Free MLB Picks Today: Pittsburgh Pirates vs Colorado Rockies 5/8/23

The Colorado Rockies (14-21) are on the road to face the Pittsburgh Pirates (20-15) at PNC Park on Monday for the first of a three-game series. The Rockies are in the midst of a six-game road trip.

They won two out of three in their last series against the Mets, taking the finale 13-6 on Sunday at Citi Field. Brenton Doyle was 3 for 5 with a home run, three runs, and three RBIs.

The Pirates are in the midst of a six-game homestand. They are coming off a three-game sweep at the hands of the Blue Jays, dropping the finale 10-1 on Sunday at PNC Park for their seventh straight loss. Ke’Bryan Hayes went 2 for 4 with one run.

HEAD-TO-HEAD

The Pirates have won all three games this season between the teams, including a 14-3 victory in their most recent meeting on April 19 at Coors Field. Johan Oviedo got the win, allowing one run on three hits over six innings and striking out six.

ON THE MOUND

Kyle Freeland (3-3, 3.76 ERA) is set for the start for Colorado. The southpaw threw five scoreless innings in his last start, a 7-1 road win over the Brewers on Wednesday. He earned the win, yielding three hits while striking out five. Freeland has made one previous start against the Pirates this season, a 14-3 home loss on April 17.

He surrendered nine runs on eight hits over 2.2 innings, striking out one and walking one. Righty Mitch Keller (3-1, 3.32 ERA) gets the start for Pittsburgh. It’s his first appearance of the season against the Rockies.

Keller made two appearances against the Rockies in 2022, including one start, striking out eight and walking three over 9.1 innings (0-1, 0.96).

In his last start on Wednesday, Keller took the loss on the road against the Rays. He threw five innings and gave up five runs (1 ER) on five hits, striking out eight and walking one in the 8-1 defeat. The RHP is tied for fourth in the NL in strikeouts (48).

AT THE PLATE

The Colorado offense is averaging 4.3 runs per game for the season, with a slash line of .254/.318/.387. Elias Diaz leads the team in OPS at .886. The first baseman is slashing .343/.391/.495 with three home runs, 18 RBIs, and 12 runs over 31 games.

Over the last five games, however, Colorado has averaged 6.8 runs a game while performing better across the board (.292/.383/.464). Against right-handed pitchers like Keller this season, the Rockies have a .715 OPS. Diaz also is the team’s most potent producer against right-handers with a 1.040 OPS in 74 at-bats.

Pittsburgh is slashing .250/.329/.424 for the season and averaging 4.7 runs per game. Bryan Reynolds leads the team with a .923 OPS. The right fielder has five home runs, 23 RBIs, and 19 runs scored with a slash line of .320/.358/.566.

Pittsburgh is averaging only 1.2 runs per game in the last five with their slash line falling across the board (.175/.233/.275). The Bucs have ann .806 OPS against southpaws in 2023, fourth highest in MLB. With a 1.280 OPS over 31 at-bats, Connor Joe has been their best hitter against left-handers.

HOME AND AWAY

Colorado is 7-12 on the road in 2023, scoring 3.7 runs per game while allowing 4.1 runs. Pittsburgh has lost three in a row in front of their home fans.

The Bucs are 9-7 at home this season, averaging 4.0 runs per game while surrendering 4.9. In the last 10 meetings at PNC Park, Pittsburgh is 6-4 with an average scoreline of 5.4-3.4.