The Pittsburgh Pirates (10-7, 9-7 RL, 8-7-1 O/U) and the Colorado Rockies (5-12, 4-13 RL, 9-8 O/U) meet in the three-game series finale on Wednesday afternoon. The Pirates will give the starting nod to Johan Oviedo. The Rockies counter with Austin Gomber. The Pirates clobbered the Rockies 14-3 on Monday.
Johan Oviedo will make his fourth start of the season. Oviedo has recovered from a poor start in the opener by recording strong performances against the White Sox and Cardinals. He registered six shutout innings against the White Sox and allowed one run in seven innings against the Cardinals last weekend but was hit with the loss to dip to 1-1. The veteran has accrued a superb 2.45 ERA and a 1.20 WHIP in 18.1 innings pitched. He conceded three runs in six innings in his only career meeting against the Rockies.
Pittsburgh continues to excel. They have won two of their last four series including two wins against the White Sox and two victories in four road meetings against the Cardinals last weekend. The pitching has been the top strength, They limited the Cardinals to only 11 runs in the entire series and are benefiting from outstanding starting pitch ing.
Andrew McClutchen.
Play of the Day presented by @STIHLUSA pic.twitter.com/OrpWtWTaY4
— Pittsburgh Pirates (@Pirates) April 16, 2023
Ke’Bryan Hayes is showing signs of breaking out of his ugly slump, collecting eight hits and four RBIs in his last six games. The 26-year-old third baseman is expected to put up power numbers but only has one homer with RBIs and a .610 OPS. Hayes went 6 for 24 with three RBIS against the Rockies last season and knocked in three runs on Monday.
The Pirates are posting an average of 4.71 runs, landing them 15th. The pitching staff has a 4.21 team ERA, placing them 14th.