Good afternoon from PNC Park where tonight the Pirates (40-39) take on the Mets (36-43) in the second game of a four-game set. Brandon Cumpton (3-2, 4.93 ERA) will take on Jacob deGrom (1-4, 3.75 ERA).
Hurdle’s Quotes
On deciding a rotation out of eight solid starters: “The volume of work each man has done is taken into consideration. You need to do what’s best for the organization at the time to keep the best competitive team you can in play in your mind and also continue to have depth. These are problems and challenges that you get when you start being a better organization and if you look back, all the absolute challenges we had two weeks ago and three weeks ago, the rotation hasn’t turned out that way.”
On giving guys rest during the homestand: “We’re going to be on a bit of a rotation here this series. I anticipate giving another outfielder or two a day off through the weekend and we’re definitely going to try and capitalize on something with Andrew based around the off day either before or after.”
Other Notes
— Since May 2 the Pirates have posted the best record in the National League (30-21, .588); also the fourth-best record in the Major Leagues in that time behind Toronto (32-21, .604), Oakland (30-20, .600) and LAA (30-20, .600).
— Since the start of the 2012 season, Andrew McCutchen leads all National League players with 472 hits, followed by New York’s Daniel Murphy (449) and Arizona’s Martin Prado (440).
— In 10 games with Gregory Polanco, Starling Marte and Andrew McCutchen at the top of the order, the threesome has combined to go 46-for-134 (.343) with six doubles, two home runs, 22 RBI and 24 runs scored.
Tonight’s Pirates Lineup
Polanco RF
Snider LF
McCutchen CF
Walker 2B
Martin C
Davis 1B
Alvarez 3B
Mercer SS
Cumpton P
First pitch is set for 7:05.
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(Photo Credit: Getty Images)
