Back to business

Pirate baseball is back. Their strong play leading up to the All-Star break made the four days off feel like a month, and it will be nice to get home from work and be able to look forward to a ballgame. The Bucs play in Atlanta tonight looking to continue their recent success in a brief three-game road trip. Ian Snell (2.93 ERA, 1.17 WHIP) will make the start, and expect him to have a chip on his shoulder after spending the All-Star break at home. A pissed off Ian Snell is usually a welcome sight for Pirate fans. He will be opposed by Tim Hudson (3.54 ERA, 1.21 WHIP), who has been somewhat inconsistent after a red-hot start to the season. After allowing only two runs in his final 14 innings of June, he allowed six runs in just three innings in his most recent start. First pitch is scheduled for 7:35.