Gamethread: Pirates start Brandon Inge, John McDonald

Here's the Pirates' lineup for today's 1:35 game against Gio Gonzalez and the Nats.

Starling Marte LF
Jordy Mercer 2B
Andrew McCutchen CF
Gaby Sanchez 1B
Russell Martin 3B
Michael McKenry C
Brandon Inge RF
John McDonald SS
Wandy Rodriguez P

Brandon Inge's OPS against lefties the last three years: .717 (2011), .693 (2012), .636 (2013). He does not hit anyone well enough for his platoon splits to matter much, and he should never ever start in the outfield, since he is not an outfielder, as his throw home from right the other day demonstrated. Travis Snider is a better option, even against a lefty. Now, watch Inge go 3-for-5 today while the Pirates score eight runs, or something, but this lineup is a joke, and it shows how poorly-constructed the Pirates' bench is right now. Obviously, the Pirates are dealing with a lot of minor injuries, but right now they've got three utility infielders in the lineup, two of whom are mostly pointless. And their starting catcher is playing third.