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The Philadelphia Phillies are coming off an unexpected loss as they dropped Game 1 against the Pittsburgh Pirates on Friday. Despite having the odds in their favor, the Phils' bullpen suffered defeat as the Pirates walked it off to an 8-7 victory.
Philadelphia squandered its lead, while Jose Alvarado failed to secure the win. The Phils put up a good show offensively, but the Pirates fought back hard. On Saturday, Cristopher Sanchez will get on the mound for the team in hopes of rebounding from its last defeat. Sanchez has a decent 2.96 ERA with a 7-4 record.
The Pirates have finally crossed the .500 mark but are still stuck at third in the NL Central. Their offense surprised the Phils as they opened up towards the end. Nick Gonzales was the player of the game, while Carmen Mlodzinski got the save for the team.
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Luis L. Ortiz will be delivered to the mound to pick up some strikeouts for Pittsburgh in Game 2. Ortiz has been decent, with a 4-2 record and a 2.84 ERA. The Pirates will need to repeat their offensive success if they want to win Game 2. Ortiz will need that extra support from the plate.
Phillies vs. Pirates Baseball Betting Odds
Where to watch the Phillies vs. Pirates?
Game 2 will be telecast on SportsNet-PIT and NBCSP. The online stream can be caught on Fubo TV and MLB TV. The first pitch is scheduled to take place at 6:40 p.m. EDT.
Phillies vs. Pirates Prediction
The Phils will not repeat their mistakes once again, as they are keen on rebounding. They have one of the best offensive players on their roster and a solid pitching staff to support them. However, the bullpen seems to be lagging behind a little.
With the MLB trade deadline approaching, Philadelphia is expected to make a deal or two to help bolster its rotation. The Phils are one of the favorites to win the World Series this year. As for the Pirates, getting past the St. Louis Cardinals and the Milwaukee Brewers is going to be a hassle.
With Sanchez on the mound, the Phils are predicted to win Game 2. Ortiz will not be able to sustain against the opponent's dominant offense.
Prediction: Philadelphia Phillies -1.5 (-165)
