Nick Parsons Available Picks

May, 15 2008 9:40pm EST
TOTAL: Under 8 (-105)
LOSS for -2 unit(s)

Colorado Rockies at Arizona Diamondbacks

UNDER the total in Arizona vs Colorado @ 9:40 PM ET Aaron Cook is off to a fantastic 6-1 start to this season with a phenomenal 2.26 ERA and hes been hit at just a .231 clip. This is what happens when youre a sinkerball pitcher and you have great command of your pitchers. Cook has simply been on this season and there is no reason to expect that to change here. Cook has allowed two earned runs or less in six of his last seven starts. In four of his last seven starts, Cook has allowed four hits or less even though each one of those starts spanned at least seven innings. Yes, hes been that good this season and note that even though the Diamondbacks came out on top of the Rockies in yesterdays game, Arizona only managed seven hits in the contest! Cook will have to pitch very well today if he wants to earn the victory. Thats because hes matched up with Brandon Webb of the Diamondbacks and Webb is off to a phenomenal 8-0 start to this season! The Diamondbacks righthander has compiled a 2.41 ERA and hes getting hit at just a .197 clip so far this season! Hes already faced the Rockies twice this season. Webb has been quite dominant against the Rockies this season as hes held Colorado to just three earned runs on nine hits in 15 innings of work! During this solid stretch of work, Webb has struck out 11 and walked just 2. In terms of bullpen help, the Diamondbacks pen ranks 4th in the National League based on ERA while the Rockies are ranked 6th. Of course, with Webb and Cook on the mound there shouldnt be a lot bullpen help needed in this one! The Diamondbacks do get a lot of positive press about their offense and, overall, they have been impressive this season. However, the Dbacks have scored four runs or less in 10 of their last 16 games. As you can see, the Diamondbacks offense can certainly be hit or miss on any given night. Against Cook its likely to be more of a miss. The Rockies are also well known for their offensive production in most seasons. However, they are not off to a very impressive start this season and theyve now lost four straight games and, overall, theyve averaged just 2.8 runs per game in their last five games! It is likely to be another tough night offensively for the Rockies with having to face Webb. Two solid bullpens, two offenses that have had their share of recent struggles, and two rock solid starting pitchers who have been on top of their game this season; add it all up and this one spells U-N-D-E-R!