Game Thread: Musgrove tries to keep his mojo against the Dodgers

On a gray and damp night in Pittsburgh, Joe Musgrove (2-0, 0.54) will make his third start of the year against the visiting Los Angeles Dodgers, who counter with right-hander Ross Stripling (3-1, 1.68) as their entire starting rotation from Opening Day in on the disabled list. The game is expected to have a slight delay in starting.

The 28 year old Stripling has been in and out of the Dodgers rotation since he came to majors two years ago. This will be his seventh start along with eleven relief appearances this year. Owner of a 0.59 ERA as a reliever, it’s still excellent at 2.18 in his starts, with 5 walks and 42 strikeouts in 33 innings. In his career he has a 3.14 ERA in 109 relief innings, and 3.64 in 22 starts. Stripling’s fastball comes in at an average of 92.0 mph, down almost a full tick from last year. He throws it only 43% of the time, followed by his slider at 31%, curve 11% and change 10%.

Musgrove didn’t start his major league season until May 25th because of shoulder discomfort, bus has allowed only one run total in his previous two starts, each lasting seven innings.

Starling Marte will have the night off, with Austin Meadows patrolling center field and Francisco Cervelli batting third in his place.

.

DODGERS

1 R Chris Taylor SS

2 L Max Muncy SS

3 S Yasmani Grandal C

4 R Matt Kemp LF

5 L Joc Pederson CF

6 R Yasiel Puig RF

7 L Cody Bellinger 1B

8 R Logan Forsythe 2B

9 R Ross Stripling RHP

.

PIRATES

1 R Josh Harrison 2B

2 L Austin Meadows CF

3 R Francisco Cervelli C

4 S Josh Bell 1B

5 L Corey Dickerson LF

6 L Colin Moran 3B

7 L Gregory Polanco RF

8 R Jordy Mercer SS

9 R Joe Musgrove RHP