Bucs take nine pitchers on Wild Card Game roster

PITTSBURGH -- The roster announced by the Pirates for Tuesday night's National League Wild Card Game contains no surprises.

Manager Clint Hurdle has chosen a nine-man pitching staff that includes starters Francisco Liriano, who will get the ball for the 8:07 p.m. ET game against the Reds, and Gerrit Cole, who will be available if early relief is needed.

The rest of the bullpen will include the seven relief mainstays: Jeanmar Gomez, Bryan Morris, Vin Mazzaro, lefties Tony Watson and Justin Wilson, setup man Mark Melancon and closer Jason Grilli.

As expected, the Bucs are going with three catchers -- Russell Martin, John Buck and Tony Sanchez -- and a full complement of infielders, with both Garrett Jones and Gaby Sanchez available behind starting first baseman Justin Morneau. The other infielders include Pedro Alvarez, Clint Barmes, Neil Walker, Josh Harrison and Jordy Mercer.

The only questionable call was on the fifth outfielder along with starters Starling Marte, Andrew McCutchen and Marlon Byrd, and No. 4 outfielder Jose Tabata. The club chose Travis Snider -- who has three pinch-hit homers this season, over another lefty-hitting option, Felix Pie.

If the Pirates advance by taking Tuesday night's Wild Card Game, they will have the option of revising their 25-man roster for the NL Division Series against the St. Louis Cardinals.