Major League Baseball has several thrilling matchups scheduled for Friday, July 29. One of those MLB tilts pits the Philadelphia Phillies (52-47) head-to-head against the slumping Pittsburgh Pirates (40-59).
The two clubs already opened up their four-game series on Thursday, resulting in a close-fought 8-7 victory for the Phillies. Philadelphia actually had a comfortable 8-2 lead heading into the bottom of the ninth, but Pittsburgh scored five runs in the final frame to make it close.
The Phillies desperately need a win to create separation in the National League wild card race. They're tied with the St. Louis Cardinals for the third and final NL wild card spot, so a win over the Pirates would help them in that regard.
It'll be a battle of two lefties as Bailey Falter is slated to be the Phillies' starting pitcher while the Pirates are rolling with potential trade deadline candidate Jose Quintana.