The Pittsburgh Pirates (32-25) will take on the Chicago Cubs (24-33) under the Chicago sunlight at 2:20 p.m. today at Wrigley Field, in a game that can be live streamed here. The Pirates radio broadcast can be listened to on KDKA-FM 93.7, while the Cubs fans can tune in to WGN 720.
The Pirates will hand the ball to Francisco Liriano (3-2, 2.17 ERA), one of Major League Baseball's most surprising reclamation projects in 2013. Liriano burst onto the scene in 2006 for the Minnesota Twins, ripping off 12 wins and striking out everything that moved, posting a strikeout per nine innings ratio of over 10.
Later that season, though, Liriano underwent Tommy John surgery, missed the 2007 season, and was never the same pitcher again From 2008 to 2012, while pitching for the Twins and Chicago White Sox, Liriano posted an ERA of under 5.00 just twice, in 2008 and 2010. Those other seasons Liriano was routinely getting crushed by opponents, his electric stuff seemingly sapped.
In 2013, however, Liriano has regained his mojo, striking out 39 hitters in 29 innings, while only walking nine, which has been his bug-a-boo since debuting in MLB. He is also coming off his best start of this spectacular season, going eight innings and striking out 11 while surrendering only one run to the Cincinnati Reds. He got the loss, unfortunately, but manager Clint Hurdle could be colored impressed.
When asked if that was Liriano's best start of the season, Hurdle said, "Yeah, we'll go there. But wow, he was really good. He competes out there."
Liriano will face Travis Wood (5-3, 2.75), who has also been excellent this year but with less fanfare. After a brilliant start to 2013, Wood hit a rough patch in late May until a bounce back start May 30th against the White Sox. He pitched six innings, surrendering two runs, striking out six and walking two.
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