Jeff v Anthony DeSclafani; Scrambled Lineup & Notes

Today's Game - Jeff Locke (7-9, 4.66) starts it off against RHP Anthony DeSclafani (7-10, 3.87). Jeff's been the weak link lately, but the Bucs are sticking with him; otherwise, they would have tried to match Vanimal or AJ's pitching schedule to mirror his. His six outings since August have resulted in four starts of four or more runs surrendered, and he's only gotten through the sixth once in that span. We'll see if he's got a couple of more games left in him during the stretch. He's 1-1 with a 5.06 ERA in three starts v the Reds this year, but he did win his latest decision by a 5-4 count over Michael Lorenzen on 7/31 at GABP. He's 2-0 lifetime with a 1.85 ERA at Cincy in four starts lifetime, so we'll find out which opposing dynamic is in play today.

Jeff Locke is on the hill (photo Charles LeClaire/USA Today)

DeSclafani has lost three of his last four, and the Reds have dropped each of his last five starts. The 24 year old rookie is pushing through his first full season in the show, and his 27 starts lead the Reds' staff. ADS also has a pro high of 155 IP, and may be wearing down a bit. He's 0-1 against the Bucs this year in three starts, but has a solid enough 3.18 ERA. It's a big series: the last place Reds have lost 17 of 22, but they're 9-4 against Pittsburgh this year and been rough on Locke. The Labor Day game starts at 1:10 and will be on Root Sports and 93.7 The Fan.

Today's Lineup - Gregory Polanco RF, Neil Walker 2B, Cutch CF, Jung-Ho Kang 3B, Pedro 1B, S- Rod SS, Travis Snider LF, Chris Stewart C, Locke P.

Mixed up kinda lineup; we suspect it has a lot to do with the team's early AM arrival in Cincy and some mad science by Clint. Red hot S-Rod (who many may have forgotten was a backup middle infielder before coming to Pgh) is at short, and Travis gets a start

• From Ace of MLB Stats: Andrew McCutchen is currently on pace for his fourth straight .300/.400/.500 season.
• Travis Ishikawa was taken off the DL and added to the roster after a short rehab at Indy. This is earliest date that he could be brought back from his back sprain.
• The Bucs didn't get into Cincy until 2AM. Hope they got a dose of Red Bull for breakfast!
• The Pirates have had six guys - Starling Marte, Neil Walker, Aramis Ramirez, Jung-Ho Kang, Corey Hart & Cutch - bat cleanup this year. Starling leads the pack with 48 appearances; A-Ram is second at 32.
• The Pirate pitching staff has an ERA of 3.21, with the starters at 3.47 & the pen clocking in with 2.70.
• Per Keith Law, the Marlins will hire Marc DelPiano, who was their director of player development in 2003, from the Pirates to take a senior VP role. Marc was a special assistant to the GM here since 2008, with a well regarded background in scouting, and will leave a big hole in the scouting dep't.