Game Thread: Nova vs the Brew Crew

With their elimination number at 3 after Friday night’s series opening loss in Milwaukee, the Pirates aren’t technically out of it yet, but there’s little wind in their sails as they play out the string of 16 games remaining on the schedule. Tonight they will send veteran right-hander Ivan Nova (8-9, 4.17) to the mound against Zach Davies (2-5, 4.75)

The Brewers meanwhile are locked in a battle for the division, trailing the front running Chicago Cubs by only 1.5 games. Tonight’s starter Davies is making only his 11th start of the year, having been on the disabled list from June 1 to August 23 with inflammation of the rotator cuff in his right (throwing) shoulder. In his previous two starts since returning, Davies allowed a total of three runs in ten innings, going five in each game. Never a hard thrower, his fastball averages 89.6 mph this year, mixed in with a change, curve and cutter.

Last time out Nova threw one of his best games of the year after having skipped a start, as he turned in six score innings with one walk and nine strikeouts against the Marlins.

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PIRATES

1 L Adam Frazier 2B

2 R Starling Marte CF

3 S Josh Bell 1B

4 R Francisco Cervelli C

5 L Corey Dickeson LF

6 R Jordan Luplow RF

7 L Colin Moran 3B

8 R Kevin Newman SS

9 R Ivan Nova RHP

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BREWERS

1 L Curtis Granderson RF

2 L Christian Yelich LF

3 R Lorenzo Cain CF

4 L Travis Shaw 2B

5 R Jesus Aguilar 1B

6 L Mike Moustakas 3B

7 R Erik Kratz C

8 R Orlando Arcia SS

9 R Zach Davies RHP