(Photo Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports)
The Pirates (84 – 61) take to the home field for the first time tonight since breaking “the streak” as they begin a 4-game series with the Chicago Cubs (62 – 83). Jeff Locke (9 – 5, 3.23 ERA) will face Chris Rusin (2 -3, 2.89 ERA).
Leading Off
Tonight begins the final homestand of the season for the Pirates, an 11-game set with the Cubs, Padres and Reds. The Pirates will finish the season with three games in Chicago and three in Cincinnati.
Hurdle’s Quotes
On the A.J. Burnett scene during yesterday’s game —“Basically, it’s done. It was done by the time yesterday by the time everyone got into the clubhouse. The actual conversation in the end (between Barmes and Burnett) was ‘Alright, I’m going to get you another one (groundball) right there’ and Barmes said ‘yeah’, so what they’re saying — it doesn’t match up to what people think they’re saying. We’re not going to be indifferent, we haven’t been indifferent all year. Our guys are competing and it was, basically, it was overplayed. The guys are good. A.J. and Barmes are good.”
On Wandy Rodriguez’s simulated game thrown earlier today — “When I left he had thrown two innings and 32 pitches and he seemed to be in a good place. It’s one thing at a time, he’ll throw today and we’ll see how he does tomorrow, then we’ll pan out a next step.”
On Jason Grilli’s role the rest of the season — “I think we’re trying to work Jason back to his role and we spoke today. I anticipate using him in the seventh or the eighth inning with a lead now. We want to ramp up the adrenaline, get him more in the positions that he’s pitched in in the past. I think each outing, it’s gotten a little bit better, I think there’s still some finishing touches left to it.”
Burnett Addresses The Media
Following Hurdles presser, Bob Pompeani of KDKA politely asked A.J. Burnett for any comments on yesterday’s game. Burnett would then face the members of the press in the clubhouse and yell “I don’t have a problem with Clint [Barmes], I have a (expletive) problem with the shift.” He then walked into the training room and was unavailable for further comment.
Other Notes
— The Pirates can clinch a playoff spot during this homestand. Going into tonight’s game, the Pirates playoff magic number is 10. For every Pirate victory or Nationals loss the number will drop by one.
— The Pirates only have six games remaining against the Reds, who are the only team left on the schedule with a record above .500. These two are fighting for position in the Wild Card as they hold the two spots for the play-in game. The team with the better record will host the game.
First pitch is set for 7:05.
Follow Travis for Pirates news and in-game updates on Twitter @TBerardi_OVA or @OVAthletics
