MLB Baseball
2012-07-18 - Pittsburgh Pirates at Colorado Rockies
A Sports Betting Pick by Auls
United States: Major League Baseball
Wednesday 18 July 2012 - First Pitch 3:10pm ET
8:10pm (British Standard Time)
Preview
After splitting the first two games of this series, these two teams will complete their season games against one another on Wednesday afternoon. The Pittsburgh Pirates (50-40 took game 2 last night after the Colorado Rockies (35-55) won the first game by one run.
The two teams are in different spots in the race for the post-season with the Pirates just a game behind the Cincinnati Reds in the tight National League Central, while the Rockies are fifteen games behind in the National League West where they occupy the basement.
Pittsburgh will be giving James McDonald the ball as he bids to recover from one of his worst appearances of the season. The pitcher has a 9-3 record this season and a 2.59 ERA, but he gave up 5 runs and issued 5 walks in a Pirates loss to Milwaukee, although he didn't take the decision loss in that game.
McDonald has a 1-0 record and a 2.75 ERA in his last three starts against the Rockies, but all of those have taken place at home. He hasn't pitched in Colorado since 2009 when he gave up 5 runs in 5 innings, but still managed the win in his time with the LA Dodgers.
Colorado will counter with Jamie Guthrie and hope he can improve his 3-9 record and his 6.14 ERA. He has really struggled in his last eight appearances at home, six of those in starts, and he has a 1-5 record and a 9.23 ERA.
Guthrie pitched against Pittsburgh for Baltimore last season, but he allowed 6 runs in just over 6 innings pitched as he took the loss on the road.
Head to Head
Pittsburgh beat Colorado last night and now lead the season series 3-2 with just this one game to play.
The last seven games played here between the teams has seen them interchange wins and losses. However, Colorado are 3-5 in their last eight games at home against Pittsburgh.
Colorado are 20-28 at home this season, Pittsburgh are 21-26 on the road.
Colorado are 9-22 in day games this season, Pittsburgh are 20-12.
Prediction
I think Pittsburgh are just a big enough price for me to be interested and this will be the play I make.
The Pirates seem to have a definite edge on the pitching mound and that could be the difference between the two teams in this game.
Pittsburgh are the favourites, but the price looks good enough to make the play.
The Pick :
Colorado Rockies 3-5 Pittsburgh Pirates
FIXED ODDS BETTING TIP :
I'll back Pittsburgh Pirates @ 1.80
