Buc-Cub Lineup, Notes, News

RHP Jeff Samardzija (8-13, 3.91 ERA) goes against RHP James McDonald (12-7, 3.90 ERA). Samardzija has a deep assortment to work with, a fastball, cutter, two-seamer, splitter and slider. When he's throwing strikes, he's tough, and he misses plenty of bats even when he doesn't find the strike zone. It'll be his last start; he's hit 165-2/3 frames already, and was converted from the pen just last year. J-Mick needs to find himself , going through a frustrating up-and-down streak since the All-Star game. In his past five games, he's allowed 4+ runs in three of them and zero in the other two. The contest starts at 7:05 and will be aired on Root Sports.

The lineup: Brock Holt 2B, Starling Marte LF, Andrew McCutchen CF, Garrett Jones 1B, Pedro Alvarez 3B, Alex Presley RF, Clint Barmes SS, Rod Barajas C, James McDonald P.

Hmmm...Hot Rod's third straight start, even though The Fort has eight hits and seven RBI in his last 23 at bats. The King is in right, although Travis Snider may be available to pinch hit, as may be JT. Clint is back at SS.

Well, the Bucs did it the hard way against Houston; let's see if they can come back and take the next two against the Cubbies.

• Garrett Jones has reached base safely in 12 of his last 21 plate appearances, going 8-for-17 with four walks.
• From the Elias Sports Bureau: the Pirates are the first team since 1931 to commit 7+ errors and register 4-or-fewer hits in the same game.
• Their last Bucco win in an opener at PNC Park came against Arizona on August 6th.
• The Bucs have sold out the last seven Saturday night games prior to tonight. 
• The Pirates rotation against Reds next week has been set: Monday, Wandy Rodriguez; Tuesday, Kevin Correia; Wednesday, AJ Burnett. 
• The Pirates outrighted Oscar Tejeda to Altoona. The 22-year-old SS was DFA'ed earlier this week after hitting .242 for the Curve after being claimed on waivers from the Red Sox.