Cole, Bucs v Phils; Lineup & Notes

Today's Game - Gerrit Cole (4-1, 2.27) faces Jerome Williams (2-2, 5.18) as the Pirates open a four game set against the Phillies. Cole Train had his eight game winning streak snapped in his last start after losing a 3-0 decision, and is looking to begin a new run. He hasn't seen the Phils much, with a 1-1/2.61 ERA slash in two career starts; this will be his first outing at Citizen's Bank Park. Williams is 1-4/4.37 v the Bucs in six lifetime starts. The game starts at 7:05 and will be on Root Sports and 93.7 The Fan.

Gerrit Cole on the hill tonight (photo Charlie Riedel/Associated Press)

Today's Lineup 

The Kid's back and Josh takes a seat as Kang gets another start at third. Stew is behind the dish, and Clint is sticking to his modestly rearranged lineup; it's been working so far. 

• Antonio Bastardo was placed on the paternity leave and the Pirates recalled lefty Bobby LaFromboise from Indianapolis. LaFromboise tossed in six outings for the Bucs last year, and worked 10 more games in Seattle in 2013. His ERA was 4.72 at Undy, but his peripherals are in line, giving up 12 hits and whiffing 14 in 13-1/3 frames of work.
•  Pittsburgh won 6-of-7 against the Phillies last season, and Philadelphia has dropped 9-of-12 with a 7.11 ERA from the rotation in the past two weeks, so it looks like a good match up on paper for the Bucs.
• After a few weeks of dancing in the Central Division, the Pirates are scheduled to play 22 of their next 25 games outside their division.
• History lesson: Gerrit Cole's first big league loss was to the Phillies by a 6-4 count, outdone by Cole Hamels at PNC Park on July 4th, 2013.