Detroit Tigers at Pittsburgh Pirates Preview, TV, Lineup

Detroit Tigers (7-1) at Pittsburgh Pirates (3-5) – 7:05 PM ET

PNC Park – Pittsburgh, PA

Radio: 97.1 The Ticket (click for affiliates)

Weather: 61 degree, mostly cloudy

Game Preview

More from Motor City Bengals

Wednesday will be the rubber match of what has been a very evenly played series. The Pirates held on to beat the Tigers, 5-4, on Monday, and Detroit shut out Pittsburgh, 2-0, on Tuesday.

When We Last Met

The two teams were in a pitcher’s duel on Tuesday night when Tigers starter Shane Greene faced Pirates hurler A.J. Burnett. Greene spoiled Burnett’s strong start by throwing eight shutout innings, allowing just three hits and no walks. Greene also struck out three.

Burnett only yielded one run in 6 1/3 innings, but it wasn’t enough against Greene. Tigers closer Joakim Soria shutdown the Pirates in order in the ninth to record his third save of the season.

Pitching Matchup

Detroit would love to be in another pitcher’s duel on Wednesday because that would mean right-hander Alfredo Simon would be keeping up with Pirates ace Francisco Liriano.

Simon allowed three runs in 5 1/3 innings against the Indians in his first start this season. He threw five shutout innings in that start, but yielded the runs in the sixth before exiting. Liriano allowed two runs in seven innings against the Reds on Opening Day last week and received a no decision.

Tigers Lineup

Victor Martinez is again expected to be used as a pinch hitter as he was in the first two games of the series. The rest of the lineups will be posted once released.

1. Rajai Davis (R) CF

2. Ian Kinsler (R) 2B

3. Miguel Cabrera (R) 1B

4. J.D. Martinez (R) RF

5. Yoenis Cespedes (R) LF

6. Nick Castellanos (R) 3B

7. James McCann (R) C

8. Jose Iglesias (R) SS

9. Alfredo Simon (R) P

Pirates Lineup

1. Josh Harrison (R) 3B

2. Gregory Polanco (L) RF