A pair of hot hitters are set to face off when the Colorado Rockies (33-53) take on the Houston Astros (47-38) at Minute Maid Park on Tuesday, as Ezequiel Tovar and his 15-game hitting streak visit Kyle Tucker and his 10-game streak for the first of a two-game Interleague series.
The Rockies just wrapped up a nine-game homestand (4-5). They won only one out of three in their last series against the Tigers, dropping the finale 14-9 on Sunday at Coors Field. Randal Grichuk was 2 for 4 with a home run and two runs.
Harold Castro went 3 for 3 with two runs. The Astros are back home for a six-game homestand after finishing up a 10-game road trip (6-4). They won three of four against the Rangers in their last series, taking the finale 12-11 on Monday at Globe Life Field.
Tucker went 4 for 4 with a home run and a double. He scored three runs and had four RBIs. Jose Abreu added a home run and a double. He scored two runs and drove in four.
The teams are meeting for the first time since August 11, 2021, when the Astros finished off a two-game series sweep with a 5-1 victory at Minute Maid Park.
ON THE MOUND
Kyle Freeland (4-8, 4.88 ERA) is slated to get the start for Colorado. The southpaw allowed six runs over five innings in his last start, a 9-8 road win over the Dodgers on Wednesday. He gave up four hits while striking out seven and walking five in the no-decision.
For Houston, right-hander J.P. France (3-3, 3.13 ERA) takes the mound. In his last start on Thursday, France got the win on the road against the Cardinals. He threw seven scoreless innings and gave up four hits, striking out two and walking two in the 14-0 triumph.
AT THE PLATE
The Colorado offense is averaging 4.4 runs per game for the season, with a slash line of .257/.317/.403. Ryan McMahon leads the team in OPS at .823. The third baseman is slashing .263/.346/.477 with 13 home runs, 43 RBIs, and 45 runs over 83 games.
Over the last five games, however, Colorado has averaged 6.2 runs a game thanks in part to better on-base performance (.355). Against righties like France this season, the Rockies have a .740 OPS.
McMahon also is the team’s best hitter against right-handers with a .880 OPS in 210 at-bats. Houston is slashing .248/.318/.407 for the season and averaging 4.7 runs per game. Tucker leads the team with a .827 OPS.
The left fielder has 13 home runs, 55 RBIs, and 45 runs scored with a slash line of .285/.361/.466. Houston is averaging 7.6 runs per game in the last five with a better slash line (.293/.363/.514).
The ‘Stros have a .735 OPS against lefties in 2023. With a .988 OPS over 71 at-bats, Yordan Alvarez has been their best hitter against left-handers.
HOME AND AWAY
Colorado is on an eight-game losing streak away from Coors Field, bringing their record to 13-29 in 2023. The Rockies have scored 3.7 runs per game away from home while allowing 5.2 runs.
Houston has gone 22-19 at home this season, averaging 4.4 runs per game while surrendering 4.2. In the last 10 meetings at Minute Maid Park, Houston is 9-1 with an average scoreline of 6.6-2.6.
STANDINGS UPDATE
The Rockies are fifth in the NL West, 17 games behind the division-leading Diamondbacks. The Astros are second in the AL West, four games behind the Rangers.
SportsTips’ MLB Pick:
Houston Astros (-165)
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*Odds correct at time of publication, courtesy of BetMGM.
