Less than two weeks ago, after beating the Miami Marlins in the opener of a three-game series in south Florida, the San Diego Padres were a .500 team at 40-40 and just 2.5 games out of first place in the NL West. However, the Friars have fallen off a cliff since that night, losing 10 straight games entering Tuesday's Game 2 of their series with Colorado. Injuries have played a huge role, and now the Padres – last in the division – are decidedly not buyers but sellers as the trade deadline approaches.

On June 13, the Rockies lost 5-4 at home to Washington to fall to 35-32. The game was very costly as the team lost All-Star shortstop Troy Tulowitzki with his annual  injury – this time a rib problem. It's no coincidence that the Rockies are 8-15 since entering Tuesday's game without Tulo.

To double the pain, the team put outfielder Dexter Fowler, who was having a career year, on the disabled list June 26 with a hand injury. Are the Rockies a contender? If those two injured starters and Carlos Gonzalez can stay healthy the offense is as good as any. But without adding at least one starting pitcher, I don't see it. The only reason the team is close to first is because the NL West is lousy in 2013.

Rockies at Padres Betting Story Lines

The good news for Colorado is that both Fowler and Tulowitzki played in their first rehab game in Triple-A on Monday. Neither will play in this game but both could be activated on Thursday. Gonzalez missed Monday's series opener against the Padres after spraining his middle finger on Sunday, but it's not a disabled list-type injury. CarGo leads the NL in homers and was selected for Monday's Home Run Derby at Citi Field along with teammate Michael Cuddyer, the second-leading hitter in the NL.

The Padres will take no pity on the Rockies. Catcher Yasmani Grandal showed signs last year as a rookie that me might soon become one of the best hitters at his position. However, he missed the first chunk of this season because of suspension and now has been lost for 9-12 months for reconstructive ACL surgery on his right knee. Nick Hundley will handle the catching duties. First baseman Yonder Alonso has been out since late May with a fractured right hand but could be activated this weekend as well. Second baseman Jedd Gyorko, who was having a tremendous rookie season, hasn't played since June 9 with a groin injury. He might be back this weekend also.

It should be a low-scoring game Wednesday with all those offensive guys out and two good pitchers on the mound. Colorado goes with southpaw Jorge De La Rosa (8-5, 3.19). He allowed three runs and seven hits in 5.1 innings of a loss to Arizona last time out. Before that, he had three straight quality starts.

He has been hit or miss against San Diego this season. On April 14 at Petco Park, De La Rosa blanked the Padres on two hits over six innings. On June 7 at Coors Field, he allowed four runs and 11 hits in 5.0 innings against San Diego (although the Rockies won the game). The hurler is 5-2 with a 5.21 ERA in his career versus the Padres. San Diego All-Star shortstop Everth Cabrera is 3-for-15 with seven strikeouts off De La Rosa. Third baseman Chase Headley, who is starting to hit better, is batting .226 with nine strikeouts in 31 at-bats off him.

The Padres counter with big righty Andrew Cashner (5-4, 3.82). He had thrown five straight quality starts before getting shelled for six runs in two innings last time out in Washington. Cashner faced the Rockies early in the season in relief and allowed two runs in two innings. He started at Coors Field on June 7 and allowed three runs over seven innings. CarGo is 2-for-9 with no RBI in his career of Cashner. Cuddyer has a home and three RBI in five at-bats.

Rockies at Padres Betting Odds and Trends

At BetOnline the Padres opened at -121 and the Rockies at +111 with a total of 7. All trends entering Tuesday: Colorado is 43-44-3 over/under (22-19-2 on road) and 40-50 on the runline. San Diego is 47-40-3 O/U (23-19-2 at home) and 48-42 on the runline.

The Rockies are 4-0 in De La Rosa's past four starts in Game 3 of a series. They are 5-1 in his past six against the NL West. Colorado has dropped four straight Wednesday games. The Padres are 6-2 in their past eight at home against a lefty starter. San Diego is 0-6 in its past six during Game 3 of a series. It is 1-5 in Cashner's past six against teams with a losing record. The under is 8-2 in the Rockies' past 10 against teams with a losing record. The under is 5-1 in De La Rosa's past six road starts against teams with a losing record. The over is 5-1 in San Diego's past six home games against lefty starters. The Rockies are 10-1 in De La Rosa's past 11 against San Diego.

Rockies at Padres Betting Prediction

Hard not to notice that 10-1 run by the Rockies in this series when De La Rosa starts. And Colorado has won nine of 11 meetings this year entering Tuesday. Wait until Wednesday here because if CarGo has to sit out, that's the Rockies' three best hitters on the bench. Then I'd go San Diego. If he plays, take the Rockies. Go under regardless.

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Read more articles by Alan Matthews