Bucs-Indians, J-Grove v Bieber, Lineup & Notes

Today: The game starts at 7:10 and will be carried by AT&T SportsNet & 93.7 The Fan.

Pitchers: RHP Joe Musgrove (3-4, 4.08) meets RHP Shane Bieber (5-1, 3.53). Joe's last three outings have been solid (ignore the five-run line of the last one; Clint tried to get an inning too long out of him to save an overworked pen). He's 0-1 in one career start v the Tribe as a member of the Astros, losing an 8-6 decision in 2017. This will be Bieber's eighth MLB start. After a hot June start, his July record is a little less shiny - he's 2-1/5.21 with 22 hits surrendered in 19 IP, but still showing swing-n-miss stuff with a K per inning, coupled with good control. The 23-year-old rookie has never faced the Pirates.

J-Grove tries to keep the Buccos streakin' (photo Pittsburgh Pirates)

Lineup: Corey Dickerson LF, Starling Marte CF, Gregory Polanco RF, Elias Diaz C, Colin Moran DH, Josh Bell 1B, Josh Harrison 2B, Jordy SS (J-Grove P). Worked last night...

Notes:

• Jordy is hitting .288 (15-for-52) this month. His 31 extra base hits are the fourth among NL shortstops. He has 24 doubles, matching his total from 2017 and three shy of tying his career-high of 27 in 2014.
• In case you were wondering about how long the road of recovery from TJ surgery was for Casey Sadler, he made last appearance (of seven total) with the Pirates on 4/12/15 at Milwaukee, when he started and earned his first career win.
• It always starts with pitching. During the Pirates 10-game streak, the starters have gone 8-0/2.25 & the bullpen 2-0-5/1.29.
• The Pirates last 11 game winning streak was in 1996. More streakin' stuff: The Bucss have won each of their last seven games against American League opponents. The club’s longest winning streak in interleague play is eight games, which happened in 2013. Four straight road wins ties the season high and eight consecutive games with a homer is the season high.
• Corey Dickerson won the Pirates "Heart & Hustle" award. Adam Frazier took the honor last year.