The set-up: The Colorado Rockies returned home on Monday after going 1-8 on a nine-game road trip to LA, SF and Arizona. Overall, the Rockies had lost 10 of 11 but Colorado was set to play seven games at home this week prior to the All, Star break and its opponents were two last-place teams, the Cincinnati Reds and the Chicago White Sox. Colorado opened the week seven games back in the NL West but this homestand gave them an opportunity to pick up the pieces form a disastrous two-week slide. The Reds were up first and Colorado came through win a 5-3 win. It should be no surprise that the Reds lost on the road, as they are now 12-27 away from home, getting outscored 5.97-to-4.26 RPG.

The pitching matchup: Homer Bailey (0-2 & 27.00 ERA) starts for the Reds and Kyle Freeland (8-6 & 3.84 ERA) for the Rockies. Bailey, the owner of two career no-hitters, has struggled mightily in two starts since returning from elbow surgery, allowing 14 runs on 12 hits over 4 2/3 innings. He is 2-2 with a 4.43 ERA in seven career starts against the Rockies (team is 2-5). Freeland is making a case for being one of 2017's best rookie pitchers. He has completed at least six innings in 11 of his last 13 starts (Rockies are 10-6 in his starts). Freeland won at Cincinnati back on May 21 despite allowing four runs in 5 2/3 innings, his only outing against the Reds.

The pick: I backed the Rockies Monday and do so again here, as Colorado averages 5.,79 RPG at Coors this season and in the case of Bailey, will be facing a pitcher who may not be long for the majors. Make Colorado a 10* play, again.