PREVIEW: Pirates at Phillies PHILADELPHIA (Interstat) — The Pittsburgh Pirates and Philadelphia Phillies open a pivotal four-game series Monday night at Citizens Bank Park, where a forecast of 80-degree rain could affect strategy for two teams moving in opposite directions in the standings. The Phillies (47-37) hold a five-game lead over the Pirates (42-42) in the National League standings, but the numbers tighten considerably when these divisional rivals meet. Philadelphia swept a three-game set in Pittsburgh from May 15-17, outscoring the Pirates 23-9, including consecutive 6-0 shutouts. Pittsburgh enters on a high note after Sunday’s 9-4 victory over Cincinnati, powered by first baseman Ryan O’Hearn’s 3-for-5 performance with two home runs and four RBIs. O’Hearn has been streaky — he went 4-for-5 with three RBIs in an 11-1 win over Seattle on June 24, but has also endured stretches of 0-for-4 in three consecutive games from June 19-21. Philadelphia counters with left-hander Jesús Luzardo (6-1), who earned the win Sunday in a 5-4 victory at the New York Mets. Luzardo allowed four hits and one earned run over five innings with six strikeouts, improving his recent run of quality starts. In four of his last five outings, he has allowed two earned runs or fewer, with the exception of a June 23 start at Washington where he surrendered five earned runs while striking out 13. The Pirates have split their last 10 games, going 5-5. Philadelphia owns a 7-3 record over its last 10. Interstat’s game simulator projects a 6-5 Phillies victory, though Pittsburgh has been installed as a -1.5 favorite on the run line. The over/under is set at 8.5 runs. The series continues Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday before Pittsburgh travels to Washington and Philadelphia heads to Kansas City for the Fourth of July weekend. —