Lineup, News, Notes - Walker Sitting Again

The Bucs send RHP A.J. Burnett (15-8, 3.64 ERA) out against RHP Jordan Lyles (4-11, 5.40 ERA). In 10 lifetime starts against Houston, AJ is 3-5 with a 5.01 earned run average in 59-1/3 innings versus Houston. Lyles is 0-3 with a 7.97 ERA in 20-1/3 innings, allowing 27 hits, in four starts against the Bucs. Doesn't look like much of a pitching duel on paper. The game starts at 2:05 and will be shown on Root Sports.

The lineup: Alex Presley LF, Josh Harrison 2B, Andrew McCutchen CF, Garrett Jones 1B, Pedro Alvarez 3B, Travis Snider RF, Clint Barmes SS, Rod Barajas C, AJ Burnett P.

A little shakeup at the top of the order; Marte's out and so's The Kid. We're wondering why he's even playing if his back is that bad. 

• The Pirates have lost five in a row and 17-of-21 to drop three games under .500.
• AJ is the first Pirates first 15-game winner since Todd Ritchie in 1999.
• Jeff Locke has made eight starts in the bigs without a win. Since 1960, Tommie Sisk is the only Pirate pitcher to have a longer winless streak as a starter looking for his first win at 11 from 1962-65. John Hope (1993-96) and Elmer Dessens (1996-98) also had eight-game dry spells to open their careers.