PIRATES OPEN SERIES WITH MUSGROVE ON THE HILL AGAINST PADRES

After an off day yesterday, the Pirates welcome the San Diego Padres to town today.  Joe Musgrove (4-7, 4.87 ERA) gets the start against his hometown team, who he beat last month when the Bucs took three out of four in San Diego.  The Padres send lefty Eric Lauer (5-6, 4.60 ERA) to the mound.  San Diego is coming off a three-game sweep of Milwaukee, while the Pirates have won their of their last five games.

Here’s Greg Brown with more.

Chris Archer and Steven Brault will start for the Pirates on Saturday and Sunday.  Jordan Lyles will pitch for Indianapolis in a rehab start on Sunday before rejoining the Pirates’ rotation.

The Pirates have now signed 31 of their 42 draft picks, including 17 of the top 20,  after inking deals with 11^th round pick Jase Bowen and 17^th rounder Ryan Harbin on Wednesday.  Still unsigned are the team’s 4^th round choice, pitcher and outfielder J.C. Flowers, and 9^th round shortstop Ethan Paul, who are both still playing in the College World Series and can’t sign yet.