Highlights
Preview
PHILADELPHIA (Interstat) — The Pittsburgh Pirates look to build on a series-opening win and climb back to .500 when they face the Philadelphia Phillies on Tuesday night at Citizens Bank Park. First pitch is at 7:05 p.m. The forecast calls for 84 degrees and cloudy. Pittsburgh enters with a 42-42 record, while the Phillies sit at 47-37. The Pirates (42-42) took the opener Monday, an 8-5 victory, snapping a three-game losing streak. Pittsburgh is 4-6 in its last 10 and has alternated wins and losses over its past four games. Up next for the Pirates: They continue this three-game series Wednesday and Thursday in Philadelphia before traveling to Washington for a three-game set starting Friday. First baseman Ryan O’Hearn is a key batter to watch for Pittsburgh. O’Hearn went 3 for 5 with two home runs and four RBIs in Sunday’s 9-4 win over Cincinnati. He is 9 for 31 over his past eight games with three homers and 14 RBIs. The Phillies (47-37) won Sunday at the New York Mets, 5-4. Philadelphia is 7-3 in its last 10 and has won five of its past six series. Up next for Philadelphia: After this three-game set with Pittsburgh, the Phillies travel to Kansas City for three games beginning Saturday. Left-hander Jesús Luzardo is a pitcher to watch for Philadelphia. Luzardo is 5-0 with a 3.25 ERA over his past five starts. He threw 5.0 innings of four-hit, one-run ball with six strikeouts Sunday at the Mets, earning the win. Over his past three outings, he has 28 strikeouts in 18.2 innings. The Phillies won the first three meetings of the season series, outscoring the Pirates 23-9 in a sweep in Pittsburgh from May 15-17. However, the Pirates took Monday’s opener at Citizens Bank Park, 8-5. A simulation by Interstat projects a 7-5 Phillies victory.

