Philadelphia Phillies vs Pittsburgh Pirates Betting Pick & Prediction for 5/17

MLB game preview

The Philadelphia Phillies will visit the Pittsburgh Pirates at PNC Park on Sunday, May 17, 2026. The game is set to start at 1:35 PM. The Phillies are currently holding a record of 23-23 and are on a three-game win streak. They are ranked third in the NL East.

The Pirates come into this game with a 24-22 record. They are fifth in the NL Central and have lost their last two games. The starting pitchers are Zack Wheeler for the Phillies and Paul Skenes for the Pirates. The weather forecast predicts a warm day with scattered clouds.

Philadelphia Phillies Team Preview

The Philadelphia Phillies are coming off a string of strong performances. In their recent game on May 16th, they won 6-0 against the Pittsburgh Pirates. Cristopher Sánchez was the standout pitcher, throwing a complete game with 13 strikeouts.

In their previous game on May 15th, the Phillies edged out the Pirates 11-9. Kyle Schwarber led the offense with two home runs and five RBIs. Bryce Harper also contributed with four hits in five at-bats.

The Phillies have been consistent on the road. On May 14th, they secured a 3-1 victory over the Boston Red Sox. Jesús Luzardo pitched six innings without giving up any earned runs, helping the team to another win.

Phillies vs Pirates Game Day Info

  • Sport: MLB
  • Teams: Philadelphia Phillies vs. Pittsburgh Pirates
  • Venue: PNC Park in Pittsburgh, PA
  • Date: Sunday, May 17, 2026
  • Betting Odds: Phillies Moneyline +113, Pirates Moneyline -134, Phillies Runline +1.5 (-196), Pirates Runline -1.5 (+162), Total Over 7.0 (-118), Total Under 7.0 (-103)

Pittsburgh Pirates Team Preview

The Pittsburgh Pirates have had a mix of outcomes in their recent games. They recently lost to the Philadelphia Phillies, with a score of 6-0. In that game, Bubba Chandler pitched for three innings, allowing four earned runs and one home run.

In another game against the Phillies, the Pirates had a closer game but lost 11-9. Braxton Ashcraft started for the Pirates and pitched over six innings, giving up four earned runs. Brandon Lowe was a standout, hitting two home runs and driving in three runs.

The Pirates earned a win against the Colorado Rockies with a score of 7-2. Mason Montgomery pitched just one inning but kept the Rockies scoreless. Ryan O’Hearn hit a home run, contributing to the victory with two runs and two RBIs.

BTB Betting Pick

The Pirates are favored on the moneyline at -134, while the Phillies are at +113. The Pirates have a better batting average and on-base percentage, ranking 6th and 3rd respectively. Their pitching ERA is also better, ranking 9th. Given these stats, the recommendation is to pick the Pirates to win the game. The projected score is Pirates 4, Phillies 3.

The total for the game is set at 7.0 runs, with the over at -118 and the under at -103. Both teams have solid pitching, with the Pirates having a lower ERA and the Phillies leading in strikeouts. This suggests a lower-scoring game. The recommendation is to take the under, with a projected total of 7 runs.