Astros vs. Colorado Rockies Pick – MLB, August 20, 2020

The Houston Astros are one of the hottest teams in the MLB right now after securing their sixth consecutive victory, and the second against the Colorado Rockies in this series. The Astros are hoping to conclude this four-game series (two in Houston and two in Denver) with a win. Following that wining period, Houston improved to a 13-10 record and is in the 2nd position in the AL West with three victories behind the Oakland Athletics and game in hand.

On the other hand, the Colorado Rockies didn’t play badly in those two 2-1 losses to the Astros, especially in Game 2 in which Antonio Senzatela didn’t allow a single run in eight innings. However, they suffered two defeats, and now are looking to bounce back and at least win the final game of the series at their turf. The Rockies dropped to a 13-10 record, and even though they are still in the 2nd place in the NL West, the Los Angeles Dodgers already have a five-win lead at this point.

 For the first time in this series, the sportsbooks are giving the Rockies an advantage, and the odds on the hosts to win are -118. A probable reason for that is pitching matchup: German Marquez vs. rookie Cristian Javier.

 Also, I mentioned that Colorado was unlucky in the opening two games of the series, and the bookies likely believe their luck will change here. The total is a bit lowered from 12.5 to 11.5, which is a still relatively high total whenever Houston is playing.

Cristian Javier will get the start for Houston, and it will be his fifth in his rookie season. He stands at 2-1 right now and has a 2.91 ERA, 0.83 WHIP as he allowed 11 hits and seven runs with 21 Ks and seven walks in 21.2 innings. It’s going to be his first time against the Rockies and the hottest hitter in the MLB – Charlie Blackmon. Blackmon leads the league in both batting average (.429) and hits (39). Charlie is the 5th in RBIs with 22, so Javier will have a lot of work to do to neutralize the bearded monster.

How'd the 7-1 homestand make y'all feel?

The best #AstrosMoments from the past week, presented by @Lexus!#ForTheH pic.twitter.com/W15ShLUybZ

— Houston Astros (@astros) August 19, 2020

On the other side, German Marquez will try to make amends for poor outings in the last two losses to Seattle and Texas. Marques has a 2-3 record, a 2.25 ERA, and 1.09 WHIP, as he allowed 27 hits and 12 runs in with 30 Ks and eight walks in 32 innings. Marquez didn’t experience the best of times when he faced the Astros last year as he allowed even 16 hits and 11 runs with 11 Ks and one walk in 11 innings for a miserable 7.36 ERA.

The Rockies announced today that they have placed OF David Dahl on the 10-day injured list with lower back soreness (retroactive to Aug. 18) and have recalled INF Brendan Rodgers from the Rockies’ alternate training site.

— Rockies Club Information (@RockiesClubInfo) August 19, 2020

German Marquez is desperate to return to the winning ways or at least to not suffer another loss, and he has a better matchup than Javier in this encounter. The opening of this game could be problematic to Marquez, so if he avoids some early hits and runs in the first two or three innings, the Rockies will be good.

Colorado wasn’t lucky to get a win in this series so far, and that luck has to change sometimes, why not in this game? I am going with the hosts here.

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