May 15, 2026Updated 12:14 pm EDT
The Pittsburgh Pirates host the Philadelphia Phillies to open a three-game series at PNC Park, with first pitch at 6:40 p.m. ET on Friday. Braxton Ashcraft (2-2, 2.77 ERA) gets the start for the Pirates, who are 24-20 this season and fourth in the NL Central. Aaron Nola (2-3, 5.14 ERA) is starting for the Phillies, who are 21-23 and second in the NL East.
How to watch Philadelphia Phillies vs. Pittsburgh PiratesPhillies vs. Pirates odds
Injury reportsPirates
Joey Bart: 10 Day IL (Foot infection), Jake Mangum: 10 Day IL (Hamstring), Chris Devenski: 15 Day IL (Illness), Jared Jones: 60 Day IL (Elbow)
Phillies
Kyle Backhus: 15 Day IL (Elbow), Zach Pop: 15 Day IL (Calf), Max Lazar: 60 Day IL (Oblique)
Stats to know
Pittsburgh’s Brandon Lowe is slashing .247/.351/.527 this season with 10 home runs (17th in MLB), 28 RBIs and an OPS of .878. He has a 21.6% strikeout rate and a 13.5% walk rate in 171 plate appearances, and he has scored 24 total runs.
In 194 plate appearances, Oneil Cruz has hit 10 long balls (17th in MLB), tallied 30 RBIs (8th in MLB) and scored 34 runs (5th in MLB). He is batting .260/.325/.480 and has posted a 33.5% strikeout rate and a 7.7% walk rate. Cruz has recorded 15 steals on 17 attempts (3rd in MLB).
Bryce Harper has hit 10 home runs this season, which ranks 17th in MLB. He has also tallied 24 RBIs and has scored 25 runs. In 183 plate appearances, he has recorded a .266 BA, .361 OBP and .525 SLG with a 13.1% walk rate and a 16.4% strikeout rate.
In 197 plate appearances, Kyle Schwarber has hit 18 long balls (1st in MLB), tallied 30 RBIs (8th in MLB) and scored 30 runs (17th in MLB). He is batting .226/.355/.610 and has posted a 32% strikeout rate and a 14.7% walk rate.
This watch guide was created using technology provided by Data Skrive.
Betting/odds, ticketing and streaming links in this article are provided by partners of The Athletic. Restrictions may apply. The Athletic maintains full editorial independence. Partners have no control over or input into the reporting or editing process and do not review stories before publication.
Photo: Jamie Squire, Ishika Samant, Scott Taetsch, Alika Jenner / Getty Images
May 15, 2026
Connections: Sports Edition
Spot the pattern. Connect the terms
Find the hidden link between sports terms
Play today’s puzzle