Pirates vs Phillies Picks and Prediction – 5/16/2025

In Friday night MLB action, the Pittsburgh Pirates will travel to Citizens Bank Park to take on the Philadelphia Phillies. Be ready for the baseball season with all of our MLB predictions. The Pirates (15-29) have dropped 16 of their first 22 road games and are struck in the NL Central Division basement. On Wednesday, five Pittsburgh pitchers combined on a six-hit shutout during a 4-0 road victory against New York. 

Thirty-three year old southpaw Andrew Heaney (2-3 3.15 ERA) will head to the hill for the Pirates in this contest. Pittsburgh has dropped Heaney’s last three starts and he has given up ten runs across his last 14 plus frames. 

The Philadelphia Phillies have won 14 of their first 22 home games and trail NL East Division leading New York by 2.5 games. On Wednesday, Philadelphia SP Jesus Luzardo (4-0) tossed seven innings of one-run baseball to lead Philadelphia to a 2-1 home victory versus St. Louis. In the nightcap, DH Kyle Schwarber clubbed his 15th long ball of the year during a 14-7 loss. 

Philadelphia manager Rob Thomson will turn to talented lefty Ranger Suarez (1-0 5.91 ERA) on Friday. Last time out, Suarez fired seven shutout frames and fanned five batters during a 7-1 road victory against Cleveland. 

Pittsburgh OF Oneil Cruz (back) was absent from the starting lineup on Wednesday and is listed as day-to-day. Through 44 games, Pittsburgh ranks 29th in OPS and 30th in runs scored. For the season, Philadelphia ranks 10th in OPS and 10th in runs scored. Take the Pirates to win on the road. Final Score Prediction, Pittsburgh Pirates win 5-4.