Free MLB Picks Today: Colorado Rockies vs New York Mets 8/28/22

The Colorado Rockies (54-74) are on the road to face the New York Mets (82-46) at Citi Field on Sunday with the home team eyeing a sweep of the four-game series. The Mets lead the series 3-0 after winning 3-0 on Saturday, their fourth straight head-to-head victory and fifth in six games this season. David Peterson threw six scoreless innings- striking out seven – for the win, and Adam Ottavino earned his second save with a scoreless ninth. Brandon Nimmo went 2 for 3 with a home run and a double in the win. He scored two runs and had two RBIs. Mark Canha added a double and one run. C.J. Cron was 2 for 4 for the Rockies.

ON THE MOUND

German Marquez (6-10, 5.22 ERA) is set to get the start for Colorado. The right-hander allowed six runs over six innings in his last start, a 7-6 road win over the Rangers on Tuesday. He yielded eight hits while striking out seven and walking one in the no-decision. Marquez has made one previous start against the Mets this season, a 5-1 home loss on May 21. He surrendered five runs on 11 hits over six innings, striking out seven and walking one. For New York, right-hander Max Scherzer (9-3, 2.33 ERA) will toe the rubber. It’s his first appearance of the season against the Rockies. Scherzer made one start against the Rockies in 2021, throwing five innings for the Dodgers in a 7-5 road win on September 23. He gave up six hits and walked one, while striking out six in the no-decision.In his last start on Monday, Scherzer took the loss on the road against the Yankees. He threw 6.2 innings and gave up four runs on seven hits, striking out three and walking one in the 4-2 defeat.

AT THE PLATE

Over the last five games, Colorado has averaged 3.6 runs a game, a small drop compared to their season average of 4.5. Against right-handed pitchers like Scherzer this season, the Rockies have a .702 OPS. Cron is the team’s most productive hitter against right-handers with a .869 OPS in 323 at-bats. New York is averaging only 3.4 runs per game in the last five, down from 4.7 for the season, with their slash line dropping across the board (.242/.308/.376). The Mets have a .756 OPS against right-handers in 2022, second highest in the league. With a .864 OPS over 369 at-bats, Pete Alonso has been their best hitter against right-handers.

HOME AND AWAY

Colorado is on a seven-game losing streak in road games, bringing their record to 18-42 in 2022. The Rockies have scored 3.1 runs per game away from home, while allowing 5.3 runs. New York has won five in a row in front of their home fans. The Mets are 43-19 at home this season, averaging 4.8 runs per game while surrendering 3.3. In the last 10 meetings at Citi Field, New York is 8-2 with an average scoreline of 3.5-2.2.

STANDINGS UPDATE

The Rockies are fifth in the NL West, 34 games behind the division-leading Dodgers. The Mets lead the NL East by three games over the Braves.