Philadelphia Phillies vs Pittsburgh Pirates Picks and Prediction for Saturday, May 16, 2026
Use Code WWWC It’s a rivalry clash in Pennsylvania on Saturday, May 16. Read our Philadelphia Phillies vs Pittsburgh Pirates prediction along with our other Free MLB Picks on the night. The Phillies are in third-place in the National League East, but they have won five straight series. The Pirates are shining in the NL Central, but the divison has become one of the toughest in the sport so far. Philadelphia will start lefty Cristopher Sanchez, while Bubba Chandler starts for the Pirates. These two teams will meet with first pitch set for 4:05 P.M. EST.
Philadelphia playing well since beginning of May
Philadelphia is in third-place in the National League East. They are below .500 entering this series against the Pirates. The Phillies are also under .500 when playing on the road. The Phillies are rounding into some great form winning five straight series over Boston, Colorado, Athletics, Miami and San Francisco.
On Saturday, Cristopher Sanchez starts for the Phillies. The left-handed pitcher is 4-2 with a 2.11 ERA in nine starts this season. Sanchez tossed seven innings against the Rockies in a 6-0 win on May 10. Sanchez allowed just six hits and zero runs, while striking out seven batters. In two starts, Sanchez has a 6.97 ERA when playing on the road. He also has a 2.83 ERA when playing fellow National League clubs.
The Phillies are hitting .233 this season, which ranks 23rd in the league. They have scored the fifth-fewest runs, while they have hit the 10th most home runs. Philadelphia is hitting .254 on the road this season. They are hitting .246 in the month of May. Philadelphia is also hitting . 235 against National League clubs.
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Pirates competing in ultra competitive NL Central
Pittsburgh is having a strong start to the season, but the National League Central division has emerged as one of the toughest in the sport this season. Entering Friday's game, the Pirates were 24-20 and were in fourth-place, four games back of Chicago for the top spot. The Pirates are above .500 at home this season, too.
Bubba Chandler gets the nod for the Pirates on Saturday. The right-handed pitcher 1-4 with a 4.62 ERA in eight starts this season. Chandler threw five innings and allowed two runs in a 7-6 loss to the Giants on May 10. The Pirates are 2-6 when Chandler has pitched this season. He has a 4.11 ERA when pitching at home this year, too.
The Pirates are hitting .250 this season, which ranks sixth-best in the league. They have scored the fourth-most runs and they have the fourth-most hits. The Pirates rank 15th in home runs hit and have the sixth-most stolen bases. Pittsburgh is hitting .282 when playing at home. They also own a .262 batting average this month.
Philadelphia Phillies vs Pittsburgh Pirates Picks
Phillies vs Pirates Spread Pick
- Take the Phillies to cover (5 units)
The Pirates are starting Bubba Chandler and they have struggled to back their pitcher this season. Pittsburgh is 2-6 when Chandler has started, as he has a 4.62 ERA this season. The Phillies are in fine form at the moment defeating opponent after opponent in May. The Phillies offense is hitting .246 this month and they rank 10th in home runs hit. The Phillies are also starting Cristopher Sanchez, who has a 2.83 ERA against fellow National League clubs.
Take the Phillies to cover.
Phillies vs Pirates Over/Under Pick
- Take the over (5 units)
The Pirates have one of the best offenses at home this season. They are hitting .262 in May and .282 in their ballpark. Pittsburgh ranks sixth in batting average and they have scored the fourth-most runs. Pittsburgh's offense will crush in this game and so will the Phillies, who are going against a starting pitcher with a 4.11 ERA at home.
Take the over on Saturday.
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