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Phillies vs. Pirates series preview: Three things to watch

By Sean Resch

PHILADELPHIA, PA - APRIL 21: Scott Kingery #4 of the Philadelphia Phillies tags out Corey Dickerson #12 of the Pittsburgh Pirates on a force out in the top of the second inning at Citizens Bank Park on April 21, 2018 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images)
PHILADELPHIA, PA - APRIL 21: Scott Kingery #4 of the Philadelphia Phillies tags out Corey Dickerson #12 of the Pittsburgh Pirates on a force out in the top of the second inning at Citizens Bank Park on April 21, 2018 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images) /
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PHILADELPHIA, PA – JULY 4: Cesar Hernandez #16, Nick Williams #5, Odubel Herrera #37, and Rhys Hoskins #17 of the Philadelphia Phillies high five after the game against the Baltimore Orioles at Citizens Bank Park on July 4, 2018 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The Phillies defeated the Orioles 4-1. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images)
PHILADELPHIA, PA – JULY 4: Cesar Hernandez #16, Nick Williams #5, Odubel Herrera #37, and Rhys Hoskins #17 of the Philadelphia Phillies high five after the game against the Baltimore Orioles at Citizens Bank Park on July 4, 2018 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The Phillies defeated the Orioles 4-1. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images) /

The Phillies are headed to Pittsburgh for a three-game series on Friday.  Here are some things to watch for.

We are 84 games into the 2018 season and the Phillies are just 1.5 games behind the Atlanta Braves for the division lead at 47-37.  They also currently hold the second Wild Card spot.

The Phillies have finally gotten some breathing room in the pennant race, as Washington has gone 2-10 in their last twelve games with a little help from two series losses to our guys.  In fact, they have lost four straight series.

Now we will turn our attention toward the Pittsburgh Pirates, who were swept in their last series against the Dodgers.  They sit eight games back from the last Wild Card spot, so if they want to make any kind of run then now is the time.  It looks as if the front office is not giving up, as MLB.com reported that they could potentially be buyers at the trade deadline.

This series, just like the rest from here on out, is a big one for the Phillies.  They need to improve on their 17-21 record away from home, and unfortunately, PNC Park has not been a friendly place to the Phillies in recent history.  They have gone 7-19 in their last 26 games in Pittsburgh.

Let’s take a look at three things to watch over the weekend.

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