PITTSBURGH (93.7 The Fan) - The Pittsburgh Pirates begin a 7-game homestand with four against the Chicago Cubs and three against the Milwaukee Brewers before heading into the All Star Break. The Cubs and Brewers are tied on top of the NL Central and the Pirates are five games behind them. This homestand is a big opportunity for the Pirates to put themselves right in the division race at the top with Chicago and Milwaukee.
The Pirates return home after a .500 road trip where they took 2 of 3 from Houston and 1 of 3 in Milwaukee.
MANAGER CLINT HURDLE'S PREGAME CONVERSATION
Pirates vs Chicago Cubs, 7:05 pm on AT&T Sportsnet, 93.7 The Fan and ESPN
Milwaukee Brewers vs Cincinnati Reds, 7:10 pm
PROBABLE PITCHING MATCHUPS THIS SERIES
Tonight, 7:05 pm: Trevor Williams, PIT (2-2, 4.25 ERA) vs Adbert Alzolay, CHI (1-0, 2.08 ERA)
Tuesday, 7:05 pm: Joe Musgrove, PIT (6-7, 4.27 ERA) vs Kyle Hendricks, CHI (7-5, 3.36 ERA)
Wednesday, 7:05 pm: Chris Archer, PIT (3-6, 5.50 ERA) vs Yu Darvish, CHI (2-4, 4.98 ERA)
Thursday, 4:05 pm: Jordan Lyles, PIT (5-4, 3.71 ERA) vs Jose Quintana, CHI (5-7, 4.21 ERA)
DOWN ON THE FARM
Indianapolis, AAA (41-39, 7.5 GB of 1st): The Indians open up a 3-game series in Louisville tonight. Pitcher Cam Vieux is 2-0 with a 3.82 ERA in 6 games started. Vieux has stuck out 29 and walked 18.
Altoona, AA (7-5, 3 GB of 1st in the 2nd Half of Season): The Curve are 42-37 overall and open up a 3-game series in Akron tonight. Pitcher Beau Sulser is 6-0 with 1 save and a 1.49 ERA in 19 games. Sulser has stuck out 33 and walked 13.
Bradenton, A (7-6, 2.5 GB of 1st in the 2nd Half of Season): The Marauders are 43-36 overall and open up a 3-game series against Jupiter tonight at LECOM Park. Left Fielder Chris Sharpe is batting .292 with 17 doubles, 2 triples, 5 home runs and 30 RBI in 64 games.
Greensboro, A (6-5, 3 GB of 1st in the 2nd Half of Season): The Grasshoppers are 50-30 overall and open up a 3-game series in Hagerstown tonight. First Baseman Mason Martin is batting .263 with 19 doubles, 3 triples, 20 home runs and 75 RBI in 76 games.
West Viginia, A-Short Season (9-7, 1 GB of 1st): The Black Bears open up a 3-game series in Auburn tonight. Pitcher Winston Nicacio is 2-1 with a 2.70 ERA in 3 games, 1 game started. Nicacio has struck out 12 and walked 5.
Bristol, Rookie Advanced (5-7, 2.5 GB of 1st): The Bristol Pirates open up a 3-game series in Kingsport tonight. Bristol is batting as a team .223 with 21 doubles, 1 triple, 4 home runs and 44 RBI in 12 games.
___Follow 93.7 The Fan: Facebook | Twitter | InstagramListen to 93.7 The Fan on the RADIO.COM App - Download Now
