The Pittsburgh Pirates are looking to avoid a sweep against a National League Central foe in the St. Louis Cardinals. A loss would be the 12th in 16 games.
In Sunday evening’s game, Jonathon Niese (6-2, 3.93 ERA) will face Mike Leake (4-4, 4.22 ERA). Niese is 4-3 with a 3.45 ERA in career starts against the Cardinals.
Niese has not lost a decision since May 9, which is also the last time he allowed more than two earned runs in an appearance.
In his last start, Niese bested his former team, the New York Mets, in the first game of Tuesday’s doubleheader. He pitched seven shutout innings in the win. Niese is 3-0 with a 1.74 ERA and .218 batting average against in his last five starts. PNC Park has also treated him well, as Niese has a 3-1 record and 3.16 ERA in six home starts.
Leake has had plenty of success against the Pirates in his career, posting an 8-4 record with a 3.16 ERA in 25 career starts. He has won seven of his last eight decisions against the Pirates, but that one loss came this season, in his Cardinals debut.
In that debut, he dropped a 5-1 decision on April 6 allowing four runs on seven hits in 4.1 innings of work.
Today’s lineups
Pirates (32-30)
- John Jaso 1B
- Andrew McCutchen CF
- Gregory Polanco RF
- David Freese 3B
- Starling Marte LF
- Josh Harrison 2B
- Jordy Mercer SS
- Erik Kratz C
- Jonathon Niese P
Cardinals (34-28)
- Jedd Gyorko 2B
- Aledmys Diaz SS
- Matt Holliday LF
- Stephen Piscotty RF
- Jhonny Peralta 3B
- Yadier Molina C
- Brandon Moss 1B
- Randal Grichuk CF
- Mike Leake P
Bottom of the ninth
The Pirates, who have had their struggles against the NL Central in the past are 12-13 thus far in 2016 … Tony Watson passed Salomon Torres for second place in all-time appearances at PNC Park. Watson currently has 189 … Chris Stewart will be available off the bench. No update has been given on Gerrit Cole’s injury.
Photo credit: @Pirates
