Pirates vs Phillies Prediction 5/16/26 MLB Picks Today

In this article we will formulate a Pirates vs Phillies prediction for this MLB game on Saturday, May 16th at PNC Park in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Let’s take a look at the prediction for this MLB matchup. 

Pittsburgh Pirates Betting Preview

The Pittsburgh Pirates are 24-21 this year after they lost game one by a score of 11-9 on Friday night. Pittsburgh led 8-3 in the sixth inning and 8-5 in the ninth, but they blew the lead and got crushed in the 10th. The Pirates recorded 11 hits and they committed one error in the game, while they were led by Lowe, who went 2-5 with two home runs and three RBIs. Ashcraft allowed seven hits and four earned runs over 6.2 innings, while Soto blew the save and Santana got the loss. Prior to this series, Pittsburgh won two out of three against the Rockies, but lost two out of three against the Giants before that. 

This season, Pittsburgh has a 3.81 ERA with a 1.22 WHIP and a .225 opponent batting average, while they have scored 229 runs with a .251 batting average and a .337 on base percentage. Oneil Cruz has led the Pirates with 10 home runs and 32 RBIs, while Brandon Lowe has added 12 home runs and 31 RBIs. The projected starting pitcher for Pittsburgh is Bubba Chandler, who is 1-4 with a 4.62 ERA and a 1.46 WHIP over 39.0 innings pitched this year. 

Philadelphia Phillies Betting Preview

The Philadelphia Phillies are 22-23 this season after they won game one by a score of 11-9 in extra innings. Philadelphia trailed for most of the game, but they tied it in the ninth and they scored three runs in the 10th for the win. The Phillies recorded 14 hits and they committed two errors, while they were led by Schwarber, who went 3-5 with two home runs and five RBIs in the game. Nola allowed six hits and six earned runs over 3.2 innings, while Alvarado got the win and Kerkering got the save. Prior to this series, Philadelphia won two out of three against the Red Sox and two out of three against the Rockies. 

This season, Philadelphia has a 4.41 ERA with a 1.39 WHIP and a .268 opponent batting average, while they have scored 187 runs with a .235 batting average and a .301 on base percentage. Kyle Schwarber has led the Phillies with 20 home runs and 35 RBIs, while Bryce Harper has added 10 home runs and 26 RBIs. The projected starting pitcher for Philadelphia is Cristopher Sanchez, who is 4-2 with a 2.11 ERA and a 1.28 WHIP over 55.1 innings pitched this season. 

Why the Pittsburgh Pirates will win

• The Pirates have won each of their last 10 home games against NL East opponents following a loss.
• The Phillies have lost each of their last six games as road favorites against NL Central opponents.
• The Pirates have covered the run line in each of their last 10 home games against NL East opponents following a loss.
• The Phillies have failed to cover the run line in each of their last six games as road favorites against NL Central opponents.
• The Pirates have led after 3 innings in each of their last five games.
• The Phillies have trailed after 5 innings in each of their last six games against NL Central opponents.

Why the Philadelphia Phillies will win

• The Pirates have lost each of their last six games as home underdogs against National League opponents.
• The Phillies have won five of their last six games.
• The Pirates have failed to cover the run line in each of their last six games as home underdogs against National League opponents.
• The Phillies have covered the run line in five of their last six games against National League opponents.
• The Phillies have led after 3 innings in each of their last three games as favorites.
• The Phillies have led after 5 innings in five of their last six games as favorites against National League opponents.

Total Runs Facts

• Eight of the Pirates’ last nine home games after playing the previous day have gone OVER the total runs line.
• Seven of the Phillies’ last eight games against NL Central opponents have gone OVER the total runs line.
• The ‘Inning 1 UNDER 0.5 runs’ market has hit in each of Bubba Chandler’s last four home appearances as a starter.
• The ‘Inning 1 OVER 0.5 runs’ market has hit in six of the Phillies’ last seven games as favorites against National League opponents.

Pittsburgh Pirates Player Prop Facts

• Marcell Ozuna has hit a home run in three of his last four appearances in day games against NL East teams that held a losing record.
• Jared Triolo has recorded at least one hit in each of his last eight home appearances against NL opponents that held a losing record.
• Oneil Cruz ranks 3rd in the league in Steals (16) this season.

Philadelphia Phillies Player Prop Facts

• Kyle Schwarber has hit at least one home run in seven of the Phillies’ last eight games.
• Brandon Marsh has recorded at least one hit in each of the Phillies’ last 13 games as favorites.
• Kyle Schwarber ranks 1st in the league in Home Runs (20) this season.

Matchup/League Facts

• The Pirates rank T2nd in the league for home runs allowed this season (36).
• The Pirates rank 3rd in the league for RBIs this season (220).
• The Phillies rank 1st in the league for strikeouts this season (430).
• The Phillies rank 30th in the league for hits allowed this season (425).

Pirates vs Phillies Prediction 

Pittsburgh comes into this matchup after a terrible collapse on Friday night and they have allowed 7+ runs in three of their last five games. The Pirates are 13-11 at home this year, while the Phillies are 10-11 on the road. Philadelphia continues to play well in recent series and they have allowed one run or fewer in three of their last five games. The Phillies are starting Sanchez, who has allowed two earned runs in his last 21.2 innings, while Chandler has allowed two earned runs in each of his last two outings. Take the under in this contest.