Colorado at Pittsburgh

The good news for the Rockies is they aren't 43-119 bad like last year. The bad news is they still are the worst team in the National League at 17-26. That includes a 9-15 road record and a minus-31 scoring differential. Pittsburgh is three games above .500 and has outscored its foes by 27 runs. The Pirates' 3.67 team ERA is more than a full run lower than Colorado's 4.81, which ranks second to last in the majors. The Pirates had won five in a row against the Rockies until losing, 10-4, as a $1.88 home favorite last night. Don't expect a second straight major Rockies upset. Only once since April 28 have the Rockies won consecutive games. Chase Dollander may be Colorado's best pitcher. He's going today, but that isn't saying a whole lot. The Rockies rank 29th in quality starts and are 19th in bullpen ERA. Pittsburgh's expected starter, Mason Montgomery, has a 13.2 strikeout rate per nine innings and is backed by the superior bullpen. The Rockies strike out more than any other National League team. Take the Pirates.