Gerrit Cole goes for win No. 14

Coming off a 9-3 loss Saturday night, sending Gerrit Cole to the mound will boost the Pirates chances today of taking three of four from the Nationals. Cole, 13-4 on the season, goes for win No. 14 as he looks to become the first Pirates pitcher with 14 wins by August 1st in 44 years.

The Pirates are 9-2 over Cole’s last 11 starts.

Cole has been dominant against the NL East with a 5-0 record this season but today will be the first time he’s faced the Nationals this season. Cole is 1-0 with a 2.08 ERA, 11/4 K/BB ratio in two career starts vs the Nationals.

In Cole’s previous outing, a 3-1 loss to the Royals on July 21, the 24 year old allowed 5 hits, 2 earned runs, while striking out 6 and walking none. At 124.2 innings pitched this season, Cole is within 13.1 innings of matching his career high.

1. Gregory Polanco, RF

2. Starling Marte, LF

3. Andrew McCutchen, CF

4. Aramis Ramirez, 3B

5. Jung Ho Kang, SS

6. Neil Walker, 2B

7. Pedro Alvarez, 1B

8. Chris Stewart, C

9. Gerrit Cole, P