Lineup, Notes

RHP Charlie Morton (1-1, 2.65) takes on RHP Adam Wainwright (0-3, 7.32) in the Cardinal lid-lifter. Morton has been solid for the Bucs, while Wainwright was strong in his last outing after missing all of last season following TJ surgery. His problem has been the long ball; he's given up 5 in fewer than 20 IP. The Cards haven't scored a run while he's been on the mound, and hopefully that quirk can continue for one more start. The game will start at 8:15 and be aired by Root Sports.

The Lineup: Alex Presley LF, Jose Tabata RF, Andrew McCutchen CF, Garrett Jones 1B, Neil Walker 2B, Pedro Alvarez 3B, Clint Barmes SS, Rod Barajas C, Charlie Morton P.

• The Pirate pitching staff ended April with a 2.78 ERA, their best mark in twenty years. Last April 30th, the team ERA was 3.72.
• Pedro Alvarez now has nine extra base hits in his first 18 games after collecting a total of just 14 in 74 games last year.
• Pittsburgh begins a stretch of six straight and nine of 12 games against the NL Central. The Bucs have played 3 division games; the Cards already have 21.
• The Pirates have lost the first game in six of their first seven series.
• Today is pitching coach Ray Searage's 57th birthday.
• The Bucs-Cards are Fangraph's Daily Notes featured game, under the post "It Feels Wrong, But It's So Wainwright," written by Carson Cistulli.