Philadelphia Phillies vs. Pittsburgh Pirates Picks and Prediction for Sunday, May 17, 2026
Use Code WWWC A pair of National League teams looking to earn a win close out a series on the diamond in the Steel City as the Philadelphia Phillies are on the road as they play the finale of a three-game series with the Pittsburgh Pirates Sunday afternoon and we have you covered with our Phillies vs. Pirates prediction. In the opening game of the series Friday night, the Phillies rallied for an 11-9, 10-inning victory to draw first blood in the set. Which team earns the win here on getaway day? This article was published prior to the conclusion of the middle game of the series at PNC Park Saturday afternoon. Don’t go down on strikes! Increase your bankroll with our MLB Betting Picks! Read more about this Phillies vs. Pirates prediction!
Phillies Seeking to Maintain Recent Push
Philadelphia won their second straight and their fifth in the last six games as they took down the Pirates in the opening game of this series. The Phillies entered Saturday 22-23 and stood tied for second in the NL East, nine games behind the Braves for the top spot. On Friday night, Philadelphia had 14 hits as Bryce Harper (run) and Kyle Schwarber (two runs, five RBI) added three in the game. Schwarber (his 19th and 20th) went deep in the victory. Aaron Nola surrendered six runs on six hits with three walks and two strikeouts over 3.2 innings but didn’t factor in the decision. Jose Alvarado (1-1) worked a scoreless ninth, allowing one hit with no walks and three strikeouts, to earn the win. Orrin Kerkering worked the 10th, allowing one run (none earned) on no hits with one walk and one strikeout, for his first save.
Zack Wheeler takes the ball for his fifth start of the season for the Phillies in this contest. He is 2-0 with a 2.55 ERA, a 0.932 WHIP, six walks and 22 strikeouts over 24.2 innings of work. Wheeler earned the win in his last start, which came against Boston at home Tuesday. He threw 7.1 innings, allowing one run on six hits with no walks and four strikeouts in a 2-1 Phillies triumph. In his last three starts, Wheeler is 2-0 with a 2.29 ERA, a 0.86 WHIP, three walks and 16 strikeouts over 19.2 innings of work. Wheeler makes his 10th career start against the Pirates in this contest. He is 5-1 with a 2.38 ERA, a 1.00 WHIP, 13 walks and 66 strikeouts over 53 innings of work against them. Wheeler is 3-0 with a 2.10 ERA, a 0.974 WHIP, seven walks and 31 strikeouts over 25.2 innings of work in four career starts at PNC Park.
Pittsburgh Looking for Momentum
Pittsburgh has alternated wins and losses in their last eight as they blew a six-run lead to fall in extra innings Friday night. The Pirates entered Saturday 24-21 and stood tied for fourth in the NL Central, five games behind the Cubs for the top spot. On Friday night, Pittsburgh got two hits each from Oneil Cruz (run, two RBI), Brandon Lowe (two runs, three RBI), Bryan Reynolds (run) and Spencer Horwitz (run) in the contest. Lowe (his 11th and 12th) homered twice while Marcell Ozuna (his fifth) went deep as well in the loss. Brandon Ashcraft threw 6.2 innings, allowing four runs on seven hits with no walks and five strikeouts, but didn’t factor in the decision. Dennis Santana (2-3) took the loss as he allowed three runs (two earned) on four hits with no walks or strikeouts without retiring a hitter.
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Paul Skenes is on the bump for the Pirates as he makes his 10th start of the season in this contest. He is 6-2 with a 1.98 ERA, a 0.64 WHIP, seven walks and 56 strikeouts over 50 innings of work on the year. Skenes earned the win in his last start, which came at home against the Rockies Tuesday. He threw eight innings, allowing no runs on two hits with no walks and 10 strikeouts in a 3-1 Pirates triumph. In his last three starts, Skenes is 2-1 with a 1.29 ERA, a 0.52 WHIP, no walks and 26 strikeouts over 21 innings of work. Skenes makes his third career start against the Phillies in this contest. He is 0-1 with a 0.57 ERA, a 0.447 WHIP, two walks and 16 strikeouts over 15.2 innings of work against them. Skenes is 15-7 with a 2.01 ERA, a 0.92 WHIP, 39 walks and 218 strikeouts over 192.1 innings of work in 32 career starts at PNC Park.
Phillies vs. Pirates Pick
Moneyline Pick for Phillies vs. Pirates
- Phillies (4 units)
Philadelphia has rebounded with nine wins in their last 12 games and entered Saturday within a game of the .500 mark on the season. The Phillies got a shot in the arm with the return of Wheeler to the rotation and their bats have warmed up after a sluggish start. Pittsburgh has Skenes on the mound for this contest but unless he goes the distance, the Pirates have issues because their bullpen is weak. We saw that in Friday’s series opener. That’s the likely scenario again here as the Phillies’ bats do the job and carry the visitors to the win.
Over/Under Pick for Phillies vs. Pirates
- Under (4 units)
Philadelphia has seen the over post a 23-20-2 mark on the year entering Saturday. The Phillies are 20th in the majors with 4.16 runs per game and that number falls to 3.67 runs per game away from Citizens Bank Park. Philadelphia has an average total of 8.96 runs per game but that number drops to 7.91 runs per game on the road. Pittsburgh has seen the over post a 25-19-1 mark on the year heading into Saturday’s action. The Pirates are 4th in the majors with 5.09 runs per game and that number climbs to 5.83 runs per game at PNC Park. Pittsburgh has an average total of 9.51 runs per game but that number climbs to 10.58 runs per game at home. With both starters good at limiting runs, this game ends up under the total.
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