The Pittsburgh Pirates are playing host to the Colorado Rockies at PNC Park. This NL matchup gets going at 7:05 p.m. ET and you can catch the game on ATRM and ATPT.
Colorado Rockies vs. Pittsburgh Pirates Odds
Vegas has listed Colorado (+115) as the underdog to Pittsburgh (-125). The total stands at 8.5 runs and bettors can wager on the over for -105 and the under for -115. Bettors can also wager on the game’s runline with the most recent odds sitting at Rockies +1.5 runs (-180) and Pirates +-1.5 runs (+160).
The Pirates are 11-4 SU and 8-6 ATS. They’ve gained 6.5 units for moneyline bettors and 2.8 units against the spread (ATS). Pittsburgh has a 3-4 ATS mark over its last seven games and the over has hit in four of those seven. The Rockies are 9-8 SU and have gone 8-8 ATS. In total, the team’s lost 0.5 units for gamblers taking the moneyline through the early portions of the year, but have gained 1.1 units ATS. Colorado is 3-4 ATS over its last seven games and the under has cashed in five of those seven.
Pittsburgh games have an over/under record of 9-5 so far in 2018. The Rockies have an over/under record of 7-8-1.
The Rockies have lost 3.0 units and are 4-4 ATS when facing a left-handed starting pitcher this year. The over has hit in three of those games, compared to four that’ve gone under in such games. On the other hand, the Pirates have netted 7.8 units and are 7-4 ATS when facing a right-handed starting pitcher. The over’s hit in six of those games, compared to five which went under the total.
German Marquez will get the nod for the visiting Rockies. The right-handed Marquez is 0-1 with a 4.97 ERA and 10 strikeouts. He has yet to face Pittsburgh this year, but he made two starts against the team in 2017, putting together a 2-0 record with a 2.25 ERA and 11 strikeouts.
The Pirates will turn to lefty Steven Brault (2-0, 3.46 ERA), who’s got 10 strikeouts and seven walks to his credit as well as a 1.46 WHIP. Brault did not record a start against the Rockies in 2017.
Pittsburgh’s pitchers have yielded 4.5 runs per game overall this season as a unit. The team’s starting pitching staff has an ERA of 3.40, a WHIP of 1.23 and a strikeouts-per-nine of 7.2. The bullpen has a 6.16 ERA, 1.53 WHIP and 7.2 K/9.
Pittsburgh’s offense is putting up 5.8 runs per outing, including 5.7 per game over its last 10 games and 4.2 per game over its last five. The team’s hit .240/.317/.431 over its last five games and is 3-2 SU during that stretch.
Outfielders Starling Marte and Corey Dickerson have led the Pirates’ offense so far. Marte is hitting .305/.388/.559 with 18 hits, six RBIs and 15 runs scored, and Dickerson is batting .358 with 19 hits, 12 RBIs and 10 runs scored.
Marte seemed to enjoy hitting right-handed pitchers at home in 2017, slashing .374/.447/.565 over 132 such plate appearances (his total season line was .275/.333/.379).
In the visiting dugout, Colorado’s pitching staff allowed 4.5 runs per game and its starting pitchers own a 4.55 ERA, 1.47 WHIP and 8.38 K/9. The bullpen has managed an ERA of 3.86, along with a K-per-9 of 8.57.
Rockies hitters have slashed .217/.286/.390 on their way to 3.9 runs scored per game in 2018, including 3.5 runs per game over the team’s last 10 games and 4.2 per game over the team’s last five outings (4-1 SU).
Second baseman DJ LeMahieu and outfielder Charlie Blackmon have led Colorado’s hitters. LeMahieu is slashing .309/.382/.603 with 21 hits, five homers, nine RBIs and 11 runs scored, while Blackmon (.298/.389/.745) is up to 14 hits, six homers, 11 RBIs and 12 runs scored.
LeMahieu seemed to enjoy hitting lefties in 2017, maintaining a slash line of .362/.421/.539 across 171 plate appearances (compared to his overall season line of .310/.375/.409).
Colorado Rockies vs. Pittsburgh Pirates MLB Tip
Predictions: SU Winner – Pirates, ATS Winner – Rockies, O/U – OVER
Betting Trends
- The Rockies have hit 14 home runs in their last 10 games. The Pirates have hit 13 over their last 10.
- Pittsburgh has recorded 24.7 Runs + Hits + Errors per game over its last 10 outings and 20.2 over its last five.
- The Rockies have won four of their last five games SU.
