Tonight at 10:10 p.m. ET the Los Angeles Dodgers (29-25) will open up a four-game set against the Pittsburgh Pirates (23-29) at Dodger Stadium that can be live streamed by clicking this link. Dodgers fans can hear the radio broadcast on 570 Fox Sports LA, while Pirates fans may do the same on KDKA-FM 93.7. The Dodgers will send out Dan Haren (5-3, 3.16 ERA) while the Pirates counter with Gerrit Cole (4-3, 3.76 ERA).
The Pirates have failed to capitalize thus far on the momentum they've built the past two seasons, and in 2014 most of their problems have come on the road. "It's not one thing," manager Clint Hurdle told the Pirates' official website. "We have work to do. Flat out, we have work to do. We have to play better."
A lot of that starts with Pittsburgh's rotation, although Cole is exempt from that criticism. The young horse is second on the staff in innings pitched (64.2), leads the rotation in wins (4) and has struck out 60 batters while walking just 21.
Meanwhile Haren had almost reclaimed his status as a top-level hurler after two subpar seasons before relapsing in his past two starts. Still, Dodgers skipper Don Mattingly had nothing but praise for Haren's work. "Danny has really been doing what we expect him to do," Mattingly said.
"He keeps us in the game. He's a guy that keeps battling and changing speeds. He's not the guy with the 95-mph fastball anymore with the heavy split. He hits spots, he hits corners and he's going to keep fighting."
The most intriguing part of this set will be the dueling outfielders Andrew McCutchen and Yasiel Puig. McCutchen, last year's NL MVP, enters play hitting .314 with four home runs, 23 RBIs and seven steals.
Those are fine numbers, but Puig's crushing them with his .344, 11 home run, 39 RBIs performance so far in 2014.
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