Notes

RHP Jeff Karstens (8-6, 3.05) faces LHP Jonathan Sanchez (4-6, 4.10) in the rubber match. Sanchez will be making his second start since coming off the DL for tendinitis. The game is scheduled for 3:45 PM and will be shown on Root Sports. It's also the free MLB.TV game if you're out of market. .

Lineup: Andrew McCutchen CF, Steve Pearce 3B, Ryan Ludwick LF, Derrek Lee 1B, Matt Diaz RF, Brandon Wood 2B, Ronny Cedeno SS, Mike McKenry C, Jeff Karstens P.

Pearce gets the start at third as Pedro sits for another lefty, and Neil Walker finally gets a day off.

• Jeff Karstens, not too surprisingly, has set career single season highs in wins (8), innings (130), and starts (20). He's two away from breaking his previous high (72) for Ks, set last year.
• Baseball America rated the players with the best tools. The NL list is here. Pirates included in the Top Three were Andrew McCutchen (baserunning - 3rd), Jeff Karstens (best control - 3rd), Joel Hanrahan (reliever - 2nd), Neil Walker, (defensive second base man - 2nd) and Clint Hurdle (best manager - 3rd).
• The beat gang reports that RHP Kevin Hart got scoped yesterday by Dr. Andrews. It's anticipated he'll be ready for the start of spring training. Which one, we wonder?