Gerrit v Sean O'Sullivan; Lineup & Notes

Today's Game - Gerrit Cole (9-2, 1.73) gets it on with Sean O’Sullivan (1-4, 4.96 ) this afternoon. Gerrit will try to become the first NL pitcher to hit the 10-win mark in 2015. His slash is 2-1/2.60 ERA in three career starts against the Phils (including a May win), and he's 4-1 with a 1.95 ERA in five home starts this season. O’Sullivan, 27, is 0-1/4.50 in two appearances against Pittsburgh to go with an 0-3 record with a 7.02 ERA in three 2015 road starts this season. He's lost his last four decisions.

One thing to watch is how deep the starters get as both bullpens got a workout last game. Gerrit has gone seven IP or better in six of his last seven starts while O'Sullivan hasn't gotten past six frames yet this season. The game starts at 4:05 and will be on Root Sports & 93.7 The Fan. And as if the Cole Train isn't enough of an attraction, Big & Rich will play a post-game concert. And bring umbrellas; there's a strong chance the game may be interrupted by rain storms later.

Everyday lineup, with Stew in to caddy for Gerrit and JHK at short with a power arm on the hill today versus the Buccos' regular worm-burners.

• The Cole Train (9-2, 1.73 ERA) owns the lowest ERA in baseball and is tied with Seattle's Felix Hernandez and Bartolo Colon of the New York Mets for the most wins.
• Per Elias: Antonio Bastardo ended a streak that saw each of the Pirates' last 17 victories, dating back to May 11th, earned by a starting pitcher. That was the longest streak of its kind by the Pirates since 1987.
• The Bucs are going for their third straight shutout. That was last done by Pirate pitching in 1976 when Candy Man, Rook and Jerry Reuss tossed goose eggs against the Cards to close out the season.
• The Pirates have gone 7-0 at home this season in games played during the afternoon.
• Josh had four hits last night and his BA is up to .266. It was the seventh four-hit game of his career.
• Seems safe to say that Jeff Locke owns the Phils - in five career starts, he's 4-0 (no decision yesterday) with a 1.10 ERA.
• The Pirates' four straight home wins over the Phillies is their longest such streak in the all-time series since taking five in a row in 2002-03.
• Also per Elias: Ol' Man River Aramis Ramirez, who started his days as a Bucco, knocked in five runs on Friday, the 16th time in his big-league career in which he has driven in at least five runs. That total tied the major-league mark for 5-RBI+ games by a third baseman with Braves Eddie Mathews (Milwaukee) and Chipper Jones (Atlanta).