Where: PNC Park in Pittsburgh, Friday through Sunday.
Pitching matchups and start times: RHP Aaron Nola (11-4, 3.38) vs. LHP Martin Perez (1-5, 5.15) on
Friday, RHP Cristopher Sanchez (7-4, 2.96) vs. RHP Luis L. Ortiz (4-2, 2.84)
on Saturday, and Tyler Phillips (1-0, 4.50) vs. LHP Marco Gonzales (1-0, 2.45) on Sunday.
Series: The two teams split a four-game series at Citizens Bank Park in April. Overall, the Pirates have a 1,228-1,084 advantage.
Pirates Update (48-48): Friday starter Martin Perez has a 7.56 ERA over his last seven starts. The Pirates won seven of 10 heading into the All-Star break and sit 1 1/2 games off the pace for the final NL Wild Card berth. The club is just 22-24 at home though and is six-games below .500 when playing teams with a .500 record or better. Outfielder Bryan Reynolds leads the club at the plate with 18 homers and a 134 OPS+.
Phillies Update (61-32): The
Phillies were walloped on Sunday by the Athletics and are just two games over .500 in their last 30 games. Aaron Nola has tossed at least six innings and collected at least eight strikeouts in each of his last three appearances. Zach Wheeler and Ranger Suarez are both battling minor back issues, so the duo won't pitch in this series. Both are expected to throw bullpen sessions this weekend in Pittsburgh. Taijuan Walker is also expected to throw a bullpen session this weekend before potentially embarking on a rehab assignment next week.
Injuries: Pirates -- LHP Bailey Falter (arm), RHP Daulton Jefferies (elbow), RHP Jared Jones (lat), RHP Hunter Stratton (shoulder), LHP Ryan Borucki (triceps), RHP Dauri Moreta (elbow), C Endy Rodriguez (elbow), and RHP Johan Oviedo (elbow) are on the injured list.
Phillies -- J.T. Realmuto
(knee), RHP Spencer Turnbull (shoulder), RHP Taijuan Walker (finger), RHP
Michael Rucker (hand), and RHP Dylan Covey (shoulder) are on the injured
list.
Next: The Phillies head to Minnesota to open a three-game set with the Twins on Monday.
