Charlie Morton (8-5, 4.20 ERA) and Jorge De La Rosa (7-6, 4.61 ERA) are on the hill in the last of a three-game series between the Pittsburgh Pirates (79-49) and the Colorado Rockies (51-76) at PNC Park. The Pirates won the last game 4-3 and Pittsburgh leads the series 2-0. Action begins at 1:35 p.m. ET on Sunday, Aug. 30 and can be seen on RTRM and RTPT.
Morton pitched 5.1 innings in his last outing, surrendering four runs (one unearned) and striking out three in a 5-2 defeat to the Marlins. Andrew McCutchen (.305, 75 Rs, 20 HRs, 85 RBIs, 7 SBs) continued his strong play yesterday, going 2 for 4 with one run. De La Rosa went 7.0 innings, surrendering five runs, striking out three and walking four in a 5-3 defeat to the Braves in his most recent start. Carlos Gonzalez (.271, 69 Rs, 31 HRs, 72 RBIs, 2 SBs) went 1 for 4 yesterday.
This one isn’t expected to be close when Pittsburgh, a big -190 favorite, takes on Colorado. The matchup has an estimated Over/Under (O/U) of seven runs. The Pirates have recorded an overall money line of +2,006 and have shown high-level performance as a favorite this season with a record of 62-28. Pittsburgh is an impressive 8-1 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 8.3 hits per game to their opponents this season.
As for their opponent, Colorado is coming in with an overall money line of -1,652 and a disappointing record of 37-56 as the underdog. The Rockies allow 5.3 runs per game, but have damaged those numbers in the past 10 games, allowing 6.8 runs per game during that span.
The Pirates have the edge in the season series, 2-0. The Pirates have a 14-11 record against left-handed starting pitchers on the year, which is what they’ll be facing when De La Rosa takes the mound. Morton (RHP) will be on the hill against the Rockies, who have a 46-55 record against right-handed starting pitchers.
Predictions: SU Winner – Pit, O/U – Over
Notes
Pittsburgh recorded at least two errors for the 29th time this season.
The Pirates are coming into this game after allowing one walk during their last outing. The Rockies have a 10-33 record when opponents give up that many walks or fewer.
It looks like the Pirates have a slight leg up on the Rockies, as the Pirates have won their last four games while the Rockies have lost their last two.
When they outhit their opponents, the Rockies are 39-14. The Pirates have a 55-6 record when outhitting opponents.
Ranking 13th in runs, Pittsburgh has earned 546 this season. Colorado ranks sixth with 568 runs.
Ranking 27th, Colorado is near the bottom of the league in walks, notching 305 this season. Pittsburgh ranks in the bottom half at 19th with 353.
The Pirates are 52-23 in games where they hit one or more home runs. The Rockies are 44-43 when they hit at least one homer.
