AJ v Jake; Lineup & Notes

Today's Game - AJ Burnett (9-5, 3.15) closes out the series against Jake Arrieta (20-6, 1.88). Tall order for AJ; he's basically been a five inning starter since returning from the DL this month and hit the wall pretty hard. In his three starts, he's gone 16 IP, giving up 17 hits, seven walks and seven earned runs. He's gone 1-0 with a 1.47 ERA while opposing Jake Arietta three times this season AJ received a no-decision in a 5-2 Bucco loss at PNC Park on 4/20, tossed seven scoreless innings while winning a 3-0 decision at Wrigley Field on 5/17, and started in a 3-2, 12-inning loss on 9/16 at PNC Park

Jake has been on a Cy Young run. He's 14-1 with a 0.94 ERA in his last 18 starts. During this stretch, opponents are hitting .158 against him and he has allowed just two home runs in 134 innings. Arrieta is 2-1 against Pittsburgh this year with a 0.93 ERA in four starts. The game starts at 8:08 and will be on ESPN and 93.7 The Fan.

Everyone's back in action, with A-Ram and El Coffee in the lineup. The Bucs have swept the four three-game series that AJ, Gerrit & Frankie have started this year; they're looking for brooming #5 tonight. Batman is matching up for the fourth time against Arrieta this year, and has hung toe-to-toe with him.

• With his next whiff, AJ will become the 32nd pitcher to record 2,500 strikeouts in his career.
• Antonio Bastardo has retired each of the last 15 batters he has faced over his last seven appearances.
• The Bucs enter the game riding their second eight game winning streak of the year.
• The Pirates have had eight single-season 200-K performances over their history, tossed by: Frankie (200 - 2015); Gerrit (200 - 2015); AJ (209 - 2013); Ollie Perez (209 - 2004) and Bob Veale (250 - 1964, 276 - 1965, 229 - 1966 & 213 - 1969).
• Tonight marks the final regular season road game for the Pirates. They have gone 45-35 away from home this season, the most on the road since the 1991 squad posted a 46-32 record away from home.