The Colorado Avalanche are the favorite to hoist the Stanley Cup.
The Denver Nuggets keep finding ways to win despite the absence of Jamal Murray and two other top guards.
The last two nights of Denver sports have been back-to-back off the rails.
And then there’s the Colorado Rockies.
Yes, this iteration of the Rockies wasn’t and isn’t a contender. That’s especially true after trading Nolan Arenado to the St. Louis Cardinals. So fans and those betting on the Rockies didn’t have high expectations for the 2021 season.
Two months in, it’s worse than just about anyone expected.
Colorado is bad at baseball.
Colorado Betting interest on the Rockies is non-existent
As it stands now, the Rockies are 23-34. Only the Arizona Diamondbacks (20-37) and Pittsburgh Pirates (20-34) are worse in the National League. When you move to MLB, only the Baltimore Orioles (19-37) are worse.
It’s not surprising, MLB betting interest in Colorado is non-existent for this team. And even when there is betting interest, it’s usually against the Rockies.
As Lenny Estrin, SportsBetting.com lines manager, said to PlayColorado:
“Even in Colorado, we’re having a hard time drawing action on the Rockies. Nobody wants to touch this team with a 10-foot pole right now. Not even the value players.”
Are the Rockies this bad?
But are the Rockies really, truly this bad?
Just about everyone expected the franchise to have a long season. Some even thought Colorado could hit 100 losses, but that was a minority group of bettors and fans.
If the Rockies don’t find a way to win on the road, 100 losses is a very real possibility.
Colorado is 19-12 at Coors Field. The Rockies have actually won six-straight at 20th and Blake, including a sweep of the Texas Rangers. Colorado is also on a four-game winning streak. But on the road, the Rockies are 4-22. Yes, you read that correctly.
“Offensively, they are near historically bad, multiple shutouts and a road batting average around .200,” Kevin Dawn said. Dawn is the Barstool Sportsbook director at the Ameristar. “On the bright side, they do play half of their games here in Denver, so if they can start hitting, maybe the momentum can get them rolling on the road a little.”
Added Estrin:
“Well, they’re not as bad as the Orioles, but the outlook is not great. However, you have to expect that road record to return back to the mean at some point this season. So, no, I don’t think they’re as bad as their record indicates.”
Dodgers, Yankees get betting action in Colorado
Given the lack of interest, what are people in Colorado placing MLB wagers on?
“Unsurprisingly, we see a lot of action on the Dodgers,” Estrin said. “They are by far and away our biggest handle each week. The Yankees are up there as well. But another NL West club, San Diego, has been a popular play for and against this season.”
Dawn added that Barstool also sees a lot of action on the Chicago Cubs, on top of the Dodgers and Yankees.
Since the Rockies are so bad, it doesn’t exactly give much hope for the rest of the season. The remaining interest is based on how bad the season could get. Granted, the organization has been cleared for full capacity at the end of June, and based on what we lived through the last year, people will flock to Coors Field.
It’s a glorified sports bar as it is, and there are fewer better places to enjoy a cold beer in downtown Denver. The product on the field is an afterthought.
“The upside is that the D-Backs are not very good either,” Dawn said. “The downside is the Giants are playing out of this world right now. Also, with the (MLB) Draft on July 11, (the Rockies) should be able to get a really good player at 8.”
At least for now, the Colorado sports betting market has the Avs and Nuggets.
