Cumpton v Hammel, Lineup, Jordy, The Kid & The Oldies...

Brandon Cumpton (2-2, 5.82) goes against Jason Hammel (6-4, 3.02 ERA) this afternoon. Cumpton is on thin ice when Gerrit Cole returns; too much elevation and too much plate have been his 2014 calling cards after a solid 2013 year. He did toss his best game of the year against Hammel when won a 4-2 decision at PNC Park this season on June 11th, his only career outing against the Cubs.

Hammel is having a career year as his slider has hit on all cylinders so far this season, leading him to be one of the leading candidates to hit the right-around-the-corner trade market. He's 2-1 against the Pirates in 2014, but was beat around a couple of weeks ago, giving up four runs on 11 hits in five frames of work.

The lineup: Gregory Polanco RF, Josh Harrison 2B, Cutch CF, Ike Davis 1B, Jordy Mercer SS, Pedro 3B, Travis Snider LF, Chris Stewart C and Cumpton P. Today must be get-away alternate universe day, with Jordy batting ahead of Pedro.

The game starts at 2:20 and will be aired on Root Sports and 93.7 The Fan.

• Jordy Mercer has homered in back-to-back games and has gone deep five times in 18 games this month, tops for home runs among all MLB shortstops in June. Jordy is hitting .316 with 14 RBI since May 31st.
• Neil Walker, who has been on the DL since 6/9 due to an appendectomy, is expected to begin a rehab assignment today with High-A Bradenton. Walker is eligible to be reinstated on Tuesday, and the Bucs will face a tricky decision when they have to clear an active roster spot for him.
• The teams will wear their 1953 uniforms today as part of Wrigley Field's 100th anniversary.