Pittsburgh Pirates at Colorado Rockies odds, picks and predictions

Analyzing Friday’s Pittsburgh Pirates at Colorado Rockies odds and lines, with MLB expert picks and predictions.

The Pittsburgh Pirates (38-52) take on the Colorado Rockies (41-49) Friday for the opener of a 3-game set at Coors Field. First pitch is set for 8:40 p.m. ET. Let’s analyze Tipico Sportsbook‘s lines around the Pirates vs. Rockies odds with MLB picks and predictions.

Season series: The Pirates lead 2-1.

Pittsburgh has lost 2 outings in a row but is 5-5, 9-11 and 14-16 over its last 10, 20 and 30 games, respectively. The Buccos are 12-9 against the NL West this year, and they aren’t your typical pushover Pirates. There will be some value on them in this series as anything can happen in the thin Mile High air.

Colorado just took 3 of 4 games in series from the San Diego Padres and Arizona Diamondbacks as the All-Star break is coming at the wrong time for a squad playing good baseball. The Rockies are 26-22 at home where All-Star 1B C.J. Cron is hitting .352 with 15 homers and 52 RBIs in 182 AB.

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Pirates at Rockies projected starters

LHP Jose Quintana vs. RHP German Marquez

Quintana (2-4, 3.59 ERA) makes his 18th start. He has a 1.31 WHIP, 2.8 BB/9 and 8.2 K/9 through 85 1/3 IP.

  • A much better pitcher at PNC Park with a 3.02 ERA, 1.28 WHIP and 9.1 K/9 at home vs. 4.41 ERA, 1.36 WHIP and 7.0 K/9 on the road.
  • Has been OK at Coors during his career with a 2-1 mark, a 4.84 ERA, 1.43 WHIP and 9.7 K/9 in 4 starts. He hasn’t pitched there since 2019, though, and he’s not the strikeout artist he once was.
  • Current Rockies are hitting .296 with a .342 weighted on-base average in 84 plate appearances against Quintana.

Marquez (5-7, 5.66 ERA) makes his 18th start. He has a 1.47 WHIP, 3.4 BB/9 and 7.5 K/9 through 97 IP.

  • Really struggles at home with a 7.17 ERA and a 1.68 WHIP in 9 starts.
  • His last 2 starts against the Pirates have been great with 17 IP, 0 ER, 4 H, 2 BB and 12 K (2019 and 2021).
  • Current Pirates are hitting just .125 in 32 plate appearances off him.

Pirates at Rockies odds and lines

Odds provided by Tipico Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 2:05 p.m. ET.

  • Money line (ML): Pirates +122 (bet $100 to win $122) | Rockies -150 (bet $150 to win $100)
  • Run line (RL)/Against the spread (ATS): Pirates +1.5 (-155) | Rockies -1.5 (+125)
  • Over/Under (O/U): 10.5 (O: -130 | U: +105)

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Pirates at Rockies picks and predictions

Prediction

Pirates 6, Rockies 4

Money line

I look for the Pirates to really catch the Rockies by surprise. It’s the last series before the All-Star break, and it’s easy for the home team not in contention to be thinking about vacation plans rather than a young, scrappy team.

Marquez is awful at home, and I’d be willing to go PIRATES OVER 2.5 FIRST 5 INNINGS RUNS (-105) and PIRATES ML (+122).

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Run line/Against the spread

The wind is blowing out to right field at 14 mph, and there’s a 70% chance of rain. Let’s stick to the Pirates getting out ahead in the first 5 and their ML because of that. PASS.

Over/Under

I like the Under here, even if the weather wasn’t a concern of shortening the game. The Under has cashed in these teams’ last 4 meetings, and it’s 9-1 in the last 10 contests between these sides at Coors Field.

Take the UNDER 10.5 (+105).

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