The Pirates counter with Mason Montgomery, which is the polite way of saying they're using an opener. Montgomery has been a reliever almost all year — 12 bullpen outings against just a couple of opener starts — so don't expect him deep into this one. The bigger question is what Pittsburgh's bridge arms look like on the back end of a series where they've already burned through pitching.
- Day-To-DayBrayan Castillo (RP) — The Rockies announced Monday that Castillo is dealing with right lat tightness and has been shut down from throwing while undergoing treatment for the injury, TheDNVR.com reports.05/08
- Day-To-DayCase Williams (SP) — Williams is currently slowed by a stress reaction in his right triceps, Thomas Harding of MLB.com reports.05/08
- Day-To-DayJared Thomas (CF) — The Rockies announced Monday that Thomas hasn't been participating in spring training while he recovers from offseason surgery to address a fractured hamate bone in his right wrist, TheDNVR.com reports.05/08
- 15-Day-ILRyan Feltner (SP) — Feltner (elbow) will begin a rehab assignment with Double-A Hartford on Tuesday, MLB.com reports.05/14
- 60-Day-ILRJ Petit (RP) — The Rockies transferred Petit (elbow) to the 60-day injured list Thursday, Thomas Harding of MLB.com reports.05/08
- 60-Day-ILMcCade Brown (SP) — The Rockies transferred Brown (shoulder) to the 60-day injured list Saturday.05/08
- 60-Day-ILPierson Ohl (RP) — The Rockies placed Ohl (elbow) on the 60-day injured list Wednesday.05/08
- 60-Day-ILKris Bryant (DH) — Bryant said Tuesday that the ongoing pain in his back continues to prevent him from participating in baseball activities, though he's still consulting with doctors and trainers for potential rehab options, Thomas Harding of MLB.com reports.05/08
- 60-Day-ILJeff Criswell (RP) — Criswell (elbow) made the second appearance of his rehab assignment with High-A Spokane on Sunday, striking out two over a perfect inning.05/08
- Day-To-DayAnthony Solometo (SP) — Solometo is sidelined at Double-A Altoona with recurring left shoulder discomfort, Jose Negron of DK Pittsburgh Sports reports.05/08
- Day-To-DayOddanier Mosqueda (RP) — Mosqueda will not throw for a couple weeks due to left forearm inflammation, Kevin Gorman of TribLive.com reports.05/08
- Day-To-DayMike Clevinger (RP) — Clevinger is expected to be sidelined for around six weeks after being diagnosed with an MCL sprain in his right knee, Jason Mackey of MLB.com reports.05/08
- Day-To-DayDominic Fletcher (RF) — Fletcher (shoulder) had his rehab assignment transferred to Triple-A Charlotte on Thursday and went 2-for-7 with a solo home run and a walk in his first two rehab games with the club.05/08
- Day-To-DaySean Sullivan (SP) — Pirates director of sports medicine Todd Tomczyk said Wednesday that Sullivan is battling right elbow soreness, Andrew Destin of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports.05/08
- 10-Day-ILJoey Bart (C) — Manager Don Kelly said Bart, who is out of the lineup for Tuesday's game against the Rockies, is "banged up," Chris Halicke of DK Pittsburgh Sports reports.05/12
- 10-Day-ILJake Mangum (LF) — The Pirates placed Mangum on the 10-day injured list Friday with a left hamstring strain, retroactive to Wednesday.05/08
- 15-Day-ILChris Devenski (RP) — The Pirates placed Devenski on the 15-day injured list Thursday due to an illness.05/08
- 60-Day-ILJared Jones (SP) — Jones (elbow) threw four scoreless innings, allowing three hits and no walks while striking out four in a rehab appearance with Double-A Altoona on Tuesday, per MLB.com.05/13
Both clubs are also working around real injury depth issues. The Rockies are still without Kris Bryant (back) and a chunk of their pitching staff. The Pirates are missing Joey Bart behind the plate and Jake Mangum in the outfield, and Jared Jones' rehab is the only feel-good arm note on either side.
The market has Pittsburgh as a clear home favorite — moneyline implying about 61% — and 82% of DK moneyline handle is on the Pirates. EV is negative on every side, so this is a hold-your-nose spot if you're betting it. The line tells you what the market thinks of an opener day for the home team against a starter pitching like Dollander: the Pirates roster is still the better one, and home games are where their record (23-20) has lived.
Quick gut: Dollander has more rope than Montgomery, and the Rockies just hung 10 runs on this same staff 24 hours ago. If Colorado swings it again early, this becomes a bullpen game Pittsburgh doesn't really want. First pitch is 11:35 AM local.