Good afternoon from PNC Park where the Pirates (78-69) look to extend their winning streak to four games as they face the Cubs (64-83). Jeff Locke (7-4, 3.60 ERA) will take the hill and oppose Felix Doubront (1-1, 2.25 ERA).
Injury Update
Starling Marte is out of the lineup once again with “elbow discomfort”. He is available to pinch-run if needed.
“He went out and swung a bat. He tried to do some defensive work and he’s still limited in a couple of different areas,” said manager Clint Hurdle. “Pinch-running would be the one thing we could use him for.”
Hurdle’s Quotes
On the offense’s successes: “I think from start till now they’ve tried to get a little bit better every day and to continue to be stubborn with their approach. To continue to dictate what they need to do based on what the game has asked them to do. It’s been a very selfless approach up there. We’re not trying to jump fastballs. We’re just trying to hit them and we’re using the whole field. A lot of confidence going on. They’re connecting the dots. Hitting and pitching is contagious and we’re in a place right now where everyone has been able to throw a quality at bat, a number of them collectively as a group. When you connect the dots like that, you can have some of the big innings we’ve been having lately.”
On Locke’s control: “His control has been better than last year. Strike one is always an important pitch for everyone. Having hitters hit underneath counts is always important for everybody. That seems to be a combination that plays out more dynamically for him than some others.”
Playoff Push
— Last night’s win bumped the Pirates playoff magic number down to 14 as the Brewers walked-off on the Reds. They remain 1 1/2 up on Milwaukee for the second National League Wild Card spot.
— The Giants beat the Dodgers 9-0 to remain four games up on the Pirates for the first National League Wild Card spot (first spot hosts the Wild Card game).
— The Cardinals defeated the Rockies 5-1 last night to keep a 2 1/2 game lead on the Pirates for the National League Central division lead.
Other Notes
— The Pirates currently lead the National League with a .331 on-base percentage and are tied for first with 479 walks received. The last season in which Pittsburgh led the senior circuit in OBP and walks was 1991. The Bucs actually did so in back-to-back seasons in 1990 and 1991 while winning the N.L. East division title both years.
— The Pirates bullpen has been charged with just two earned runs in its last 24 1/3 innings of work (0.74 ERA). During the month of September, the relievers have combined to post the lowest ERA in the majors (1.08), giving up seven runs (four earned) in 33 1/3 innings of work. Overall this season, the Pirates rank second in the big leagues with 31 relief wins (Cleveland has 32).
— The Pirates are 4-1 in their last five series against teams from the National League Central, including wins in each of the last two series at home against St. Louis from August 25-27 and against Cincinnati from August 29-31.
Tonight’s Pirates Lineup
First pitch is set for 7:05.
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(Photo Credit: Getty Images)
