Vaughn Dalzell breaks down how to bet the first game of the Colorado Rockies versus Pittsburgh Pirates series.
Pirates (+120) at Rockies (-140): O/U 11.5
The Pirates and Rockies are coming off thrilling one run losses yesterday, so both teams are looking for bounce backs by throwing their lefty’s on the mound. It’s Kyle Freeland versus Rich Hill in Colorado versus Pittsburgh.
Freeland is 2-0 with a 0.96 ERA over three starts in 2023. Freeland has surrendered two earned runs over 18.2 innings pitched along with 13 hits, 11 strikeouts and five walks.
Freeland has 10 of his 11 strikeouts at home this season and is off to a much better start at Coors Field than last year (6.00 ERA at home in 2022).
Hill takes the mound for Pittsburgh and he will be a fade all season long. The 43-year-old pitcher has a 7.20 ERA and 0-2 record in three starts.
Hill pitched 15.0 innings and allowed 16 hits, 12 earned runs, eight strikeouts, six home runs and four walks this year.
The Rockies should have no problems hitting Hill around as Colorado ranks second in batting average at home (.298) and top 10 in OPS, OBP and SLG. Pittsburgh ranks between 15th and 23rd in those four categories on the road.
The Rockies have won both series-openers at home this season, beating the Nationals 1-0 and the Cardinals, 7-4. I like Colorado to beat Pittsburgh at home to open this series.
I grabbed Colorado’s ML at -140 odds and would go out to -150 for risking 1 unit.
Pick: Rockies ML (Risk 1u)
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