MLB Predictions: Will Rockies upset Pirates in Pittsburgh? 6/13/17
Following back-to-back losses, should bettors start avoiding the Rockies? Colorado is in Pittsburgh tonight to take on the Pirates again at 7:05PM ET.
The Odds: Rockies vs. Pirates, 7:05PM ET, PNC Park
According to oddsmakers, the Pirates are -125 money line favorites for tonight’s game. That makes the Rockies +100 money line underdogs to pull off the small upset. As for the total, the number currently sits at 9 runs.
Pitching Matchup: Tyler Chatwood vs. Gerrit Cole, 7:05PM ET, PNC Park
Chatwood allowed just one run on four hits over six innings of work in a win on Thursday against the Cubs. He struck out four and walked two that night, while surrendering a solo home run to Kris Bryant. The 27-year-old now sports a 4.37 ERA and 1.29 WHIP into tonight’s road matchup with Pittsburgh.
As for Cole, he allowed seven runs on 11 hits over 4 2/3 innings in a loss to the Marlins last Thursday. Miami didn’t hit a home run but the club did rack up five doubles against Pittsburgh’s right-hander. Cole has now allowed 23 earned runs in his last 19 1/3 innings of work. In 13 starts this season, the 26-year-old is 3-6 with a 4.83 ERA and a 1.34 WHIP.
Our Prediction
The Rockies have struggled to win in Pittsburgh (2-10 in their last 12 games at PNC Park) and are just 5-16 in their last 21 games versus the Pirates overall. But I’m going to buck those trends here.
Cole has been a nightmare for four consecutive starts. He owns a 10.71 ERA and a 2.28 WHIP in those 19 1/3 innings noted above. The Bucs are also just 8-17 in Cole’s last 25 starts and have dropped nine of his last 13 outings coming off four days of rest.
As for Chatwood, he owns a 2.53 ERA on the road, going over six innings per start. The Rockies are 15-6 in Chatwood’s last 21 road starts and have won five of his last six outings after scoring two runs or less in their previous game.
Tuesday MLB Prediction: Colorado Rockies +100