Charlie v Gio; Lineup & Notes

Today's Game - Charlie Morton (5-0, 1.62) toes the rubber versus Gio Gonzalez (4-4, 4.82); another lefty already? Chuck brings a six game winning streak into his start and has a 14-1/3 scoreless inning string going. He's 2-3 with a 4.70 ERA in six career starts against the Nats, splitting a pair of decisions last year.

Gio has evolved into a sinker pitcher, with a 56% ground ball rate. One thing to watch is his command; he was all over the place last time out and couldn't get through the fourth. Gonzalez didn't face the Bucs last year and just once in 2013; his new commitment to contact makes him a different animal on the mound this season. The game starts at 1:35 and will be carried by Root Sports, 93.7 The Fan and is MLB.TV's free game of the day..

Another game without The Kid (photo Dave Arrigo/Pirates)

Today's Lineup - Josh Harrison 2B, Starling Marte LF, Cutch CF, Jung-Ho Kang 3B, Fran Cervelli C, Jose Tabata RF, Corey Hart 1B, Jordy Mercer SS, Morton P.

The Kid is still out; makes sense not to push him against a lefty. Corey gets another shot after his 3-for-3 day earlier in the week, and yesterday's only baserunner for Pittsburgh, JT, gets the nod in right.

• The Nats have the Bucs number lately; yesterday was the sixth straight loss Pittsburgh has suffered at the hands of Washington.
• Two hitting steaks ended yesterday - Josh's nine-gamer and JHK's five game run.
• Today is the fifth straight start Neil Walker has missed with abdominal/hip discomfort. He is available from the bench today.