Philadelphia Phillies vs Pittsburgh Pirates Prediction, Odds and Picks for Today, 05/17/26

The final game of the Pennsylvania rivalry series between the Philadelphia Phillies and the Pittsburgh Pirates ends with a perfect pitching matchup, as Zack Wheeler takes the mound for the Phillies against Paul Skenes. Both pitchers are in the middle of some great seasons, but Skenes hopes to savor a win for his Pittsburgh teammates after they dropped the first two games of the series.

Wheeler finally made his season debut at the end of April after rehabbing from shoulder surgery, and he hasn’t disappointed through his first four starts with a 2.55 ERA. Cristopher Sanchez dominated the Pirates on Saturday with a complete game shutout and 13 strikeouts, and while Wheeler presents a bit of an easier test, the Pirates’ bats may not get a chance to heat up.

Skenes is coming off two consecutive outings with similar lines, going eight scoreless innings while allowing just two hits. The righty flamethrower has 17 strikeouts over those 16 innings, and the stats barely do justice to how dominant he has looked.

Wheeler has been ramping it up every start for the Phillies after his rehab, and managed to go 7.1 innings, which should quiet any fears that Philadelphia would need to go to the bullpen early if he cruises along. In fear of being on the wrong end of an elite pitching duel, the under is the play in this game.

Phillies vs Pirates prediction: Under 7 (+100) available at time of publishing. Playable to that number.