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The first game of the Monday, June 28th MLB slate will feature the first of a three-game series between the Pittsburgh Pirates and Colorado Rockies. The game will get started at 5:10 p.m. ET and can be seen on ESPN+. Both teams have really struggled to this point of the season with the Pirates at 29-47 for the third worst record in baseball, while Colorado is 31-47, 19.5 games back in the National League West.
Pirates vs. Rockies, 5:10 p.m. ET, ESPN+
Moneyline pick: Pirates +104
Despite the lack of success this season, Pittsburgh won three of four games against the St. Louis Cardinals over the weekend and split or won each of their last three series. Pirates starter Tyler Anderson has not been particularly good this season with a 4.82 ERA, but he has allowed three earned runs or less in four of his last five starts. Meanwhile, Colorado starter Kyle Freeland has a 7.76 ERA through six starts this season. The Pirates have a slight pitching advantage, and they are worth a bet with plus value.
Player Prop: Kyle Freeland under 3.5 strikeouts (-108)
We all know Coors Field is a hitter’s paradise, and that doesn’t change tonight. Freeland has struggled recently and has made it through six or more innings one time in his last seven appearances dating back to 2020. While we don’t necessarily expect him to get chased early, we don’t expect a big strikeout number from Freeland. He has just 19 Ks this season in nearly 30 innings pitched. This whole season he’s averaging just 3.1 strikeouts per game. Tonight, he’ll be taking on a Pittsburgh lineup that despite all its flaws, doesn’t strike out much. They have the fifth fewers strikeouts this season, averaging just over eight for every nine innings.
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