Notes, Lineup As Bucs Look To Broom 'Stros

The Astros' RHP Bud Norris (5-5, 4.90) will try to prevent a Bucco sweep tonight when he takes on RHP Jeff Karstens (1-2, 5.25). Norris has one start since coming off the 15-day DL and wasn't very sharp against the Cubs. Karstens will be making his third start since coming off the DL himself, and looked like his old self in his last outing versus the Cards. The game begins at 7:05 and will be shown on Root Sports. It's also MLB.com's free game of the day.

The lineup: Drew Sutton LF, Neil Walker 2B, Andrew McCutchen CF, Garrett Jones RF, Casey McGehee 1B, Pedro Alvarez 3B, Rod Barajas C, Clint Barmes SS, Jeff Karstens P.

Alex Presley has been placed on the 7-day disabled list with a concussion (retro to July 4) and Jordy Mercer has been recalled from Indy. Also a decision is due on Chris Leroux, whose rehab stint has run its course.

• Neil Walker has quietly put together an eight game hitting streak.
• The last time the Pirates were one game or more ahead in the NL Central during July was on July 15th, 1997. Last year, they never led the division by more than 1/2 game.
• Pittsburgh has scored at least four runs in their past nine games, their longest string since taking nine in a row in August 2005. 
• Bradley Woodrum of Fangraphs posted an update on the Pirate attack, featuring lots of graphs and stats kinda like college 101 days.
• Baseball America released its Midseason Top Fifty Prospects, and there are four Bucco farmhands on it - Gerritt Cole, Jameson Taillon, Starling Marte and Alen Hanson.

ESPN's Dru Brown put together a little highlight film of the season we thought you might enjoy.