Diamondbacks and Pirates play in series rubber match
Pittsburgh Pirates (20-17, fourth in the NL Central) vs. Arizona Diamondbacks (17-18, third in the NL West) Phoenix; Thursday, 3:40 p. m.
EDT PITCHING PROBABLES: Pirates: Mitch Keller (3-1, 2. 85 ERA, 1. 05 WHIP, 31 strikeouts); Diamondbacks: Zac Gallen (1-2, 4.
45 ERA, 1. 51 WHIP, 20 strikeouts) LINE: Pirates -111, Diamondbacks -108; over/under is 9 runs BOTTOM LINE: The Arizona Diamondbacks and Pittsburgh Pirates meet on Thursday with the winner claiming the three-game series. Arizona has a 10-7 record at home and a 17-18 record overall.
The Diamondbacks are 5-3 in games when they hit at least two home runs. Pittsburgh is 20-17 overall and 9-8 on the road. The Pirates have gone 12-6 in games when they did not allow a home run.
Thursday's game is the third time these teams square off this season. TOP PERFORMERS: Ildemaro Vargas has a . 364 batting average to lead the Diamondbacks, and has seven doubles, two triples and six home runs.