Friday: Juan Nicasio v Dan Straily; Lineup, Notes

Tonight: The Reds come to town for a 7:05 series opener. The game will be on Root Sports and 93.7 The Fan. If you like tee shirts, this is "That's Amore" Fran shirt giveaway night. Unfortunately, its supposed to be a dreary weekend weather-wise, so let's hope the Bucs are mudders.

Starling is back and the A-Team lineup is intact tonight (photo Dave Arrigo/Pirates)

Pitchers: Juan Nicasio  (2-2, 4.50) kicks it off against Dan Straily (0-0, 3.50). Nicasio has been a wild child as a starter, although he did show a third pitch, his change, a bit last outing, so that may help generate an extra strike or two. He needs those strikes, too - 11 walks in 20 IP have been running up his pitch count and ERA. Straily has had a kind of whirlwind relationship with the Reds. He was claimed from San Diego, carried as a long man after a career as a starter, and then tossed back into the rotation to replace Tim Melville. This will be his third start; he's had one good and one bad turn in that role so far. He's been workmanlike against the Bucs, seeing them four times with a 1-0/3.55 mark.

Lineup: John Jaso 1B, Cutch CF, David Freese 3B, Starling Marte LF, Fran Cervelli C, Gregory Polanco RF, Josh Harrison 2B, Jordy SS, Nicasio P. Nobody down for maintenance today; it's the regular lineup.

• The Pirates have won four in a row for the second time this month. It won't be that easy to extend, tho; the Reds took two-of-three earlier in the month at  GABP and won 11-of-19 last year.
• The Pirates today announced the extensions of the entire coaching staff through 2017, so Uncle Ray and the gang will be back next season.
• Baseball news: Marlin 2B Dee Gordon flunked his PED test and was suspended for 80 games.