Francisco Liriano (9-6, 3.23 ERA) and Jon Gray (0-0, 5.94 ERA) start in the first of a three-game series between the Pittsburgh Pirates (77-49) and the Colorado Rockies (51-74) at PNC Park. Action begins at 7:05 p.m. ET on Friday, Aug. 28 and can be seen on RTRM, RTPT and MLBN.
Liriano pitched 5.1 innings in his most recent start, surrendering zero runs (two unearned), striking out five and walking three in a 5-2 win over the Giants. Andrew McCutchen (.301, 73 Rs, 20 HRs, 85 RBIs, 6 SBs) went 1 for 2 yesterday. Gray went 1.2 innings, surrendering seven runs and walking one in a 14-9 defeat to the Mets in his last outing. Carlos Gonzalez (.272, 68 Rs, 30 HRs, 71 RBIs, 2 SBs) went 1 for 4 Wednesday.
This one isn’t expected to be close when Pittsburgh, a substantial -240 favorite, takes on Colorado. According to the oddsmakers, the Over/Under (O/U) is currently seven runs. The Pirates have recorded an overall money line of +1,806 and have shown high-level performance as a favorite this season with a record of 60-28. Pittsburgh is an impressive 7-2 as the favorite over its last 10 games. The Pirates have no trouble scoring as they rank fourth in the NL in offense with 4.3 runs per game. The Pirates are one of the best in the NL in terms of hits with an impressive 9.1 per game. As for the pitchers, opposing offenses that come to PNC Park have been stifled by the Pirates, who have a team ERA of only 2.89 at home. The Pirates are the fifth-best team in the NL at limiting hits during home games, allowing only 8.4 hits per game to their opponents this season.
In games where it is the underdog, Colorado has a 37-55 record and an overall money line of -1,552.
The Pirates have a 62-38 record against right-handed starting pitchers on the year, which is what they’ll be facing when Gray takes the mound. Liriano (LHP) will be on the hill against the Rockies, who have inferior records against left-handed starting pitchers on the road and overall of 2-9 and 5-19, respectively.
Predictions: SU Winner – Pit, O/U – Over
Notes
The Pirates are coming into this game after allowing zero walks during their last outing. The Rockies have a 3-11 record when opponents give up that many walks.
When they are outhit, the Rockies are 7-54. The Pirates have a 17-37 record when opponents outhit them.
Ranking 21st in home runs, Pittsburgh has hit 109 this season. Colorado ranks seventh with 144 home runs.
Pittsburgh and Colorado both rank in the top five of the league in hits. Pittsburgh sits at fourth with 9.10 hits per game and Colorado ranks third with 9.17.
Ranking 13th, Pittsburgh is in the top half of the league for its on-base plus slugging percentage (.723). Colorado ranks in the top five at third with an OPS of .757.
When the Rockies allow at least one home run, they are 26-56. When the Pirates allow one or more homers, they have a 31-30 record.
