Free MLB Picks Today: Kansas City Royals vs Colorado Rockies 6/3/23

The Colorado Rockies (25-34) are on the road to face the Kansas City Royals (17-40) at Ewing M. Kauffman Stadium on Saturday. The Rockies took Friday’s series opener 7-2.

Brent Suter threw two scoreless innings in relief to get the win, and Justin Lawrence pitched 0.1 scoreless innings to earn his first save of the season.

Ryan McMahon was 2 for 4 with a home run, two runs, and two RBIs in the win, stretching his on-base streak to 11 games. Edward Olivares went 1 for 3 with a solo home run for the Royals. Drew Waters added a solo home run.

ON THE MOUND

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

Gomber is making his first appearance against the Royals this season. 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, left-hander Daniel Lynch (0-0, 3.38 ERA) will toe the rubber. It’s his first appearance of the season against the Rockies. Lynch made one start against the Rockies in 2022, throwing 5.1 innings in an 8-7 road win on May 15.

He gave up three hits and walked four, while striking out four in the no-decision. In his last start on Sunday, Lynch took a no-decision at home against the Nationals. He threw 5.1 innings and gave up two runs on five hits, striking out six and walking three in the 3-2 win.

AT THE PLATE

Over the last five games, Colorado has averaged only 3.4 runs a game, down from their season average of 4.5, while performing worse across the board (.247/.292/.385). Against left-handed pitchers like Lynch this season, the Rockies have a .659 OPS, second lowest in MLB.

Ezequiel Tovar is the team’s most potent producer against left-handers with a .761 OPS in 51 at-bats. Kansas City is averaging only 3.0 runs per game in the last five, down slightly from 3.9 for the season.

The Royals have a .727 OPS against left-handers 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 10-20 away from Coors Field in 2023, scoring 3.7 runs per game while allowing 4.7 runs. Kansas City has gone 8-22 at Ewing M. Kauffman Stadium this season, averaging 4.3 runs per game while surrendering 5.9. In the last 10 meetings at Ewing M. Kauffman Stadium, Kansas City is 6-4 with an average scoreline of 4.1-3.7.

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, 13 games behind the Twins.