Lineup, Notes, News For Rubber Match

The Astros toss LHP Fernando Abad (0-2, 4.83) against RHP Kevin Correia (9-8, 4.4-0) in tonight's rubber match. Abad, who was a bullpen fixture, will be making just his third start; he's 0-2 with a 7.56 ERA in his two prior outings. KC has taken Jeff Karstens' rotation spot until JK's hip is fit to return to duty. Correia's last trip to the bump resulted in four scoreless innings of relief for Karstens. The game starts at 7:05 and will be aired on Root Sports.

The lineup: Brock Holt 2B, Jose Tabata LF, Andrew McCutchen CF, Garrett Jones RF, Gaby Sanchez 1B, Pedro Alvarez 3B, Clint Barmes SS, Rod Barajas C, Kevin Correia P.

Brock is back at second and JT is in left; the Bucs never announced if Travis Snider was just dinged up or actually hurt his hammy last night. Still with a lefty and off day, it's as good a time as any for Snider to sneak a couple of days off.  Hot Rod is catching; we actually thought The Fort might start, you know, back-to-back games sometime. Get use to Gaby at first; he's in against the southpaw Abad tonight and will face another pair against the Cubbies.

This game, of course, isn't make-or-break. But it's a win they should have, and they can't be giving those away with four weeks left in a still relevant season.

• Last night Andrew McCutchen recorded his sixth four-hit game of the season, the most by any NL player this season. Over the last 50 years, only four other Pirates have had that many 4+ hit games in a season: Richie Hebner in 1974 (seven), Dave Parker in 1976 (six), Joe Orsulak in 1985 (six)
  and Jeff King in 1996 (six ).
• Brock Holt is only the second Pittsburgh player since 1900 to have a four-hit game within his first four career games in the big leagues. 2B Jack Merson went 4-for-5 for the Pirates in his second career  game against the Dodgers on September 15th, 1951.
• Neil Walker has missed eight games because of his back, but expects to be back in the saddle sometime this weekend against Chicago.
• Happy B-Day, Billy Maz. Though he'll be forever frozen in time for Pirate fans, he's turning 76 today.