Free MLB Picks Today: Cincinnati Reds vs Colorado Rockies 6/20/23

Hot-hitting Ryan McMahon will be looking to extend his 11-game hitting streak as the Colorado Rockies (29-46) match up against the Cincinnati Reds (38-35) at Great American Ball Park on Tuesday.

The Reds took Monday’s series opener 5-4, their ninth straight victory overall and second in four games against the Rockies this season. Alex Young threw 0.1 scoreless innings of relief to get the win, and Alexis Diaz earned his 19th save with a scoreless ninth.

Joey Votto went 2 for 3 with a home run and three RBIs in the win. Nick Senzel added a solo home run. Jorge Alfaro was 2 for 3 with two doubles and one RBI for the Rockies.

ON THE MOUND

Kyle Freeland (4-8, 4.48 ERA) is set to take the mound for Colorado. The southpaw allowed seven runs over 4.1 innings in his last start, an 8-3 road defeat against the Braves on Thursday. He was charged with the loss, yielding nine hits while striking out one and walking three.

Freeland is making his first appearance against the Reds this season. Over two starts against the Reds in 2022, Freeland was 1-0 with a 1.42 ERA over 12.2 innings. He had seven strikeouts and two walks. For Cincinnati, RHP Ben Lively (4-4, 4.07 ERA) will toe the rubber.

He has made one prior appearance against the Rockies this season, giving up one run over 2.1 innings in a 9-8 road defeat on May 15. He gave up one hit while striking out one in the loss.

In his last start on Wednesday, Lively got the win on the road against the Royals. He threw 5.2 innings and gave up two runs on 10 hits, striking out four, in the 7-4 victory.

AT THE PLATE

Over the last five games, Colorado has averaged only 3.2 runs a game, down from their season average of 4.4, while slashing worse across the board (.237/.294/.376).

Against right-handed pitchers like Lively this season, the Rockies have a .742 OPS. McMahon is the team’s most productive hitter against right-handers with a .932 OPS in 184 at-bats.

Cincinnati is averaging 6.6 runs per game in the last five, up from 4.8 for the season, with a higher slugging percentage (.500 vs .400). The Reds have a .757 OPS against southpaws in 2023. With a .226 OPS over 24 at-bats, Jake Fraley has been their best hitter against left-handers.

HOME AND AWAY

Colorado is on a six-game losing streak in road games, bringing their record to 13-27 in 2023. The Rockies have scored 3.7 runs per game away from home while allowing 5.2 runs.

Cincinnati has gone 18-18 at their home ballpark this season, averaging 4.7 runs per game while surrendering 5.4. Cincinnati is 8-2 in the last 10 games between the teams at Great American Ball Park with an average scoreline of 5.7-3.9.