With all sorts of speculation swirling about Manny Machado and the July 31 trade deadline, the second-place Phillies will begin an 11-game road trip Friday night against the Pittsburgh Pirates at beautiful PNC Park. As lovely as the views of the Allegheny River, the Roberto Clemente Bridge and downtown Pittsburgh are at the Pirates’ home park, it has been nothing but a torture chamber for the Phillies.
Regardless of the state of the two teams, the Pirates have dominated the Phillies since moving out of Three Rivers Stadium and into their new ballpark in 2001. The Phillies are 18-35 at PNC Park and have won only three of the 17 series they have played there.