MLB Tuesday: @RicksPicks44 returns with Reds at Royals and Rockies at Diamondbacks

Cincinnati Reds @ Kansas City Royals, 8:10 pm EDT

Pitchers: Luis Castillo (5.08 ERA) vs. Kris Bubic (4.99 ERA)

In a battle between two seemingly mediocre pitchers, you'd think an over play would be the way to go with the Reds bats. Not so fast! Luis Castillo has a 3-10 record to go on top of his poor ERA, yuck. However, in his last 26 IP, he's allowed just 5 runs and has been phenomenal since the end of May. Bubic has been much the opposite, allowing 24 runs in his last 22.2 IP. The Reds are 7-3 in their last ten, and swing the bat well behind Nick Castellanos and Jesse Winker. Expect that to continue early here.

Pick: Reds F5 -0.5 -115

Colorado Rockies @ Arizona Diamondbacks, 9:40 pm EDT

Pitchers: Jon Gray (3.89 ERA) vs. Merrill Kelly (4.67 ERA)

The Diamondbacks come into this matchup posting the worst record in baseball at 23-63. They've won two of their last ten games and though Merrill Kelly has been exceptional lately allowing just four earned runs in his last twenty innings pitched, that simply won't be enough to see this team through to beat the Rockies. Colorado is hot, winning six of their last seven and are pitching it phenomenally. They've allowed two or less runs in all six of the wins during this stretch. Gray has been solid lately and expect that to continue against the Diamondbacks who are scratching their heads on how the All-Star Break still isn't here.

Pick: Rockies F5 +0.5 -130