AJ v David Holmberg; Lineup & Notes; Joe Blanton Joins Club; Vanimal DFA'ed

Today's Game - AJ Burnett (8-4, 2.68) and lefty David Holmberg set the table for the Reds series. AJ's been regressing of late; hopefully, the karma will even out and he'll give the Bucs a solid run down the stretch. He's been pretty dependable against the Reds, going 8-6 with a 3.52 ERA in 19 career starts against Cincy, with a 1-0/2.45 ERA slash in three starts against them this year.

The lefty Holmberg has made eight big league appearances, including five starts with the Reds last season with none of his outings against Pittsburgh. The 23 year old is 2-2 with a 4.80 ERA lifetime. He's a pitch-to-contact, low K guy who was susceptible to surrendering the long ball this year in AAA. The game starts at 7:10 and will be aired by Root Sports and 93.7 The Fan.

Today's Lineup - Gregory Polanco RF, Starling Marte LF, Cutch CF, A-Ram 3B, Jung-Ho Kang SS, Fran Cervelli C, Pedro 1B, Neil Walker 2B, AJ P.

Gregory has answered the bell this month (photo Gene Puskar/AP)

Not often that you see Pedro batting 7th and The Kid 8th. And tho he had a couple of hits yesterday, we'd still rather see Ramirez swap lineup spots with Kang (not that anyone asked).

The Bucs are 0-3 at Great American Ball Park this season (they've lost five in a row there) and are 2-7 overall against the Reds this season. Can't be moaning about the Cards when you're only 17-24 in the Central Division.

• The Pirates bought RHP Joe Blanton from the Royals after he was DFA'ed. Blanton posted a 3.89 ERA in 15 games (4 starts) with KC this year. He's expected to be here tonight. The Bucs DFA'ed Vance Worley,as he never did settle into a bullpen role.
• In his last six games, Francisco Cervelli has produced five multi-hit games.
• With 2480 career strikeouts, A.J. Burnett enters tonight’s action ranked 33rd on the all-time list. Don Drysdale (2486) ranks 32nd.
• ESPN Stats: Most Defensive Runs Saved due to shifts this season - Orioles 22, Astros 21, Rays and Pirates 15.
• The Cleveland Indians traded 1B/OF Brandon Moss to the St. Louis Cardinals for LHP Rob Kaminsky, a 2013 first rounder who was ranked as their #5 prospect coming into the season by Baseball America.