The 2012 season is quickly disappearing, and the Pirates are still on the outside of the playoff picture looking in. That means that there's no time left for them to lose games to the Cubs. It's true that if the Pirates take two of three from the Cubs this weekend, they can't possibly be more than 2 1/2 games out of a playoff spot, but I want more. I want the Pirates to take this playoff race into their own hands; I want performances like Monday's sleepwalk against the Astros to end. Mainly, I want a sweep against the Cubs this weekend. Let's start there.
Actually, a sweep isn't a great place to start either, because sweeps start with one game. AJ Burnett takes the ball tonight; the last time he pitched against the Cubs he made one of the better starts of his career. Travis Wood goes for the Cubs. Starling Marte is back in the lineup, batting second and apparently can play "without limitations" according to Clint Hurdle. That's good since Travis Snider and Jose Tabata are still nursing injuries in the outfield. The Pirates have taken two in a row from a bad team. Let's make it three tonight.
First pitch is at 7:05.
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