I really like the Spurs to win the series and if they are going to do so they must steal game 1. I really do not anticipate them to be too rusty, but I do anticipate the Heat to have a let down off a grueling 7 game series with the Pacers. The Spurs pose some of the same challenges the Pacers did in the conference finals only the Pacers are a bit stronger on the front line, but the Spurs still have Tim Duncan and Tiago Splitter is 6'11 and 240 and should be a handful in this series. What the Spurs do have is better back court play and a true point guard in Tony Parker who can take over a game. We saw it all series against the Pacers that when the Pacers got output from their guards they won the game.
On the flip side the Spurs defensively match up wellas Kawhi Leonard is 6'7 and young and quick enough to at least tire Lebron James out and should offer a challenge much like the Pacers were able to do. Greg Popavich is a tremendous coach and he's got 9 days to prepare for this game. This is a veteran group and I don't see them coming out flat if anything I see the Heat who are not as hungry as the Spurs coming out in a let down spot. They have not played well in game 1's all post season and lost game 1 last year after beating the Celtics in a grueling 7 game series.
Rockies are on fire scoring 12 runs yesterday as Carlos Gonzalez and Troy Tulowitzki dominated. Now they come back home without rest which is great for them as it does not break their rhythm. They have hit Andrew Cashner hard in the past especially at home as Cashner has allowed 8 runs and 3 HR in just 4 innings of work in relief. His last start vs. the Rockies came at home where he allowed 6 ER on 10 hits in just 3.2 innings. The Rockies are 3rd in OPS vs. RHP and are even more dangerous at home while the Padres are ranked 21st and will face a pitcher they have struggled against big time.
Jhoulys Chacin has a 2.21 ERA against the Padres in 6 career starts 5 of which came at Coors Field. He is only allowing 3.6% HR/FB which makes him a dangerous pitcher at home meanwhile Cashner is 12.5%. Both pitchers throw a fast ball, slider and change up and the Rockies are ranked on average 7th combined against those three pitches while the Padres are ranked 18th. The Rockies also have pitched well out of the bullpen with a 2.54 ERA at home while the Padres could struggle here and have a bullpen ERA over 4 on the road. The Padres have lost 18 of their last 26 road games as an under dog +110 to +150
