Lineups:
Alex Presley LF
Jose Tabata RF
Andrew McCutchen CF
Neil Walker 2B
Garrett Jones 1B
Rod Barajas C
Pedro Alvarez 3B
Clint Barmes SS
Charlie Morton P
Rafael Furcal SS
Matt Carpenter 1B
Matt Holliday LF
Carlos Beltran RF
David Freese 3B
Yadier Molina C
Skip Schumaker CF
Daniel Descalso 2B
Lance Lynn P
A few notes:
-P- Not that it matters a whole lot at this point, but the Cardinals are already three games up on the rest of the division, and the Bucs are only 3.5 games out of first. This series offers the Pirates a great chance to gain some ground in the N.L. Central ... or drop a long way back.
-P- The Pirates see three righties in Lynn, Jake Westbrook and Kyle Lohse this series. I agree with whoever it was (Dejan, maybe?) who suggested earlier today that we could see a lot of Pedro Alvarez and Garrett Jones this series.
-P- The Bucs are hosting Pirates bloggers today. I couldn't be there, due to some work responsibilities. But thanks to Terry Rodgers for the invitation, and I look forward to reading some fun stuff on some of the other Pirates blogs this weekend.
-P- Be sure to check out our interview with Cardinals beat writer and former Pirates beat writer Jenifer Langosch on the Bucs Dugout Podcast.