The Pittsburgh Pirates eye their 11th victory in 12 games as they wrap up a three-game home set Thursday against the Philadelphia Phillies. Pittsburgh’s league-low 3.12 ERA has played a major role in helping the surprising Pirates (52-31) maintain the best record in the majors. Gerrit Cole has filled in admirably for the injured Wandy Rodriguez since his June 11 debut, becoming the team's first pitcher since Nick Maddox in 1907 to win each of his first four career starts.
Although Delmon Young became the 86th active major leaguer to reach 1,000 career hits with a 3-for-5 effort Wednesday, the Phillies fell to 4-5 on their 10-game road trip in Wednesday’s 6-5 loss. Young has been an offensive spark over that span, going 15-for-31 with nine RBIs. Manager Charlie Manuel elected to give Ryan Howard the night off to rest his ailing left knee, but the slugger is expected to return to the lineup for the series finale.
TV: 1:35 p.m. ET, Comcast SportsNet Philadelphia, ROOT Sports (Pittsburgh)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Phillies LH Cole Hamels (2-11, 4.58 ERA) vs. Pirates RH Gerrit Cole (4-0, 3.70)
Manuel opted to give Hamels two extra days to “clear his head” after turning in his fourth winless start last Wednesday during a 7-5 road victory against the San Diego Padres. The three-time All-Star did not factor into the decision, permitting five runs (four earned) on seven hits over six frames. Hamels took the loss in his first outing against the Pirates on April 23 despite allowing two runs in eight innings and is 1-2 with a 3.00 ERA in six all-time starts against them.
Cole’s smooth transition to the majors continued in Friday’s 10-3 home thumping of the Milwaukee Brewers as he picked up his fourth victory in as many starts. The highly-touted right-hander walked three after issuing one free pass in his first three games combined, but did not allow a run over his final five frames after a difficult three-run first inning. Three of Cole’s first four career turns have come at home, where he is allowing hitters to bat .310 against him.
WALK-OFFS
1. Pittsburgh LF Starling Marte ranks second among National League batters with a .393 average against left-handed pitchers.
2. Domonic Brown’s ninth-inning home run Wednesday snapped a scoreless streak of 27 1/3 innings by the Pirates’ bullpen.
3. The Phillies, who have played a major league-high 48 road games, have not won a series in Pittsburgh since April 25-27, 2008.
PREDICTION: Pirates 4, Phillies 3