Game 139: Brewers at Pirates

Pittsburgh looks to exact revenge for last week's sweep in Milwaukee.
Probables: Wily Peralta (5-8, 4.21) vs. AJ Burnett (8-5, 3.06)
Preview:
http://m.mlb.com/news/article/201509...game_pk=415743
"Burnett to return from DL as Pirates face Brewers
By Adam McCalvy / MLB.com | @AdamMcCalvy | + 0 COMMENTS
A Pirates team pushing toward the postseason is banking on a boost when right-hander A.J. Burnett returns from an elbow injury to start Thursday in the opener of a four-game series against the Brewers.
The Bucs, who remained 4 1/2 games behind the Cardinals in the National League Central, extended their NL Wild Card lead to three games over the Cubs after Wednesday's 5-4 win in Cincinnati.
Burnett's first start since July 30 -- he's been dealing with a right flexor tendon strain -- allows the Pirates to skip a start for ace right-hander Gerrit Cole in an effort to keep Cole fresh for October. Burnett is no pedestrian fill-in; he has a 3.06 ERA in 21 starts this season.
For starter Wily Peralta and the Brewers, it will be as if someone turned up the volume on their road trip. They began with three games in Cincinnati and Miami before traveling late Wednesday night, where PNC Park figures to be rocking over the weekend.
Three things to know about this game
•. The Brewers will be without one of their best hitters. Catcher Jonathan Lucroy sat out Wednesday with concussion symptoms and is expected to miss Thursday's game as well. Martin Maldonado will start in Lucroy's spot.
•. Starling Marte is batting just .228 against Milwaukee pitching this season, but six of his 13 hits have gone for extra bases, including four home runs.
•. Peralta will be well-rested. His start in Game 2 of a doubleheader on Saturday in Cincinnati was cut short after two innings by rain.
Adam McCalvy is a reporter for MLB.com. Follow him on Twitter at @AdamMcCalvy and listen to his podcast. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs."