Eric Stults hasn't been having the best season of his career. But he is coming off one of his better starts, and hopefully he can carry over some of that success into today's matchup at PNC Park. Stults kept the Braves to one unearned run on two hits in 6 1/3 innings last Friday. But the road has been a tough place for the 34-year-old this season. He is 0-9 with a 5.78 ERA in 12 away starts this year. And he's not the only one missing home. The Padres have dropped five of their last six games on the road, including yesterday's series opener in Pittsburgh. But hopefully the offense can work together with Stultsy and help him to his first pair of consecutive wins this season.
Francisco Liriano will make the start for the Pirates and try to follow up Vance Worley's gem last night with a strong outing of his own. Liriano didn't have a great first half this season, notching only one win in his first 15 starts before the All Star Break. But in his four outing since then he's gone 2-0 with a 1.44 ERA and 29 strikeouts through 25 frames. In his most recent appearance against the Padres, on June 4th, Liriano struggled with his control, walking a season-high-tying six walks while allowing three runs and lasting only five innings.
Game time in Pittsburgh is set for 4:05 PT.