Phillies at Pirates 7/21/19 - MLB Picks & Predictions

The Philadelphia Phillies conclude a three-game series on the road Sunday with the Pittsburgh Pirates. Philadelphia defeated the Pirates in the first game of the series on Friday 6-1 for its third win in the last four. Bryce Harper’s RBI single in the seventh put the Phillies ahead to stay. Philadelphia had 15 hits in the win and won two straight for the first time since July 2.

Richard Rodriguez suffered the loss and fell to 3-4. Jordan Lyles, the Pirates starter, struck out seven Phillies over 5 2/3 innings and gave up just one run, but did not receive any run support from Pirates hitters. With the loss, the Pirates fell 7 ½ games behind first place Chicago in the National League Central. Cesar Hernandez leads the Phillies with a .281 batting average. Rhys Hoskins leads in home runs with 20, while Bryce Harper leads in RBIs with 70. Philadelphia is averaging .244 at the plate, while opposing hitters are averaging .266. On Sunday, the Phillies will send Vince Velasquez to the mound. The right-hander is 2-5 with an ERA of 4.87, 70 Ks and 24 BBs.

Josh Bell is leading Pittsburgh with a .291 batting average, in hits with 105, home runs with 27 and RBIs with 84. Pittsburgh is averaging .269 at the plate while opponents are averaging .263. On Sunday, the Pirates will send Joe Musgrove to the mound. The right-hander is 6-8 with an ERA of 4.31, 90 Ks and 26 BBs.