AJ v The King

AJ Burnett (3-2, 2.57 ERA) and Felix Hernandez (4-2, 1.60) go head to head tomorrow in what should be a terrific matchup. AJ leads the league in K and will be going after his fourth straight win. The righty has startes eight times versus Seattle, going 3-2/3.71 with 55 K in 51 IP.

And over his past four outings, The King has allowed two earned runs in 30 innings (0.60) and has struck out 35 while walking just two. For what it's worth, Hernandez gave up six hits and struck out nine in eight scoreless innings when he last faced Pittsburgh back in 2007, winning 3-0.

Too bad it's a businessman's special, with the opening pitch due at 12:35. The game will be on Root Sports and The Fan 93.7.

Pirate lineup: Starling Marte LF,Travis Snider RF, Andrew McCutchen CF, Garrett Jones 1B, Mike McKenry C, Pedro Alvarez 3B, Jordy Mercer 2B, Clint Barmes SS and AJ Burnett P.

That's the A-lineup with Neil Walker (knuckle) and Russell Martin (neck stiffness) out.

Mariner lineup: Michael Saunders CF, Jason Bay LF, Kyle Seager 3B, Kendrys Morales 1B, Dustin Ackley 2B, Jesus Montero C, Endy Chavez RF, Robert Andino SS and Felix Hernandez P.

Eric Wedge has a different lookto his lineup up after last night's shutout - Justin Smoak and Michael Morse are down today, while Morales and Chavez are in.

• Well, that was quick. Josh Harrison was optioned back to Indy after the Pirates called up RHP Duke Welker from the Tribe. Welker, 27, was a second round pick in 2007 and his next appearance for the Bucs will be his first.
• Starling Marte has a six-game hitting streak
• James McDonald will see the docs today. He said he starting feeling unusual soreness in his right shoulder after his last start and it didn't go away. 
• Jason Bay still holds the record for homers at PNC Park with 61. Craig Wilson is next at 47, followed by Garrett Jones' 46 long balls. 
• OF Andrew Lambo hit his sixth homer for Altoona yesterday, but it barely mattered as the Curve was crushed 13-2.
• Blue Jays pitcher JA Happ had to be carried off the field on a stretcher after he was struck in the head by a line drive yesterday off the bat of the Ray's Desmond Jennings. He was conscious, but the scene brought back memories of Chris Jakubauskas and Brandon McCarthy. Happ is reported to be in “good condition” and could be released from the hospital as early as today.