In the midst of a six game losing streak, the Pittsburgh Pirates will hope the return of Andrew McCutchen tonight and Gerrit Cole Wednesday night help turn the tide.
McCutchen has been activated off the 15-day DL and will start in center field tonight. Also returning to the lineup tonight is Jordy Mercer.
Starling Marte who hit two home runs in Monday’s 7-3 loss to the Braves, moves back over to left field. Travis Snider enters tonight’s game with a nine game hitting streak and is batting .412 during that span. He gets the start in right field over Gregory Polanco.
The Pirates bench tonight actually resembles a Major League team with Gregory Polanco, Pedro Alvarez and Gaby Sanchez among the notables.
PIRATES LINEUP
1. Josh Harrison, 3B
2. Travis Snider, RF
3. Andrew McCutchen, CF
4. Neil Walker, 2B
5. Russell Martin, C
6. Starling Marte, LF
8. Jordy Mercer, SS
9. Francisco Liriano, P