In this article we will formulate a Pirates vs Rockies prediction for this MLB game on Saturday, August 23rd at PNC Park in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Let’s take a look at the prediction for this MLB matchup.
Pittsburgh Pirates Betting Preview
The Pittsburgh Pirates are 55-74 this year after they won game one in this series by a score of 9-0 on Friday. Pittsburgh jumped out to an early lead in the first inning and cruised to the easy win. The Pirates recorded 14 hits in the game and they were led by McCutchen, who went 2-4 with four RBIs in the win. Pittsburgh started Ashcraft, who allowed one hit and zero earned runs over 5.0 innings for the win, while Chandler picked up the save.
Prior to this series, the Pirates won two out of three against the Blue Jays, but lost two out of three against the Cubs before that. Pittsburgh has won three of their last four games and they are last in the NL Central standings. The Pittsburgh pitching staff has a 3.99 ERA with a 1.23 WHIP and a .238 opponent batting average, while their offense has scored 458 runs with a .233 batting average and a .305 on base percentage this season. Oneil Cruz (IL) has led Pittsburgh with 18 home runs and 51 RBIs, while Bryan Reynolds has added 13 home runs and 62 RBIs this year. The projected starting pitcher for Pittsburgh is Mike Burrows, who is 1-4 with a 4.46 ERA and a 1.27 WHIP over 72.2 innings pitched this year.
Colorado Rockies Betting Preview
The Colorado Rockies are 37-92 this season after they were shutout in game one by a score of 9-0 on Friday. Colorado fell down 5-0 in the second inning and never had a chance in the ugly loss. The Rockies recorded just three hits in the game and they were led by Moniak, Arcia, and Ritter, who all had one hit in the game. Colorado started Senzatela, who allowed eight hits and five earned runs over 4.0 innings for the loss, while Molina allowed three earned runs in relief.
Prior to this series, the Rockies split four games with the Dodgers and won three out of four against the Diamondbacks. Colorado has lost three of their last four games and they are last in the NL West standings. The Colorado pitching staff has a 6.02 ERA with a 1.61 WHIP and a .300 opponent batting average, while the offense has scored 490 runs with a .240 batting average and a .297 on base percentage this season. Hunter Goodman has led Colorado with 25 home runs and 73 RBIs, while Mickey Moniak has added 18 home runs and 49 RBIs this year. The projected starting pitcher for Colorado is Kyle Freeland, who is 3-12 with a 5.16 ERA and a 1.50 WHIP over 120.1 innings pitched this season.
Why the Pirates will beat the Rockies
- The Rockies have lost each of their last six road games against teams that held a losing record.
- The home team has won five of the Pirates’ last six games.
- The Pirates have covered the run line in seven of their last eight games against National League opponents following a home win.
- The Rockies have failed to cover the run line in each of their last six Saturday night games as road underdogs against NL Central opponents.
- The Pirates have led after 5 innings in each of their last seven games as favorites against NL West opponents.
- The Pirates have led after 3 innings in each of their last nine games as favorites against NL West opponents.
- The Rockies have lost the first inning in each of their last six road games against opponents that held a losing record.
Total Runs Facts
- Each of the Pirates’ last four night games against NL West opponents have gone OVER the total runs line.
- Each of the Rockies’ last four games as underdogs against the Pirates have gone OVER the total runs line.
- The ‘Inning 1 UNDER 0.5 runs’ market has hit in eight of the Rockies’ last nine games at PNC Park.
- The ‘Inning 1 OVER 0.5 runs’ market has hit in each of the Pirates’ last four games as favorites against NL West opponents.
Pittsburgh Pirates Player Prop Facts
- Tommy Pham has recorded at least one hit in each of his last eight appearances against opponents that held a losing record.
- Bryan Reynolds has recorded a Double in four of the Pirates’ last five games.
- Tommy Pham has hit a home run in each of the Pirates’ last two games against the Rockies.
Colorado Rockies Player Prop Facts
- Kyle Freeland has recorded a win in three of his last four road appearances against NL Central opponents.
- Orlando Arcia has recorded at least one hit in each of his last 10 road appearances against NL Central opponents.
- Kyle Freeland has recorded four or more strikeouts in seven of his last eight appearances against NL opponents that held a losing record.
- Brenton Doyle has hit a home run in each of his last two road appearances against opponents that held a losing record.
Pirates vs Rockies Prediction
Pittsburgh picked up a very easy win to start this series on Friday night and they have won three of their last four games. The Pirates are 37-30 at home this year, while the Rockies are 16-47 on the road. Colorado has allowed nine runs or more in three of their last four games and they are starting Freeland, who has allowed two earned runs or fewer in three of his last four. Pittsburgh is going with Burrows, who has allowed 1, 4, 6, 1, and 0 earned runs in his last five starts. This Pittsburgh team has been pretty good at home and I like them by at least two runs here.