The Philadelphia Phillies (39-44) will take on the Pittsburgh Pirates (51-30) tonight at PNC Park at 7:05 p.m. in a battle for Pennsylvania primacy. The first game of a three-game series can be live streamed here; Phillies fans can tune in to the game on 1210 WPHT, while Pirates fans can do the same by tuning in to KDKA-FM 93.7.
For the third straight year, the Pirates are off to a hot start. In the past two seasons, their scorching play gave way to mediocrity, and they failed to reach the postseason both times. In 2013, however, they hope things are different.
They are in the midst of a nine-game winning streak, and breakout outfielder Starling Marte has provided the necessary help to center fielder Andrew McCutchen to keep Pittsburgh humming along.
The Bucs have also gotten stellar pitching from unlikely sources, one of which will be on the mound tonight. Jeff Locke (7-1, 2.06 ERA) a 25-year-old left-hander has burst onto the scene and raced to a nearly spotless record, despite some un ace-like ratios.
Locke is striking out 6.3 batters per nine innings, and walking just shy of four, so perhaps his big numbers are due for a correction. That correction hasn't arrived yet, however, so the Pirates hope he can keep the good performances coming.
Russell Martin, who came over in the offseason from the New York Yankees has played a big part in Pittsburgh's pitching success, despite the rotation losing A.J. Burnett, Wandy Rodriguez, and James McDonald at times due to injury.
"It's fun right now," Martin said. "Obviously, winning is fun, but just being on a team with a bunch of guys who play with their hearts out there and enjoy the game, it's definitely been a pleasure."
The Phillies will send out hurler Jonathan Pettibone (3-3, 4.17 ERA) to try and halt the Pirates' momentum.
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