James McDonald faces off against Kyle McClellan tonight in St. Louis at 8:15. The Pirates are off to a great start at 3-1, and now they send their best starting pitcher to the mound. Their bullpen, however, has been their biggest weakness so far this season (thanks mostly to Evan Meek, and obviously, small sample size caveats apply), and it should be tested today, as McDonald looks unlikely to pitch deep into the game due to the side injury that kept him out in part of Spring Training.
For the Cardinals, McClellan is making his first career start.
Pirates:
1. Jose Tabata LF
2. Neil Walker 2B
3. Andrew McCutchen CF
4. Lyle Overbay 1B
5. Pedro Alvarez 3B
6. Matt Diaz RF
7. Jason Jaramillo C
8. Ronny Cedeno SS
9. James McDonald P
Cardinals:
1. Ryan Theriot, SS
2. Colby Rasmus, CF
3. Albert Pujols, 1B
4. Lance Berkman, RF
5. Allen Craig, LF
6. David Freese, 3B
7. Skip Schumaker, 2B
8. Gerald Laird, C
9. Kyle McClellan, P
For more on the game, check out Bucs Dugout and Viva El Birdos.