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The Los Angeles Dodgers (80-64) welcome the historically bad Colorado Rockies (40-104) to Chavez Ravine Tuesday night in what shapes up to be one of the most lopsided matchups of the season. With the Rockies on a three-game losing streak and potentially heading toward a franchise-worst record, this looks more like batting practice than a competitive baseball game.
Game Details and Viewing Information
When: Tuesday, September 9, 2025 at 10:10 PM ET (7:10 PM PT)
Where: Dodger Stadium, Los Angeles
TV: SportsNet LA and Colorado Rockies Network (COLR)
Betting Lines Show Massive Favoritism
The sportsbooks are treating this like David vs. Goliath:
- Dodgers Moneyline: -327
- Rockies Moneyline: +259
- Run Line: Dodgers -1.5
- Total Runs: 9.0
Those are some of the most extreme lines you’ll see in modern baseball. The Dodgers are essentially 77% favorites, which tells you everything about how oddsmakers view Colorado’s chances. When a team is getting +259 odds, it’s not confidence in an upset – it’s pity betting.
Pitching Matchup: Promise vs. Disaster
Dodgers: Emmet Sheehan (5-3, 3.59 ERA) makes his 10th start of the season
Rockies: German Marquez (3-12) takes the mound for his 23rd start
This pitching matchup perfectly encapsulates the gulf between these franchises. Sheehan has been solid with 60 strikeouts in 52⅔ innings, showing the kind of development that makes the Dodgers’ system so envied.
Meanwhile, Marquez’s 3-12 record tells the story of Colorado’s season. While he’s been better than his record suggests, he’s still tasked with keeping the Dodgers’ explosive offense in check – a nearly impossible assignment given his supporting cast.
Dodgers’ Championship-Caliber Offense
The Numbers Don’t Lie: Los Angeles ranks 3rd in MLB in both runs scored (722) and home runs (209), while Colorado ranks 29th in runs (543) and 23rd in homers (143). This isn’t just a mismatch – it’s a different sport.
LA’s Star-Studded Lineup:
- Shohei Ohtani: The two-way superstar leads with 48 home runs and 90 RBIs (.279 avg)
- Freddie Freeman: Consistent excellence with a team-leading .295 batting average
- Mookie Betts: Veteran presence still contributing despite a down year (.253 avg)
- Andy Pages: Young talent stepping up with a .455 slugging percentage
The Dodgers average 5.0 runs per game compared to Colorado’s pathetic 3.8. In a sport where run differential usually predicts success, LA is +158 while the Rockies sit at -188. That’s not a gap – it’s a chasm.
Rockies’ Historic Futility
Let’s be honest about what we’re watching: the Rockies are having one of the worst seasons in franchise history. Their 6.00 team ERA ranks dead last in baseball, while their pitching staff averages just 6.9 strikeouts per nine innings – also worst in MLB.
Colorado’s Lone Bright Spots:
- Hunter Goodman: Leading with 29 home runs and a .282 average in his breakout season
- Mickey Moniak: Providing some pop with 19 homers
- Jordan Beck: Young outfielder showing promise at .269
While these players deserve credit for individual success in a lost season, they’re trying to carry a roster that simply isn’t competitive at the major league level.
The Playoff Picture Context
For the Dodgers, every game matters as they chase a division title and favorable playoff seeding. At 80-64, they’re in prime position but need to keep winning to secure their October goals.
The Rockies? They’re playing spoiler at best, though with just 18 games remaining, even that seems unlikely given their 40-104 record. This is about individual pride and avoiding further embarrassment.
Historical Betting Trends
The numbers paint a stark picture of how these teams perform in similar situations:
Dodgers as Heavy Favorites: Perfect 7-0 record when favored at -327 or shorter odds
Rockies as Big Underdogs: Just 3-15 (16.7%) when getting +259 or longer odds
Those trends suggest this game will follow the script, with LA handling business against overmatched opposition.
Injury Impact
Both teams are dealing with injuries, but the Dodgers have the depth to absorb losses while Colorado’s thin roster gets even thinner. Key Dodgers like Will Smith and Tyler Glasnow are listed as day-to-day, but LA’s championship aspirations don’t hinge on any single player.
Why This Game Still Matters
Despite the lopsided nature, there are reasons to watch:
- Ohtani’s MVP Chase: Every at-bat could add to his historic season
- Sheehan’s Development: Young pitcher continuing to refine his craft
- Goodman’s Breakout: Colorado’s bright spot trying to finish strong
- Playoff Preparation: Dodgers fine-tuning for October
Betting Strategy for the Mismatch
With such extreme lines, traditional betting wisdom gets complicated. The Dodgers should win, but -327 offers almost no value. Meanwhile, +259 on Colorado feels like throwing money away.
Smart Betting Approaches:
- Run Line: Dodgers -1.5 offers better value than the moneyline
- Over 9 runs: LA’s offense should carry the total even if Colorado struggles
- Player props: Focus on Ohtani and Freeman for hits/RBIs
Final Prediction
This is the type of game where the better team simply takes care of business. The Dodgers have too much talent, too much depth, and too much at stake to let a historically bad Rockies team hang around.
Expect Sheehan to cruise through five or six innings while the LA offense does what it’s done all season – score runs in bunches against inferior pitching.
Predicted Final: Dodgers 9, Rockies 4
Best Bet: Dodgers run line -1.5
Total: Over 9 runs
Bold Prediction: Ohtani reaches 50 home runs with two bombs
Sometimes baseball is predictable, and this is one of those nights. The Dodgers are simply playing a different game than Colorado, and the final score should reflect that reality. Easy bet.
