Pittsburgh Pirates Continue Interleague Play, Face Toronto Blue Jays Tonight

The Pirates spoiled the return of new Blue Jays manager Cito Gaston with a 1-0 win in extra innings. The teams square-off in game two of the series tonight at 7:05.

This is the Blue Jay's first visit to PNC Park and so far, the Pirates certainly are not complaining.

 While some fans are not amused by the fact that Ryan Doumit and Xavier Nady are unavailable for this series, it gives players such as Nyjer Morgan and Jason Michaels the chance to shine.

 Tonight's pitching matchup is Paul Maholm versus Jesse Litsch.

Maholm again has been a true model of inconsistency. He is fabulous at home but is awful at best on the road. He is 4-5 with an era of 4.45.

Hopefully he will be able to continue to face similar success that Zach Duke did last night.

Litsch has promising stuff overall this year, but has been mediocre in the month of June including his most recent start when he lost to the Cubs.

Litsch is 7-3 on the season with an ERA of 3.70. Litsch has pitched one complete game this year and considering the Pirates track record in Inter-league play, could go the distance yet again.

Fans coming to the game tonight will hear the Canadian National Anthem as well as get a Roberto Clemente collectible plate.

Here are Blue Jays Hitters versus Paul Maholm:

OPPOSING HITTER	AB	H	2B	3B	HR	RBI	BB	SO	BA	OBP	SLG	OPS
David Eckstein	12	3	0	0	0	1	2	0	.250	.357	.250	.607
Scott Rolen	7	2	1	0	0	0	2	1	.286	.444	.429	.873
Kevin Mench	5	3	1	0	0	1	0	0	.600	.600	.800	1.400
Lyle Overbay	4	0	0	0	0	0	0	2	.000	.000	.000	.000
Totals	28	8	2	0	0	2	4	3	.286	.375	.357	.732

Only Doug Mientkiewicz has faced Litsch and he was one for three with a double and a strike out.

Prediction: With the Yankees and Rays coming after this series, the Pirates either need to win tonight's game or tomorrow's game and it is certainly possible.

The Blue Jays come into the game with a 35-40 record while the Pirates have a 35-39 record.

I expect this game to be low scoring but I have a bad feeling about this one. When Maholm leaves the game in the seventh, Yates will give up three runs, and the Pirates will lose 3-1.