The Pittsburgh Pirates and the Colorado Rockies meet Monday in MLB action from Coors Field. The Pirates are coming off a four-game set versus the Cardinals over the weekend. Pittsburgh won two of the first three games, then on Sunday the Pirates managed another victory. As for the Rockies, they played the Brewers in their last series. Colorado lost the first two games, then on Sunday the Rockies lost again to complete the sweep. Check back all season long for free MLB picks at Sports Chat Place.
Pittsburgh posted wins over the Cardinals 8-2 Thursday and 5-4 Friday before a loss 3-1 in the Saturday game. On Sunday the Pirates posted a 7-2 win to take the series. Max Kranick went 5.0 innings with three Ks and no earned.
For the starter job on Monday, Pittsburgh will send out Tyler Anderson. Over his 80.1 innings this year, Anderson has 78 hits, 45 runs (43 earned), 14 homers allowed, 21 walks, 69 Ks and a 4.82 ERA overall.
Over on the Rockies’ side, they lost to the Brewers 5-4 Friday and 10-4 on Saturday. In the Sunday game, Colorado couldn’t get anything going in a 5-0 defeat. The Rockies had just four team hits in the loss.
In the Monday game, the Rockies will go with Kyle Freeland. Across 26.2 innings of work this year Freeland has posted 41 hits, 24 runs (23 earned), nine homers allowed, 12 walks, 19 Ks and a 7.76 ERA.
The Pirates are 20-48 in their last 68 Monday games and 7-20 in their last 27 road games versos a team with a losing record. Pitt is 19-55 in their last 74 road games and 0-4 in their last four versus the NL West.
Meanwhile, the Rockies are 6-2 in their last eight versus a team with a winning percentage below .400 and 2-5 in their last seven in game one of a series. Colorado is 10-25 in their last 35 versus the NL Central and the under is 15-7-1 in their last 23 Monday games.
PICK: I’m going to stick with the Pirates. Freeland had a good game with 6.0 innings and one earned versus the Mariners his last time up, but prior to that had given up 18 earned across three starts. As for Anderson, he had a bad game June 15 versus the Nats but otherwise has given up three or fewer earned in four of his last five. If Anderson can post a good outing here I like the Pirates’ chances.