Rockies are down to the rock bottom

Many baseball gamblers expected big things from the Colorado Rockies this season based on how they finished last year.

The Rockies won 13 of their last 14 regular-season games and a one-game playoff over San Diego before sweeping Philadelphia and Arizona in the playoffs.

But Colorado, which lost to Boston in last year’s World Series, has been anything but a sure bet this season.

The Rockies are in last place in the National League West with a 20-36 record and have lost six games in a row, including a 5-4 loss to the Chicago Cubs on Saturday.

Colorado’s biggest problem? Poor starting pitching.

Two months into the season, the Rockies have only one starter getting it done on a regular basis and that’s ace Aaron Cook, who has a 7-3 record and 3.36 earned-run average.

Today, Colorado will turn to shaky right-hander Ubaldo Jimenez to close a three-game series against the Cubs, who lead the NL Central with a 35-21 record.

Jimenez, who had a 4-4 record last season, has struggled this year with a 1-5 record and a 5.37 ERA, and in his last nine starts, the Rockies are 0-9. Colorado is listed as a +145 underdog for today’s game.

Chicago is listed as a -155 favorite for today’s game behind rookie right-hander Sean Gallagher, who has pitched well after starting the season in the minor leagues.

Gallagher, who defeated the Dodgers last week and will be making his fifth career start, has a 2-1 record and a 4.50 ERA this season.

MLB adds: The Rockies are 2-13 in their last 15 road games against right-handed starters and 1-11 in the last 12 starts made by Jimenez. Also, the Cubs are 12-1 in their last 13 games against teams from the NL West.

Pro basketball

The Boston Celtics finished with the NBA’s best record during the regular season and will have home-court advantage over the Lakers in this year’s Finals.

But it’s the Lakers who have been pegged by Las Vegas oddsmakers as the favorites to take home the league championship.

At Sportsbook.com, the Lakers are listed at -180 to win the best-of-seven series over the Celtics, who are listed at +150.

For Game 1, which will be played Thursday at TD Banknorth Garden, Boston has been made a three-point favorite with 193 1/2 as the over/under combined points total.

his story is not intended as a tip sheet, but is an account of significant betting taking place in the sports world.

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lonnie.white@latimes.com