The Philadelphia Phillies are set to take on the Pittsburgh Pirates in an exciting Friday night showdown at PNC Park, with the first pitch slated for 6:40 PM ET. The Phillies, who come into the game as the favorites with a money line of -145, are looking to solidify their standing as they lead the National League East by 8.5 games over the Braves.
Phillies' Current Form
The Phillies boast an impressive 62-34 overall record this season. At home, they have been dominant, holding a 37-16 record. Their performance on the road, while still solid, stands at 25-18. However, the Phillies have faced some challenges recently, going 2-3 in their last five road games. Their struggles extended to a recent two-game road series against the Athletics, where they couldn't secure a win.
Aaron Nola will take the mound for the Phillies. Nola has been a standout this season, with an 11-4 record and a 3.38 ERA. He has consistently delivered quality starts, totaling 14, and boasts an impressive 8.72 strikeouts per nine innings. In his last outing, Nola pitched six robust innings, allowing just one earned run and striking out nine. He has won three of his last four starts, providing a reliable anchor for the Phillies’ rotation.
Offensively, the Phillies have been formidable, averaging 5 runs per game and batting a collective .259. They have also hit the sixth-most home runs in MLB. Bryce Harper and Alec Bohm are key contributors. Harper is hitting .301 with 21 home runs and 61 RBIs, while Bohm is on a five-game hitting streak and batting .295.
Pirates on the Rise
Contrastingly, the Pittsburgh Pirates, with a balanced 48-48 record, are experiencing a resurgence. They are currently third in the NL Central and have won four straight games. They recently closed out their series against the White Sox with three consecutive victories. The Pirates, trailing the Brewers by 6.5 games, have displayed an underdog resilience, winning eight of their last ten games when not favored. Additionally, they hold a strong 38-18 runline record as underdogs.
Martín Pérez, who carries a 1-5 record and a 5.16 ERA, will pitch for the Pirates. In his last start against the Brewers, Pérez struggled, giving up five earned runs in 4 2/3 innings. Despite that, the Pirates have found ways to win at home lately, capturing four of their last five games at PNC Park.
In terms of offense, the Pirates average 4.2 runs per game and have a batting average of .231. Bryan Reynolds has been a standout performer, batting .284 with 18 home runs. Over the last seven games, he has been particularly hot, hitting .321 with two home runs. Ke'Bryan Hayes is also contributing, currently on a four-game hitting streak.
Game Analysis
The over/under line for the game is set at 8 runs. Historically, the Phillies have a 14-11-1 record when this line is set, while the Pirates have a 10-12 record. The Phillies’ road runline record stands at 23-20, compared to the Pirates’ home runline record of 23-23.
While the Phillies have a slight statistical edge, experts predict a narrow 6-5 victory for the Pirates. Given the Pirates' recent form and their underdog success rate, this game promises to be a closely contested affair with potential for surprises.
Fans can expect an engaging matchup as the Phillies aim to bounce back from their recent road woes, and the Pirates strive to extend their winning streak. Baseball enthusiasts will be keenly watching to see if Bryce Harper and Alec Bohm can continue their impressive performances, or if Bryan Reynolds and Ke'Bryan Hayes will carry the Pirates to another underdog victory. With both teams bringing different strengths to the field, Friday night at PNC Park is set to be an enthralling encounter.