Worth noting

• Rehabbing infielder Clint Barmes (strained groin) will go on a rehab assignment once he's fully comfortable stopping, starting and running the base paths, Hurdle said. Barmes, who has been taking batting practice and infield with the team lately, has not played since June 29.

• If the Pirates win Thursday, it will be their sixth series victory in a row at PNC Park. The Bucs entered the finale with the Marlins having not dropped a home set since the Reds took two of three from June 17-19.