For the second straight start, Burnett pitched well, but picked up the loss for the Pirates. His season as a whole, at 38-years-old, was arguably his best as a pro, as he tallied a career low in ERA (3.18), while striking out 143 in 164 innings. Expect him to head into the playoffs as a major piece of the Pirates rotation as they look to make a deep run in the postseason.

Burnett was solid tonight, but it didn’t help that on the flip side Jake Arrieta absolutely dominated the Pirates. Burnett obviously couldn't keep up with his unbelievable first half pace, but he has still be solid for the entire year for the Pirates. He goes up against the Reds at home Saturday in his final tuneup before the playoffs.

Burnett has now allowed three runs or less in each of his last three starts as he continues to pitch strong for the Pirates in the stretch run. He is now sitting 9-5 with a 3.15 ERA, 1.35 WHIP and a 129:43 K:BB rate which is nothing special, but still worth starting when he takes on the Cubs at home on Sunday night.

Making his second start since coming off the DL Burnett tossed a similar outing to his return to the mound last week. For the season Burnett has gone 8-5 with a 3.15 ERA and 1.34 WHIP over 23 starts.