PITTSBURGH — In arguably the club’s most important game to date this season, pitcher Aaron Cook will have different looking Rockies’ lineup to support him tonight against the Pirates.
Left-hander Zach Duke starts for Pittsburgh, leading to Clint Barmes’ right-field debut in place of the left-handed hitting Brad Hawpe.
Barmes will bat seventh. He has been taking fly balls during batting practice, in anticipation of the move. He recently lost his second base job to the hot-hitting Jeff Baker.
Trade deadline approaches
The Rockies have a lot of oars in the water for trade activity. The team is still uncertain whether they will be buyers or sellers by Thursday’s 2 p.m. MTN trade deadline.
They have called about starting pitchers Josh Fogg of the Reds and the Nationals’ Josh Redding.
But if they lose tonight, the Rockies might trade closer Brian Fuentes. The Cardinals, Rays, Phillies and Mets are among the teams still interested in the closer.
Tonight’s Rockies lineup:
CF Taveras
2B Baker
LF Holliday
1B Atkins
C Iannetta
SS Tulo
RF Barmes
3B Stewart
P Cook
