Game Thread: Archer Returns, Pirates Try To Take Series In Desert

Chris Archer will make his first start in nearly three weeks as the Pirates try to take the rubber match in Arizona.

Archer (1-2, 4.33) was pitching well before his most recent start against the Dodgers on Apr. 26, after which he was placed on the IL with right thumb irritation. Clay Holmes was optioned to AAA to make room on the roster.

Zack Greinke (5,1 3.16) will go for Arizona. Greinke is not too far removed from a seven inning, two hit shutout he pitched against the Pirates on Apr. 25. He has been on a roll against the Bucs recently, getting four wins on four quality starts in his last five outings against Pittsburgh.

The Pirates will rely on Josh Bell to provide the offense once again. Since the start of his 14 game hitting streak on Apr. 28, he leads the NL in wRC+ (248) and is tied for the most home runs in that stretch (6).

First pitch is at 3:40 p.m. Eastern time.

Lineups

Pirates

2B Adam Frazier

CF Starling Marte

RF Gregory Polanco

1B Josh Bell

LF Melky Cabrera

3B Colin Moran

C Francisco Cervelli

SS Cole Tucker

P Chris Archer

Diamondbacks

CF Jarrod Dyson

3B Eduardo Escobar

LF David Peralta

RF Adam Jones

2B Ketel Marte

1B Christian Walker

SS Nick Ahmed

C John Ryan Murphy

P Zack Greinke