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October is the month of pumpkins, but Professional Handicappers League members Jerry Johnson, Jimmy Boyd and Bill Fishman don't expect the Colorado Rockies to turn into one when they meet Arizona in the NLCS starting Thursday night.
All three PHL analysts are jumping on the Rockies' bandwagon as Jeff Francis prepares to meet Diamondbacks ace Brandon Webb in the first game of the best-of-seven series that will determine the league's pennant winner and World Series representative.
Bodog Sportsbook had the Rockies as a minus $2.00 favorite in Game 1 early Wednesday morning and a minus $1.25 choice to take the whole enchilada.
"The Rockies are the Cinderella story of baseball," said PHL member Jerry Johnson, who lives in neighboring Nebraska.
"What a run!"
The Rockies have won 17 of their last 18 games, including a three-game sweep of National League East Division champion Philadelphia in the first postseason round.
Arizona also disposed of the Chicago Cubs in three.
The Las Vegas Hilton opened Colorado at 100/1 to win the Fall Classic and 50/1 to cop a National League flag; the Diamondbacks were posted at 60/1 and 30/1 respectively.
Colorado on Wednesday morning was a 2/1 pick to win the World Series, while Arizona was 9/2, though Bodog had taken down the prop.
"The Colorado Rockies are the best story in baseball right now because of what they had to do just to make the playoffs," said Boyd, echoing Johnson's sentiments.
"I like these two young teams (Rocks and Snakes) facing off in this NLCS divisional bout.
"Both of these teams were just supposed to be maturing this season as the Padres and Dodgers looked to be the best on paper.
"These teams know each other inside and out.
"The Snakes have the better starting pitching staff, but as hot as Colorado has been, I have to give them the early edge."
Fishman thinks the series will go the distance.
"The Rockies are very hot and this is something that comes into play in the postseason," he said.
"I feel the small break may be what cools them off against Arizona, which in my opinion has an advantage with the starting staffs.
"It shapes up as a very good series that in my eyes will go seven games.
"If the Rockies get any kind of pitching they will win.
"They have a superior offense, one of the league's Top 3.
"If I have to pick, I would say the Rockies in seven with Jeff Francis outdueling Webb and winning the MVP."
Oddsmaker Ken White of Las Vegas Sports Consultants pretty much considers the showdown a toss up.
"I really don't have an opinion," White said.
"I think the series has settled in at about the right price, though I see some offshore books opened Arizona the favorite.
"Arizona gets the pitching advantage because of Webb.
"He's the biggest ace on either club.
"But Colorado's lineup is so strong.
"They're definitely the better team offensively.
"(Matt) Holliday has had such a great season."
Oddsmakers probably aren't supposed to cheer, but White acknowledges that he'll likely be rooting for the Rockies in his heart.
"They've never been to a World Series and the Diamondbacks have," White said.
He advises players to look for value in the underdog on a game-by-game basis.
"Dogs are 8-5 in the playoffs so far," White noted.
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The Rockies are on a roll so how could anyone NOT pick them?
Go Rocks!!! Rockies have the mojo right now. GO ROCKS!!!!!!!!!!! You never know in Baseball; but as it looks now, no team can compete with the Rockies...None!
Go Rockies! I have to say, the Rockies. The Diamondbacks were never expected (or intended) to get this far. This whole playoff thing has messed up their plans for the last part of the season, which was just supposed to be a building year, with a team 2/3 rookies. The whole city had to scramble to get ready for the playoffs, not expecting visitors until the Super Bowl next spring.
They do tend to win high-scoring games, which the next few games are likely to be, so who knows? I believe they needed to sweep all of their home games to win the playoffs, which is how they beat the Yankees in the World Series. Being down one at home, I don't think that they can pull it out.
Still, their motto, coined by a player in the last two months, is "Anyone, any time." rockies The Rockies are on fire, home, away, every where they go they are ROCKING the stadium. It is so nice to see a team with no controversy, a low pay scale, and such good sportsmanship play this far in the Series... I wish them the best, GO ROX! ROCKIES in 7 Arizona fans are acting like Cubs fans Such poor Sports. I prefer the Rockies. They are both good but I'm for the Rockies right now. :)
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