In this article we will formulate a Rockies vs Pirates prediction for this MLB game on Friday, August 22nd at PNC Park in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Let’s take a look at the prediction for this MLB matchup. 

Colorado Rockies Betting Preview

The Colorado Rockies are 37-91 this year after they split four games with the Dodgers by scores of 4-3, 4-11, 8-3, and 5-9. In their game four loss, Colorado cut the deficit to 2-1 in the first inning, but they allowed the next five runs for the loss. The Rockies recorded 10 hits and they committed one error in the game, while they were led by Doyle, who went 2-3 with one home run and four RBIs in the loss. Colorado started Dollander, who allowed nine hits and seven earned runs over 3.2 innings for the loss, while Anderson and Darnell each allowed one earned run in relief. 

Prior to that series, the Rockies won three out of four against the Diamondbacks and two out of three against the Cardinals. Colorado has won five of their last seven games and they are currently last in the NL West standings. The Colorado pitching staff has a 5.99 ERA with a 1.61 WHIP and a .299 opponent batting average, while the offense has scored 490 runs with a .241 batting average and a .298 on base percentage this season. Hunter Goodman has led Colorado with 25 home runs and 73 RBIs, while Mickey Moniak has added 18 home runs and 49 RBIs this year. The projected starting pitcher for Colorado is Antonio Senzatela, who is 4-14 with a 7.00 ERA and a 1.87 WHIP over 108.0 innings pitched this year. 

Pittsburgh Pirates Betting Preview

The Pittsburgh Pirates are 54-74 this season after they won two out of three against Toronto by scores of 5-2, 3-7, and 2-1. In their game three win, Pittsburgh trailed 1-0 in the first, but they scored twice in the bottom of the first and hung on for the low scoring victory. The Pirates recorded eight hits in the game and they were led by Pham, who went 2-4 with two RBIs in the win. Pittsburgh started Oviedo, who allowed two hits and one earned run over 5.0 innings for the win, while Santana got the save. 

Prior to that series, the Pirates lost two out of three against the Cubs and all three against the Brewers. Pittsburgh has lost eight of their last eleven games and they are currently last in the NL Central standings. The Pittsburgh pitching staff has a 4.02 ERA with a 1.23 WHIP and a .239 opponent batting average, while their offense has scored 449 runs with a .232 batting average and a .303 on base percentage this season. Oneil Cruz (IL) has led Pittsburgh with 18 home runs and 51 RBIs, while Bryan Reynolds has added 13 home runs and 62 RBIs this year. The projected starting pitcher for Pittsburgh is Braxton Ashcraft, who is 3-2 with a 3.02 ERA and a 1.27 WHIP over 41.2 innings pitched this season. 

Why the Pirates will beat the Rockies 

The Rockies have lost each of their last six road games against National League opponents following a home loss.
The Rockies have failed to cover the run line in each of their last six games as road underdogs against National League opponents following a home loss.
The Pirates have covered the run line in four of their last five home games against National League opponents that held a losing record.
The Pirates have won the first inning in each of their last three games as favorites against NL West opponents.
The Pirates have led after 5 innings in seven of their last eight games as favorites against NL West opponents.
The Rockies have trailed after 3 innings in five of their last six games as underdogs against NL Central opponents.

Total Runs Facts

Four of the Pirates’ last five night games against NL West opponents have gone OVER the total runs line.
Four of the Rockies’ last five games as underdogs against the Pirates have gone OVER the total runs line.
The ‘Inning 1 UNDER 0.5 runs’ market has hit in nine of the Rockies’ last 10 games at PNC Park.
The ‘Inning 1 UNDER 0.5 runs’ market has hit in each of the last four night games between the Rockies and Pirates at PNC Park.

Pittsburgh Pirates Player Prop Facts

Andrew McCutchen has hit a home run in each of his last two appearances against the Rockies after not playing the previous day.
Isiah Kiner-Falefa has recorded at least one hit in each of his last seven appearances with the Pirates as favorites against NL opponents.
Bryan Reynolds has recorded a Double in three of the Pirates’ last four games.

Colorado Rockies Player Prop Facts

Brenton Doyle has hit a home run in each of the Rockies’ last two road games against NL opponents that held a losing record.
Antonio Senzatela has recorded three or more strikeouts in four of his last five appearances in night games.
Orlando Arcia has recorded at least one hit in each of his last eight appearances with his team as a road underdog against NL Central opponents.

Rockies vs Pirates Prediction 

Colorado comes into this matchup with one of the worst records in the MLB, but they have played much better over their last few series. The Rockies are 16-46 on the road this year, while the Pirates are 36-30 at home. Pittsburgh did just take two out of three against Toronto and they are starting Ashcraft, who has allowed two earned runs and six hits over his last 8.1 innings across two starts. The Rockies are starting Senzatela, who has allowed 0, 8, 6, 3, and 4 earned runs in his last five outings. Take the Pirates at home here.