:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/60812085/usa_today_11036602.0.jpg)
The Pirates will go for the series win over the San Francisco Giants Sunday at 4:05 p.m.. Joe Musgrove (4-6, 3.41) will square off with Giants’ rookie righty Dereck Rodriguez (5-1, 2.34).
Rodriguez has been the hot hand in the Giants’ rotation for the better part of two months so far. Since June 24, he has a 1.28 ERA in eight games (seven starts), never allowing more than two runs and going at least six innings in every start. He’s been aided by a .208 BABIP clip, but he has only walked 12 batters in that stretch while striking out 39.
Musgrove is on a roll of his own, going at least seven innings in his last four starts and in five of his previous six. Since June 29 (six starts ago), he has a 2.43 ERA and a 1.06 WHIP with only one outing with more than two runs allowed.
In fact, Musgrove’s overall performance this season is very comparable to a former Bucco since late May.
This is one of my favorite #Pirates stats this year.
— Alex Stumpf (@AlexJStumpf) August 12, 2018
Joe Musgrove made his debut on 5/25. His stats: 6.17 IP per start, 3.41 ERA, 1.22 WHIP, 2.9 K/BB, .301 xwOBA, 32.3 Hard Hit%
Gerrit Cole since 5/25: 6.14 IP per start, 3.45 ERA, 1.12 WHIP, 3.2 K/BB, .315 xwOBA, 32.2 Hard Hit%
(When you make the game thread, you can promote your tweet. Them’s the rules.)
Update: The Pirates recalled C Jacob Stallings from AAA, optioning OF Jordan Luplow to Indianapolis. C Francisco Cervelli took a foul ball off his mask in the first inning Saturday and was removed mid-game.
Lineups
Pirates
LF Corey Dickerson
CF Starling Marte
RF Gregory Polanco
1B Josh Bell
3B Colin Moran
C Elias Diaz
2B Adam Frazier
SS Jordy Mercer
P Joe Musgrove
Giants
RF Andrew McCutchen
1B Austin Slater
3B Evan Longoria
SS Brandon Crawford
LF Gorkys Hernandez
2B Joe Panik
C Nick Hundley
P Dereck Rodriguez