Good afternoon from PNC Park where the Pirates (83-70) look to put a stranglehold on the N.L. Wild Card race against the Brewers (79-75). Edinson Volquez (12-7, 3.27 ERA) will oppose Matt Garza (8-8, 3.74 ERA).
Playoff Update
— With the comeback win last night, the Pirates extended their Wild Card lead over the Brewers to 4 1/2 games.
— The Giants lost last night to pull the Pirates to within one game of the first Wild Card spot (home field in the Wild Card game).
— The Cardinals held off the Reds 2-1 to keep a 2 1/2 game lead on the Pirates for the N.L. Central lead.
Hurdle’s Quotes
On the recent success of the starting rotation (10-1 last three trips through[12-3 overall]): “They’re pitching to their strengths. Their command has been very, very good. They’re throwing to spots that they need to go to. It’s a combination of pitching to your strengths and having areas with the hitters where can go to where you can expose weaknesses. They have been game planning very well. They’ve been stubborn with their approach. They’ve been focused on just making the next pitch and not getting ahead of themselves. The rhythm and the pace they’ve been working with has been very, very good which keeps the defense in play. They’re pitching with a lot of confidence.”
Other Notes
—Since August 1, the Pirates pitching staff ranks second in the National League with a 2.99 ERA, trailing only the Washington Nationals (2.76). During the month of September, the Bucco staff has held the opponent to a league-low .210 batting average while ranking second in the league with a 2.37 ERA (151 2/3 IP / 40 ER); trailing only the St. Louis Cardinals (2.24).
— Edinson Volquez leads the Pirates in wins (12) and is making his team-leading 30th start tonight. He has gone 4-0 with a 1.73 ERA (52 IP / 10 ER) in his last eight starts overall and has allowed four earned runs in 27 1/3 IP while winning his last three decisions at PNC Park. Volquez went 9-12 with a 5.71 ERA in 33 games (32 starts) last season and a victory tonight would give him 13 wins for the first time since going 17-6 with the Reds in 2008.
— Behind the 2013 National League Manager-of-the-Year Clint Hurdle, the Pirates have posted the third-best record in the National League over the last two seasons (177-138, .562) and are tied for the fifth-best in MLB.
Tonight’s Pirates Lineup
First pitch is set for 7:05.
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(Photo Credit: Getty Images)
