Free MLB Picks Today: Cincinnati Reds vs Colorado Rockies 9/3/22

Hot-hitting Jonathan India will be looking to extend his 15-game hitting streak as the Cincinnati Reds (52-78) host the Colorado Rockies (56-77) at Great American Ball Park on Saturday. The Reds took Friday’s series opener 3-2, their first head-to-head victory in four games this season. Alexis Diaz got the win with one scoreless inning of relief. Jake Fraley went 1 for 1 with a solo home run in the win. Spencer Steer added a home run and a double. He scored two runs. Sean Bouchard was 1 for 1 with a home run and two RBIs, walking twice, for the Rockies.

ON THE MOUND

German Marquez (7-10, 4.97 ERA) is slated for the start for Colorado. The righty threw seven scoreless innings in his last start, a 1-0 road win over the Mets on Sunday. He got the win, giving up one hit while striking out five and walking two. Marquez is making his first appearance against the Reds this season. Over two starts against the Reds in 2021, Marquez was 1-1 with a 9.82 ERA over 11 innings. He had 13 strikeouts and five walks. For Cincinnati, left-hander Nick Lodolo (3-5, 4.30 ERA) takes the mound. It’s his first appearance of the season against the Rockies. In his last start on Sunday, Lodolo took the loss on the road against the Nationals. He threw seven innings and gave up three runs on five hits, striking out five and walking one in the 3-2 defeat.

AT THE PLATE

Over the last five games, Colorado has averaged only 1.6 runs a game, down from their season average of 4.4, while performing worse across the board (.196/.238/.276). Against southpaws like Lodolo this season, the Rockies have a .770 OPS. Randal Grichuk is the team’s strongest performer against left-handers with a .914 OPS in 144 at-bats. Cincinnati is averaging only 3.4 runs per game in the last five, down slightly from 4.2 for the season. The Reds have a .679 OPS against righties in 2022, fifth lowest in the league. With a .613 OPS over 289 at-bats, Kyle Farmer has been their best hitter against right-handers.

HOME AND AWAY

Colorado is on a three-game losing streak in road games, bringing their record to 20-45 in 2022. The Rockies have scored 3.0 runs per game away from home, while allowing 5.1 runs. Cincinnati has gone 28-38 in front of their home fans this season, averaging 4.9 runs per game while surrendering 5.2. Cincinnati is 7-3 in the last 10 games between the teams at Great American Ball Park with an average scoreline of 5.4-4.7.

STANDINGS UPDATE

The Rockies are fifth in the NL West, 35 games behind the division-leading Dodgers. The Reds are fourth in the NL Central, 24 games behind the Cardinals.