Brewers @ Pirates Pre-Game Notes: Diaz to bat cleanup

Randy Wolf (0-2, 7.20 ERA) vs Paul Maholm (0-1, 2.19 ERA)

The Pirates moved below .500 for the first time this season while the Milwaukee Brewers surpassed the .500 mark after Wednesday’s 6-0 Milwaukee win.

The Brewers come into tonight’s game winners of 5 straight and 6 of 7.

They have won 10 of 12 against the Pirates and since 2007, the Brewers are 47-17 against the Pirates.

From one standpoint, this season can’t be considered a season about wins for the Pirates, but this is a big game for the Pirates as all of the momentum they built from their 4-2 start has gone away with a 1-4 home stand thus far.

The pitching matchup tonight is Paul Maholm vs Randy Wolf. Maholm is 0-1 on the season with a 2.19 ERA.

Maholm is 3-6 with a 4.53 ERA in 17 starts in his career against Milwaukee.

The Pirates last season hit Wolf well as the lefty went 0-2 in three starts with a 11.00 ERA.

The left hander is also not off to a good start but is 11-3 all-time against the Pirates.

Manager Clint Hurdle will make some lineup changes tonight.

Pedro Alvarez will sit for the first time this season and Steve Pearce will replace him at third base and bat 5th in the lineup.

In 10 games, Alvarez is hitting .200 with 0 home runs and 4 RBI’s. He did have one of the Pirates four hits last night and has hits in back-to-back games.

However, It has been a disapointing start for Alvarez.

Matt Diaz had 2 of the Pirates 4 hits last night and due to his success against Wolf in the past, will see an elevated role in the lineup, batting 4th for the Pirates tonight.

Diaz, a career .301 hitter, is 7-for-16 against Wolf.

Lyle Overbay will move to the No. 6 spot and catcher Chris Snyder will make his season debut after being activated from the DL.

1. Jose Tabata, LF, .325

2. Neil Walker, 2B, .273

3. Andrew McCutchen, CF, .231

4. Matt Diaz, RF, .263

5. Steve Pearce, 3B, .286

6. Lyle Overbay, 1B, .238

7. Chris Snyder, C

8. Ronny Cedeno, SS, .167

9 Paul Maholm, P