Game Details:
Matchup: Rockies vs. Pirates
Date & Time: Friday, August 22, 2025 | 7:05 PM ET
Venue: PNC Park, Pittsburgh, PA
Betting Line: Pirates -1.5 | Over/Under: 8.5
Key Storylines
Pirates Eyeing Wild Card Push: With the NL Wild Card race heating up, the Pirates find themselves just a few games back and will view this three-game set with the Rockies as a much-needed opportunity to gain ground. They enter the game having won five of their last seven at home.
Rockies’ Road Woes Continue: Colorado has struggled all season on the road, holding one of the league’s worst away records. Their pitching staff, particularly the bullpen, has been a major contributor to their struggles away from Coors Field.
Series Overview: This is the second and final series between the two clubs this season, and the Pirates lead the matchup 2-1. Each of the last three meetings saw at least nine runs scored, pointing to a possible high-scoring affair again tonight.
Injury Report
Rockies:
Out: Kris Bryant (back), Kyle Freeland (shoulder), Brendan Rodgers (hamstring)
Questionable: Nolan Jones (day-to-day, wrist)
Pirates:
Out: Ke’Bryan Hayes (oblique), Oneil Cruz (ankle)
Questionable: Quinn Priester (shoulder fatigue)
Betting Trends
Against the Spread (ATS):
Rockies: 48-71 ATS this season
Pirates: 59-60 ATS this season
Over/Under Trends:
The total has gone over in 7 of Colorado’s last 10 games
The total has gone over in 6 of Pittsburgh’s last 8 games at home
Rockies Road Struggles:
Colorado is just 17-45 away from home, making them a risky outright play against any above-.500 opponent, especially on the road.
Pirates Home Form:
The Pirates are 33-27 at PNC Park this year and have fared well against teams with losing records.
Player Prop to Watch
Connor Joe (Pirates) – Hits + Runs + RBIs Total: 1.5
Joe has quietly been one of the Pirates’ most consistent bats against lefties, and he’s projected to hit in the top third of the lineup against the Rockies’ struggling starter. The over here looks tempting.
Ryan McMahon (Rockies) – Home Run Prop:
McMahon has hit well at PNC in years past and has mashed six homers in August. He’s a solid value flier in home run markets.
Prediction & Best Bets
Spread: Pirates -1.5 → Pittsburgh has the edge both on the mound and defensively—and they’re playing with October dreams in mind.
Total: Over 8.5 → Both rotations are prone to giving up runs, and their bullpens haven’t inspired confidence. Expect both offenses to do damage.
Player Prop: Connor Joe Over 1.5 Hits + Runs + RBIs → Joe’s matchup and role give him plenty of opportunity for production.
Final Score Prediction: Pirates 6, Rockies 4