Jeff Locke v Max Scherzer; Lineup & Notes

Today's Game - Jeff Locke (5-6, 4.01) draws the unenviable task of mixing it up with Max Scherzer (10-8, 2.09) tonight. Jeff has put together seven good starts in a row after an early bumpy patch that saw his ERA bloat to 5.37 and over that span, he's tossed to a 1.96 ERA. He's quite the home boy, too. Locke has gone 7-4 with a 2.86 ERA in his last 20 PNC starts, while the Bucs have gone 15-5. Locke-Down hasn't faced the Nats this year. He's only tossed twice against them, without a decision and a 2.53 ERA.

Mad Max is on the short list for Cy Young candidates, and last time out against the Buccos, he took a perfecto into the ninth, only to lose it with two outs and two strikes when JT's elbow got clipped (he did get a no-no). Scherzer is 4-2 lifetime against the Pirates with a 2.50 ERA in seven starts and 68 K in 50 IP. The game starts at 7:05 and will be aired by Root Sports and 93.7 The Fan.

Well, as much a big boy line up as they can put together right now, at least until A-Ram hits town (smart man, missing Scherzer).

• Andrew McCutchen scored the 600th run of his career last night. Since his debut in 2009, four players have scored more runs (Miggy, Ian Kinsler, Sir Albert & Robinson Cano).
• Starling Marte has 10 hits in his last four games while JHK has five straight multi-hit contests.. 
• Pedro is tied with Dick Stuart and Andy Van Slyke for 14th place on the Pirates all-time home run list with 117.
• The game at PNC Park on Sunday, August 9th, against the LA Dodgers has been changed from a 1:35 start to an 8:08 PM first pitch to accommodate ESPN.