Astros at Pirates
The Pittsburgh Pirates are still the only team in the majors yet to reach 100 runs, but at least they have Andrew McCutchen. The star center fielder did not homer until May 8 but has three in the last five games and put together his second four-hit performance of the week Saturday, raising his average to .342. The Houston Astros have been a bit stronger on the offensive side but weaker on the mound, resulting in an identical 15-18 record. Each team will be try to get closer to .500 in the rubber game Sunday.
The Pirates have totaled 94 runs in 33 games - 18 behind the No. 29 Minnesota Twins. Still, their pitching gives them a chance if they can push across a few runs. After dropping a 1-0 decision in Friday’s series opener, McCutchen and Jose Tabata each homered in Saturday’s 5-2 triumph. Houston will send ace Wandy Rodriguez to the mound Sunday hoping to avoid its second straight series loss. After putting together a five-game winning streak to pull within a game of .500, the Astros have dropped four of six.
TV: 1:35 p.m. ET, FS Houston, ROOT Sports (Pittsburgh)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Astros LH Wandy Rodriguez (3-3, 2.14 ERA) vs. A.J. Burnett (1-2, 6.08 ERA)
Rodriguez has made himself an attractive trade chop with his performance thus far but is coming off his worst start, a loss to Miami in which he allowed four runs in eight innings. After not allowing a home run in his first six starts, he surrendered three to the Marlins. Rodriguez is 8-5 with a 4.21 ERA in 17 career starts against Pittsburgh and has limited McCutchen to 3-for-18 with six strikeouts.
Burnett was lit up for 12 runs in 2 2/3 innings at St. Louis on May 2 but has allowed a total of four runs in 21 innings over his other three turns. The veteran right-hander held Washington to two runs in a season-high eight innings Tuesday. Burnett is only 2-5 with a 5.31 ERA in seven career starts against Houston.
WALK-OFFS
1. Astros left fielder J.D. Martinez has sat out the last three games but could be back in the lineup Sunday. Martinez is in a 1-for-31 slump.
2. Oft-injured Pirates left-hander Eric Bedard (back) was scratched from his next start.
3. Pittsburgh third baseman Pedro Alvarez is 1-for-21 since moving to the cleanup spot last week.