Steven v Jon Lester, Lineup & Notes

Game: Opening pitch is scheduled for 4:05. It will be aired on AT&T SportsNet, MLB Network (out of market) and 93.7 The Fan.

Lineup: Kevin Newman SS, Bryan Reynolds CF, Melky Cabrera RF, Josh Bell 1B, Jose Osuna 3B, Pablo Reyes LF, Adam Frazier 2B, Elias Diaz C, Steven Brault P. Starling is still hors de combat.

Steven on the hill today - photo Pittsburgh Pirates

Pitchers: LHP Steven Brault (4-4/4.13) kicks it off against LHP Jon Lester (12-10/4.51). Since rejoining the rotation, Steven has given up more than three runs just twice in 14 starts. He's only faced the Cubs twice this year, once as a starter, and is 0-1/4.50 in 10 IP. Lester has been up and down since August, but he's been strong against the Bucs, slashing 2-0/1.84 in three starts this year.

Notes:

• Kevin Newman is slashing .337/.387 at the top of the order. Fraze is hitting .339/.381 in the seven hole, so that's one swap of Clint's that's paying off.
• The Cubs have been muddling through September, with a 5-6 mark. They're four games behind the Cards and tied with Milwaukee for the second wildcard. Chicago has seven games left with the Redbirds and six against the Bucs, who are positioned to be a spoiler in the race. The Pirates have battled them throughout the year, tho the Cubs have an 8-5 lead in the series so far.