Game Thread: Pirates look to rebound, split series against Orioles

The Pittsburgh Pirates will get the opportunity to put Tuesday night’s late-inning meltdown behind them as they close out this two-game interleague series with the Baltimore Orioles at 7:05 PM EST in Oriole Park at Camden Yards.

Game Two features a matchup between two pitchers who have posted similar stats but have gotten very different results. Pirates starter Chad Kuhl (1-5, 6.02 ERA) has had a few very rough starts this season, but carries a much more reasonable 4.09 FIP. In the other dugout, Wade Miley (2-3, 2.82 ERA) has a much better ERA than Kuhl, but his 4.41 FIP is worse.

The difference probably lies within the defense. Most of the contact against Miley, 55.2 percent, has been hit on the ground for the famously reliable Orioles infield to handle whereas most of the balls hit off of Kuhl, 40.1 percent, have been fly balls sent into the game of musical chairs that is the Pirates outfield.

Francisco Cervelli has been placed on the 7-Day Concussion Disabled List. Jacob Stallings has been brought up from Indianapolis.

Lineups:

PIRATES

1. Jordy Mercer, SS
2. Josh Harrison, 3B
3. Gregory Polanco, RF
4. David Freese, DH
5. Jose Osuna, LF
6. Andrew McCutchen, CF
7. Josh Bell, 1B
8. Elias Diaz, C
9. Max Moroff, 2B

ORIOLES

1. Seth Smith, RF
2. Adam Jones, CF
3. Manny Machado, 3B
4. Chris Davis, 1B
5. Mark Trumbo, DH
6. Jonathan Schoop, 2B
7. Hyun Soo Kim, LF
8. J.J. Hardy, SS
9. Caleb Joseph, C