The Pirates conclude their series against the Washington Nationals Monday night at 7:05 PM at PNC Park.
The Bucs will start an unusual lineup against the Nats' John Lannan:
1. CF Andrew McCutchen
2. LF Jose Tabata
3. RF Matt Diaz
4. 2B Neil Walker
5. 1B Steve Pearce
6. 3B Brandon Wood
7. C Chris Snyder
8. SS Ronny Cedeno
9. P Paul Maholm
Brandon Wood will make his Pirates debut as a third baseman, while Matt Diaz and Steve Pearce get starts in place of Garrett Jones and Lyle Overbay. Lannan, a lefty, is very effective against lefties but not against righties, whereas Diaz and Pearce love hitting lefty pitching. Wood has been equally terrible against lefties and righties throughout his major-league career, but at least this lineup keeps Pedro Alvarez away from a fellow lefty.
Paul Maholm makes the start for the Pirates after a poor last outing against the Marlins.