Lineup, Notes For Phil Finale

RHP AJ Burnett (8-2, 3.24) finishes the series against Phillies RHP Kyle Kendrick (2-7, 5.24). It's another favorable matchup for Pittsburgh, although Philadelphia has been swinging some hot sticks this series. KK has had a 7+ ERA this month, and the Phils used every reliever but Jonathan Papelbon last night. Pittsburgh needs the game to earn a split of the series. AJ da man; he's trying to win his eighth straight start. The Pirates as a team have won ten in a row with Burnett on the bump. The get-away game starts at 1:05 and will be shown on Root Sports.

The lineup: Drew Sutton LF, Neil Walker 2B, Andrew McCutchen CF, Garrett Jones RF, Casey McGehee 1B, Pedro Alvarez 3B, Clint Barmes SS, Mike McKenry C, AJ Burnett P.

AJ will be missing his caddy, Rod Barajas, today as The Fort makes his third straight start behind the dish. Sutton stays at the top of the order and why not - the 29 year old is 3-for-5 with a walk as a Bucco.

The Bucs are tied for second place with St. Louis and two games back of first-place Cincinnati going into the game. 

• Mike McKenry is 7 for 11 with two home runs in past two games, the first time he's started consecutive games this season.  Who'd of thunk it?
• Drew Sutton playing the corner OF shouldn't be a surprise. He's been at every position but pitcher, catcher and center field since breaking into MLB in 2009. 
• The Pirates will depart for St. Louis following today’s game for a three game set against the
  Red Birds this weekend. And if you think it's hot here, well, whew - temperatures are expected to be in the low 100s each day of the series in SL.