Lineup, Notes

Brewers RHP Shaun Marcum (5-3, 3.39 ERA) takes on RHP Jeff Karstens (4-3, 3.79). This is Marcum's first start in a couple of months; he's been on the DL with elbow issues. JK has been steady; in his last ten games, he's gone 7+ innings seven times, and hasn't given up more than eight hits or four runs since July 30th. The game starts at 7:05 and will be aired on Root Sports.

The lineup: Jose Tabata LF, Travis Snider RF, Andrew McCutchen CF, Garrett Jones 1B, Neil Walker 2B, Pedro Alvarez 3B, Mike Mckenry C, Clint Barmes SS, Jeff Karstens P.

Today is a pretty big game; the Bucs are playing a stretch where they have to start taking their series to keep their heads above water, which would translate into 20 wins in the next 32 outings. And they'll have to finish up the Brew Crew games without AJ or J-Mick, who are due for the Red Birds' set starting Monday. Not to mention, of course, that they've lost four in a row and 11-of-15, so that nagging little voice reminding the players of last season needs shushed. There are no more moral victories; the marathon is approaching the tape and it's time to grind out some wins.

• LHP Hisanori Takahashi is scheduled to arrive in Pittsburgh this evening, so no more roster movement until tomorrow.

And in Wall Street v Main Street news:

Talk about your blockbuster deals! If the reports hold true, the Red Sox will send 1B Adrian Gonzalez, RHP Josh Beckett, OF Carl Crawford and IF Nick Punto to the Dodgers for 1B James Loney and four minor leaguers. Those prospects are said to be RHPs Rubby De La Rosa and Allen Webster, 1B/OF Jerry Sands and IF Ivan De Jesus, Jr., though one or more of them could be announced as players to be named later and be sent to Boston after the season. The Sox will cover just $12M of the roughly $271.5M left on the contracts. Geez, did they replace grapevines with money trees in la-la land? And yes, contrary to popular wisdom, it does look like you can fire an entire team.