Good afternoon from PNC Park where today the Pirates (29-33) look to rebound from the Brewers series as they begin a four-game set with the Cubs (25-35). Charlie Morton (2-7, 3.31 ERA) will once again face Edwin Jackson (4-5, 4.59 ERA).
Hurdle’s Quotes
On Ike Davis facing Jackson instead of Gaby Sanchez as planned: “I went and looked at some more tape. Right-handed hitters against Jackson, left-handed hitters against Jackson, watched the at bats yesterday that Gaby took off of the right-hander and watched the one at bat that Davis took with the patience and I just thought for the next two games, let’s just leverage our best lineup out there against these guys.”
On how the extra day of rest will aid Morton’s efficiency tonight: “That’s the intent of the move. We’ll see how it plays out. Sometimes you try some different things to get the results you’re looking for. Charlie is going to get to attack pretty much an all left-handed lineup. He’s done that before with these guys. Many of the guys in the lineup he’s seen before. He needs to make pitches.”
Other Notes
— Gerrit Cole threw 25 pitches from 60 ft on flat ground this afternoon. It was the first time he has thrown since the day after his last start in San Diego on June 4th.
— Pedro Alvarez has homered three times in his last two games played against the Cubs, going deep twice at Wrigley Field on 4/9 and once the following day. Alvarez currently ranks second among National League third basemen in home runs (11), trailing Cincinnati’s Todd Frazier (12) and RBI, trailing Miami’s Casey McGehee (37).
— The Pirates are 23-6 this year when scoring four or more runs in a game. Pittsburgh has won 10 straight games and 13 of the last 14 when scoring at least two in a game.
Today’s Pirates Lineup
First pitch is set for 7:05.
(Photo Credit: Ezra Shaw / Getty Images)
