The Colorado Rockies face the Pittsburgh Pirates in the third game of their three-game series on Sunday, August 24, 2025, at 1:35 PM EDT at PNC Park in Pittsburgh. With the Pirates leading the series 2-0 after a 9-0 rout and a close win, the Rockies aim to salvage a game in this NL matchup, leaning on their resilient offense against Pittsburgh’s surging 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 23): 37-93, 5th in NL West
- Performance Overview: The Rockies are 5-5 in their last 10 games, averaging 5.1 runs/game with a .277 batting average and a 6.05 ERA. Hunter Goodman’s 25 HRs and Jordan Beck’s .278 BA lead the offense, but injuries to players like Kris Bryant (lumbar) and German Marquez (shoulder) hamper their lineup.
- Strengths: Solid power hitting (133 HRs, 19th in MLB) and a 7-3 record as underdogs in their last 10.
- Weaknesses: Poor pitching (6.05 ERA, 30th in MLB) and a 16-48 road record.
- Player to Watch: Hunter Goodman (DH) – His 25 HRs, 73 RBI, and .255 BA make him a power threat, despite a quiet series so far.
Pittsburgh Pirates
- 2025 Record (as of August 23): 56-74, 5th in NL Central
- Performance Overview: The Pirates are 5-5 in their last 10 games, averaging 3.2 runs/game with a .231 batting average and a 3.99 ERA. Bryan Reynolds’ .245 BA and Andrew McCutchen’s 11 HRs drive the offense, though injuries to Oneil Cruz (concussion) and Jared Jones (elbow) test their depth.
- Strengths: Strong pitching (3.99 ERA, 15th in MLB) and a 38-30 home record.
- Weaknesses: Weak offense (3.5 runs/game, 30th in MLB) and a 2-5 record when scoring under 4 runs.
- Player to Watch: Andrew McCutchen (DH) – His 11 HRs, 39 RBI, and 4-for-7 with 6 RBI in the series make him a clutch veteran.
Head-to-Head Record
- Historical Context: The Pirates lead the 2025 season series 4-1, including wins of 9-0 and 5-3 on August 22 and 23. The Rockies won 2 of 3 earlier in Colorado.
- Recent Encounter: On August 23, the Pirates won 5-3, with McCutchen’s 2 RBI and Mike Burrows outpacing Kyle Freeland.
- Key Insight: Pittsburgh’s pitching has stifled Colorado’s bats, but the Rockies’ power could exploit PNC Park’s dimensions.
Pitching Matchups Table
| Team | Pitcher | Record | ERA | Innings Pitched | Strikeouts | WHIP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rockies | McCade Brown (RHP) | 0-0 | 0.00 | 0.0 | 0 | 0.00 |
| Pirates | Paul Skenes (RHP) | 6-3 | 2.25 | 108.0 | 120 | 1.05 |
Strengths and Negatives of Pitchers
- McCade Brown (Rockies)
- Strengths: Making his MLB debut after a 2.47 ERA in 20 Double-A starts, with a high-velocity fastball and sharp slider that could surprise.
- Negatives: No MLB experience and facing a Pirates lineup hot off two wins, with potential for early nerves.
- Paul Skenes (Pirates)
- Strengths: Elite 2.25 ERA, 10.0 K/9, and 1.05 WHIP, with a 2.00 ERA at home and an 8-K outing vs. Toronto on August 18.
- Negatives: Occasional control issues (2.5 BB/9) could be targeted by Rockies’ contact hitters like Beck or Ryan Ritter.
Key Players to Monitor
- Colorado Rockies:
- Hunter Goodman (DH): 25 HRs, 73 RBI, .255 BA, a power threat despite a quiet series.
- Jordan Beck (RF): .278 BA, 15 HRs, hitting .300 in last 10 games.
- Ryan Ritter (2B): .260 BA, on a 9-game hitting streak at .323.
- Pittsburgh Pirates:
- Andrew McCutchen (DH): 11 HRs, 39 RBI, red-hot with 4-for-7 and 6 RBI in the series.
- Bryan Reynolds (LF): .245 BA, 13 HRs, 62 RBI, a consistent hitter with 11-for-38 in last 10.
- Tommy Pham (RF): .263 BA, 6 HRs, hitting .316 in last 5 games with a homer in the series.
Recent Performance
- Colorado Rockies: At 37-93, the Rockies are 5-5 in their last 10, scoring 51 runs while allowing 61, with their offense showing fight despite pitching woes.
- Pittsburgh Pirates: At 56-74, the Pirates are 5-5 in their last 10, scoring 32 runs and allowing 45, with their pitching carrying recent wins.
Critical Factors
- Venue: PNC Park’s pitcher-friendly dimensions (3.90 park ERA) favor Skenes’ dominance but challenge Colorado’s power bats.
- Weather: Forecasted at 81°F with partly cloudy skies and a light breeze, ideal for a competitive game.
- Momentum: The Pirates’ series dominance and 4-1 edge over Colorado contrast with the Rockies’ 5-5 run and underdog resilience.
- Betting Odds: Pirates favored at -175, with over/under at 8.0, reflecting their pitching edge and home advantage.
Prediction
The Pittsburgh Pirates hold a clear edge in this matchup, driven by Paul Skenes’ elite 2.25 ERA and home dominance against McCade Brown’s untested MLB debut. The Rockies’ power bats, led by Goodman and Beck, could find gaps in PNC Park, but Pittsburgh’s pitching depth and McCutchen’s hot bat should secure a series sweep. Skenes’ strikeout prowess will likely stifle Colorado’s offense early.
Final Prediction: Pittsburgh Pirates win, 6-2. McCutchen drives in two runs, and Skenes pitches seven strong innings.
Best Bets
- Moneyline: Pittsburgh Pirates (-175) – Skenes’ dominance and home-field advantage make Pittsburgh a strong pick.
- Under 8.0 Runs – PNC Park’s pitcher-friendly setup and Skenes’ control suggest a lower-scoring game.
- Andrew McCutchen to Record an RBI (+150) – His series-long hot streak and 6 RBI offer strong value against a debuting Brown.
This preview, based on the latest trends and stats as of August 23, 2025, delivers expert, trustworthy, and engaging content for MLB fans. Watch live on SportsNet PT or COLR.
