MLB Betting: Rockies Favored to Beat Diamondbacks in NLCS

Jeff Francis opens the NLCS for the Rockies. (AI Wire photo)

The Colorado Rockies have won 17 of 18 games, survived one of the most thrilling games in recent years when they beat San Diego in a playoff to reach the postseason, then upset the red-hot Phillies in a sweep of the National League Division Series.

Colorado's Cardiac Kids take on another group of upstarts in the National League Championship Series, which begins Thursday. The Arizona Diamondbacks have a young, mostly unknown team led by no-names like Chris B. Young and Mark Reynolds. The D-backs swept the favored Cubs in their NLDS series. Arizona's success lies with its pitching staff, which is headed by reigning Cy Young Award winner Brandon Webb.

Webb gets the start in Game 1 of what should be a highly entertaining series between two disciplined and balanced teams. He faces Jeff Francis, a Canadian lefthander who had a breakout season. Francis had an awesome Game 1 in the NLDS, setting the tone for the Rockies' triumph.

Although Arizona holds home-field advantage, baseball bettors like the Rockies. Colorado holds NLCS odds of -125 on the moneyline (meaning a winning wager of $125 would pay $100). While Arizona is at +105. The Diamondbacks' World Series odds are 9/2 and the Rockies have dropped to 2/1. For ALCS odds, NLCS odds and World Series odds, take your swing at the Bodog Sportsbook.

NLCS Schedule (all games on TBS)
Game 1 - At Arizona, Thursday, 8:30 p.m. ET
Game 2 - At Arizona, Friday, 10 p.m. ET
Game 3 - At Colorado, Sunday, 8:30 p.m. ET
Game 4 - At Colorado, Monday, 8:30 p.m. ET
*Game 5 - At Colorado, Wednesday, Oct. 17, 8:30 p.m. ET
*Game 6 - At Arizona, Friday, Oct. 19, 8:30 p.m.
*Game 7 - At Arizona, Saturday, Oct. 20, TBD

*If necessary