Pittsburgh Pirates vs Colorado Rockies Picks and Predictions August 22nd 2025

Pittsburgh Pirates vs Colorado Rockies August 22nd 2025

The Colorado Rockies will play against the Pittsburgh Pirates at PNC Park. The Rockies have a record of 37-91 and are ranked fifth in the NL West. They have won 7 of their last 10 games but lost their last game.

The Pirates hold a 54-74 record and are also ranked fifth in their division, the NL Central. They have struggled recently, winning only 3 of their last 10 games but won their last game. The game will start at 6:40 PM on Friday, August 22, 2025, with warm weather and overcast clouds expected.

Rockies vs Pirates Key Information

• Sport: Baseball
• Teams: Colorado Rockies vs. Pittsburgh Pirates
• Venue: PNC Park in Pittsburgh, PA
• Date: Friday, August 22, 2025
• Betting Odds: Rockies Moneyline +160, Pirates Moneyline -191, Rockies Runline +1.5 (-132), Pirates Runline -1.5 (+111), Total Over 8.5 (-106), Total Under 8.5 (-114)

The Rockies Can Win If…

The Colorado Rockies are coming off a 9-5 loss to the Los Angeles Dodgers. Despite the loss, the Rockies had a strong offensive showing with 10 hits. Brenton Doyle stood out with a home run and four RBIs, showing his ability to drive in runs.

The Rockies have a solid lineup that can produce runs. They rank 9th in doubles with 209 this season, which shows their ability to hit for extra bases. Hunter Goodman, with a batting average of .277 and 25 home runs, is a key player to watch.

Antonio Senzatela will be starting for the Rockies. He has a chance to turn things around despite his 7.00 ERA. Senzatela’s recent performance against the Diamondbacks, where he pitched five scoreless innings, shows he can deliver when needed.

The Pirates Can Win If…

The Pittsburgh Pirates secured a 2-1 win against the Toronto Blue Jays in their most recent game. Johan Oviedo pitched well, allowing just one run over five innings and striking out six. Tommy Pham was key on offense, driving in both runs with a double and a single.

The Pirates have shown strong pitching this season, with a team ERA of 4.02, which ranks 17th in the league. Their ability to limit home runs is notable, as they rank 3rd in the league in this category. Braxton Ashcraft will start for the Pirates, and his 3.02 ERA gives them a solid chance on the mound.

On offense, the Pirates have a balanced lineup. Bryan Reynolds leads the team with 13 home runs and 62 RBIs. Spencer Horwitz and Tommy Pham also contribute with batting averages over .250, providing depth to the lineup. With their recent form and strong pitching, the Pirates have a good shot at winning this game.

The Lean

The Pirates are favored on the moneyline at -191, and my model projects them to win with a score of 5-3. The Pirates have a better pitching staff, ranking 17th in ERA compared to the Rockies’ 30th. This gives them an edge in this game.

The total is set at 8.5 runs, with the over at -106 and the under at -114. My model projects a total of 8 runs. Given the Pirates’ stronger pitching and the Rockies’ lower batting average, the under is the recommended pick.

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Pirates vs. Rockies Series Preview: Young Talent Shines in Pittsburgh

PITTSBURGH — The Pittsburgh Pirates and Colorado Rockies may reside at the bottom of their respective divisions, but both clubs are entering this three-game weekend series with fresh momentum — and a chance to evaluate rising talent that could shape the future of their franchises.

This NL clash kicks off Friday at PNC Park, where fans will watch whether Brenton Doyle stays red hot and if the Pirates unveil top prospect Bubba Chandler for his MLB debut.

Brenton Doyle Powers Rockies’ Post-ASB Surge

Don’t let Colorado’s record fool you — center fielder Brenton Doyle has been on a tear. Since the All-Star break, Doyle is batting .395 (34-for-86) with six homers and 19 RBIs, including a towering 442-foot homer in Thursday’s 9-5 loss to the Dodgers.

The Colorado Rockies split their recent four-game series with the Dodgers and have won five of their past eight — an encouraging run for a team often left out of October conversations.

Pitching Matchup: Antonio Senzatela vs. Braxton Ashcraft

Senzatela was shelled in his last appearance against the Pirates, lasting just 2/3 of an inning and allowing 8 earned runs. However, the righty bounced back last Sunday with five shutout innings in his return from the IL.

Ashcraft is trending in the opposite direction — up. The 25-year-old rookie tossed five strong innings in his last outing and could be joined soon by Chandler, MLB’s top-rated pitching prospect, who is expected to debut in relief this weekend.

Pirates Playing Confident Baseball

The Pittsburgh Pirates are coming off a confidence-boosting series win against the Toronto Blue Jays, highlighted by Tommy Pham’s timely two-run double in Wednesday’s 2-1 victory.

Pham, 37, remains a valuable contributor and is hitting .263 with a .335 OBP — second on the team among qualified hitters. The Pirates have now won two straight series and look to continue climbing out of the NL Central cellar.

Standings Snapshot: Both Clubs Need a Sweep

While neither club is likely to factor in the wild-card race, a sweep this weekend could inject even more energy into their respective rebuilds.

Check the latest MLB scores and odds to follow how these teams perform throughout the series.

Betting Insight: Where’s the Smart Money?

Both teams enter the series with betting value, especially Pittsburgh with its stronger bullpen and pitching depth. Learn how to read between the numbers with the Expert MLB Betting Guide — and see why Pittsburgh might be a smart weekend wager.

For deeper insights on this matchup and more, visit the full MLB picks and predictions page.