Free MLB Picks Today: Cincinnati Reds vs Colorado Rockies 6/21/23

The Cincinnati Reds (39-35) host the Colorado Rockies (29-47) at Great American Ball Park on Wednesday with the home team eyeing a sweep of the three-game series.

The Reds lead the series 2-0 after winning 8-6 on Tuesday, their 10th straight victory overall and third in five games against the Rockies this season.

Reliever Alex Young threw one scoreless inning to get the win, and Alexis Diaz struck out the side in the ninth for his 20th save. TJ Friedl went 4 for 5 with a home run and three RBIs in the win.

Elly De La Cruz went 3 for 4 with a home run and a double. He scored two runs. Nolan Jones was 4 for 4 with a home run and two doubles for the Rockies. He scored two runs and drove in two, extending his on-base streak to 14 games. Harold Castro added a solo home run.

ON THE MOUND

Kyle Freeland (4-8, 4.48 ERA) is slated for the start for Colorado. The lefty 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, left-hander Andrew Abbott (3-0, 0.00 ERA) will toe the rubber. It’s his first appearance of the season against the Rockies. In his last start on Friday, Abbott got the win on the road against the Astros. He threw six scoreless innings and gave up four hits, striking out two and walking two in the 2-1 victory.

AT THE PLATE

Over the last five games, Colorado has averaged 3.8 runs a game, a small drop compared to their season average of 4.4. Against southpaws like Abbott this season, the Rockies have a .651 OPS, the second lowest in the league.

Ezequiel Tovar is the team’s most potent producer against left-handers with a .751 OPS in 69 at-bats. Cincinnati is averaging 6.8 runs per game in the last five, up from 4.8 for the season, with a higher slash line (.269/.344/.514).

The Reds have a .756 OPS against left-handers in 2023. With a .937 OPS over 66 at-bats, Kevin Newman has been their best hitter against left-handers.

HOME AND AWAY

Colorado is on a seven-game losing streak in road games, bringing their record to 13-28 in 2023. The Rockies have scored 3.8 runs per game away from home while allowing 5.2 runs.

Cincinnati has gone 19-18 at home this season, averaging 4.8 runs per game while surrendering 5.5. Cincinnati is 9-1 in the last 10 meetings at Great American Ball Park with an average scoreline of 6.3-3.3.