Game Thread: Nova vs. Suarez

The Pirates will continue their 10 day road trip with a four game set in San Francisco starting Thursday night. Ivan Nova (6-6, 4.49) and Andrew Suarez (4-7, 4.60) will open the series at 10:05 p.m..

Both starters have had their July lulls stretch into August. Nova has a 5.81 ERA and 1.71 WHIP since July 3 with no quality starts. Suarez has a 7.89 ERA and a 1.71 WHIP over his last four starts. Both starters were also rocked in the Pirates and Giants’ first series in mid-May (Nova allowed four runs in 5.2 innings, while Suarez allowed five runs in four frames).

Adam Frazier is starting in left field and leading off. Since being recalled from AAA, he is slashing .432/.447/.757 in 38 plate appearances. Andrew McCutchen is leading off for the Giants. He’s slashing .324/.358/.420 in his 45 plate appearances when batting first this year.

Lineups

Pirates

LF Adam Frazier

CF Starling Marte

RF Gregory Polanco

3B David Freese

C Elias Diaz

1B Josh Bell

2B Josh Harrison

SS Jordy Mercer

P Ivan Nova

Giants

RF Andrew McCutchen

C Buster Posey

3B Evan Longoria

SS Brandon Crawford

1B Austin Slater

LF Alen Hanson

2B Joe Panik

CF Steven Duggar

P Andrew Suarez