Pittsburgh Pirates vs Philadelphia Phillies Picks and Predictions June 8th 2025

Pittsburgh Pirates vs Philadelphia Phillies MLB Sun, Jun 8, 12:35 pm.
Pittsburgh Pirates
ML: -118
2
1
Philadelphia Phillies
ML: -110
Last Updated on

The Philadelphia Phillies travel to PNC Park to take on the Pittsburgh Pirates. The game is set for Sunday, June 8, 2025, at 1:35 PM. Fans can catch the action on MLBN during this afternoon game.

The Phillies hold a 37-27 record this season, standing 3 games back in the NL East. Cristopher Sánchez will start for them with an ERA of 3.15. The Pirates have a 25-40 record and are 15 games back in the NL Central. Paul Skenes, with an ERA of 2.05, will take the mound for the home team.

Phillies vs Pirates Key Information

  • Sport: Baseball
  • Teams: Philadelphia Phillies vs. Pittsburgh Pirates
  • Venue: PNC Park in Pittsburgh, PA
  • Date: Sunday, June 8, 2025
  • Betting Odds: Pirates MoneyLine -114, Phillies MoneyLine -105

The Phillies Can Win If…

The Philadelphia Phillies recently played against the Pittsburgh Pirates and lost 1-2. Ranger Suárez pitched well, going seven innings with five hits and two earned runs. Kyle Schwarber hit a solo home run, providing the Phillies’ only run.

Despite recent losses, the Phillies have strong hitting stats this season. They rank 6th in batting average at .254 and 5th in on-base percentage at .330. Their lineup includes power hitters like Kyle Schwarber, who has 19 home runs, ranking 4th in the league.

Philadelphia Phillies player making contact with the baseball during an at-bat

On the mound, Cristopher Sánchez gives the Phillies a solid chance to win. He holds a 3.15 ERA with a 5-1 win-loss record. His ability to limit runs and keep the game close is key for the Phillies’ success.


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The Pirates Can Win If…

The Pittsburgh Pirates are riding high after their recent win against the Philadelphia Phillies. They secured a 2-1 victory, with Andrew Heaney delivering a strong performance on the mound. Henry Davis shined at the plate, hitting a home run and driving in a run, which was crucial for the Pirates’ win.

The Pirates’ pitching has been a strong point this season, with a team ERA of 3.94, ranking them 16th in the league. Paul Skenes, who will start the next game, has been impressive with a 2.05 ERA and a WHIP of 0.88. Their pitching staff has also been effective in limiting home runs, ranking 4th in the league for fewest allowed.

Pittsburgh Pirates player scoring a run and celebrating with a coach during an MLB game

On offense, Isiah Kiner-Falefa leads the team with a .303 batting average. The Pirates excel in stealing bases, ranking 3rd in the league with 61 stolen bases. With a solid defense and strategic base running, the Pirates have the tools to secure another win against the Phillies.

The Lean

The Pirates are slight favorites with a moneyline of -114 against the Phillies at -105. The Phillies have a better batting average and on-base percentage, while the Pirates have a stronger pitching staff with a lower ERA. Given these factors, the recommendation is to pick the Pirates to win straight up. The model projects the Pirates to win 4-3.

The over/under line is set at 7.0 runs. The Phillies’ offense ranks higher in several categories, but both teams have solid pitching. The model projects a total score of 7 runs, which matches the line. Therefore, the recommendation is to avoid betting on the total, as it is too close to call confidently.

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Pirates Eye First 2025 Sweep as Skenes Takes Mound vs. Phillies

The Pittsburgh Pirates haven’t swept a series all season — but they’ll have a golden opportunity to change that Sunday when they host the Philadelphia Phillies in the finale of a three-game set at PNC Park.

With three wins in their last four games and Paul Skenes on the mound, Pittsburgh is poised to keep rolling. Meanwhile, Philadelphia is looking to avoid its worst stretch of the season amid key injuries and a sputtering offense.


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Skenes Locked In, Pirates Searching for Run Support

Paul Skenes (4-6, 2.05 ERA) has been brilliant lately, allowing no more than one earned run in each of his last five starts. But Pittsburgh’s offense has struggled to back him, winning just two of those outings.

Skenes was dominant again Tuesday against Houston, giving up just one run over eight innings — yet still took a loss in a 3-0 game.

“It just goes back to controlling what we can control. It is what it is,” Skenes said of the lack of run support.

He’ll face Philadelphia for the second time this season. In their May 18 matchup, Skenes threw an eight-inning gem, allowing just one run while striking out nine.

Now he’ll try to help the Pirates secure their first sweep of 2025.

Phillies Fighting Through Rough Stretch

Philadelphia is in danger of matching its season-worst five-game losing streak. The Phillies have dropped eight of their last nine, and they’re dealing with a major blow: Bryce Harper was placed on the IL Saturday with wrist inflammation.

“It’s been long enough to where it’s gotten to the point where I can’t really function on a baseball field or hit a baseball,” Harper said.

The Phillies are hopeful this move will shorten Harper’s recovery timeline. But in the short term, their lineup has taken a big hit.

Otto Kemp made his MLB debut Saturday at third base, while Alec Bohm shifted to first in Harper’s absence.

Sanchez Looks to Slow Pirates

The Phillies will counter with Christopher Sanchez (5-1, 3.15 ERA), who’s coming off a strong six-inning effort against Toronto. He hasn’t faced Pittsburgh this season, but owns a 1.45 ERA in four career appearances against the Pirates.

Both teams are hungry: the Pirates seeking a sweep, and the Phillies desperate to avoid a season-high losing skid. With Skenes and Sanchez both in strong form, this matchup offers plenty of angles for those following MLB Picks and Baseball Predictions.


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spread
moneyline
over/under
Pittsburgh Pirates
-
-
-118
O 6.5
-137
Philadelphia Phillies
-
-
-110
U 6.5
110
Mike Williams
Mike Williams | Handicapper

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Mike uses his strong sports knowledge to analyze all the angles to find the most profitable wagers. Iron Mike handicaps MLB, college football, NFL, NBA, and NCAA basketball. I'm an actual sports and gambling junkie!

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