This is a give-up spot in a give-up season for the Pirates. The Dodgers are averaging more than 10 runs per game during their last three games. The Pirates are short on starters and their bullpen is spent.

So the Pirates are going with Clay Holmes. He's thrown all of two innings for the Pirates this season. This will be his first start. He hasn't pitched in 10 days and isn't expected to go deep into the game leaving the Pirates' wretched middle relief to try to stem the tide while in serious fatigue mode.

Rich Hill is capable of elite starts - when he's healthy. Hill is healthy now, at least for the time being. He has a 2.55 ERA in three starts since coming off the DL.