Thursday: Jameson Taillon v Christian Friedrich, Lineup, Notes

Today: It's getaway, matinee, businessman's special day, with the game slated for a 12:35 start. It will be aired by Root Sports and 93.7 The Fan, and features a Jung Ho Kang bobblehead giveaway. JHK is still being investigated, so the Bucs took the PC route. Any fans that don't particularly care to receive his bobblehead can get a voucher for a different promo giveaway upon request. It's also a Salute to the Military day, with the Bucs making presentation and the team decked out in camo.

Pitchers: Jameson Taillon (2-2, 3.29) finishes the series against lefty Christian Friedrich (4-7, 4.76). Four of Jamo's last five starts have been very good as he's settled into keeping the ball down after an erratic start, although he still can be taken long. He's gotten 33 swinging strikes and 44 looking in his last three starts, so his stuff is kickin' in and plays at the big league level. And he does throw strikes - he's walked six batters in 52 IP. Friedrich has given up 4+ runs seven times in his last nine outings. He can be a little wild, gives up a hit per inning and homer per game, sooo...

Jameson takes the ball for the 10th time today (photo Pittsburgh Pirates)

Lineup: Josh 2B, Starling Marte LF, Cutch CF, Freeser 3B, Gregory Polanco RF, Jordy SS, S-Rod 1B, Eric Fryer C, Taillon P. 'Bout time S-Rod got a start at first. We didn't expect Fran back today, and he's still being evaluated. Freeser is at cleanup with a southpaw on the hill.

• Elias Diaz is back in town; we're guessing it's another "taxi squad" call up while the team determines the extent of Fran's wrist injury, which occurred during a swing last night.
• JT is making his 10th start; Eric Fryer will be the sixth different catcher he's thrown to.
• Brian Kenny, Jonah Keri, Mike Petriello and John Smoltz will call  the Pirates-Giants  game for the MLB Network on Wednesday, August 17th at 3:30 PM.