Pirate - Reds Finale, Notes & Lineup

Today's Game: AJ Burnett (0-1, 1.45) hits the rubber v rookie Anthony DeSclafani (2-2, 2.03). Burnett has allowed one run or less in four straight starts for the first time in his 17-year career with no wins to show for it; it'd be nice of the Buc bats to show a little appreciation tonight. He is 7-6 with a 3.69 ERA against the Reds in 17 career starts. DeSclafani’s got swing-and-miss stuff, with a couple of rough starts sandwiched between some strong efforts. He had a no-decision in his lone career start against the Pirates at Cincinnati, allowing two runs in six innings. The game starts at 7:05 and will be on Root Sports and 93.7 The Fan.

AJ Burnett breaks out the camo for Military Night (photo Justin Aller/Getty Images)

Today's Lineup: Gregory Polanco RF, Neil Walker 2B, Cutch CF, Starling Marte LF, Pedro 1B, Josh Harrison 3B, Jordy Mercer SS, Chris Stewart C, Burnett P.

Looks like Clint is going to try to make this lineup work with Josh dropped down, as he probably should be. Also, Stew gets a day, and that's deserved, too.

• AJ has been pretty good so far. He's surrendered one run or fewer in each of his last four starts, marking the first time in his career he has done so, and leads the NL with a 1.45 ERA.
• Jung Ho Kang is hitting .400 in his last nine games, going 10-for-25 with three doubles, a home run and seven RBI.
• BTW, this is another camo match for the Bucs. All their Thursday home games are "Military Nights," with the PNC 50-50 going toward the Wounded Warriors.
• There's some baseball technology being developed here in Pittsburgh by Diamond Kinetics, and Bob Nutting has joined the investor bandwagon.
• Sheesh! Yesterday, Nick Kingham left his game with "elbow discomfort" and then Tyler Glasnow hobbled into the sunset with ankle pain after sliding into a base. No word as of yet as to the seriousness of their conditions.