The Pittsburgh Pirates enter August in a similar position as it was last season. The Pirates are currently three and a-half games back of the Cincinnati Reds for first place in the NL Central and they are tied with the Atlanta Braves in both wild card spots.
Coming off a one-hit shutout against the Chicago Cubs on Tuesday, the Pirates go for another victory as first baseman Gaby Sanchez and pitcher Chad Qualls, both acquired at the trade deadline Tuesday, will be joining the team at Wrigley Field on Wednesday.
Hurdle said
— Bill Brink (@BrinkPG) August 1, 2012#Pirates will option RHP Daniel McCutchen to Class AAA Indianapolis to make room for Chad Qualls, who is on his way to Wrigley
The Pirates will be sending pitcher Jeff Karstens (3-2, 3.88 ERA) to the mound on Wednesday night. In his last start on July 27 against the Houston Astros, Karstens went five innings, allowing four runs on six hits in a no decision. He struck out seven batters in the game as well as the Pirates won that game, 6-5.
The Chicago Cubs will be trying to rebound from that loss by sending Travis Wood (4-6, 4.98 to start. Wood has lost his last three starts, including his most recent start on July 27 against the St. Louis Cardinals. In that game, he pitched five innings, allowing eight runs on seven hits in the loss.
The game is scheduled for a 2:20 p.m. first pitch at Wrigley Field. Television coverage will be provided by Root Sports with radio coverage provided by 93.7 KDKA FM.
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