Struggling Rockies Face Uphill Battle Against Pirates in Three-Game Series

The Colorado Rockies, mired in a dismal season with a National League-worst 7-24 record, head to Pittsburgh to face the Pirates in a three-game series starting Friday night at PNC Park. The Rockies have trailed in each of their first 31 games, extending their modern-era major league record and setting a new franchise mark for futility. The team's struggles have been evident both at the plate and on the mound, as they rank near the bottom of the league in several key offensive and pitching categories.

Colorado's lineup has sputtered, ranking 25th in runs scored, 14th in batting average, 21st in on-base percentage, and 20th in slugging. The pitching staff has been equally abysmal, posting the worst ERA, WHIP, and opponent batting average in the majors. Despite the team's collective struggles, a few bright spots have emerged, with Ryan McMahon hitting .324 with 8 doubles, 4 home runs, and 18 RBIs, and catcher Elias Diaz batting .292 with 4 doubles, 2 home runs, and 15 RBIs.

The Rockies arrive in Pittsburgh amid a five-game losing streak, during which they have been outscored 36-17. Manager Bud Black recently addressed the team in a meeting, acknowledging their lack of clutch hits and pitches. "Morale is fine," Black said. "Guys are playing their [butts] off. We're just not getting the clutch hit, or making a big pitch."

The Pirates, last in the NL Central with a 14-18 record, have also struggled to generate offense consistently. They rank 22nd in runs scored, 23rd in batting average, 15th in on-base percentage, and 28th in slugging. Ke'Bryan Hayes and Bryan Reynolds have been the team's most reliable hitters, but the lineup as a whole has failed to produce. Pittsburgh, however, holds an advantage in pitching, with a superior team ERA, WHIP, and opponent batting average compared to the Rockies.

The series opener will feature a pitching matchup between the Rockies' Cal Quantrill (0-3, 5.34 ERA) and the Pirates' Martin Perez (1-1, 2.86 ERA). Quantrill has struggled this season, while Perez has been a bright spot in the Pirates' rotation. The Pirates' superior pitching staff could give them an edge in this series, especially considering the Rockies' offensive woes and their 2-17 record on the road.

The Rockies look to turn their season around, but they have been plagued by miscues in key moments. Catcher Jacob Stallings acknowledged the team's collective struggles, saying,"It's a really good group of guys in here. I think we just have everyone collectively probably trying to do a little too much, trying too hard to get the big hit. "The Pirates, despite their own challenges, have an opportunity to capitalize on the Rockies'strugglesand secure a much-needed series win at home.

The Rockies' historically poor start to the season has left them searching for answers and hoping to find a catalyst in Pittsburgh. With a -75 run differential, the second worst in MLB, and a tie for the second-most strikeouts (314) in the league, the team faces an uphill battle to right the ship. As Ryan McMahon put it,"You just got to show up each day, keep coming back. And we've done a good job of that. ... [We'll] keep showing up and coming right back to work. The work, the preparation hasn't lagged. It's just not working out for us on the field."

Key Takeaways

• Rockies have a 7-24 record, worst in the National League.
• Rockies have trailed in all 31 games, a modern-era MLB record.
• Rockies rank near the bottom in several key offensive and pitching categories.
• Pirates have a 14-18 record, last in the NL Central, but have a pitching advantage.
• Rockies look to turn their season around, but face an uphill battle with a -75 run differential.