Good afternoon from PNC Park where the Pirates (61-53) look to continue their winning ways against the Padres (52-61). Vance Worley (4-1, 2.43 ERA) will take the hill against Ian Kennedy (8-9, 3.59 ERA).
Player Update
Neil Walker took grounders and BP today with the team.
“I think he feels better today,” said manager Clint Hurdle. “We need him to get to the point where we can get him on the field. He took grounders yesterday, but he didn’t take swings. We’re going to see if he can do both today.”
Gerrit Cole is on track to make another rehab start on Sunday.
Andrew McCutchen continues to improve in his recovery.
“The trainers continue to add different mobility exercises, resistance exercises, movement to the degree of running that he’s doing right now,” said Hurdle. “I think it’s been minimal. Attempt to take some swings slow, but that’s been put into place, so progressing in a positive fashion as of now.”
Pedro Alvarez took grounders at first base while taking pointers from Gaby Sanchez and Nick Leyva. He will be available off the bench tonight. The team had DFA’d Ernesto Frieri to make room for Alvarez on the active roster.
Hurdle’s Quotes
On the Padres: “They have a very good starting rotation. A starting rotation that can compete. There’s a lot of people outside of our industry that think that just because of a teams record, that’s how it matches up. The Cubs earlier this season were the perfect team that you can’t overlook if you’re playing in the league because of the starting pitchers that they can throw. Four of the five starting pitchers were all able to shut you down. Ross can shut you down. Kennedy can shut you down. The other kids that they’ve added that have come up, the other two that they’ve added. Their starting pitching is real. Their bullpen can pitch, as well. Their biggest challenge has been offensively. Defensively, they show up. They have people that they can put on the mound that can make it difficult to score and then it’s up to you to keep them from scoring.”
Other Notes
— In three starts since the All-Star break, Vance Worley has gone 2-0 with a 0.86 ERA (21 IP / 2 ER). He has pitched at least 6 innings seven times in his first eight starts, including his first Major League shutout on 7/28 in San Francisco. In his first three starts at PNC Park this season, the Vanimal has gone 2-1 with a 2.25 ERA (20 IP / 5 ER).
— As a collective unit, the Pittsburgh outfielders have combined to post the best on-base percentage (.350) among all Major League teams and the third-best batting average (.277) behind the Rockies (.286) and Tigers (.280).
— The Pirates won the final game played against the Padres in Pittsburgh last season, but have gone 4-17 in the last six years of play at PNC Park and are 11-31 overall here (San Diego has won the season series in Pittsburgh every year since play began at PNC Park in 2001).
Tonight’s Pirates Lineup
First pitch is set for 7:05.
(Photo Credit: Jeffrey Phelps/Getty Images)
