Pirates vs Phillies Picks and Prediction – 5/18/2025

Citizens Bank Park will play host to a Sunday afternoon MLB clash between the Pittsburgh Pirates and the Philadelphia Phillies. Be ready for the baseball season with all of our MLB predictions. The Pirates (15-31) have dropped 18 of their first 24 road games and are trapped in the NL Central Division cellar. Last night, Bryan Reynolds’ two-run blast in the ninth inning was all the offense Pittsburgh could generate during a 5-2 road loss against Philadelphia. 

NL Rookie of the Year Paul Skenes (3-4 2.63 ERA) will take the mound for the Pirates in this matchup. Pittsburgh has lost Skenes’ previous three starts and he has given up six runs over his last 17 innings. 

The Philadelphia Phillies have won seven of their last ten games and trail NL East Division leading New York by 1.5 games. During Saturday’s home victory, leadoff hitter Bryson Stott went 2-for-3 with a home run and 3 RBIs to power the Philadelphia offense. SP Zack Wheeler (5-1) tossed six scoreless innings to earn the win for the Phillies (27-18), who improved to 16-8 at home. 

Rookie right-hander Mick Abel will make his first career major league start for the Phillies. In eight starts with Triple-A Lehigh Valley this season, Abel posted a 2.53 ERA while striking out 51 batters across 46 plus frames. 

Philadelphia SP Aaron Nola has landed on the 15-day injured list with a right ankle sprain. Through 46 games, Pittsburgh ranks 29th in OPS and 29th in runs scored. For the season, Philadelphia ranks 9th in OPS and 10th in runs scored. Take the under. Final Score Prediction, Pittsburgh Pirates win 4-3.