Pirates like inclusion in MLB opener

The Pittsburgh Pirates have spent the last three years making believers out of everybody, even the schedule makers.

The team that toiled in national anonymity for two decades will bat leadoff for Major League Baseball on Sunday when the Pirates host rival St. Louis in the opening game of the 2016 regular season.

“We’re getting the kind of recognition as an organization that I don’t think we’ve gotten as much in the past,” pitcher Jeff Locke said.

Under Manager Clint Hurdle, the Pirates have advanced to the playoffs in three consecutive seasons and have the second- best record in the majors since the start of 2013.

The Pirates will send lefthander Francisco Liriano to the mound against right- hander Adam Wainwright on Sunday.

St. Louis is the only team with a better record than Pittsburgh over the last three years, the main reason the Pirates have been relegated to the wild card during their sprint back to respectability.

Etc.

The Atlanta Braves added out

f ielder Drew Stubbs and pitcher Alexi Ogando to its opening- day roster and designated for assign

ment outfielders Michael Bourn and Emilio Bonifacio. ... Manager Dusty Baker said the Washington Nationals will start Stephen Strasburg at Atlanta on Wednesday, the team’s second game this season. ... The Colorado Rockies will use lefthander Jake McGee as closer and right- hander Christian Bergman as the No. 5 starter.