Sean Rodriguez replacing struggling Ramirez today at third

Sean Rodriguez will get the start at third base today in place of Aramis Ramirez. Ramirez 0-8 over his last two games, has struggled since joining the Pirates last Saturday, hitting .133 (4-30) with 2 RBI and 2 extra-base hits. Ramirez is hitting .236 on the season with 11 home runs, 44 RBIs.

The defensive specialist Rodriguez will be making his 7th appearance of the season at third base today.

With Ramirez out of the lineup, the hot hitting Jung Ho Kang will bat cleanup. Kang is hitting .426 since the All-Star break with 4 home runs, 6 RBI and has 7 doubles during that span. In the cleanup spot this season, Kang is 15-52 (.288) with 1 home run, 8 RBI.

1. Gregory Polanco, RF

2. Starling Marte, LF

3. Andrew McCutchen, CF

4. Jung Ho Kang, SS

5. Neil Walker, 2B

6. Francisco Cervelli, C

7. Pedro Alvarez, 1B

8. Sean Rodriguez, 1B

9. Charlie Morton, P