Free MLB Picks Today: Cincinnati Reds vs Milwaukee Brewers 6/2/23

The Milwaukee Brewers (29-27) take one of the weakest offenses in the National League on the road to face the Cincinnati Reds (26-30) at Great American Ball Park on Friday to open a four-game series. The Brewers are in the midst of a seven-game road trip.

They won only one out of three in their last series against the Blue Jays, dropping the finale 3-1 on Thursday at Rogers Centre. Rowdy Tellez was 1 for 4 with a triple and one run.

The Reds are playing the first of seven games at home after finishing up a productive six-game road trip (5-1). They won two of three against the Red Sox in their last series, dropping the finale 8-2 on Thursday at Fenway Park.

Kevin Newman went 3 for 4 with two doubles, one run, and one RBI. The teams are meeting for the first time this season. The Brewers dominated the 2022 season series between the NL Central rivals (13-6), including three out of four in their most recent meeting at Great American Ball Park in September.

ON THE MOUND

Corbin Burnes (4-4, 3.97 ERA) is slated to start for Milwaukee. The righty allowed one run over seven innings in his last start, a 3-1 road defeat against the Giants on Saturday.

He scattered four hits while striking out eight and walking three in the no-decision. Over two starts against the Reds in 2022, Burnes was 1-0 with a 2.19 ERA over 12.1 innings.

He had 17 strikeouts and five walks. For Cincinnati, lefty Brandon Williamson (0-0, 3.60 ERA) gets the ball. In his last start on Saturday, Williamson took a no-decision on the road against the Cubs. He threw 4.1 innings and gave up four runs on six hits, striking out three and walking three in the 8-5 victory.

AT THE PLATE

The Milwaukee offense is averaging 3.9 runs per game for the season, second lowest in the National League, with a slash line of .230/.307/.380.

Tellez leads the team in OPS at .825. The first baseman is slashing .244/.332/.494 with 12 home runs, 26 RBIs, and 21 runs over 51 games.

Against southpaws like Williamson this season, the Brew Crew have a .626 OPS, lowest in MLB. William Contreras is the team’s best performer against left-handers with a .957 OPS in 47 at-bats. Cincinnati is slashing .257/.333/.393 for the season and averaging 4.6 runs per game.

Spencer Steer leads the team with ann .853 OPS. The third baseman has eight home runs, 28 RBIs, and 30 runs scored with a slash line of .289/.356/.498. Cincinnati is averaging 6.4 runs per game in the last five with a better slash line (.291/.368/.478).

The Reds have a .710 OPS against right-handers in 2023. With a .887 OPS over 120 at-bats, TJ Friedl has been their best hitter against right-handers.

HOME AND AWAY

Milwaukee is 13-15 in road games in 2023, scoring 3.6 runs per game while allowing 4.5 runs. Cincinnati has gone 14-14 at home this season, averaging 4.7 runs per game while surrendering 5.4. Milwaukee is 7-3 in the last 10 games at Great American Ball Park between the teams with an average scoreline of 6.0-4.6.