Game thread: Bucs look for sixth straight win in Washington

Jameson Taillon will look to rebound from a pair of dismal starts as the Pirates start a four-game series in the nation’s capital. They’ll be trying to extend their winning streak to six against a team that’s lost six of its last eight.

The Pirates will be facing Tanner Roark, who has a 5.32 career ERA against them in six games, three starts. They’ve posted a 258/324/430 line against him. This year he has an ERA of 3.77 and xFIP of 4.29. Roark throws the standard mix of four, average-ish pitches. His fastball, which he throws a little more than half the time, appears to be down a couple mph from two years ago.

I haven’t seen anything to indicate that Starling Marte is doing anything other than getting a rest. Adam Frazier evidently is fine after his encounter with The Cardinal Way.

Pirates

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

Nationals

1. Trea Turner, SS
2. Ryan Zimmerman, 1B
3. Bryce Harper, RF
4. Howie Kendrick, 2B
5. Matt Adams, LF
6. Michael Taylor, CF
7. Matt Wieters, C
8. Wilmer Difo, 3B
9. Tanner Roark, P