May 17 Pennsylvania Under

Sunday’s slate doesn’t offer many cleaner spots than the total in Pittsburgh, where two of the better starting pitchers in baseball are set to square off in one of the more pitcher-friendly environments in the National League.

Paul Skenes has been nothing short of electric this season. The Pirates ace is 6-2 with a 1.98 ERA and 56 strikeouts through nine appearances — numbers that put him in the conversation for the best starter in the game right now. He’s been averaging better than six punchouts per outing, and his ability to work deep into games limits exposure to Pittsburgh’s bullpen, which is an underrated factor when evaluating a total.

Zack Wheeler is no slouch on the other side. The Phillies right-hander comes in at 2-0 with a 2.55 ERA, giving this matchup a combined ERA that barely clears four runs — a number that makes a total of 7 look generous, not tight.

The venue matters too. PNC Park plays as one of the quieter offensive environments in the NL, and on a Sunday afternoon getaway day with both teams wrapping up a series, you’re unlikely to see either offense grinding out extended rallies. Philadelphia has been an inconsistent offensive club all season, still finding its footing under a new coaching staff, and Pittsburgh’s lineup will have its hands full trying to do anything productive against a pitcher of Skenes’ caliber.

When you get two legitimate top-of-the-rotation arms matching up in a park that suppresses run scoring, the market usually adjusts accordingly. Here, it hasn’t quite caught up.

Final score: Phillies 6-0