Rockies vs. Reds Tuesday MLB probable pitchers, odds: First-place Cincinnati can make history with 10th straight victory

On April 23, the Cincinnati Reds were eight games below .500 at 7-15 and 8.5 games out of first place in the NL Central – both season worsts. Entering tonight's home game against Colorado, the Reds lead the division and can set a rather unique MLB record by winning a 10th straight game. Cincinnati is a -190 favorite at Caesars Sportsbook.

The Reds got better on Monday with the season debut of former NL MVP and potential future Hall of Famer Joey Votto, who returned from an arm injury. He went 2-for-3 with a homer, three RBI and a walk in the 5-4 victory, the team's ninth in a row. Votto usually hits second or third but batted sixth in a suddenly excellent lineup. The Canadian homered in his season debut for the fourth time in his career, tying Hall of Famer Tony Perez for the most HR in player's season debut for the Reds since 1900.

Cincinnati is the first team in MLB history to go from being at least five games under .500 and five games out of first to being alone in first place in fewer than 10 games. The team's nine-game winning streak is its longest since taking 10 in a row from July 19-29, 2012. To make the playoffs, the Reds are still +370 longer shots because it probably will be NL Central or bust. 

Another victory Tuesday and Cincinnati would match the longest win streak since 1900 by a team to lose 100+ games in the previous season. Cleveland did it in 1986, and the 2003 Brewers and 2022 Orioles also pulled it off. Last year's Reds didn't just finish 62-100 but were 3-22 in their first 25 games, among the worst starts ever.

This is the latest the Reds have been in first place in the division since 2012, when they won their last division title. They were +6500 at Caesars Sportsbook to win the NL Central before the season. Those would be the longest preseason odds for an eventual division title winner in at least the last 15 years. Cincinnati is now +300 to win the Central, behind only Milwaukee (-105).

Longest spring division title odds by eventual division champions over the past 15 years:

• 2021 Giants: +5000
• 2012 Athletics: +3000
• 2018 Braves: +2500
• 2008 Rays: +2500

It's Ben Lively on the hill tonight for Cincinnati. Starting pitching remains the team's biggest question mark, especially with Hunter Greene landing back on the injured list. Lively is 4-4 with a 4.07 ERA in eight appearances and six starts. He has been a bit better at home with a 3.74 ERA in 21.2 innings. Lively's only career look at Colorado was a 2.1-inning outing in Denver on May 15, in which he allowed one run in a loss. That was his final relief appearance this year before moving into the rotation.

Colorado originally had listed lefty Kyle Freeland as its starter but instead it will be righty Noah Davis (0-1, 6.17 ERA). He will be promoted from Triple-A and take over as the fifth man in Colorado's rotation after Dinelson Lamet was designated for assignment Saturday. Davis has started three games this season for the Rockies, most recently on April 29. Colorado lost all three. Davis has never faced the Reds. 

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