The Colorado Rockies will head east to PNC Park to face the Pittsburgh Pirates. This NL matchup starts at 7:05 p.m. ET and fans can watch the game on both ATRM and ATPT.
Colorado Rockies at Pittsburgh Pirates Odds
Oddsmakers have listed Colorado (+115) as the underdog to Pittsburgh (-125). Bettors can wager on the game’s total with odds sitting at -105 for over 8.5 runs and -115 for under 8.5. The game’s current runline odds stand at -180 for taking the Rockies +1.5 runs and +160 for the Pirates -1.5.
The Pirates are 11-4 SU and 8-6 ATS. The team’s gained 6.5 units for bettors taking the moneyline and 2.8 units against the spread (ATS). The Rockies are 9-8 SU and have gone 8-8 ATS. In total, the team’s lost 0.5 units for moneyline gamblers in the season’s early going, but have gained 1.1 units ATS.
Pirates games have a 9-5 over/under record 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 season. The over has hit in three of those games, as opposed to four that’ve hit the under against righty starters. On the other hand, the Pirates have netted 7.8 units and are 7-4 ATS when facing a righty starter. The over has cashed in six of those games, compared to five that went under the total.
Right-hander German Marquez is the projected starter for the visiting Rockies. Marquez is 0-1 with a 4.97 ERA and 10 strikeouts. He has yet to face Pittsburgh this year, but he did make two starts against the team in 2017, posting a 2-0 record with a 2.25 ERA and 11 strikeouts.
The Pirates will send lefty Steven Brault (2-0, 3.46 ERA) to the mound. Brault has 10 punchouts and seven walks to his name, as well as a WHIP of 1.46. Brault did not record a start against the Rockies in 2017.
As a unit, Pittsburgh’s pitchers have yielded 4.5 runs per game overall in 2018. Its starters have 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.
The Pittsburgh offense has produced 5.8 runs per contest, including 5.7 per game over its last 10 games and 4.2 per game over its last five. The team has slashed .240/.317/.431 over its last five games and is 3-2 SU during that stretch.
The Pirates’ batters have been led by outfielders Starling Marte and Corey Dickerson. Marte is hitting .305/.388/.559 with 18 hits, six RBIs and 15 runs scored, while Dickerson’s line is .358/.386/.585 with 19 hits, 12 RBIs and 10 runs scored.
Marte seemed to enjoy hitting righties at home last season. In 132 such plate appearances, he slashed .374/.447/.565 (his total season line was .275/.333/.379).
In the visiting dugout, Colorado’s pitchers have allowed 4.5 runs per game and its starters own a 4.55 ERA, 1.47 WHIP and 8.38 K/9. The bullpen has logged an ERA of 3.86, along with a K/9 of 8.57.
The Rockies offense has slashed .217/.286/.390 on its 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.
Compared to his overall season slash line of .310/.375/.409, LeMahieu seemed to enjoy hitting left-handed pitchers last year, putting up a slash line of .362/.421/.539 across 171 plate appearances.
Colorado Rockies vs. Pittsburgh Pirates Free MLB Tip
Predictions: SU Winner – Pirates, ATS Winner – Rockies, O/U – UNDER
Notes
Betting Notes
The over has hit in four of Pittsburgh’s last seven games.
The Rockies have won four of their last five games SU.
Pittsburgh has recorded 24.7 Runs + Hits + Errors per game over its last 10 games and 20.2 over its last five.
The Rockies have hit 14 home runs in their last 10 games. The Pirates have hit 13 over their last 10.
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