Pirates @ Phillies

Who will WIN this matchup?

Pittsburgh Pirates (47-77)

@ Philadelphia Phillies (70-55)

Starting Pitchers:

Wilson (PIT): 2-7; 5.74 ERA

Falter (PHI) 1-3; 4.40 ERA

Current odds:

Pittsburgh Pirates: (+238)

Philadelphia Phillies: (-286)

• The starting line-up for the Pirates is as follows:

• The starting line-up for the Phillies is as follows:

• The Philadelphia Phillies had more to celebrate Thursday than just a four-game sweep of the Cincinnati Reds. The reigning National League Most Valuable Player, Bryce Harper, is scheduled to rejoin the host Phillies in time for their Friday game against the Pittsburgh Pirates.

• Harper has been sidelined since his left thumb was broken when he was hit by a pitch on June 25. In two rehab starts for Triple-A Lehigh Valley earlier this week, Harper hit two home runs and added a walk-off double. He went 5-for-8 with six RBIs.

• Harper will rejoin a team that holds a 2 1/2-game lead over the Padres for the second National League wild-card spot. The Milwaukee Brewers are 1 1/2 games behind San Diego in the chase for the league’s final playoff position.

• On Thursday, Philadelphia’s Kyle Schwarber hit a 451-foot solo home run and Edmundo Sosa provided three RBIs to support Aaron Nola’s complete-game five-hitter in a 4-0 win.

• Phillies right-hander Zack Wheeler was the original scheduled starter for Friday, but he landed on the injured list due to right forearm tendinitis. Bailey Falter (1-3, 4.40 ERA) will get the ball instead. In his last outing against the New York Mets, the left-hander tossed six innings and allowed two hits and one run in a win on Saturday. Falter is 0-0 with a 2.57 ERA in two career games against the Pirates. His lone start vs. Pittsburgh came on July 29, when he fired six innings of two-run ball and struck out eight. If Falter struggles, the relief corps will be ready since Nola went the distance on Thursday.

• The Pirates got a break on Thursday when they were idle, allowing them to step away from their latest skid. They have lost five games in a row and 11 of their past 13.

• Pittsburgh was obliterated 14-2 by the visiting Braves on Wednesday as Atlanta completed a three-game sweep. The Pirates have been beaten by at least 12 runs six times this season.

• The 12-run defeat against the Braves was forgetful except for a long single off the wall by rookie Oneil Cruz. In fact, it was the hardest-hit ball since Major League Baseball started measuring exit velocity in 2015. The ball was launched at 122.4 mph. Cruz is still hitting just .199 with 10 home runs and 30 RBIs, but he appears to be figuring out his swing.

• The Pirates will hand the ball to Bryse Wilson (2-7, 5.74 ERA) on Friday. Wilson is 1-0 with a 5.79 ERA in two career starts against the Phillies, both in 2019. He is coming off a no-decision against the Cincinnati Reds on Aug. 19, when he gave up three runs in seven innings.