Pirates and Rockies Open Three-Game Series in Denver

The Colorado Rockies will host the Pittsburgh Pirates on Friday at 8:40 p.m. EDT to begin a three-game series at Coors Field in Denver. This matchup marks the fourth meeting between the two teams this season. The Rockies enter the game with a record of 28-47 overall and 14-20 at home, while the Pirates stand at 38-37 overall with an 18-18 road record. Pittsburgh is favored in the matchup, with betting odds of -141, and the over/under is set at 11.5 runs.

Bubba Chandler is expected to start for Pittsburgh with a 2-7 record, 4.76 ERA, and 1.38 WHIP through 68 strikeouts. Kyle Freeland will take the mound for Colorado, carrying a 1-7 record, 7.98 ERA, and 1.71 WHIP with 49 strikeouts. The Pirates rank sixth in the National League with a .408 slugging percentage, while the Rockies have recorded 81 home runs this season, ranking ninth in the league.

Troy Johnston leads the Rockies offense with a .312 batting average, including 21 doubles and three home runs. Willi Castro has been productive over the past ten games, going 15-for-38 with two home runs and nine RBIs. For Pittsburgh, Nick Gonzales paces the team with a .293 batting average along with 11 doubles, two home runs, 16 walks, and 32 RBIs. Bryan Reynolds has contributed significantly in recent action, posting a 15-for-40 record with four home runs and eight RBIs over his last ten games.

Both teams are struggling recently. The Rockies have posted a 4-6 record over their last ten games with a .289 batting average and 6.17 ERA, outscoring opponents by just one run during that stretch. The Pirates are equally uneven at 4-6 over their last ten contests, batting .260 with a 5.32 ERA while being outscored by 17 runs.

Injuries are affecting both rosters. The Rockies have eleven players on the injured list, including Kris Bryant (60-day IL, back), Jose Quintana (60-day IL, elbow), Welinton Herrera (60-day IL, elbow), and McCade Brown (60-day IL, shoulder). Colorado also has several players on the 10-day or 15-day list dealing with oblique, ankle, hamstring, and hip injuries. The Pirates have four players sidelined, including Chris Devenski (60-day IL, illness), and players dealing with lat strain, flexor tendon, and hand injuries.