Jay v Carlos Martinez; Lineup & Notes

Today's Game - JA Happ (3-1, 1.98 with Pirates; 7-7, 4.10 overall) v Carlos Martinez (13-6, 2.91). Jay will be making his sixth with the Pirates tomorrow night and has surrendered just two runs in his last four starts after losing his Bucco debut on 8/4. Jay's been good on the road, allowing one earned run in his last two starts away from PNC Park, but the Redbirds have had his number in the past. He's 1-8 with a 6.79 ERA in 10 career starts against St. Louis. But he hasn't faced them since 2012, and hopefully the new and improved Happ can turn a new page and get the Bucs off on the right foot tonight.

Martinez is wearing down a bit; he's given up three or more runs in four straight starts and five of his last six outings. He missed Tuesday turn as the Cards are trying to limit innings for him and Michael Wacha, especially now that they have that big 6-1/2 game pad in the NL Central. Martinez is 2-1, but with a 4.35 ERA, against Pittsburgh this year. He's managed to find the big out when he's needed it, with 23 K in 20-1/3 IP. The game starts at 8:15 and will be on MLB Network, Root Sports and 93.7 The Fan.

Big series, and Clint decided to go with the good hands people - Josh at 2B, Jordy at SS, JHK at 3B.

• The Pirates four game losing streak is their longest since mid-May.
• One Pirate who hasn't fallen under Martinez's spell is Gregory Polanco. He's 8 for 11, with two doubles and a triple against Martinez lifetime. El Coffee's due to have a couple of balls find some grass after hitting into some hard outs against the Brewers.
• Pittsburgh is 4-18 since early 2013 (1-5 this year) at Busch Stadium; the Cards have the best 2015 home record in baseball at 48-20.
• AJ threw a sim game today, and reported feeling good, so... Ishy was also running the bases and looked pretty sturdy; he's due back from the DL on the 7th.
• Jon Jay comes off the DL for this series. Brandon Moss should start today; he's 6-for-8 lifetime against Happ.