Gamethread: Bucs try to take 3 of 4 from Cubs behind Taillon

The Pirates’ starting pitching has been on a roll recently, one that Jameson Taillon hopes to continue. He started it himself with six scoreless innings against the Reds on Saturday, which was followed by scoreless starts from Trevor Williams, Chad Kuhl and Gerrit Cole, with only Steven Brault having allowed any runners to score during that stretch.

In Jon Lester’s first three starts against the Pirates this year, he has a 6.08 ERA, while allowing a 345/429/673 batting line. In his last ten starts, dating back to July 4, he’s had a 6.00 ERA in 51 innings, with hitters teeing off to a tune of 280/327/498.

For the Pirates, Josh Bell, Max Moroff and Elias Diaz return to the starting lineup where they join the irrepressible Sean Rodriguez.

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CUBS

1 S Ian Happ, CF

2 R Kris Bryant, 3B

3 L Anthony Rizzo, 1B

4 S Ben Zobrist, 2B

5 L Kyle Schwarber, LF

6 R Javy Baez, SS

7 L Jason Heyward, RF

8 R Rene Rivera, C

9 L Jon Lester, LHP

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PIRATES

1 R Starling Marte, LF

2 S Max Moroff, 2B

3 R Andrew McCutchen, CF

4 S Josh Bell, 1B

5 R Jordan Luplow, RF

6 R Sean Rodriguez, 3B

7 R Elias Diaz, C

8 R Jordy Mercer, SS

9 R Jameson Taillon, RHP