Gamethread: Pirates look for a split behind Nova

In a 1:35 p.m. start, Ivan Nova will try to throttle the Marlins’ bats, which Pirates’ starters had failed to do in any of the first three games of the series. Left-hander Jeff Locke will start for the Marlins, making his first ever appearance against his old team.

For the second week in a row Clint Hurdle resisted the urge to post a Sunday lineup, resting only Gregory Polanco in favor of Jose Osuna vs the lefty starter. Diaz moves up to 5, Bell drops to 7, and Mercer will bat 8th even with a lefty.

For the Marlins, Ichiro Suzuki will again man right field in place of Giancarlo Stanton who was hit with a pitch on the right wrist yesterday. X-rays were negative. Left handed batting Dee Gordon is replaced at second base by journeyman Christian Colon, while shortstop JT Riddle and catcher J.T. Realmuto get moved to the top of the order.

We need to keep an eye on Nova’s third time through the Marlins’ order, especially in light of the tender knee that caused him to be removed early from his last start.

LINEUPS

MARLINS

1 Riddle SS

2 Realmuto C

3 Yelich CF

4 Ozuna LF

5 Dietrich 3B

6 Moore 1B

7 Suzuki RF

8 Colon 2B

9 Locke LHP

PIRATES

1 Frazier LF

2 Harrison 2B

3 Osuna RF

4 Freese 3B

5 Diaz C

6 McCutchen CF

7 Bell 1B

8 Mercer SS

9 Nova RHP