The Colorado Rockies enter their August 23, 2025, matchup at PNC Park against the Pittsburgh Pirates as sizeable underdogs, a role they’ve grown accustomed to during what has been another frustrating season, marked by a 53–71 ATS record and one of the worst road performances in all of Major League Baseball. Colorado’s issues begin with their inability to translate their Coors Field offensive production to road environments, where they average fewer than four runs per game and consistently fail to generate the kind of rallies needed to support a pitching staff that has ranked near the bottom of the league in ERA. The team’s early-season collapse, which saw them open at 8–42 over their first 50 contests—the worst start in the modern era—still hangs over the franchise, though they’ve shown occasional flashes of life, including a brief three-game win streak that reminded fans that the young roster can compete when it strings together disciplined at-bats and timely pitching. Offensively, the Rockies lean on players like Ryan McMahon and Ezequiel Tovar to provide sparks, but without consistency from the supporting cast, extended rallies have been rare. Their pitching remains the largest liability, as starters have struggled to work deep into games, exposing a bullpen that has been overworked and prone to late-inning collapses.

For Colorado to have any chance in Pittsburgh, they must rely on manufacturing runs early through small ball, stringing singles together, and capitalizing on defensive mistakes by the Pirates rather than waiting for power, which is harder to come by in the pitcher-friendly dimensions of PNC Park. On defense, the Rockies cannot afford miscues, as their margin for error is virtually nonexistent against any opponent, especially one like Pittsburgh that thrives on situational hitting. From a betting perspective, Colorado’s track record makes them one of the league’s least trustworthy ATS clubs, but their rare upsets show that when they do cover, it tends to come from grinding out unexpectedly close games rather than blowout wins. The formula for the Rockies is clear yet difficult to execute: a quality start from their rotation to keep the game tight, clean defense to prevent gifting the Pirates extra runs, and clutch hitting from their few offensive leaders to seize whatever chances they get with runners in scoring position. If they can achieve that balance, they might frustrate a Pirates team that has been more comfortable at home, but anything less than near-perfect execution likely results in another road defeat. In short, Colorado arrives in Pittsburgh still searching for consistency, carrying little more than the hope of playing spoiler, and while their recent win streak hints at some momentum, their overall road struggles make them a long shot to break through against a steadier Pirates squad.