Thursday, May 8, 8:05 PM on ROOT, FSSW

Globe Life Park in Arlington, Arlington, Texas

Colorado Rockies - Morales, F (3-1) vs. Texas Rangers - Harrison, M (0-0)

For Updated Odds on This Game Click Here

Thursday night, the Colorado Rockies and Franklin Morales will take on the Texas Rangers and Matt Harrison. It will be Morales’ 7th start and 8th appearance while Harrison makes his 3rd start.

Franklin Morales was lucky to escape with a no decision in his last outing where he allowed 6 runs on 9 hits in just 5 innings.  He walked 1 and struck out 5 as his record stayed at 3 – 1 and his ERA rose to 5.05.  It was the second straight start where Morales didn’t pitch more than 5 innings but gave up 4 or more runs.  Last season, Morales was 2 – 2 with a 4.62 ERA in 1 start and 19 relief appearances for the Boston Red Sox.

In 2013, Morales didn’t face the Rangers but he has some experience against many of Texas’ hitters.  Morales might want to give a free pass to Geovany Soto because Soto is 3 for 3 with a double and a solo homer against the left-hander.

Matt Harrison is still making his comeback from last season’s back and shoulder problems and it hasn’t been easy.  Harrison comes into this one without a decision and an ERA of 4.35 after a brutal start his last time out.  In that outing, Harrison gave up 3 runs on 10 hits in just 4.1 innings of work.  He walked 3 and struck out 3 as he threw an incredible 96 pitches.  In 2013, Harrison was 2 – 0 with an ERA of 8.44 in a season shortened to just 2 starts because of injury.

Last season, Harrison didn’t face the Rockies and he has only seen 6 of their hitters in his career.  Colorado’s Justin Morneau is just 2 of 11 against Harrison but he has 2 doubles and 3 RBIs.         

Colorado Rockies Betting Trends

Colorado Rockies are 21-11-2 against the Over/Under

Run Differential for Colorado Rockies is 1.1

Texas Rangers Betting Trends

Texas Rangers are 16-14-2 against the Over/Under

Run differential for Texas Rangers is -0.5

Injuries to Watch

Colorado Rockies

05/04/14 C Wilin Rosario Illness 15-day DL (5/3)
05/03/14 2B Joshua Rutledge Illness 15-day DL (4/28)
05/01/14 P Tyler Chatwood Elbow 60-day DL (4/30)
04/21/14 RF Michael Cuddyer Hamstring 15-day DL (4/21)
04/15/14 P Brett Anderson Finger 60-day DL (4/13)

Texas Rangers

04/25/14 3B Kevin Kouzmanoff Back 15-day DL (4/23)
04/23/14 P Pedro Figueroa Elbow 15-day DL (4/23)
04/19/14 LF James Adduci Finger 15-day DL (4/19)
04/18/14 P Tanner Scheppers Elbow 15-day DL (4/18)
04/08/14 P Joe Saunders Ankle 15-day DL (4/5)
03/31/14 C Geovany Soto Knee 60-day DL (3/30)
03/31/14 2B Jurickson Profar Shoulder 60-day DL (3/23)
03/28/14 P Derek Holland Knee 60-day DL (3/3)
03/28/14 RF Engel Beltre Leg 60-day DL (3/26)
03/28/14 P Joe Ortiz Foot 60-day DL (2/14)

Josh's Pick: Take Colorado

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