Pittsburgh Pirates vs Colorado Rockies Picks and Predictions August 24th 2025

Pittsburgh Pirates vs Colorado Rockies August 24th 2025

The Colorado Rockies are set to play the Pittsburgh Pirates at PNC Park. The Rockies have a record of 37-93 and are on a three-game losing streak. The Pirates have a record of 56-74 and are on a three-game winning streak.

McCade Brown will start for the Rockies, while Paul Skenes will pitch for the Pirates. Skenes has an ERA of 2.16 and a WHIP of 0.96. The game will be shown on Roku, and the weather is expected to be mild with broken clouds.

Rockies vs Pirates Key Information

• Sport: Baseball
• Teams: Colorado Rockies vs. Pittsburgh Pirates
• Venue: PNC Park in Pittsburgh, PA
• Date: Sunday, August 24, 2025
• Betting Odds: Rockies Moneyline +283, Pirates Moneyline -350, Rockies Runline +1.5 (+132), Pirates Runline -1.5 (-157), Total Over 7.5 (-103), Total Under 7.5 (-118)

The Rockies Can Win If…

The Colorado Rockies are coming off a 5-1 loss to the Pittsburgh Pirates. Brenton Doyle was a standout, hitting a home run and driving in the team’s only run. Kyle Karros also contributed with two hits, showing potential for the upcoming game.

Despite recent losses, the Rockies have strengths that can help them win. They rank 9th in doubles with 211, which shows they can hit for extra bases. Hunter Goodman leads the team with 25 home runs, making him a key player to watch.

The Rockies’ lineup includes players like Warming Bernabel, who has a .295 batting average. This suggests they have hitters capable of getting on base. With McCade Brown starting, the Rockies aim to take advantage of any opportunities against the Pirates’ pitcher.

The Pirates Can Win If…

The Pittsburgh Pirates are coming off a strong 5-1 win against the Colorado Rockies. In this game, Jared Triolo and Andrew McCutchen each hit a home run, driving in key runs. Mike Burrows delivered on the mound with four scoreless innings, allowing just two hits and striking out five.

The Pirates have shown good form in recent games, winning four of their last five. Their pitching staff has been effective, with a team ERA of 3.96, ranking 14th in the league. Paul Skenes will start for the Pirates, boasting an ERA of 2.16 and a WHIP of 0.96, which gives them a solid chance on the mound.

Offensively, the Pirates have been consistent with players like Andrew McCutchen and Bryan Reynolds leading the charge. McCutchen has hit 12 home runs this season, while Reynolds has 13. With a lineup that includes Spencer Horwitz and Tommy Pham, the Pirates have the potential to generate runs and keep the momentum going at home.

The Lean

The Pirates are favored with a moneyline of -350 against the Rockies’ +283. Given the Pirates’ stronger pitching, with a 3.96 ERA compared to the Rockies’ 6.05, the pick is for the Pirates to win. The model projects a score of Pirates 5, Rockies 3.

The total for the game is set at 7.5 runs, with the over at -103 and the under at -118. The Rockies’ pitching struggles, with a high ERA and batting average against, suggest more runs. The model projects a total of 8 runs, making the over 7.5 a reasonable pick.

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Triolo’s turnaround sparks Pittsburgh’s late push

The Pittsburgh Pirates are watching a breakout unfold in real time. After struggling earlier in the year, Jared Triolo has caught fire since being recalled from Triple-A at the start of August. Over 20 games this month, he’s slashing .303/.395/.439, giving Pittsburgh a reliable bat in the middle of the order.

Just a few weeks ago, Triolo’s season looked shaky. In July, he was hitting under .160 and found himself optioned down to Indianapolis. But the 27-year-old has returned with confidence and results, showing the ability to drive the ball into the gaps and over the wall while maintaining his trademark defensive reliability. His two-run homer and late triple on Saturday played a huge role in Pittsburgh’s 5-1 win, a victory that gave the Pirates three straight wins and four in their last five.

This offensive spark has been a missing piece for Pittsburgh’s lineup, one that’s looking more balanced with Triolo producing alongside veterans like Bryan Reynolds. For fans keeping track of how the Pirates’ playoff hopes are shaping up, the MLB standings and team hub give a clear look at where Pittsburgh fits in the National League race.

Bullpen keeps delivering in key moments

It wasn’t just Triolo who stood out on Saturday. Pittsburgh’s bullpen once again came through, shutting down the Colorado Rockies after the fifth inning. Carmen Mlodzinski, Kyle Nicolas, and Colin Holderman combined for four shutout innings, holding the lead steady until the final out.

The Pirates have leaned heavily on their relief corps all year, and the group has proven dependable. Even when occasional rough outings happen, the bullpen has provided a foundation that keeps Pittsburgh competitive. Over the last week, that reliability has been on full display, helping to lock down multiple wins.

Paul Skenes takes the ball in finale

The spotlight now turns to Paul Skenes, who will take the mound on Sunday as the Pirates look to complete the sweep. Skenes, the National League’s ERA leader at 2.16, has been outstanding in his rookie season. He faced Colorado earlier this month, striking out eight in five innings but getting tagged for four runs in a no-decision.

Skenes has shown the ability to make adjustments quickly, and with the Pirates riding momentum, he’ll look to set the tone early in the series finale. A strong outing could not only secure the sweep but also reinforce his place as one of baseball’s most dominant young arms.

Colorado will counter with a fresh face. Right-hander McCade Brown, a 25-year-old making his major league debut, will get the start. Brown has been climbing steadily through the Rockies’ system, posting a combined 2.47 ERA in 20 minor league starts this season. His mix of velocity and movement has impressed scouts, and now he’ll face the challenge of making his first big-league appearance against one of the NL’s hottest teams.

For betting fans, matchups like this — a proven ace versus a debuting arm — make for interesting plays. You can find expert insights on similar situations in the MLB betting guide and keep tabs on the latest MLB picks heading into Sunday.

Doyle a bright spot for Colorado

While the Rockies have struggled, Brenton Doyle continues to be one of their most encouraging storylines. He homered in the ninth inning on Saturday, giving Colorado its only run of the game. His second-half numbers have been eye-catching — batting .400 with a 1.099 OPS in 27 games — a massive turnaround from a first half that saw him struggle at the plate.

Even when the bat wasn’t working, Doyle’s defense remained a constant, and now with his offense catching up, he’s starting to look like a cornerstone player for Colorado. The Rockies may not be in the playoff race, but these late-season performances matter when evaluating their roster for next year.

What’s next for both clubs?

The Pirates are trending up at the right time, with Triolo’s bat, a sturdy bullpen, and Skenes’ dominance combining to make them a tough opponent. Sweeping Colorado would give them more momentum as they head into the season’s final stretch.

For the Rockies, the focus shifts to development. Watching young pitchers like Brown make their debuts and players like Doyle blossom in the second half provides valuable clarity for 2026 roster construction. While wins have been tough to come by, individual growth remains the key storyline.

As the Pirates and Rockies close out their series, fans can keep up with the latest MLB scores and odds to see how Pittsburgh’s late-season surge continues to influence the playoff picture.