MLB Baseball BETTING PREVIEW - Pittsburgh Pirates @ Philadelphia Phillies

MLB Baseball

2026-07-02 - Pittsburgh Pirates at Philadelphia Phillies

A Sports Betting Preview by FirstDown

Pittsburgh Pirates @ Philadelphia Phillies
United States : Major League Baseball
Thursday 2nd July 2026 - Scheduled 12:35pm EST
5:35pm (British Time)

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Preview

Two teams who have been producing plenty of big hits through the first three games of this four game set will be looking to keep the power moving forward on Thursday afternoon. Sixteen runs were scored in the Philadelphia Phillies (49-38) win over the Pittsburgh Pirates (43-44) and they have taken two of three in the series, but that outing was just the latest in the high-scoring contests.

Earlier in the week the teams shared out eighteen runs and eight runs, but most impressive about the numbers from Wednesday is the fact that the batting lineups were facing two premier pitchers.

It is not going to be the case on Thursday as we move deeper into the starting rotation for both teams and the Phillies are likely to employ an opener and use the bullpen to get through this one.

Alan Rangel is in his second season in the Major Leagues, but he has made just eight appearances in that time and all have been out of the bullpen. Three appearances have been made in 2026, but Rangel has a 0-1 record and 4.50 ERA in those and was last seen giving up four runs in 4 Innings thrown against the New York Mets between the First and Seventh Innings.

The first ever Major League appearance was made against the Pittsburgh Pirates and Alan Rangel gave up two runs in 3 Innings pitched in June 2025.

Pittsburgh will counter by handing the ball to Jared Jones who has a 1-1 record and 5.76 ERA in six starts in 2026 as he continues to find his rhythm back on the mound in the Major Leagues. He is another inexperienced pitcher that is learning on the job after missing the entirety of his 2025 season, and the Pirates will look to give Jared Jones all of the time he needs to get up to full speed.

Jared Jones has yet to pitch into the Sixth Inning in his six starts, but he showed flashes in June by holding three of the five opponents faced to fewer than three runs. In one of the other starts he did allow five runs, while Jones gave up three runs in just shy of 5 completed Innings against the Cincinnati Reds in his most recent outing.

Two years ago, Jared Jones pitched in this ballpark and allowed three runs into the Seventh Inning, but absorbed the decision loss on the day.

The Pirates have been swept by the Phillies at home earlier this season and that means they have lost five of the six games played against Philadelphia in 2026.

Prediction

An opener approach can make things very difficult on opposition batting lineups, but the Pittsburgh Pirates are seeing the ball really well right now at the plate.

That should help them get their teeth into this game, but the Philadelphia Phillies will be confident they can do the same against Jared Jones.

Three games have been played in this latest series between these teams and the runs have been flying past Home Plate- this could be another if the pitchers are not able to be quite at their very best and backing the over is the play, even at this relatively high line set.

The Pick :

Philadelphia Phillies 7-5 Pittsburgh Pirates

FIXED ODDS BETTING :

I'll back Over 10 Total Runs at -125 with BetOnline