The Pittsburgh Pirates host the Philadelphia Phillies on June 8, 2025. First pitch from PNC Park is scheduled for 1:35 p.m. ET; the game will be broadcast on MLB Network.
Find my MLB betting preview and Phillies vs Pirates prediction below, as well as probable pitchers, betting trends, injury reports, and more.
My Phillies vs Pirates Prediction
- Phillies vs Pirates pick: Under 7 -125 | Play to 6.5
My Phillies vs Pirates best bet is under 7. Make sure to find the best odds by checking our live MLB odds page.
Phillies vs Pirates Odds
| Phillies Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
-1.5 +171 | 6.5 -121 / -101 | -105 |
| Pirates Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
+1.5 -208 | 6.5 -121 / -101 | -115 |
Phillies vs Pirates Projected Starting Pitchers
| LHP Cristopher Sanchez (PHI) | Stat | RHP Paul Skenes (PIT) |
|---|---|---|
| 5-1 | W-L | 4-6 |
| 1.1 | fWAR (FanGraphs) | 2.5 |
| 3.15/3.39 | ERA /xERA | 2.05/2.39 |
| 3.57/3.13 | FIP / xFIP | 2.56/3.03 |
| 1.31 | WHIP | 0.88 |
| 17.1 | K-BB% | 20.6 |
| 56.3 | GB% | 49.1 |
| 113 | Stuff+ | 109 |
| 93 | Location+ | 110 |
Doug Ziefel’s Phillies vs Pirates Preview
Philadelphia Phillies Betting Preview
The Phillies come into this series finale in desperate need of salvaging a game. They've lost four straight and have been outscored 18 to 7 during their most recent losing streak.
It's clear their lineup has gone cold, and this afternoon's matchup does not make getting back on track easy, as they'll have to contend with Paul Skenes. The Pirates' phenom has quickly asserted himself as one of the best pitchers in baseball and is showing no signs of slowing down.
Skenes enters this start with a 2.05 ERA and a 0.88 WHIP on the season. He has proven to be the complete package on the mound, and I expect him to efficiently navigate this Phillies lineup that is cold and missing their biggest bat in Bryce Harper.
With two of the Pirates' high-leverage arms having thrown two consecutive days, I'm expecting Skenes to be given a longer leash here, which will only shrink the Phillies' window to generate offense in this matchup.
Pittsburgh Pirates Betting Preview
While Paul Skenes certainly headlines this matchup, the Phillies get to send Cristopher Sanchez to the mound, and he has the potential to give the Pirates' lineup just as many fits as Skenes will with the Phillies.
The Pirates have been one of the worst teams against left-handed pitching this season. They rank 28th in wRC+ and strikeout rate.
Meanwhile, Sanchez has done nothing but pump out quality starts this year, having recorded a quality start in half his outings and allowing more than three earned runs just once.
After Sanchez, the Phillies' bullpen is a concern, but they come into this game after essentially an off day. Ranger Suarez ate up seven innings and then Taijuan Walker threw the eighth, so all of the Phillies' high-leverage arms are good to go this afternoon.
The outlook for the Pirates' lineup is bleak in this matchup.
Phillies vs Pirates Prediction, Betting Analysis
This matchup has all the makings of a pitcher's duel, and it should live up to the hype. Both starters are rolling, and the lineups they're facing are trending downward.
Take the under here to enjoy the work of Skenes and Sanchez this afternoon.
Pick: Under 7
Moneyline
I have no play on the moneyline.
Run Line (Spread)
I have no play on the run line.
Over/Under
I am taking the under.
