AJ v Lynn In Lidlifter; Cumpton v Lyons in Nite Cap

In the opener...AJ Burnett  (4-7, 2.96) will work the opener of today's double dip, squaring off against Lance Lynn (12-5, 3.98). AJ has had a couple of rough starts, as the team refuses to catch the ball behind him in the early going; hopefully that will turn around today. Even with the fielding woes, Burnett has kept the club hanging around and eaten up some innings.Lynn had a tough stretch of games going into the break, but he was sharp in his last outing against the Phils. He's already won twice against the Bucs this season and has a career 4-1 record, 4.23 ERA v Pittsburgh.

The game starts at 4:05 and will be aired by the MLB Network, Root Sports and 93.7 The Fan.

Pirate lineup: Starling Marte LF, Neil Walker 2B, Andrew McCutchen CF, Pedro Alvarez 3B, Russ Martin C, Garrett Jones 1B, Alex Presley RF, Clint Barmes SS and AJ Burnett P.

Maybe Clint Barmes has won back the SS job. 

Cardinal lineup: Matt Carpenter 2B, John Jay CF, Matt Holliday LF, Carlos Beltran RF, Matt Adams 1B, Tony Cruz C, Daniel Descalso 3B, Pete Kozma SS and Lance Lynn P.

In game two... the Bucs will send out Brandon Cumpton (0-1, 4.01) against Tyler Lyons (2-3, 5.51). Cumpton has three starts under his belt, and is a strike-thrower that does a decent job of keeping the ball on the ground. Lyons was sent to the minors a month ago, and been lights out at Memphis, so we'll see. The lefty is a control guy, and plate discipline seems to be the key; he's at his best when guys fish against him. Lynn had been up-and-down, but the Cards score early and often when he's on the hill, which has as much to do with his record as his stuff. Both are their team's 26th player permitted for doubleheaders under the current CBA.

The game will start 1/2 hour after the opener, and will be aired on Root Sports and 93.7 The Fan.

Lineup: TBA.

• Travis Sawchik of the Tribune Review wrote "According to sources, the White Sox asked for Jameson Taillon or Gregory Polanco from the Pirates in exchange for outfielder Alex Rios. The Pirates rejected the offer. The Pirates have also expressed some interest in White Sox shortstop Alexei Ramirez." 
• Jason Grilli says that he plans to be back in September. We'll see; his injury is estimated to keep him out 4-8 weeks.
• Elias Sports Bureau posted that Francisco Liriano is first pitcher to win at least 11 of his first 15 outings (as opposed to decisions) for the Pirates since Earl Hamilton in 1918-19.