"There's so much less certainty of the grouping near the top," said Reds director of amateur scouting, Joe Katuska said.

The Rockies entered Friday night 21-72. Seventy-two losses, and the Reds couldn't beat them in a 3-2 loss Friday night. Colorado started German Marquez Friday night, who entered with a record of 3-10. The Reds scored just one run off him.

BOTTOM LINE: The Colorado Rockies meet the Cincinnati Reds with a 1-0 series lead. Cincinnati has a 26-22 record at home and a 48-47 record overall. The Reds have a 24-5 record in games when they hit at least two home runs.

On its face, a three-game set in steamy July against 21-win Colorado might not seem like much of an attraction. But it should be.

For the first time in three years, it seems unlikely that the Reds will select a right-hander from Wake Forest with their first pick.

Colorado right hander Germán Márquez struck out a season-high eight batters to outduel Reds rookie right hander Chase Burns as the Rockies snapped a three-game losing streak with a 3-2 victory.

Cincinnati Reds pitcher Chase Burns (26) makes his MLB debut in the first inning of the MLB interleague game between the Cincinnati Reds and the New York Yankees at Great American Ball Park in downtown Cincinnati on Tuesday, June 24, 2025. / Sam Greene/The Enquirer / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

In the Rockies-Reds clash on Friday night, Colorado slugger Ryan McMahon hit a moonshot to put the Rockies up 2-1.