Phillies at Pirates
The Philadelphia Phillies have won two in a row for the first time in nearly three weeks and will try to extend the run to three straight when they continue a three-game series at the Pittsburgh Pirates on Saturday. Nine different Phillies had at least one hit and the team amassed 15 overall in Friday's 6-1 win to begin the set.
Bryce Harper stayed hot with two hits - including an RBI single to snap a 1-1 tie in the seventh - and J.T. Realmuto added three hits and a run scored for Philadelphia. Harper has multiple hits in six of his last nine games and eight RBIs over his last four contests. He and his teammates will take aim at right-hander Joe Musgrove on Saturday, while the Phillies counter with Zach Eflin. Pittsburgh is 1-6 since the All-Star break to fall five games behind Philadelphia in the race for the second wild card in the National League.
TV: 7:05 p.m. ET, NBCS Philadelphia, AT&T SportsNet Pittsburgh
PITCHING MATCHUP: Phillies RH Zach Eflin (7-9, 4.16 ERA) vs. Pirates RH Joe Musgrove (6-8, 4.31)
Eflin has allowed seven runs in each of his last two starts and 23 total runs over his last four outings. He has given up seven home runs in that span after serving up five over his previous nine outings. Eflin's only prior start against Pittsburgh in 2016 resulted in his first career shutout, a three-hitter at PNC Park.
Musgrove struggled in his first start after the All-Star break, giving up five runs (four earned) on five hits across 4 2/3 innings in a loss at St. Louis. The 26-year-old Californian had permitted just four runs with one walk in his previous four outings over 22 innings combined. Harper is 0-for-3 with three strikeouts against Musgrove, who pitched three scoreless innings in relief in his only career appearance versus the Phillies.
WALK-OFFS
1. The Phillies are expected to add veteran LHP Drew Smyly if he passes a physical.
2. Philadelphia INF/OF Scott Kingery is 8-for-20 during a five-game hitting streak.
3. Pirates 1B Josh Bell is 3-for-30 over his last nine contests.