What happened: The Pittsburgh Pirates take the field for game 79 of their 162-game schedule. The contest carries television coverage on SportsNet Pittsburgh and radio coverage on 93.7 The Fan.

Why it matters: Game 79 places the Pirates at the rough midpoint of the regular season, the stretch where the standings begin to harden and roster decisions sharpen ahead of the second half. Every game from here weighs heavier on Pittsburgh's positioning in the National League Central.

What to watch: Watch the early lineup card and how Pittsburgh's bats set the tone over this midseason stretch.