Vanimal Works Finale; Phils v Pirates: Cutch-less Lineup & Notes

Today's Game - Vance Worley (2-2, 4.63) v Aaron Harang (3-3, 2.38). Vance hasn't been terribly effective lately; with Charlie Morton in rehab, Clayton Richard at Indy and Adrian Sampson pitching well, he might want to take a peek over his shoulder. Harang is making his 29th career start vs. the Pirates (the most by any active pitcher), whom he's 16-8 against. And he, not Hamels, may be Philly's staff ace - his 2.38 ERA and 1.015 WHIP are both best among Phil starters. The game starts at 1:05 and will be on Root Sports and 93.7 The Fan; it's also the MLB.TV Free Game of the Day.

Today's Lineup - Gregory Polanco RF, Josh Harrison LF, Neil Walker 2B, Starling Marte CF, Pedro 1B, Jung-Ho Kang 3B, Jordy Mercer SS, Chris Stewart C, Worley P.

A shook up get away day lineup - Cutch is off, Josh is in left for the second time this campaign, Kang is at the hot corner and Stew's behind the dish. 

Stew calls the game today (photo - Kris Klement/USA Today)

• Don't believe that the Buc attack revolves around anyone but Cutch. Andrew knocked in the team’s two runs last night while going 1-for-3 with a hit by pitch, and has gone 11-for-29 (.379) with four doubles, a homer, six RBI and six runs scored over his last eight games, just about when the Pirate runs started flowing.
• If you wonder about scheduled days off for guys on fire like Cutch, Clint explained they're planned well in advance and unless something intervenes - a rainout, stretch of extra-inning games, injury, etc - they stick to the date
• Neil Walker extended his hitting streak to eight games last night.
• Deep (or trivial, take your pick) data mining: Pittsburgh has won seven of 10 series finales this season, while the Phillies are just 2-8 this year in the last game of a set.
• The Pirates start the first of four straight day games; their weekend series at Wrigley is a throwback set, with all the games in the afternoon.