Rockies vs. Pirates Prediction: Expert Picks, Odds, Stats & Best Bets – Tuesday, April 18, 2023

Apr 18, 2023

The Colorado Rockies (5-12) and Pittsburgh Pirates (10-7) meet Tuesday at Coors Field, with first pitch at 8:40 PM ET on SportsNet RM. The Rockies are -111 moneyline favorites for the contest, however, the Pirates are favored against the spread of 1.5 runs with +136 odds.

Colorado’s Jose Urena gets the start, and he’ll go against Pittsburgh’s Vince Velasquez.

Rockies vs. Pirates Odds

Rockies odds to win: -111

Pirates odds to win: -109

Spread: Pirates -1.5

Total: 13 runs

Rockies vs. Pirates Promo Codes

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Game Time and Information

Date: Tuesday, April 18, 2023

Time: 8:40 PM ET

TV: SportsNet RM

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Who Will Win Rockies vs. Pirates?

Rockies and Pirates Betting Trends

The Rockies have won two of the five games they were listed as the moneyline favorite this season (40%).

Colorado has gone 2-3 (winning 40% of its games) when it has played as moneyline favorites of -111 or shorter.

The Pirates have been underdogs in 16 games this season and won nine (56.2%) of those contests.

This season, Pittsburgh has won nine of its 16 games, or 56.2%, when it’s the underdog by at least -109 on the moneyline.

In the 17 games in which oddsmakers have set an over/under for the Rockies, they have combined with opponents to go over the total nine times (9-6-2).

Games involving the Pirates have gone over the total set by bookmakers in eight of 17 chances this season.

Rockies Stats & Insights

The Rockies rank 24th in runs scored with 66, 3.9 per game.

Colorado is 21st in MLB play with 16 home runs. They average 0.9 per game.

The Rockies have the 11th-ranked batting average in the majors (.256).

Colorado’s 8.9 strikeouts per game rank 21st in MLB.

The 8.1 strikeouts per nine innings compiled by the Rockies pitching staff ranks 25th in MLB.

Colorado has the 26th-ranked team ERA among all MLB pitching staffs (5.30).

Pirates Stats & Insights

The Pirates have scored the 14th-most runs in the league this season with 80 (4.7 per game).

Pittsburgh has hit 21 homers this season, which ranks eighth in the majors.

The Pirates have a team batting average of .244 this season, which ranks 17th among MLB teams.

Pittsburgh is one of the best teams in baseball at making contact this season, ranking ninth with an average of 7.9 strikeouts per game.

The Pirates average the 21st-most strikeouts per nine innings (8.3) in the league this season.

Pittsburgh has the 14th-ranked ERA (4.23) in the majors this season.

Rockies Key Players to Watch

Urena makes the start for the Rockies, his fourth of the season. He is 0-2 with a 9.90 ERA and seven strikeouts through 10 2/3 innings pitched.

Kris Bryant has been key for Colorado with two home runs, five RBI and a batting average of .323 this season.

Elias Diaz is a key run producer for Colorado with a .333 average, two homers and eight RBI.

Charlie Blackmon has collected 16 base hits, an OBP of .379 and a slugging percentage of .386 this season.

C.J. Cron leads Colorado in home runs with four and runs batted in with eight.

Pirates Key Players to Watch

Velasquez (1-2) will take to the mound for the Pirates and make his fourth start of the season.

Bryan Reynolds has accumulated a team-best batting average of .324, while pacing the Pirates in home runs (five) and runs batted in (17).

Andrew McCutchen has three doubles, three home runs and 11 walks while hitting .302.

Ke’Bryan Hayes has four doubles, a triple, a home run and five walks while batting .206.

Carlos Santana is batting .242 with five doubles, two home runs and seven walks.

Rockies and Pirates Injuries

Rockies: Randal Grichuk: 10 Day IL (Hernia), German Márquez: 15 Day IL (Forearm), Daniel Bard: 15 Day IL (Anxiety), Antonio Senzatela: 15 Day IL (Knee), Ryan Rolison: 60 Day IL (Shoulder), Lucas Gilbreath: 60 Day IL (Elbow), Brendan Rodgers: 60 Day IL (Shoulder), Tyler Kinley: 60 Day IL (Elbow), Sean Bouchard: 60 Day IL (Biceps)

Pirates: Ji-Man Choi: 10 Day IL (Achilles), Rob Zastryzny: 15 Day IL (Elbow), Chase De Jong: 15 Day IL (Knee), Oneil Cruz: 60 Day IL (Ankle), Jarlin García: 60 Day IL (Arm), Max Kranick: 60 Day IL (Elbow), JT Brubaker: 60 Day IL (Elbow)