Free MLB Picks Today: Kansas City Royals vs Colorado Rockies 6/2/23

Hot-hitting Charlie Blackmon will be looking to extend his 10-game hitting streak as the Colorado Rockies (24-34) match up against the Kansas City Royals (17-39) at Ewing M. Kauffman Stadium on Friday to open a three-game Interleague series.

The Rockies are in the midst of a seven-game road trip. They are coming off a four-game sweep at the hands of the Diamondbacks, dropping the finale 5-4 on Thursday at Chase Field. Ryan McMahon was 2 for 4 with a double and one run, extending his on-base streak to 10 games.

The Royals split their last series against the Cardinals, dropping the finale 2-1 on Tuesday at Busch Stadium. Vinnie Pasquantino went 2 for 4 with a double and one run. The teams are meeting for the first time this season. Last season, the Royals won two of the three games between the teams.

ON THE MOUND

Austin Gomber (4-4, 7.00 ERA) is slated for the start for Colorado. The lefty allowed six runs over four innings in his last start, an 11-10 home win over the Mets on Sunday. He scattered eight hits while striking out three and walking three in the no-decision.

Gomber made one start against the Royals in 2022, an 8-7 home loss on May 15. He surrendered three runs on four hits over six innings, striking out three and walking three.

For Kansas City, right-hander Jordan Lyles (0-9, 7.30 ERA) gets the ball. In his last start on May 26, Lyles took the loss at home against the Nationals. He threw five innings and gave up five runs on six hits, striking out two and walking three in the 12-10 defeat.

AT THE PLATE

The Colorado offense is averaging 4.5 runs per game for the season, with a slash line of .260/.321/.407. Elias Diaz leads the team in OPS at .870. The catcher is slashing .321/.376/.494 with six home runs, 27 RBIs, and 21 runs over 50 games.

Against righties like Lyles this season, the Rockies have a .756 OPS. Diaz also is the team’s most potent producer against right-handers with a .936 OPS in 128 at-bats. Kansas City is slashing .232/.296/.385 for the season and averaging 3.9 runs per game.

Salvador Perez leads the team with a .849 OPS. The catcher has 12 home runs, 32 RBIs, and 27 runs scored with a slash line of .284/.321/.528. The Royals have a .733 OPS against Southpaws in 2023. With a .958 OPS over 48 at-bats, Bobby Witt Jr. has been their best hitter against left-handers.

HOME AND AWAY

Colorado is on a seven-game losing streak in road games, bringing their record to 9-20 in 2023. The Rockies have scored 3.6 runs per game away from home while allowing 4.8 runs.

Kansas City has gone 8-21 at their home park this season, averaging 4.4 runs per game while surrendering 5.8. In the last 10 meetings at Ewing M. Kauffman Stadium, Kansas City is 7-3 with an average scoreline of 4.6-3.3.

STANDINGS UPDATE

The Rockies are fifth in the NL West, 10 games behind the division-leading Dodgers. The Royals are fifth in the AL Central, 12 games behind the Twins.