The Pittsburgh Pirates are desperately clinging to a lead in the NL wild-card race, and will look pad it on Thursday when they take on the Los Angeles Dodgers.
Los Angeles has won the first two games of this series, vaulting themselves over the San Francisco Giants in the NL West. The Pirates meanwhile maintain a half-game edge over the aforementioned Giants, and will have A.J. Burnett on the hill.
Burnett has been a pleasant surprise in 2012, having a Cy Young-type season. The 35-year-old is 14-4 with a 3.32 ERA, leading the Pittsburgh staff easily in the wins department. However, Burnett was touched up in his last start allowing five runs (four earned) on nine hits in a losing effort to the San Diego Padres.
He'll be opposed by Joe Blanton, who is still looking for his first win as a Dodger. In his only two starts in blue and white, Blanton is 0-1 with the loss coming in his last appearance against the Miami Marlins. He was mediocre in that outing, surrendering four runs in five innings on six hits.
Once Pittsburgh is finished with the Dodgers, the Pirates will embark on a road trip to visit the St. Louis Cardinals.
TV: ROOT Sports
Time: 4:05 p.m. ET
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