Colorado Rockies (19-20) vs. Pittsburgh Pirates (16-24)
May 23, 2022 6:35 pm EDT
The Line: Pittsburgh Pirates -120 / Colorado Rockies +110; Over/Under: -8.5
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The Colorado Rockies and the Pittsburgh Pirates meet Monday in MLB action from PNC Park. Colorado is coming off a weekend series against the Mets. After a split in the first two games, in the Sunday rubber match the Rockies lost in a shutout. As for Pittsburgh, they played the Cardinals over the weekend. The Pirates lost the first two in that set, then on Sunday Pittsburgh took a blowout loss for the sweep. Check back all season long for free MLB picks at Sports Chat Place.
Colorado fell to the Mets 5-1 in their Friday opener game, but bounced back with a big 11-3 win in the Saturday matchup. On Sunday, the Rockies posted six team hits in the loss. Starter Austin Gomber put up 7.0 innings with two earned on seven hits and two Ks.
For the starter gig in the Monday game, the Rockies are going with Chad Kuhl. Across his seven starts this year Kuhl is 3-2 with a 3.86 ERA. In 37.1 innings total he’s put up 31 hits, 16 earned runs, 13 walks and 30 Ks.
Over on the Pirates’ side, they had some trouble with the Cardinals in their last series. Pittsburgh lost 5-3 Friday and 5-4 in the Saturday game. On Sunday, the Pirates gave up 20 hits in an ugly 18-4 loss. Starter Bryse Wilson gave up seven earned in 1.2 innings on six this and two walks.
For the starting pitcher slot in the Monday opener, Pittsburgh will roll with JT Brubaker. In eight starts this year Brubaker is 0-4 with a 5.50 ERA. Across 36.0 innings he’s got 32 hits, 22 earned, 19 walks and 43 Ks.
The Rockies are 34-72 in their last 106 road games and 2-7 in their last nine Monday games. Colorado is 0-6 in their last six in game one of a series.
Meanwhile, the Pirates are 15-40 in the last 55 Monday games and 1-7 in their last eight in game one of a series. Pittsburgh is 6-16 in their last 22 versus a right-handed starter.
PICK: I’m going to take a stab on Pittsburgh. Kuhl has really struggled over his past couple of games. In that pair he’s 0-2 with 10 earned on 15 hits and four walks in just 7.2 innings. The good news is that Kuhl had been doing pretty well prior to that and will get a favorable matchup here. That said, I think Pittsburgh can eke out a win if they bring the bats along with them in the opener—and if Brubaker has a decent start.
