The Pittsburgh Pirates wrap up their 3-game series with the Rockies in Colorado to close out the first half of the 2022 season. The Pirates find themselves in third place in the NL Central but 12 games in back of the Brewers for the division lead. The Rockies have climbed out of the basement in the highly competitive NL West Division are now just six games under .500. Sunday's pitching matchup is still up in the air. While the Pirates have yet to announce a pitcher to start the final game of the first half, the Rockies will go with lefty Austin Gomber (5-7, 6.11). First pitch is scheduled for 310pm EST.
The Pittsburgh Pirates will finally wrap up their 12-game road trip on Sunday and head home for a few days off before starting a home stand to begin the second half. Pittsburgh is currently 5-6 on the road trip including losses in two straight games against the Rockies. On Saturday in a rare Coors Field pitchers duel, the Pirates fell 2-0 to the Rockies. Starter Mitch Keller pitched six innings and allowed just five hits and one unearned run to pick up the loss. The Pirates bats were held to just six hits by four different Rockies pitchers and left nine runners on base.
Final. pic.twitter.com/vDloFXbK5p
— Pittsburgh Pirates (@Pirates) July 16, 2022
The Pirates certainly have their bags packed and ready t0 get off the road after the longest road trip the team has taken since 2005. The Pirates are hitting just .211 on the road trip thus far and are averaging just 3.3 runs per game over the course of the 11 games. The team has also struck out 111 times during the 11 games. The Pirates have yet to name a starting pitcher for the final game of the series. 22-year old Roansy Contreras could get the nod having not pitched since July 7th. The Pirates are trying to limit the youngster's innings but he could be used with a strict pitch count to close out the first half.