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It’s the 14-24 Philadelphia Phillies versus the 18-23 Pittsburgh Pirates in the first game of a three-game set at PNC Park in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania tonight. The first pitch at PNC Park is scheduled for 7:05 PM ET. The betting lines list the hometown Pirates as a smallish -118 favorite on the money line with the O/U line on the board at majority of sportsbooks at 8.5 runs.
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In their last game the Phillies lost to the Texas Rangers 8-4. In the game the Phillies scored four runs on eight hits and the Rangers scored eight runs on nine hits. The Phillies were in the game until they gave up five runs in the 5th inning.
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In their last game the Pirates beat the Washington Nationals 10-4. In the game the Pirates scored 10 runs on 13 hits and the Nationals scored four runs on six hits. Pittsburgh’s Adam Frazier had a HR and a career high four RBI in the game.
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This season the Phillies rank 20th in the Majors in runs scored and 29th in team ERA.
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The Pirates rank 27th in the Majors in runs scored and 13th in team ERA.
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<h2>
Pitching Match Up<br />
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Philadelphia: Jeremy Hellickson (4-1, 3.71 ERA)<br />
Pittsburgh: Trevor Williams (2-2, 6.41 ERA)
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<p>
Jeremy Hellickson takes the hill for the Phillies tonight and in his last start he gave up three earned runs in five innings in a 4-3 win over the Washington Nationals. Philadelphia has won seven of his eight starts this season, including his last two where he has given up three earned runs in each game. Last season Hellickson faced the Pirates once where he got the win going six innings and only giving up one earned run. The Phillies have won five of Hellickson’s last six starts in the first game of a series.
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Trevor Williams gets the starting nod for the Pirates and he was sharp in his last start where he gave up one earned run in five innings in a 4-3 win over the Arizona Diamondbacks. It was just a tad better than his last start, which was his first of the season since coming out of the bullpen, where he was lit up for six earned runs in only three innings in a 12-1 loss to the L.A. Dodgers. This game will be Williams’ first career start against the Phillies.
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<h2>
Betting Angles<br />
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The Pirates are 16-5 in their last 21 games against the Phillies.
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The Pirates are 19-7 in their last 26 home games against the Phillies.
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This season the Pirates are 10-8 at home and the Phillies are 6-16 on the road.
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<h2>
Straight Up / Over/Under / Run Line Records<br />
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Philadelphia Phillies: 14-24 SU / O/U 23-15 / Run Line W/L 20-18<br />
Pittsburgh Pirates: 18-23 SU / O/U 18-21 / Run Line W/L 21-20
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<h2>
Philadelphia at Pittsburgh Key Betting Trends<br />
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PHIL is 3-15 in their last 18 overall
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PHIL is 0-4 in their last 4 vs. a team with a losing record
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PHIL has an Over record of 7-2 in their last 9 games
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PITT is 4-1 in their last 5 overall
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PITT is 5-2 in their last 7 home games
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PITT has an Under record of 7-2-1 in their last 10 games vs. a right-handed starter.
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<h2>
Key Player Injuries<br />
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<b>PHILLIES</b><br />
[P] 05/09/2017 - Jeanmar Gomez 10-day DL (5/6) ( Elbow )<br />
[LF] 04/19/2017 - Howie Kendrick 10-day DL (4/16) ( Abdominal )<br />
[P] 04/24/2017 - Aaron Nola 10-day DL (4/21) ( Back )<br />
[P] 04/23/2017 - Clay Buchholz 60-day DL (4/22) ( Forearm )
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<b>PIRATES</b><br />
[P] 04/26/2017 - Antonio Bastardo 10-day DL (4/25) ( Quad )<br />
[CF] 04/18/2017 - Starling Marte 80-game suspension ( Suspension )<br />
[P] 05/06/2017 - Jameson Taillon 10-day DL (5/4) ( Groin )<br />
[RF] 05/17/2017 - Gregory Polanco 10-day DL (5/15) ( Hamstring )
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