Game Day Buzz: Huntington confirms team looking to add reliever, position player or starter

GM Neal Huntington’s trade deadline wishlist includes a reliever, position player or a starter, the Pirates GM confirmed to MLBnetwork radio this afternoon.

“Huntington told Jim Bowden that he is “open to all fronts, “being creative, looking at all possible matches.”

— The first place Pirates look to add some more separation from the Reds in NL Central, seeking their sixth straight win against Cincinnati.

Pittsburgh enters tonight’s game, a half game ahead of Milwaukee (51-46) and St. Louis and four games ahead of Cincinnati (47-49).

— James McDonald (5-4, 4.42 ERA) takes the mound for the Pirates. McDonald has struggled being efficient this season, 5th in NL in walks, but there’s no denying he has given the Pirates an opportunity to win just about every night in his last ten starts.

McDonald has allowed 3 earned runs or less in ten straight starts.

McDonald last faced Cincinnati on May 19th, leading the Pirates to a 5-3 win, allowing 7 hits and 1 run in 6 2/3 innings. Overall, McDonald is 1-1 with a 5.73 ERA against Cincinnati, both starts coming on the road.

At home this season, McDonald is 2-1 with a 3.18 ERA.

— For the Reds, Mike Leake (8-4, 4.28 ERA) gets the start. Leake is 1-0 against the Pirates this season and 3-1 with a 3.52 ERA on the road this season.

–Reds 3B Scott Rolen will miss his second straight game of the series and Jay Bruce will also get a night off.

— Pirates shortstop Chase d’Arnaud will sit tonight due to a stiff neck.

— Neil Walker is hitting .460 during his 12 game hitting streak.

— Andrew McCutchen and Walker have combined for 15 RBI’s in their last 7 games.

— Alex Presley is hitting .352 since being called up on June 28th and is hitting .444 at home this season.

— Garrett Jones returns to the lineup and gets the start in right field. He’s hitting .412 with 2 home runs and 3 RBI’s against the Reds this season. Jones though has been awful of late, going 1 for his last 18.

1. Alex Presley, LF

2. Josh Harrison, 3B

3. Neil Walker, 2B

4. Andrew McCutchen, CF

5. Garrett Jones, RF

6. Lyle Overbay, 1B

7. Brandon Wood, SS

8. Mike McKenry, C

9. James McDonald, P