The Pirates really could use a win right now. It seems to me that a pitching matchup between Francisco Liriano and Tommy Milone could provide the Pirates with a win. I have no idea when or if this game is going to be played tonight, though, because it's my understanding that the weather in Pittsburgh today has been apocalyptically terrible today and it doesn't look like it's in a hurry to get any better. The Pirates and A's don't have another game on the schedule this year, though, so I'm guessing they're going to do their best to get this game in tonight one way or another. Both teams are off tomorrow, but the A's have to be back in Oakland on Friday to host the Red Sox. It could be a loooooong night at PNC Park.

If you don't live in Pittsburgh (or Oakland) you'll be able to find this game on ESPN, in the event that it actually does get played. No clue when the first pitch will be, but I'm guessing it won't be 7:05.

Between tonight and the trade deadline, the Pirates will play every night/day against the Marlins, Cubs, Astros, and Cubs. With Joey Votto out for the Reds, this is potentially quite the opportunity that the scheduling gods have afforded our Pittsburgh Pirates. 

At the same time, that’s getting ahead of myself. The Pirates have been shaky at best coming out of the All-Star break and are probably pretty lucky to be 3-3 and to have only lost 1 1/2 games on the Reds in the standings. As nice as it is to look ahead at the schedule, the most important thing to the Pirates is playing a good game tonight and winning tonight. 

The weather does not look great tonight, but with the Pirates in contention and the Marlins nominally still contending, the Pirates and Marlins will play three games this weekend. If they do play tonight, Kevin Correia and Ricky Nolasco are tonight’s scheduled starters.