Pittsburgh Pirates vs. Colorado Rockies Free Preview

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The Pittsburgh Pirates will head west to take on the Colorado Rockies at Coors Field. The opening pitch is scheduled for 8:40 p.m. ET and this NL matchup will be televised on either ATRM or ATPT.

Pittsburgh Pirates vs. Colorado Rockies Odds

Pittsburgh (+130) is coming into this one as the underdog against Colorado (-140) and Vegas has set the Over/Under for this game at 11 runs (-115 for the over and -105 for the under). Bettors can also wager on the game’s runline with the odds sitting at Pirates +1.5 runs (-170) and Rockies -1.5 runs (+150).

The Pirates are 57-54 SU and have gone 52-59 against the spread (ATS). They’ve gained 2.0 units for moneyline gamblers, despite having lost 9.0 units ATS. Pittsburgh has covered the spread only once over its last seven games and the over has hit in four of those seven. The Rockies, on the other hand, are 58-52 SU and 57-53 ATS. They’ve gained 6.1 units for bettors taking the moneyline and 3.8 units ATS. Colorado has a 3-4 ATS mark over its last seven outings and the total has gone over in four of those seven.

Colorado games have had an over/under record of 50-55-5 in 2018. Pittsburgh has an over/under record of 54-49-8.

The right-handed Joe Musgrove will get the nod for the visiting Pirates. Musgrove is 4-5 with a 3.63 ERA and 54 strikeouts. He has yet to face the Rockies this year and did not record a start against them in 2017, either.

The Rockies will turn to lefty Kyle Freeland (9-7, 3.20 ERA), who’s got 105 strikeouts and 47 walks to his name as well as a 1.27 WHIP. Freeland is 0-1 with two strikeouts and an 11.25 ERA in one start against Pittsburgh this year.

Pittsburgh’s pitchers have allowed 4.6 runs per game and its starters own a 4.25 ERA, 1.31 WHIP and 7.40 K/9. The bullpen has an ERA of 4.27, along with a K-per-9 of 9.72.

The Pirates offense has slashed .255/.323/.416 on its way to 4.5 runs scored per game this year, including 4.3 runs per game over the team’s last 10 games and 3.6 per game over the team’s last five outings (2-3 SU).

Pittsburgh’s offensive production has been sparked by outfielders Corey Dickerson and Starling Marte. Dickerson is slashing .317/.351/.516 with 11 home runs, 44 RBIs and 50 runs scored, while Marte (.288/.336/.488) has produced 16 homers, 54 RBIs, 59 runs and 25 stolen bases.

For the home team, Colorado’s pitching staff has yielded 4.8 runs per game overall in 2018. Its starters have a 4.33 ERA, 1.31 WHIP and 8.4 strikeouts per nine innings. The bullpen has a 5.19 ERA, 1.45 WHIP and 8.9 K/9.

The Colorado hitters are putting up 4.7 runs per outing, including 3.5 per game over its last 10 games and 3.6 per game over their last five. The team has hit .218/.299/.364 over its last five games and is 1-4 SU during that span.

The Rockies’ offense has been led by third baseman Nolan Arenado and shortstop Trevor Story. Arenado is slashing .302/.386/.582 with 28 home runs, 80 RBIs and 72 runs scored, and Story’s line sits at .290/.352/.551 with 23 homers, 75 RBIs, 56 runs and 13 steals.

The Pirates have lost 6.3 units and are 12-19 ATS when facing a left-handed starting pitcher this year. The over has cashed in 20 of those games, compared to 10 that’ve hit the under in such games. On the other hand, the Rockies have netted 1.9 units and are 31-36 ATS when facing a right-handed starting pitcher. The over has hit in 35 of those games, as opposed to 29 which went under the total.

Pittsburgh Pirates vs. Colorado Rockies Pick

Predictions: SU Winner – Rockies, ATS Winner – Pirates, O/U – OVER

Betting Notes

  • The over has cashed in four of Pittsburgh’s last seven contests.
  • The Rockies have lost five of their last six games SU.
  • Pittsburgh has posted 21.5 Runs + Hits + Errors per game over its last 10 contests and 20.0 over its last five.
  • The Pirates have hit nine home runs in their last 10 games. The Rockies have hit 13 over their last 10.