If you’re following Major League Baseball action this weekend, today’s July 6 matchup between the Chicago White Sox and Colorado Rockies is one to watch—especially if you’re trying to figure out if this game will be another high-scoring contest at the hitter-friendly Coors Field. Both teams have had tough seasons, but when they meet in Denver, there’s always the potential for fireworks. After two straight wins by the White Sox in this series, including a 10–3 win last night, it’s clear one team has the upper hand. But the bigger question today: will this game go over 11 total runs?
Let’s break down every major factor that points to a high-scoring outcome—and why the White Sox have the edge once again.
Pitching Matchup: Shane Smith vs Chase Dollander
Shane Smith will start for the White Sox. He’s been solid overall with a 3.86 ERA on the season. His advanced stats show that he’s been slightly better than his ERA suggests, with a 3.87 FIP and 3.96 SIERA. Smith also tends to perform better on the road. However, in his last start, he gave up six earned runs, which raises some concern about his consistency.
Chase Dollander takes the mound for Colorado. His numbers this season have been rough—6.65 ERA overall and an even worse 8.54 ERA at home. Coors Field has been especially tough on him. His advanced stats like xFIP (4.79) and SIERA (4.56) suggest he’s had some bad luck, but those numbers are still far from solid. He struggles with command, giving up walks and allowing hard contact often.
In this matchup, Smith has the edge, but both pitchers are vulnerable enough to allow runs—especially in Denver’s high-altitude environment.
Offensive Production: Who’s Hitting?
The White Sox have come alive in this series. They’ve scored 13 runs over the past two games and racked up 15 hits in yesterday’s win. Players like Lenyn Sosa and Colson Montgomery are finding their rhythm, and the team has been efficient with runners in scoring position.
The Rockies continue to struggle. They have one of the lowest team wRC+ numbers in the league, which means their offense is far below average. They’re averaging just 3.3 runs per game. Still, playing at Coors Field always gives their bats a little boost.
When comparing the offenses:
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White Sox: Heating up with young hitters stepping up.
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Rockies: Still cold, but playing in a hitter’s park gives them a chance to contribute to a high total.
Bullpen Breakdown
Relief pitching could play a big role in how this game finishes. The White Sox bullpen has been average this season with a 4.04 ERA. They’re not dominant, but they’re capable of holding leads.
The Rockies bullpen, on the other hand, has been one of the worst in baseball. They often give up runs late in games, and that’s been the case in this series. If the starting pitchers struggle early, expect the bullpens—especially Colorado’s—to give up even more.
Defensive Play and Fielding
Defense hasn’t been a strength for either team. The Rockies lead the league in errors and have struggled with routine plays all season. The White Sox are better defensively, but not by a wide margin. Mistakes in the field can lead to unearned runs, and that’s something to keep in mind when looking at the potential for a high-scoring game.
Ballpark Factor: Coors Field
This game is at Coors Field in Denver, a stadium known for being the most hitter-friendly park in MLB. The thin air helps balls travel farther, turning flyouts into home runs. This naturally boosts scoring and often leads to totals being higher than usual. It’s not unusual to see totals above 11 runs here—and many still go over.
Weather Conditions
The weather today is expected to be around 89°F with light wind blowing left to right. The warm temperature will help the ball carry even more, especially in the thin Colorado air. With little to no chance of rain, hitting conditions will be ideal.
Lineups and Injuries
The White Sox are healthy and have their young core in the lineup. Lenyn Sosa is coming off a four-RBI night and has been swinging a hot bat. The Rockies are also mostly healthy but continue to lack consistent production from their lineup. There are no major injuries affecting either side, so expect both teams to use their full lineups.
Recent Form and Motivation
The White Sox have won the first two games of this series and are riding some momentum. Their offense is clicking, and their pitching has done enough to control the Rockies. Colorado, meanwhile, has lost six of their last eight games and has been unable to generate any kind of spark.
Head-to-Head Matchups and Trends
In this current series:
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Game 1: White Sox 3, Rockies 2
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Game 2: White Sox 10, Rockies 3
That’s 13 total runs in the most recent game and 15 total runs combined in the two-game stretch. Colorado hasn’t shown much ability to stop the White Sox hitters.
Umpire, Schedule, and Situational Factors
No notable umpire trends are affecting this game. Both teams had enough rest, and no long-distance travel issues are in play. While neither team is in playoff contention, Chicago’s recent play suggests they’re playing with more energy and urgency.
Why I’m Confident in the Over 11 Total Runs Prediction
There are multiple signs pointing toward a game with more than 11 total runs:
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Pitching: Both starters are prone to giving up runs, and Dollander has especially struggled at home.
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Bullpen: The Rockies’ relievers are among the worst in the league and often allow games to get out of hand late.
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Ballpark: Coors Field is known for turning ordinary games into slugfests.
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Weather: Warm, dry air and little wind resistance help boost scoring.
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Team Trends: The White Sox have scored 13 runs over the past two games and are hitting well. Even a few runs from the Rockies could push this total over.
Here’s what five leading projection models say:
Model | Predicted Score |
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FanGraphs | White Sox 7 – Rockies 5 |
FiveThirtyEight | White Sox 6 – Rockies 5 |
Baseball Prospectus (PECOTA) | White Sox 8 – Rockies 4 |
Massey Ratings | White Sox 6 – Rockies 6 |
The Action Network Model | White Sox 7 – Rockies 6 |
Each projection either hits or exceeds the 11-run mark, with most forecasting 12–14 runs total.
Final Thoughts
All signs point to a high-scoring game today in Denver. The White Sox are swinging the bats well, the Rockies continue to give up runs, and Coors Field is set up for another big offensive day. With both starters showing weaknesses and the weather on the hitters’ side, expecting more than 11 runs in this matchup makes sense.
The combination of pitching struggles, offensive momentum from the White Sox, and the unique conditions at Coors Field gives this game the perfect setup for another high-total result.
Keep an eye on the lineups, but everything points toward another slugfest in the mountains.
My pick: over 11 total runs LOSE