Free MLB Picks Today: Cincinnati Reds vs Chicago White Sox 5/6/23

The Chicago White Sox (11-22) are on the road to face the Cincinnati Reds (13-19) at Great American Ball Park on Saturday. The White Sox took Friday’s series opener 5-4.

Starter Lance Lynn went 6.2 innings, giving up four runs on eight hits and striking out eight, to get the win, and Reynaldo Lopez earned his fourth save with a scoreless ninth.

Luis Robert Jr. was 3 for 4 with a home run and two RBIs in the win. Elvis Andrus added a home run and three RBIs, walking twice. TJ Friedl went 2 for 4 with a double and one RBI for the Reds.

ON THE MOUND

Mike Clevinger (2-2, 4.60 ERA) is set to take the mound for Chicago. The righty allowed two runs over five innings in his last start, a 12-9 road win over the Rays on Sunday. He gave up seven hits while striking out eight and walking one in the no-decision.

LHP Nick Lodolo (2-1, 6.16 ERA) will toe the rubber for Cincinnati. It’s his first appearance of the season against the White Sox. In his last start on Sunday, Lodolo took a no-decision on the road against the Athletics. He threw five innings and gave up three runs on five hits, striking out seven, in the 5-4 loss.

AT THE PLATE

Over the last five games, Chicago has averaged 5.8 runs a game, up from their season average of 4.1, while performing better across the board (.274/.347/.413). Against southpaws like Lodolo this season, the Sox have a .703 OPS. Andrew Vaughn is the team’s strongest hitter against left-handers with a .725 OPS in 23 at-bats.

Cincinnati is averaging only 2.8 runs per game in the last five, down from 4.2 for the season, with their slash line falling across the board (.240/.273/.331). The Reds have a .676 OPS against righties in 2023. With a .388 OBP over 89 at-bats, Jonathan India has their highest on-base percentage against right-handers.

HOME AND AWAY

Chicago is 5-12 in road games in 2023, scoring 3.6 runs per game while allowing 5.1 runs. Cincinnati has gone 9-7 at home this season, averaging 5.1 runs per game while surrendering 5.6.

In the last 10 meetings at Great American Ball Park, each club has won five, though Chicago has the scoring advantage with an average final margin of 4.6-4.0.

STANDINGS UPDATE

The White Sox are fourth in the AL Central, eight games behind the division-leading Twins. The Reds are fourth in the NL Central, six games behind the Pirates.