Jeff Locke v Dan Haren; Notes & Lineup

Today's Game - Jeff Locke (6-6, 4.21) faces new Cubby Dan Haren (7-7, 3.42). Jeff has posted a 3-3/2.81 slash in his last nine starting assignments. he hasn't faced the Cubs since May, when he got a no decision in an 11-10 loss at Wrigley, and has a loss and another no-decision against them so far this year. Locke is 1-2 with a 5.75 ERA in eight career starts v Chicago.

Haren was picked up at the deadline to fill the back end of the Cubs rotation. He's got a nice record and a pedigree, but his peripherals - FIP, xFIP and SIERA - all suggest a guy that's been way outperforming his stats, so we'll see if he's having one of those do-no-wrong years or if regression is lurking. It will be his first outing against Pittsburgh this year, though he was whipped twice in 2014 as a Dodger and is 3-3/5.28 in ten career appearances v the Bucs. The game starts at 7:05 and will be aired by Root Sports and 93.7 The Fan.

Varsity lineup while the A-Ram at cleanup experiment continues.

• The Cubs have been rolling; they're on a six game winning streak. The Pirates have gone 4-7 overall against Chicago this season, which includes a 2-3 record at PNC Park. Gotta win those division games; the Pirates are 19-27 v their Central rivals.
• Arquimedes Caminero pitched 2-1/3 innings and struck out six batters, both career highs, last night. He leads all NL rookie pitchers in appearances with 49, and has 54 K in 49IP.
• Advance at your own risk: Starling Marte has a league-leading 10 outfield assists. 
• Garrett Jones signed a FA contract with the Yankees.