The two highest-scoring teams in the NL lived up to the billing in last night’s series opener, combining to plate 17 runners in the contest. Let’s find out if the scoreboard operator will get another workout on Wednesday night in the Mile High City.

Holliday leads the charge offensively
 
St. Louis Cardinals outfielder Matt Holliday spent five seasons playing for the Colorado Rockies, which is probably why he’s had so much success against them since being traded in 2008. The slugger is batting .500 with three home runs and 11 RBI in 20 at-bats in the series this year. Colorado tried to battle back from falling behind by four runs in the top of the first inning, but ultimately suffered an 11-6 setback in the series opener at Coors Field on Tuesday night.
 
Westbrook’s sinker will be the difference
 
Jake WestbrookCardinals starting pitcher Jake Westbrook (9-8, 3.61 ERA) has won back-to-back home starts over the Chicago Cubs and Los Angeles Dodgers entering this contest, allowing four runs (three earned) and 10 hits over 14 combined innings. The right-hander will be facing the Rockies for the fifth time (fourth start), posting a 3-0 record and 2.18 ERA, which includes not serving up a home run in 20.2 frames. Westbrook leads the NL with his 2.60 ground ball to fly ball ratio.
 
Drew Pomeranz (1-6, 4.99 ERA) is starting to show signs of wearing down in his first full year in the major leagues, losing all three of his starts since the All-Star break, compiling a 10.13 ERA and allowing opponents to hit .356 in that span. The left-hander is 0-4 with a 4.31 ERA in six home outings, issuing 15 walks and striking out 23 batters in 31.1 innings. Pomeranz will be facing the Cardinals for the first time in his career—a team that leads baseball with a .283 average against southpaw throwers.
 
Playing on the road with an inflated total 
 
St. Louis has won seven of nine games on the road when the total is 10 to 10.5 since the 2010 campaign, which includes last night’s five-run victory. Colorado may offer little resistance, considering the club is 8-16 when serving as a host with that number, while the UNDER holds a slight 12-11 advantage.
 
A rocky road as a home underdog
 
Sports bettors will want to keep a close eye on the MLB betting odds for this affair, as the Rockies have lost 10 of 11 games as a home underdog of +100 to +125 this season. Total players will find that the OVER is a money-making 17-6 in that situation over the last two-plus campaigns.
 
Prediction
 
Westbrook has limited experience at this venue, combining to throw six innings over two appearances (one start), but he’s limited Carlos Gonzalez (1 for 6) and Todd Helton (1 for 8) over the course of his career. St. Louis improves to 6-2 when he starts as a road favorite of -110 to -150.