Pre Game - Lineup, Notes

Today's rubber match pits Gerrit Cole (1-0, 2.57 ERA) v Travis Wood (0-1, 4.26 ERA). Cole is 1-0 with a 2.08 ERA in two career starts against the Cubs. Wood is the first southpaw the Bucs have faced this season. In nine starts against Pittsburgh, Wood is 4-5 with a 3.35 ERA and 1.097 WHIP.

The lineup: Starling Marte LF, Jose Tabata LF, Cutch CF, Pedro 3B, Gaby sanchez 1B, Tony Sanchez C, Neil Walker 2B, Clint Barmes SS and Cole. It's the rarely seen LHP lineup - our only question is that with Jordy Mercer struggling, wouldn't it have been better to let him face a lefty just to see if it could help jump start his bat rather than to keep throwing him against RHP? Maybe it's a long-term/short-term thing.

The 2:20 PM game will be televised by Root Sports, MLB Network and WGN, and on radio at 93.7 The Fan.

• Phil Rogers of MLB.com notes that the Pirate bullpen, except for Mark the Shark, is filled with converted starters.
• A win today would give the Pirates three straight series wins to start the season for only the fourth time in the last 50 years; they did it in 1966, '76 and '92 notes Tom Singer.
• The last time that the Pirates hit five home runs and lost was August 4th, 2007 against the Reds (they went long three times themselves). The long balls were smacked by Matt Morris, Jack Wilson, Ronny Paulino, Nate McLouth, and Jason Bay in a 9-8, ten inning loss at PNC Park.
• The Pirates have nine long balls; all have been solo shots (and Pedro has four of them).