The Battle of Pennsylvania continues Wednesday night with a pitching duel in South Philadelphia as the Phillies (48-38) host the Pittsburgh Pirates (43-43) for the third game of this four-game Keystone State series at Citizens Bank Park. The Phillies swept the Pirates in Pittsburgh during MLB Rivalry Weekend in May, but this series is tied at one game apiece after Pittsburgh rallied for an 11-7 win in the opener before Philadelphia responded with an 8-0 shutout Tuesday night.
The Phillies jumped out to a 5-0 lead through three innings in Monday’s opener, but the Pirates scored eight runs between the fourth and fifth innings, including six in the fifth. Philadelphia made things interesting late by cutting the deficit to one run heading into the ninth, but Pittsburgh added three insurance runs to put the game away.
The Phillies answered Tuesday by taking an early 2-0 lead in the second inning while National League Cy Young contender Cristopher SĆ”nchez dominated the Pirates’ lineup. The left-hander tossed seven strong innings, allowing just three hits while striking out nine to lower his season ERA to 2.00. Philadelphia added three runs in both the seventh and eighth innings to even the series.
Two of the best starting pitchers in baseball are set to square off Wednesday night. Veteran right-hander Zack Wheeler, who owns an 8-1 record and a 2.03 ERA, is scheduled to make his 13th start of the season for the Phillies, while reigning NL Cy Young Award winner Paul Skenes gets the ball for Pittsburgh. The two aces also met on May 17, when the Phillies won 6-0. Skenes allowed five earned runs across five innings, while Wheeler fired seven scoreless innings with eight strikeouts.
Pirates vs. Phillies Current Odds
Hard Rock Bet Sportsbook lists the Phillies as home favorites as they look to take the series lead Wednesday night:
- Moneyline: Phillies -140, Pirates +120
- Run Line: Phillies -1.5 (+150), Pirates +1.5 (-180)
- Total (Runs): Over 8.5 (+105), Under 8.5 (-125)
Phillies vs. Pirates Predictions
It doesn’t get much better than Skenes vs. Wheeler. Both starters remain firmly in the 2026 NL Cy Young conversation as the All-Star break approaches, making this one of the marquee pitching matchups of the week. Check out Hard Rock Bet Sportsbook’s Stats Hub for baseball betting insights, trends, and picks like the one below:
Pirates vs. Phillies Best Bet: Bryce Harper Over 0.5 Home Runs
After what many considered a down season in 2025, Bryce Harper is once again playing like one of the best players in baseball. The two-time MVP hit .305 in June with seven home runs, 20 RBIs, and a .994 OPS.
Harper has already homered once in this series with a two-run shot in Monday’s opener and has gone deep in three of his last six games. Although it’s a small sample size, Harper is 2-for-6 against Skenes in his career and homered off him the last time they met in Pittsburgh earlier this season.
It’s expected to be a hot night in Philadelphia, which often helps the ball carry at the already hitter-friendly Citizens Bank Park. Don’t be surprised if Harper gets the better of Skenes again. The Pirates’ ace allowed three home runs across five starts in June and is coming off an outing in which he surrendered four earned runs in five innings against Cincinnati.
- Pirates vs. Phillies Player Prop Pick for July 1: Bryce Harper Over 0.5 Home Runs (+325)
Top 5 Most-Bet Player Props for PIT-PHI
Trea Turner is batting .345 over his last 13 games and enters Wednesday on a three-game hitting streak. He has recorded back-to-back two-hit performances with a home run in each game against Pittsburgh to open this series and has recorded at least one hit in all five meetings against the Pirates this season, including three multi-hit games. Turner’s hits prop is drawing the most attention heading into first pitch:
- Trea Turner – Hits Over 0.5
- Bryce Harper – Hits Over 0.5
- Bryce Harper – Home Runs Over 0.5
- Paul Skenes – To Record 6+ Strikeouts
- Kyle Schwarber – Home Runs Over 0.5
Phillies vs. Pirates Game Info
- š Where: Citizens Bank Park, Philadelphia, PA
- š Date: Wednesday, July 1
- ā° First Pitch: 6:40 PM ET
- šŗš» TV/Streaming: MLB.TV
- ā¾ Probable Pitchers:
- Pirates: Paul Skenes
- Phillies: Zack Wheeler
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Referenced odds are subject to change.
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