Jay v Keyvius Sampson; Lineup & Notes

Today's Game - Jay Happ (8-7, 3.90) closes out the set against Keyvius Sampson (2-3, 6.68). Even with his rough opening outing, Jay has put up a 1.98 ERA in six starts with a 4-1 record as a Bucco. He's surrendered just two runs in his last five starts. He hasn't faced the Reds since last year, and doesn't have a great work resume against them, with a 6.82 ERA in six career starts.

Sampson had a quick sprint out of the box, going 2-1 with a 3.38 ERA during the first three starts of his big league career, but has since gone 0-2 with a 10.93 ERA in his past four starts since then. He hasn't lasted more than four innings in that span. Keyvius has faced Pittsburgh once, tossing five frames and losing 3-0 to Charlie Morton in early August.

The game will start at 7:10 and be on Root Sports and 93.7 The Fan. The Pirates will begin an eight game homestand tomorrow night with four contests vs. Milwaukee. Following an off day Monday, Pittsburgh will host Chicago for four games beginning with a split doubleheader on Tuesday, as the Bucs try to pull away from the Cubs and run down the Crads.

Pretty much the first team, with A-Ram at first again. Both of his appearances there have been against RHP. Oddly, Pedro has been hitting lefties (.283) better than righties (.237). And oddly again, A-Ram is hitting righties (.263) better than lefties (.198). Holy reverse splits!

• Elias Says: JA Happ has allowed no more than one run in each of his last five starts. In the divisional-play era, only two other Pirates pitchers allowed no more than one run in each of five straight starts - Zach Duke had a streak of five in 2005, and John Candelaria enjoyed a streak of six straight starts like that in 1982. Since making his debut for Pittsburgh on August 4th, Happ has a 1.57 ERA, the sixth-lowest in the Majors.
• Strange but true: Bill Mazeroski spent the first 16 years of his career exclusively at 2B before playing third three times (once as a starter) in 1972, his final campaign. A-Ram went 17 years as a 3B before playing first in his last go-round; both had 2,000+ starts at the same position before trying a different spot on the field. AJ's got 17 years in, working on his last lap, and never did anything but pitch. Wonder if....nah.