Charlie v Christian Bergman; Lineup (A-Ram Out) & Notes

Today's Game - Charlie Morton (9-8, 4.26) hooks up with Christian Bergman (3-0, 3.81). Ya never know what you're gonna get out of Charlie; a couple of strong starts in crunch time would be nice to finish the season. He's lost four of his last five decisions and has gone 3-5 with a 5.17 ERA in 10 starts on the road this season, tho he's been better lately, with a 2.55 ERA in his past four starts away from Pittsburgh. Chuck is 2-2 with a 3.74 ERA in seven career starts against the Rox. He's 0-1 this year after losing a 5-0 decision to Jorge De La Rosa on 8/30 at PNC Park and went 0-1 with a 3.45 ERA in two 2014 outings.

Bergman has pitched well recently out of the bullpen and is making a spot start in place of lefty Jorge De La Rosa, who has right Achilles' tendon soreness. Bergman came off the DL in August and has been working long relief (it will be his 28th appearance this season but only his second start; his first was back in April). He'll likely be on a pitch count today as he hasn't tossed more than 50 pitches in an outing since that last start.. The righty has only worked once against Pittsburgh, tossing 1-2/3 IP with a hit in August. The game starts at 8:40 and will be aired by Root Sports and 93.7 The Fan.

Usual lineup except for A-Ram, out with a tight groin, and we didn't expect him back until the Cub series.

• Mark the Shark has retired the last 23 men he has faced.
• With 28 stolen bases and 18 home runs, Starling Marte is two homers shy of becoming the ninth player in team history to collect at least 20 steals and 20 home runs in the same season. He would join Dave Parker (twice), Barry Bonds (4 times), Andy Van Slyke (twice), Al Martin, Kevin Young, Jason Bay, Nate McLouth and Cutch (3 times) in the 20-20 club. Andrew was the last to do it, with 21 homers and 27 stolen bases in 2013. 
• The Pirates clinched 2013 & 2014 playoff spots on this date; we'll see if tonight makes three in a row. It'd be especially eerie if Starling drove home the game-winning run, as he's done in the past two clinchers.