The Pittsburgh Pirates close out their season on Wednesday and although they will fall short of the playoffs and a .500 record, they hope to end on a high note by completing a sweep of the playoff bound Atlanta Braves.
Pittsburgh will send A.J. Burnett (16-9, 3.43 ERA) to the mound to cap what has been a strong season for the veteran. The Braves will start Ben Sheets (4-4, 3.54) in what will be the last game of his career. Sheets has struggled with multiple major injuries over the last four seasons and has announced that he will retire following this season. The four-time All-Star is expected to pitch two innings on Wednesday before prospects Randall Delgado and Julio Teheran take over.
Pirates center fielder Andrew McCutchen enters the last day of the season with a chance to lead the National League in hits and runs. He currently holds a three-hit lead over Ryan Braun and is tied with Braun and Justin Upton at 107 runs.
After resting the majority of their starters on Tuesday, the Braves will return most of their regulars to the lineup for the season finale.
Full lineups are below:
Pittsburgh Pirates (79-82)
1. Starling Marte, LF
2. Alex Presley, RF
3. Andrew McCutchen, CF
4. Garrett Jones, 1B
5. Pedro Alvarez, 3B
6. Josh Harrison, 2B
7. Clint Barmes, SS
8. Rod Barajas, C
9. A.J. Burnett, SP
Atlanta Braves (93-68)
1. Michael Bourn, CF
2. Martin Prado, LF
3. Jason Heyward, RF
4. Freddie Freeman, 1B
5. Dan Uggla, 2B
6. Brian McCann, C
7. Juan Francisco, 3B
8. Andrelton Simmons, SS
9. Ben Sheets, SP
First pitch is set for 12:35 p.m. ET and will be broadcast on ROOT Sports.