Philadelphia Phillies vs Pittsburgh Pirates Picks and Predictions May 18th 2025

Mick Abel Debuts as Phillies Face Skenes, Pirates in Series Finale

Two of baseball’s brightest young pitching talents—one at the start of his journey and the other already carving out an ace reputation—go head-to-head Sunday as the Philadelphia Phillies host the Pittsburgh Pirates in the final game of a three-game weekend series.

Mick Abel, the Phillies’ 2020 first-round pick, will make his MLB debut opposite Paul Skenes, the Pirates’ 2023 first-overall selection and reigning NL Rookie of the Year.

Philadelphia has already claimed the first two games, and a win Sunday would give them a sweep and their 15th win in 20 games.

Mick Abel’s Moment: Phillies’ 2020 Pick Gets the Call

After years of development and some rocky patches in the minors, Mick Abel finally gets his shot in the big leagues.

The 23-year-old has impressed in 2024, going 5-2 with a 2.53 ERA in eight starts for Triple-A Lehigh Valley. He’s done it by controlling walks, generating strikeouts, and attacking hitters with his fastball-slider combo.

“I’m expecting all the nerves in the world,” Abel said. “But it’s still baseball. Getting to debut in Philly, that’s special.”

The Phillies are being cautious with their top pitching prospect. He’ll make just one start before being optioned back, with Taijuan Walker set to replace injured ace Aaron Nola next week.

Manager Rob Thomson kept the message simple: “Go out there, be yourself, enjoy the moment.”

Want to bet on Abel’s strikeouts or walk totals? Explore odds on our MLB Odds Page.

Paul Skenes: Already Living Up to the Hype

On the other side, Paul Skenes (3-4, 2.63 ERA) continues to perform like the ace Pittsburgh hoped he’d be.

In his last outing, he pitched six strong innings against the Mets, allowing just one run and fanning six.

Skenes, who turns 23 later this month, has a fastball that reaches triple digits, plus a devastating splitter-slider mix. He’s already struck out 56 batters in 41 innings and is limiting opponents to a .216 average.

“I executed when I needed to,” Skenes said after his last start. “That’s what matters most.”

Skenes will face the Phillies for the first time, and the matchup offers a good barometer of how he handles elite lineups.

Phillies Are Rolling Behind Balanced Lineup, Elite Arms

Philadelphia enters Sunday with wins in 14 of its last 19 games, and the team’s rotation and bullpen have led the way.

In Saturday’s 5-2 win, ace Zack Wheeler threw six scoreless innings, while the offense chipped away with a 10-hit attack.

• Bryson Stott: 3 RBIs, including a two-run homer
• Kyle Schwarber & Bryce Harper: each with RBI singles
• Team: 7-for-15 with runners in scoring position over last two games

Manager Rob Thomson praised the club’s approach: “I liked our offensive approach. We went the other way a lot. It’s a sign we’re locked in.”

For the latest Phillies team trends, check out our MLB Picks Page.

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Pirates Seek Offensive Spark, End Losing Skid

Pittsburgh (22-26) has now lost four of its last six games and is looking for answers offensively. They’ve been held to six runs in the series and have just one multi-hit inning across the two games.

Outfielder Bryan Reynolds, who entered Saturday hitting .044 in May, broke out with a two-hit night and a ninth-inning homer.

“I had the off-day, tried to reset, worked on some stuff,” Reynolds said. “Glad to see it show up.”

With young talent like Oneil Cruz, Nick Gonzales, and Henry Davis, the Pirates hope the lineup can catch up to their rotation, which features breakout arms like Skenes and Jared Jones.

Key Stats and Trends

• Mick Abel (AAA): 5-2, 2.53 ERA, 49 K in 42.2 IP
• Paul Skenes: 3-4, 2.63 ERA, 56 K, 1.10 WHIP
• Phillies: 14 wins in last 19 games
• Pirates: 2-4 in last six, averaging 3.5 runs per game in May
• Bryson Stott: Batting .296 with RISP in May
• Reynolds: 2 hits Saturday after 2-for-45 slump
• Phillies bullpen: 2.83 ERA in last 10 games

FAQs

Who is Mick Abel?
He’s the Phillies’ 2020 first-round pick and a top pitching prospect. He’s making his MLB debut Sunday.

Why is Abel only making one start?
He’s filling in for Aaron Nola, who is sidelined. Taijuan Walker will return to the rotation next week.

Is Paul Skenes really that good?
Yes. He’s considered a generational pitching talent and is already producing ace-level numbers for Pittsburgh.

What’s the series record so far?
Philadelphia has won the first two games: 8-4 (Friday), 5-2 (Saturday).

How can I bet on this game?
You can view player props, strikeout totals, and win projections on our MLB Odds Page.