by Chuck Sommers
Thursday, May 05, 2022
Time: 3:10 p.m. ET
Venue: Coors Field, Denver, CO
Where to watch: YouTube
Opening Odds at USA Sportsbooks
DraftKings: NL
BetMGM: NL
Caesars: NL
Season record
Nationals: 9-17
Rockies: 14-10
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Nationals - Rockies preview and analysis
So the Colorado Rockies haven’t been as good lately as I think we’d like to anticipate, but they’re still finding ways to win games even if they’re sitting at fourth in the National League West at the moment.
But the Rockies keep showing they’re at least better than the teams in front of them by beating the Washington Nationals 5-2 on Wednesday, one day after getting whooped by way too many runs to count. The series will conclude Thursday at Coors Field.
Jose Iglesias was part of a five-run fourth inning, highlighted by a two-run double to get the lead over Washington. Ryan McMahon got two hits, and Colorado was able to get a win even though Kris Bryant has been dealing with a back injury that’s kept him out.
“It’s not my first rodeo,” Iglesias said of his latest new team. “I’ve been to different teams too many times. At the end of the day, it’s baseball. That’s the game I love to play.
“You have to adjust to your teammates, your city, your organization. But for me, it’s just play the game.”
Iglesias is still trying to find that right home for him after playing for six teams in 11 seasons. To anyone else that would take a toll but the fact he’s still been a reliable veteran that helps teams in need of a stopgap. Iglesias has been just that for the Rockies,
“He’s been in the league a long time, and he has a reputation as one of the best defensive shortstops,” said Rockies starter Austin Gomber, who struck out six across 6 2/3 innings, but yielding seven hits and being the beneficiary of all those double plays. “As a starter, anytime you bring in a guy like that, we're not gonna be upset about it.”
In what might have been the most surprising part about this whole game, Nationals starter Patrick Corbin threw a complete game. Yes, you read that right. In a 5-2 loss, the losing team had the starter go the distance. Corbin struck out three in the eight innings he threw.
“Forget about the outcome of the game,” manager Dave Martinez said. “Patrick was awesome today. He did everything we asked him to do: he attacked the strike zone, he had six innings with 15 pitches or less, faced 24 batters with three pitches or less. You can’t ask for more than what he did today -- and he finished the game.”
It definitely had that feel of yesteryear. Like, way yesteryear.
"Sort of an old school game, you know, a guy that went the distance?” Rockies manager Bud Black said. “It's similar to the Patrick that I've seen over the years, maybe a tick down in velocity but great feel to pitch with this three pitches. … If he throws like that, he's going to win some games for the Nationals."
Prediction
I trust the Rockies going with Antonio Senzatela over the likes of Aaron Sanchez. Should be an easy one for the Rockies. Rockies win 7-2
Betting trends
Nationals are 39-68 the past three seasons when the line is between +125 and -125.
Nationals are 49-73 when playing road games the past three seasons.
Rockies are 24-15 the past three seasons as a favorite between -125 and -175.
Projected lineup
Nationals:
Cesar Hernandez (S) 2B
Juan Soto (L) RF
Josh Bell (S) 1B
Yadiel Hernandez (L) DH
Maikel Franco (R) 3B
Lane Thomas (R) LF
Riley Adams (R) C
Victor Robles (R) CF
Alcides Escobar (R) SS
Cesar Hernandez (S) 2B
Juan Soto (L) RF
Josh Bell (S) 1B
Yadiel Hernandez (L) DH
Maikel Franco (R) 3B
Lane Thomas (R) LF
Riley Adams (R) C
Victor Robles (R) CF
Alcides Escobar (R) SS
Rockies:
Connor Joe (R) LF
Charlie Blackmon (L) DH
Randal Grichuk (R) RF
C.J. Cron (R) 1B
Elias Diaz (R) C
Ryan McMahon (L) 3B
Brendan Rodgers (R) 2B
Yonathan Daza (R) CF
Jose Iglesias (R) SS
Connor Joe (R) LF
Charlie Blackmon (L) DH
Randal Grichuk (R) RF
C.J. Cron (R) 1B
Elias Diaz (R) C
Ryan McMahon (L) 3B
Brendan Rodgers (R) 2B
Yonathan Daza (R) CF
Jose Iglesias (R) SS
Statistical leaders
Nationals:
Batting average: Josh Bell -- .349
Hits: Cesar Hernandez -- 31
Home runs: Juan Soto -- 5
RBI: Josh Bell -- 18
Wins: Josiah Gray -- 3
Saves: Tanner Rainey -- 3
ERA: Josiah Grey -- 3.13
Rockies:
Batting average: C.J. Cron -- .304
Hits: C.J. Cron -- 28
Home runs: C.J. Cron -- 9
RBI: C.J. Cron -- 22
Wins: Chad Kuhl -- 3
Saves: Daniel Bard -- 7
ERA: Austin Gomber -- 3.58
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Chuck Sommers
About the Author:
Chuck Sommers has camped outside of sportsbooks since he can remember, learning the tricks and nuances of the trade. He still has nightmares of betting $5,000 on the Raiders in the Tuck Rule game but has since turned that to 25 years of veteran handicapping greatness. You can find him mostly in the shadows at the Red Rock or Aliante casinos wondering if the over is cashing on any given Sunday.
