Free MLB Picks Today: San Diego Padres vs Cincinnati Reds 5/1/23

Xander Bogaerts will be looking to extend his 29-game on-base streak as the San Diego Padres (15-14) host the Cincinnati Reds (12-16) at Petco Park on Monday for the first of a three-game series. The Reds are in the midst of a six-game road trip.

They won two out of three in their last series against the Athletics, dropping the finale 5-4 on Sunday at Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum. Nick Senzel was 2 for 4 with a home run and two runs. The Padres are in the midst of an eight-game homestand.

They are coming off a two-game sweep of the Giants, taking the finale 6-4 on Sunday at Estadio Alfredo Harp Helu. Juan Soto went 2 for 3 with one run and one RBI.

The teams are meeting for the first time this season. In 2022, the Padres won all six games between the teams, including a sweep in their most recent three-game series at Great American Ball Park in April.

ON THE MOUND

Luke Weaver (0-1, 7.71 ERA) is slated to start for Cincinnati. The righty allowed six runs over 5.2 innings in his last start, a 7-6 road win over the Rangers on Tuesday. He yielded eight hits while striking out eight and walking two in the no-decision.

Over four appearances (zero starts) against the Padres in 2022, Weaver was 0-0 with a 9.82 ERA over 3.2 innings. He had three strikeouts and no walk.

Lefty Blake Snell (0-4, 5.48 ERA) will toe the rubber for San Diego. In his last start on Tuesday, Snell took the loss on the road against the Cubs. He threw five innings and gave up two runs on four hits, striking out five and walking five in the 6-0 defeat.

AT THE PLATE

The Cincinnati offense is averaging 4.5 runs per game for the season, with a slash line of .245/.328/.362. Jonathan India leads the team in OPS at .786. The third baseman is slashing .283/.392/.394 with one home run, 11 RBIs, and 22 runs over 28 games.

Over the last five games, though, Cincinnati has averaged 6.0 runs a game while performing better across the board (.314/.375/.457). Against left-handed pitchers like Snell this season, the Reds have a .694 OPS. Kevin Newman is the team’s strongest hitter against left-handers with a .888 OPS in 24 at-bats.

San Diego is slashing .224/.312/.395 for the season and averaging 4.2 runs per game. Bogaerts leads the team with a .929 OPS. The left fielder has six home runs, 13 RBIs, and 21 runs scored with a slash line of .311/.405/.524.

San Diego is averaging 5.8 runs per game in the last five with a better slash line (.276/.363/.494). The Padres have a .698 OPS against right-handers in 2023. With a 1.131 OPS over 64 at-bats, Bogaerts also has been their best hitter against right-handers.

HOME AND AWAY

Cincinnati is 3-10 on the road in 2023, scoring 3.7 runs per game while allowing 4.2 runs. San Diego has won three in a row in front of their home fans.

The Padres are 7-8 at home this season, averaging 4.3 runs per game while surrendering 4.8. In the last 10 games at Petco Park between the teams, San Diego is 8-2 with an average scoreline of 4.8-2.6.

STANDINGS UPDATE

The Reds are fourth in the NL Central, seven games behind the division-leading Pirates. The Padres are third in the NL West, two games behind the Diamondbacks.