Pirates vs Phillies Player-Prop Picks for Skenes vs Wheeler (July 1)

• Starting pitchers steal the spotlight Wednesday when the Pirates visit the Phillies
• Reigning NL CY Young winner Paul Skenes matches up with Phillies ace Zack Wheeler (8-1)
• See the top picks and player props to bet in Pirates vs Phillies on July 1

The Philadelphia Phillies and Pittsburgh Pirates have split the first two of a 4-game in high scoring affairs as they resume their series Wednesday.

The Phillies enter as a road favorite in the MLB odds, but this series should belong to the pitchers on this day, and where I’ll be focussing my wagering in the props market, as reigning NL Cy Young winner Paul Skenes will duel with Phillies ace Zack Wheeler.

Action gets underway tonight at 6:40pm ET from Citizens Bank Park in Philadelphia, with MLB TV carrying the broadcast.

Below, you’ll find my top picks and player props to bet in the Pirates vs Phillies matchup on July 1.

Phillies vs Pirates Player-Prop Odds

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Looking at the batter vs pitcher stats, Bryce Harper stands out as the primary threat against Skenes. The slugger boasts two hits, including a home run, in six career at-bats against the hard-throwing righty. Conversely, Kyle Schwarber and Bryson Stott have yet to solve Skenes, going a combined 0-for-18 with seven strikeouts.

On the other side, Marcell Ozuna has the most extensive history against Wheeler, managing two home runs but struggling with 22 punchouts across 59 at-bats. Bryan Reynolds and Jared Triolo have also struggled to make contact, combining for just four hits and 10 strikeouts in 23 at-bats.

Oddsmakers see Schwarber as the most lethal long-ball threat tonight, but I prefer the payout on Kalshi (34¢) over traditional books to go yard. Harper (22¢) and Turner (11¢) also offer excellent value on the exchange platform.

When it comes to recording a base hit, Turner, Alec Bohm, and Harper are heavily juiced across the board to reach safely. Total base props also offer some plus-money opportunities, with both Turner and Harper sitting at favorable odds to eclipse 1.5 total bases.

Pitcher Props in Phillies vs Pirates

In the MLB props markets, all eyes are on Skenes. DraftKings has his strikeout line set at a firm 6.5 with heavy juice (-150) tilted toward the Over. However, Kalshi offers a highly wagerable 59¢ contract for him to record 7+ strikeouts.

His total outs line sits at 18.5, juiced to the Under (-167) on DraftKings, signaling an expectation that he may not pitch deep into the seventh inning.

Top Picks and Player Props to Bet in Phillies vs Pirates

With injuries thinning out both dugouts, my betting approach targets reliable usage and historical dominance. Philadelphia is missing Adolis García (lat) and Johan Rojas (elbow), forcing Harper and Schwarber to carry the offensive load. Pittsburgh is without Oneil Cruz (hand), removing a dynamic blend of raw power from their lineup.

Here are my top player prop predictions to target for tonight’s National League showdown:

Paul Skenes 7+ Strikeouts (59¢ on Kalshi)

Prediction Markets

Skenes Strikeout Pick

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Paul Skenes 7+ Strikeouts

59%

Predict

The heavy juice on Skenes’ strikeout prop at DraftKings (-150) is warranted, but playing the 59¢ contract on Kalshi offers better value. Skenes has been an absolute nightmare for opp

Bryce Harper Over 1.5 Total Bases (45¢ on Kalshi)

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PIT vs PHI Harper Pick

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Bryce Harper Over 1.5 Total Bases

45%

Predict

Finding plus-money value on Harper is a rarity. While Skenes has dominated most of the league, Harper is one of the few batters who has demonstrated legitimate success against the rookie’s high-velocity repertoire. In six career at-bats against Skenes, Harper has recorded two hits, including a home run. With a warm breeze typical for an open-air game at Citizens Bank Park, Harper’s ability to drive the ball into the gaps makes this an excellent wager.

Kyle Schwarber Under 0.5 Total Hits (+145 on DraftKings)

Sometimes the sharpest value lies in fading a star player in a brutally tough matchup. Schwarber is listed at plus-money to go hitless, and the underlying numbers strongly support this angle. The powerful lefty is entirely hitless with a 0% success rate in nine career at-bats against Skenes, striking out in 55% of those encounters. Skenes’ raw stuff has proven to be a terrible stylistic matchup for Schwarber’s bat path, making this +145 payout highly enticing.