Free MLB Picks Today: Cincinnati Reds vs Colorado Rockies 9/4/22

Hot-hitting Jonathan India will be looking to extend his 15-game hitting streak as the Cincinnati Reds (+175) host the Colorado Rockies (-210) at Great American Ball Park on Sunday in a doubleheader. Look out for plenty of offense with the early total at 9.5 (O: -105 | U: -115).The Reds (52-78) took Friday’s series opener 3-2, their first head-to-head victory in four games this season. Reliever Alexis Diaz was credited with the win after throwing one scoreless inning. 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 (56-77).

ON THE MOUND

German Marquez (7-10, 4.97 ERA) is in line to get the start for Colorado in the first game of the doubleheader. The righty threw seven scoreless innings in his last start, a 1-0 road win over the Mets on August 28. He was credited with the win, yielding 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. LHP Nick Lodolo (3-5, 4.30 ERA) will take the mound for Cincinnati. It’s his first appearance of the season against the Rockies. In his last start on August 28, 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 lefties like Lodolo this season, the Rockies have a .770 OPS. Randal Grichuk is the team’s best hitter 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 .680 OPS against right-handers in 2022. 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 away from Coors Field, 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 at Great American Ball Park this season, averaging 4.9 runs per game while surrendering 5.2. In the last 10 games at Great American Ball Park between the teams, Cincinnati is 7-3 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.