Rox Round Two: Lineup, Notes

LHP Erik Bedard (4-10, 4.80 ERA) tries to even the series against LHP Christian Friedrich (5-6, 5.60 ERA). Bedard had a nice break between starts to work on some mechanics; he's been largely ineffective in the past few weeks and has dropped his last four decisions. Friedrich leads the Rox in wins, and was sharp in his last outing against the Phils. The game will be shown on Root Sports and begins at 8:40.

The lineup: Alex Presley LF, Drew Sutton RF, Andrew McCutchen CF, Casey McGehee 1B, Neil Walker 2B, Pedro Alvarez 3B, Mike McKenry C, Clint Barmes SS, Eric Bedard P.

• For all the raking Cuctch has been doin' recently, he has only a modest seven game hitting streak. 
• Nevertheless, Cutch is #1 in ESPN's Cross-Sport Power Rankings covering every sport going on now.
• Pedro Alvarez hit his 18th home run of the season last night, the most in a single-season by a Bucco third baseman since Aramis Ramirez hit a club-record 34 in 2001.
• The Pirates have dropped 3-of-4 since their post-All Star roadtrip.
• Since June 1, Indy OF Starling Marte leads the International League with 56 hits and is tied for first with 39 RBI. 
• The Bucs' top farm club, the Indianapolis Indians, are the the first team in all of Double-A or Triple-A baseball to reach 60 wins this season.
• If you didn't hear, Joey Votto of the Reds will be out for 3-4 weeks after knee surgery for a torn left meniscus.