The Colorado Rockies face the Pittsburgh Pirates in the second game of their three-game series on Saturday, August 23, 2025, at 6:40 PM EDT at PNC Park in Pittsburgh. After a 6-4 Pirates win in the series opener, the Rockies aim to even the score in this NL matchup, leveraging their potent offense against Pittsburgh’s pitching. Fans seeking a winning edge can rely on this expert preview, featuring player insights, pitching matchups, and a prediction—unlock more game-changing tips with our exclusive MLB strategies now!
Colorado Rockies
- 2025 Record (as of August 22): 49-75, 5th in NL West
- Performance Overview: The Rockies are 4-6 in their last 10 games, averaging 4.7 runs/game with a .260 batting average but struggling with a 5.15 ERA. Hunter Goodman’s 22 HRs and Warming Bernabel’s .500 BA in limited action fuel the offense, though their pitching remains a weak point.
- Strengths: High-contact offense (.260 BA, 6th in MLB) and clutch hitting from rookies.
- Weaknesses: Poor pitching (5.15 ERA, worst in NL) and a 19-43 road record.
- Player to Watch: Hunter Goodman (1B) – His 22 HRs and 62 RBI, including a double in the opener, make him a power cornerstone.
Pittsburgh Pirates
- 2025 Record (as of August 22): 57-66, 4th in NL Central
- Performance Overview: The Pirates are 5-5 in their last 10 games, averaging 4.3 runs/game with a .240 batting average and a 3.85 ERA. Spencer Horwitz’s recent 6-RBI outburst and Oneil Cruz’s 18 HRs drive the offense, while their pitching, led by Paul Skenes, remains a strength.
- Strengths: Solid starting pitching (3.85 ERA) and a 32-29 home record.
- Weaknesses: Inconsistent offense (.240 BA) and a shaky bullpen (4.10 ERA in August).
- Player to Watch: Oneil Cruz (SS) – His 18 HRs and 48 RBI, with a homer in the opener, make him a dynamic threat.
Head-to-Head Record
- Historical Context: The Rockies lead the 2025 season series 2-2, with a 17-16 and 8-5 win at home, while the Pirates won 9-5 on August 3 and 6-4 in the series opener on August 22.
- Recent Encounter: On August 22, 2025, the Pirates won 6-4, with Cruz’s homer and Braxton Ashcraft’s 5 innings outpacing Colorado’s Tanner Gordon.
- Key Insight: The Rockies’ high-octane offense thrives against Pittsburgh’s pitching, but the Pirates’ home-field edge and starting pitching give them a slight advantage.
Pitching Matchups Table
| Team | Pitcher | Record | ERA | Innings Pitched | Strikeouts | WHIP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rockies | Bradley Blalock (RHP) | 1-3 | 7.09 | 33.0 | 24 | 1.55 |
| Pirates | Mitch Keller (RHP) | 5-10 | 3.69 | 146.0 | 120 | 1.22 |
Strengths and Negatives of Pitchers
- Bradley Blalock (Rockies)
- Strengths: Decent strikeout potential (6.5 K/9) and ability to generate ground balls (40% GB rate) when he’s on.
- Negatives: High 7.09 ERA and 1.55 WHIP, with struggles in his last start against Pittsburgh (7 ER in 5.2 IP), make him vulnerable to Cruz and Horwitz.
- Mitch Keller (Pirates)
- Strengths: Reliable innings-eater (146.0 IP) with a strong sinker (46% GB rate) and a 3.50 ERA at home, effective against high-contact lineups.
- Negatives: Inconsistent recent outings (4 ER in 5 IP vs. Rockies on August 3) and a 5-10 record suggest vulnerability to Colorado’s power bats.
Key Players to Monitor
- Colorado Rockies:
- Hunter Goodman (1B): 22 HRs, 62 RBI, a power threat with a double in the opener.
- Warming Bernabel (3B): .500 BA in 7 games, with 4 doubles and 3 HRs, a rookie sensation.
- Jordan Beck (RF): 14 HRs, 42 RBI, dangerous in clutch situations.
- Pittsburgh Pirates:
- Oneil Cruz (SS): 18 HRs, 48 RBI, hit a homer in the opener, a power-speed threat.
- Spencer Horwitz (DH): 5 HRs, 31 RBI, red-hot with a 6-RBI game on August 3.
- Tommy Pham (LF): .278 BA in last 10 games, adds veteran consistency.
Recent Performance
- Colorado Rockies: At 49-75, the Rockies are 4-6 in their last 10, scoring 46 runs while allowing 48, with their offense carrying games despite pitching struggles.
- Pittsburgh Pirates: At 57-66, the Pirates are 5-5 in their last 10, scoring 44 runs and allowing 46, with their starting pitching providing stability.
Critical Factors
- Venue: PNC Park’s pitcher-friendly dimensions (3.88 park ERA) favor Keller and could limit Colorado’s power output.
- Weather: Forecasted at 73°F with partly cloudy skies and a light breeze, ideal for pitching.
- Momentum: The Pirates’ series-opening win and home-field edge contrast with Colorado’s road struggles (19-43).
- Betting Odds: Pirates favored at -150, with over/under at 8.0, reflecting a slight home advantage and run potential.
Prediction
The Pittsburgh Pirates are poised to take this game, leveraging Keller’s home reliability and PNC Park’s pitcher-friendly setup against Blalock’s shaky 7.09 ERA. The Rockies’ offense, led by Goodman and Bernabel, could keep it competitive, especially after scoring 4 runs in the opener. However, Pittsburgh’s bullpen and power bats, sparked by Cruz, should secure the win in a close contest.
Final Prediction: Pittsburgh Pirates win, 5-3. Cruz drives in a key run, and Keller grinds out six innings.
Best Bets
- Moneyline: Pittsburgh Pirates (-150) – Keller’s home edge and Colorado’s road struggles make Pittsburgh a solid pick.
- Under 8.0 Runs – PNC Park’s pitcher-friendly nature and Keller’s ground-ball tendencies suggest a lower-scoring game.
- Oneil Cruz to Record an RBI (+170) – His 18 HRs and recent homer in the opener offer strong value against Blalock.
This preview, based on the latest trends and stats as of August 22, 2025, delivers expert, trustworthy, and engaging content for MLB fans. Watch live on ATT SportsNet-PIT or MLBN.
