Ala Hann Sport picks

So the betting world waited and waited to see this Cuban pitching phenom for the Cincinnati Reds named Aroldis Chapman. This guy was supposed to be throwing heat in excess of 100 miles an hour consistently, and have some great control. When the Reds did finally reveal Chapman to the MLB betting community, mouths dropped and the Reds were pleased.

The Cincinnati Reds are still battling with the St. Louis Cardinals for the NL Central pennant. Before NFL betting and college football betting can begin in Cincinnati, the Reds still want to make their mark on the sports landscape. Chapman could be the final piece in a playoff puzzle that the Reds have been waiting for. The hard throwing pitcher does consistently throw over 100 miles per hour, but he seems to be limited on pitches. Obviously, his great arm strength and pitching speed would open the door for a potent change-up, but Chapman is still working on a breaking ball. Opposing hitting coaches have a right to be concerned with a pitcher that can throw over 100 miles per hour and is working on a breaking ball.

The Rockies had a couple of key wins in late August that have spurred thoughts of the NL wild card berth in Colorado. Right now the Rockies trail the Padres by four and a half games in the NL West and trail the Philadelphia Phillies by five games in the NL wild card. Two weeks ago that may not have given Colorado much of a chance to win anything, but recent events have made every game for the Rockies very important.

The San Diego Padres have lost nine of their last 10 games. The San Francisco Giants and Colorado Rockies are suddenly within striking distance of a NL West pennant that seemed out of reach in mid-August.

The other event that has happened is the Colorado Rockies have won seven of their last 10 games, including a four game winning streak. The Rockies are currently working on the longest winning streak in the NL, and if the Padres keep losing then that could make the NL West pennant a battle between the Rockies and the Giants.

For this game the Reds are sending Bronson Arroyo to the mound with his 14-9 record and 3.84 ERA. Arroyo is a career 21-10 in September and October, and he has been pitching effectively his last three starts. He has the ability to keep the Rockies in the high altitude confines of Coors Field.

The Rockies will put Aaron Cook on the mound. Cook has a 5-8 record and a 5.21 ERA. Cook is a sinkerball pitcher that just beat the Padres in his last outing, and in his last start against the Reds he shut them out for seven innings.

The Reds need this game to continue momentum into the playoffs and the Rockies need every win they can get to improve their playoff chances. Before Chapman was available in the bullpen for the Reds it may have been thought that the Rockies had enough to beat Arroyo in Coors Field. With Chapman in the bullpen, it is a completely different story.

Pick; Cincinnati Reds 4-1