Jeff Locke v Matt Harvey; Lineup (Def a get-away day order; no Cutch, JHK or Fran) & Notes

Today's Game - Jeff Locke (6-7, 4.43) has his work cut out today, going against Matt Harvey (11-7, 2.61). Jeff hasn't looked bad stat-wise, pitching to a 3.48 ERA over his past 11 games, but problems with walks, the third time around the lineup and road woes have bitten him of late: he's given up 15 runs in his last four outings, walking 10. He hasn't faced the Mets since 2013; they've pretty much had their way with Locke in the two career starts he has made against them.

Jeff goes for the sweep today (photo Charles LeClair/USA Today

Harvey is going through a bounce back year after TJ surgery, and it's been a strong rebound; he has a 1.64 ERA in his past nine starts. His heater/slider combo is back, and talk about limiting his innings, now that the Mets are division leaders, is dying down. The good news is that the Bucs pounded him 8-2 in their first meeting this year. The game starts at 1:10 and will be on TBS, Root Sports and 93.7 The Fan.

Today's Lineup - Gregory Polanco RF, Starling Marte CF, Neil Walker 2B, A-Ram 3B, Pedro 1B, Ishy LF, Stew C, Pedro Florimon SS, Locke P.

No Cutch or Jung-Ho, both were due for a break. Starling's back; we suspected last night's extended outing boded well for his return. Not exactly an optimal lineup against Harvey, but it has been a long stretch of grinders against the NL's best.

• Pittsburgh’s relievers have won 15 straight decisions coming into today since losing for the last time on June 25th (Rob Scahill lost to the Reds). According to the Elias Sports Bureau, that is the longest streak by any major league bullpen since 1909, when the World Series champion Pirate relievers had 22 consecutive winning decisions.
• Last night was the fourth time this year the Pirates have played 14 innings. The Bucs are 3-1 in games that all ended in the 14th.
• The Buccos are going for their 13th sweep of the season today. The last time Pittsburgh recorded 13 sweeps in a season came in 1991.
• Jordy started at shortstop and went 1-for-3 (3-for-10 in three games) in his rehab stint with Indy. Josh (1-for-12 in three games) started at third base and went hitless in four at bats.