Bucs v Brewers: Wandy v Yovani

Wandy Rodriguez (2-0, 1.66) and Yovani Gallardo (2-1, 4.97) face off on the hill. Wandy was just so-so in his last outing, and is 8-9/3.80 against the Brewers lifetime. Gallardo has won his last two games and proven to be a Buc killer (9-2, 2.59) during his career. The game starts at 8:10 and will be aired by Root Sports and The Fan 93.7.

This series is a big one for mental health issues. The Brew Crew has owned Pittsburgh at Miller Park.Since 2007, they're 44-7 against the Bucs at home, were 11-4 versus them overall in 2012 and are currently riding an eight-game win streak against the Pirates. We'll see if this season's team has what it takes to shove back against the schoolyard bully.

Pirate lineup: Starling Marte LF, Russell Martin C, Andrew McCutchen CF, Garrett Jones RF, Gaby Sanchez 1B, Pedro Alvarez 3B, Brandon Inge 2B, Clint Barmes  SS and Wandy Rodriguez P.

Still kinda shuffling with The Kid and Travis Snider out of action.

Brewer lineup: Norichika Aoki RF, Jean Segura SS, Ryan Braun LF, Jonathan Lucroy C, Rickie Weeks 2B,

Carlos Gomez CF, Yuniesky Betancourt  3B, Martin Maldonado 1B and Yovani Gallardo P.

 

We'd work around Ryan Braun. He's hit .359 with five doubles and four home runs in 39 career at-bats against Wandy.

• The Pirates hope Neil Walker can return sometime during this series, if only as a pinch hitter. His stitches, though, will remain in place at least until the Bucs get back home. 
• Mike Sanserino of the Post Gazette reported that RHP Kyle McPherson, who had injury issues last season and this one, still has discomfort in his elbow.
• RHP Nick Kingham, 21, worked six innings of shutout ball for Bradenton, giving up three hits and whiffing 13, a new Marauder team record. He tossed 81 pitches, and 60 were strikes. He was a high school pick in the fourth round of the 2010 draft.
• Nate McLouth, 31, leads the American League with a .455 OBP. He's hitting .351 with a homer, seven RBI and 21! runs scored to go with a 15.7% walk rate. The Great has also sroled eight bases in nine tries.