Pittsburgh Pirates Look to take 3 of 4 from Tigers

This afternoon, the Pittsburgh Pirates will look for their first road victory in interleague play this season

Entering today’s series finale against the Detroit Tiger the Pittsburgh Pirates own a record of 56-58. This puts them fourth place in the National League Central, but just 3.5 games out of first place. With the first place Chicago Cubs idle today, the Pirates can pull to 3 games out of first place with a victory.

First pitch from Comerica Park is scheduled for 1:10 this afternoon. Gerrit Cole will start for the Pirates, while the Tigers hand the ball to Drew VerHagen. This is a pitching matchup that greatly favors the Pirates, as VerHagen is making just his third career start.

After receiving a 10-0 beatdown from the Tigers last night, the Pittsburgh Pirates will be looking to bounce back today. This is the final game of a 4 game home and home series between the two teams, and the Pirates will take 3 of those 4 games with a victory this afternoon.

The Pirates will roll with this lineup this afternoon:

1. Starling Marte – CF
2. Adam Frazier – LF
3. Andrew McCutchen – DH
4. Josh Bell – 1B
5. David Freese – 3B
6. Gregory Polanco – RF
7. Sean Rodriguez – 2B
8. Jordy Mercer – SS
9. Chris Stewart – C

This is Marte’s first start in center field since returning form his suspension. Luckily, due to the designated hitter, Clint Hurdle can get Andrew McCutchen off his legs for the day and still keep his bat in the lineup.

As for Detroit, they will go with this starting lineup:

1. Ian Kinsler – 2B
2. Mikie Mahtook – CF
3. Justin Upton – LF
4. Miguel Cabrera – 1B
5. Nick Castellanos – 3B
6. Victor Martinez – DH
7. James McCann – C
8. Andrew Romine – RF
9. Jose Iglesias – SS

Hopefully, Gerrit Cole will be on his game today and can shut the Tigers’ lineup down. While Detroit’s lineup still has some offensive threats, it is not nearly a ferocious as it has been in past seasons.

Next: Pirates need to cut ties with Daniel Hudson

This afternoon’s game is a vital one for the Pittsburgh Pirates. They can not afford a series loss against a poor Tigers club right now. Also, with just 48 games remaining after today there is a big difference between being 3 games behind the Cubs and 4.