Free MLB Picks Today: Colorado Rockies vs Los Angeles Dodgers 6/29/23

Hot-hitting Ezequiel Tovar will be looking to extend his 11-game hitting streak as the Colorado Rockies (32-50) host the Los Angeles Dodgers (44-35) at Coors Field on Thursday with the three-game series in the balance.

The Rockies leveled the series 1-1 after winning 9-8 on Wednesday, their first head-to-head victory in four games this season. Reliever Jake Bird was credited with the win after throwing one scoreless inning, and Justin Lawrence threw 1.1 scoreless innings to earn his fifth save.

Tovar went 2 for 4 with a double, two runs, and three RBIs in the win. Mookie Betts was 1 for 2 with a home run and three RBIs, walking three times, for the Dodgers. David Peralta added one run on two hits.

ON THE MOUND

Emmet Sheehan (1-0, 1.50 ERA) is slated for the start for Los Angeles. The righty allowed two runs over six innings in his last start, a 3-2 home win over the Astros on Friday. He was credited with the win, yielding three hits while striking out four and walking two.

Right-hander Chase Anderson (0-2, 5.79 ERA) takes the mound for Colorado. It’s his first appearance of the season against the Dodgers. In his last start on Saturday, Anderson took the loss at home against the Angels. He threw 2.2 innings and gave up nine runs on 10 hits, striking out one and walking two in the 25-1 defeat.

AT THE PLATE

Over the last five games, Los Angeles has averaged 5.8 runs a game, a small gain compared to their season average of 5.3. Against right-handed pitchers like Anderson this season, the Dodgers have a .764 OPS. Freddie Freeman is the team’s most productive hitter against right-handers with a .902 OPS in 219 at-bats.

Colorado is averaging only 4.2 runs per game in the last five, down slightly from 4.4 for the season. The Rockies have a .743 OPS against right-handers in 2023. With a .896 OPS over 198 at-bats, Ryan McMahon has been their best hitter against right-handers.

HOME AND AWAY

Los Angeles is 20-20 on the road in 2023, scoring 5.4 runs per game while allowing 5.3 runs. Colorado has gone 19-21 in front of their home fans this season, averaging 5.0 runs per game while surrendering 6.7. The NL West rivals have split their last 10 games head-to-head at Coors Field, though Los Angeles has the scoring advantage with an average final margin of 5.7-4.5.

STANDINGS UPDATE

The Dodgers are third in the NL West, three games behind the division-leading Diamondbacks. The Rockies are fifth in the NL West, 16 games behind the Diamondbacks.