However, the offensive component of that aforementioned blueprint is much harder to execute without Matt Chapman. The five-time Gold Glove third baseman (two-time platinum winner) is currently on the injured list after jamming his right hand while sliding back into first base in a June 8 win versus the Atlanta Braves.

Colorado held a 5-2 lead over the Giants going into the ninth in the series opener on Tuesday at Coors Field. Up to that point, they had timely hitting, got a decent start from Carson Palmquist, and the bullpen had been flawless. Then came the punch line as the Rockies remain on pace to be the worst team in modern baseball history.

Opposing Márquez is Bryce Elder (2-3, 4.08 ERA), making his 11th start of the season. Elder, a ground ball pitcher with excellent offspeed stuff, profiles as a tough matchup for Colorado’s offense, especially on the heels of a one-run, eight-inning masterclass against the San Francisco Giants.

The San Francisco Giants blow chance to enter weekend series vs. Dodgers tied for first in the NL West after a late collapse vs. the Rockies.

But Atlanta isn’t struggling as bad as the Colorado Rockies (13-55), who -- as of June 13 -- are on pace to be Major League Baseball’s worst-ever team at 31-131, remarkably topping the 2024 Chicago White Sox, who set the record for most losses in a season with 121.

The San Francisco Giants (40-29) and the LA Dodgers (41-28) open a 3-game series Friday. First pitch from Dodger Stadium is scheduled for 10:10 p.m. ET (MLB Network). Let's analyze BetMGM Sportsbook's MLB odds around the Giants vs. Dodgers odds and make our expert MLB picks and predictions for the best bets.

Matt Chapman has already gone to the injured list with a sprained right hand, but the San Francisco Giants third baseman could be out through the rest of the month.