The Colorado Rockies (11-9, 7-4 home) host the Cincinnati Reds (3-17, 2-10 away) in game two of a three-game series on Saturday. Colorado erupted for ten runs in the series opener to defeat the Reds, 10-4.
The first pitch of the contest is scheduled for 8:10 p.m. EST at Coors Field in Denver, CO. The Rockies are favored (-145) on the moneyline, and the over-under run total is 11.
What to Know – Cincinnati Reds
Not the start the Reds expected when they began the 2022 season, even during what would be considered a re-build year. Cincinnati has just three victories over its first 20 games and the worst record in the majors.
Right-hander Connor Overton makes his 2022 season debut on the hill for the visitors. The 28-year-old is filling in for the injured Nick Lodolo.
Overton was impressive in his time at Triple-A Louisville, compiling a 2.84 ERA in four appearances with 22 strikeouts and two walks over 19 innings of action.
Cincinnati’s offense averages 3.2 runs per game and ranks 29th out of 30 teams with a .206 team batting average. The Reds’ pitching staff is last in the majors sporting a 6.04 team earned run average.
Shortstop Kyle Farmer and outfielder Tommy Pham have been two bright spots in the Reds’ lackluster lineup. Farmer is leading the team with a .268 batting average and ten runs batted in.
Pham, who was signed in the offseason from San Diego, has three home runs and ten runs scored in 18 games and racked up four hits in Friday’s contest.
What to Know – Colorado Rockies
Colorado bounced back Friday night after a four-game sweep at the hands of the Philadelphia Phillies earlier in the week. The Rockies are off to a solid start in 2022, sitting in fourth place in a tough NL West, 2.5 games behind the leading Los Angeles Dodgers.
The projected starter for the Rockies is right-hander Chad Kuhl (2-0, 1.10 ERA, 0.92 WHIP). The former Pittsburgh Pirate has been fantastic on the mound, surrendering only two earned runs over 16.1 innings of work. Kuhl has issued seven walks with 13 strikeouts over three starts this season.
First baseman C.J. Cron is enjoying his time in a Rockies uniform. The slugging 32-year-old is tied for second in the majors with seven home runs. Cron’s 19 RBI is good for fourth in the majors.
The Rockies’ offense scores 4.5 runs per game and leads the majors hitting .264 as a team. Colorado’s arms rank 25th in the MLB with a team ERA of 4.65.
The Pick is In
A pair of below-average arms on the mound playing in a hitter-friendly ballpark is a receipt for runs on Saturday night. The Reds’ offense is a disaster, but Cincinnati will get a couple of runs on the board at Coors Field. Colorado will do the rest, jumping on Overton early and often in his 2022 MLB debut.
Betting Pick: Colorado/Cincinnati OVER 11
