5-16-2025 – By Michael Castrignano – @412DoublePlay on X
While most fans of the team don’t feel there is much of a rivalry between the two Keystone state squads, it’ll be an east-versus-west weekend between the Battlin’ Bucs and the Phightin’ Phils in the City of Brotherly Love.
The Pirates face an NL East team for the third straight series after a 3-3 combined performance against the Braves and Mets. The Phillies are looking to bounce back after dropping 2 of 3 to the St. Louis Cardinals as they attempt to claw back some games in their divisional race.
5/16
Pirates: Andrew Heaney (L) 2-3, 45.2 IP, 3.15 ERA, 36 Ks/16 walks, 1.12 WHIP
Phillies: Ranger Suarez (L) 1-0, 10.2 IP, 5.91 ERA, 11 Ks/3 walks, 1.22 WHIP
5/17
Pirates: Carmen Mlodzinski 1-3, 36.1 IP, 5.21 ERA, 26 Ks/11 walks, 1.54 WHIP
Phillies: Zack Wheeler 4-1, 58 IP, 2.95 ERA, 74 Ks/11 walks, 0.91 WHIP
5/18
Pirates: Paul Skenes 2-4, 54.2 IP, 2.63 ERA, 53 Ks/15 walks, 1.01 WHIP
Phillies: Mick Abel (AAA) 5-2, 46.1 IP, 2.53 ERA, 51 Ks/19 walks, 1.21 WHIP
Pirates: Andrew Canario – Since getting regular playing time over the offense-deficient Tommy Pham, Canario has been on a tear as he’s posted an .826 OPS through 10 games played this month and finally getting the results we all hoped he would when he was claimed off waivers last month.
Honorable mention to Jared Triolo, who has started using the Torpedo bat and has the 16th highest average exit velocity among qualified hitters this month (94.4) and has cracked two doubles and two home runs over the last week.
Phillies: Alec Bohm – After a freezing cold start to the season, Bohm has started to catch fire at the plate as he has 7 hits in his last 16 at-bats with a 1.214 OPS in the past week of games
Pirates: Bryan Reynolds – This is arguably the coldest cold spell Reynolds has experienced in his professional career. The 30-year old veteran outfielder is riding a 23 at-bat hitless streak and has just 2 hits in his last 48 plate appearances.
Phillies: Bryson Stott – He’s never been a hit-for-power type of bat but the average has also taken a significant dip for the Phillies second baseman as of late. Stott has just 3 hits in his last 21 at-bats (all singles) and has a 35 wRC+ this month.
Pirates: Endy Rodriguez, Nick Gonzales, Enmanuel Valdez, Dauri Moreta, Johan Oviedo, Jared Jones, Justin Lawrence, Tim Mayza
Phillies: José Ruiz, Aaron Nola
Notes
- Spencer Horwitz is being activated ahead of the series starting and will make his Pirates debut after 13 games rehabbing between Altoona and Indianapolis. He had 6 hits in his last 13 at-bats with Indy, including a double and a home run.
- Zack Wheeler is 13 strikeouts away from tying Brett Myers for 10th place (986) on the Phillies franchise leaderboard. Wheeler hasn’t recorded that many Ks in a game since May 29, 2021 (14) so it’s unlikely to happen but still possible.
- Former first round pitching prospect Mick Abel will make his MLB debut this weekend for the Phillies
- The Pirates have not scored more than 4 runs in a franchise-record 20 games. The offense has been looking markedly better recently but until they get production from the big bats, this sub-5 run total is going to hang over the team’s heads.
Steel City Pirates 