Paul Skenes to face Bryce Harper: All you need to know about the Pirates vs Phillies rivalry weekend matchup
The Pirates look to bounce back after two straight losses to the Phillies this MLB Rivalry Weekend. Two of the biggest prospects in recent history will face off for the first time.
Bryce Harper is coming off a milestone game in the 8-4 victory against the Pirates in which he reached 1,000 RBIs in his career. One of baseball’s most popular hitters will take on the game’s hottest pitcher in Paul Skenes. The Phillies will be trying to get past the news that reliever Jose Alvarado has been given an 80-game suspension for violating the league’s drug policy.
Paul Skenes is hoping to get his Pirates back on to winning ways. The RHP comes into the game with a 2.63 ERA and 3 wins and 4 losses this season. Skenes will face Mick Abel, who gets his first start of the season. The Pirates are still trying to figure things out this season after a rough start and dealing with a new coach after manager Derek Shelton was fired on May 8 after 38 games. The Pirates are 15-31 and playing the 27-18 Phillies at Citizens Bank Park will be a challenge.
Game 3 in Philly.
— Pittsburgh Pirates (@Pirates) May 18, 2025
📺 @SNPittsburgh
📻 @937theFan | The PRN
Presented by @bet365_us pic.twitter.com/L1jg6XtFYt
The Phillies have been playing great and Trea Turner is raking, hitting .359 since April 25. Teammate Bryce Harper is hitting great as well and has a .780 OPS this season and now has Kyle Schwarber hitting behind him, forcing pitchers to offer up some more strikes to Harper.
The Pirates will need to produce some runs to give Skenes his fourth win of the season and will rely heavily on their top hitters. Oneil Cruz leads the team so far this season with eight home runs. Joey Bart has the best BA at .270 and Ryan Reynolds will need to add to his RBI tally, with 22 so far this season.
Great day for some baseball#RingTheBell pic.twitter.com/ZTP5FCyISr
— Philadelphia Phillies (@Phillies) May 18, 2025
The game time weather forecast is 74F and the action will get started at 7:35 p.m. at Citizens Bank Park.
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