The no longer last place Pirates look to sweep the Rockies

The Pirates are now riding a four game win streak as Chad Kuhl (1-5, 5.63) takes the mound at 7:05 at PNC Park. The Rockies counter with another of their four rookie starter, 21 year old German Marquez (4-3, 4.44). Also, Francisco Cervelli returns from the Disabled List and is starting at catcher, with A.J. Schugel optioned back to Indianapolis without yet getting into a game this year.

The Pirates are now in 4th place in the division, slipping ahead of the Reds and only 3.5 games behind the front-running Brewers.

It’s been seven days since Kuhl’s last start which was in Baltimore, where he averaged 97.0 on his fastball, touched 99, and only allowed one run in five innings, but also struggled to throw strikes.

Marquez throws mostly just a fastball (57%) at 94.5 mph and curve (25%), with the change, 2-seamer, cutter and slider all under 8% in usage. Marquez doesn’t have any overall split differentials, with a 99 tOPS+ to right-handed batters and 99 to the lefties. Walks and strikeouts are fairly even, although he allows a higher BABIP to left-handers and more homer to those swinging from the right side.

Other than Cervelli, John Jaso replaces David Freese in the 4 spot and will play left, while Max Moroff spells Jordy Mercer at shortstop. For the Rockies, rookie Raimel Tapia replaces Carlos Gonzalez in right field.

LINEUPS

ROCKIES

1 Blackmon CF

2 LeMahieu 2B

3 Arenado 3B

4 Reynolds 1B

5 Desmond LF

6 Tapia RF

7 Story ss

8 Wolters C

9 Marquez RHP

PIRATES

1 Frazier 2B

2 Harrison 3B

3 Polanco RF

4 Jaso LF

5 Bell 1B

6 McCutchen CF

7 Cervelli C

8 Moroff SS

9 Kuhl RHP

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