Gamethread: Pirates try to get on the board

The Pirates will try to avoid clinching a series loss in a 4:05pm start against the Phillies. It’s not an auspicious matchup, as the Pirates’ badly struggling hitters will go up against a very good pitcher in Aaron Nola. The Pirates will send out Steven Brault and his 5.40 xFIP against a team that’s been scoring a lot of runs, although their overall hitting numbers aren’t especially impressive. Clint Hurdle will bat Sean Rodriguez leadoff in an attempt to maximize the value of his very veteranly .296 OBP.

Pirates

1. Sean Rodriguez, 2B
2. Gregory Polanco, RF
3. Starling Marte, CF
4. Josh Bell, 1B
5. Corey Dickerson, LF
6. Francisco Cervelli, C
7. Colin Moran, 3B
8. Jordy Mercer, SS
9. Steven Brault, P

Phillies

1. Cesar Hernandez, 2B
2. Carlos Santana, 1B
3. Odubel Herrera, CF
4. Rhys Hoskins, 1B
5. Maikel Franco, 3B
6. Scott Kingery, SS
7. Aaron Altherr, RF
8. Jorge Alfaro, C
9. Aaron Nola, P