The Pittsburgh Pirates, winner of four of their last five games, play host to the Texas Rangers in the first of two games at PNC Park. Right-hander Adrian Sampson (0-1, 3.58) will start for the visitors against the Pirates’ Steven Brault (0-1, 8.31), pressed into starting duty as injuries decimate the Pirates’ rotation.
Sampson will make his fourth start of the year, and eighth appearance overall, after blanking the Pirates for five and two thirds innings last Tuesday in Texas, striking out five while not issuing any walks.
Brault is making his first start after injuries sidelined both Chris Archer and Jameson Taillon.