Lineup, Notes, News

LHP Wandy Rodriguez (11-13, 3.76 ERA) will take on the Mets RHP Collin McHugh (0-2, 3.86 ERA). Wandy has been Mr. Dependable lately for a beleaguered staff. McHugh has had two nice starts of the three he's made, and throws a 90-ish heater, slow curve, change and slider. He's susceptible to the long ball, having given up four in 18-2/3 IP, and will be out for his first MLB win tonight. The game starts at 7:10 and will be aired by Root Sports.

The lineup: Alex Presley LF, Josh Harrison 2B, Andrew McCutchen CF, Garrett Jones RF, Gaby Sanchez 1B, Pedro Alvarez 3B, Clint Barmes SS, Rod Barajas C, Wandy Rodriguez P.

Barmes in, Walker out as Harrison switches sides on the infield, and Hot Rod caddies for Wandy.

• There's no question that LHP Jeff Locke and RHP Kyle McPherson are getting auditions for next season. That's OK; the Pirates have been out of playoff mode for a while now. But that does beg the question: why isn't Starling Marte starting every day? He was called up late, and hasn't been a regular since his oblique injury. Hey, if you're playing for 2013, Marte is going to be a big piece of the puzzle; get him all the at bats you can.
• Tim Williams of Pirates Prospects reported that RHP Victor Black, 24, will be heading to the Arizona Fall League to join the Scottsdale Scorpions. He was 2-3-13 for Altoona with a 1.65 ERA and 85 K in 60 IP. Black throws in the upper nineties and his major issue, like many power pitchers, is control; he walked 4.7 batters per nine.
• Four Buc youngsters made the GCL Top 20 prospect list of Baseball America: They are C Wyatt Mathisen, C Jin-De Jhang, RHP Tyler Glasnow and IF Dilson Herrera.
• Jack Wilson retired today. Too bad his legs weren't as strong as his spirit.