Alvarez is not in the lineup Wednesday against the Cubs.

It appears as if Pirates manager Clint Hurdle opted to go with defense over offense, as Sean Rodriguez is slated to get the start at first base instead of Alvarez. Considering Jake Arrieta has given up just 15 home runs in nearly 400 innings with the Cubs over the last two years, Alvarez's plus power would likely be mitigated. That being said, it would be a surprise if the 28-year-old did not at least make a pinch-hit appearance during the contest Wednesday.

Alvarez is not in the lineup against the Reds on Saturday, Tom Singer of MLB.com reports.

Alvarez hasn't recorded a hit in his last four appearances and with lefty Brandon Finnegan set to take the mound for the Reds, Alvarez will take a seat in favor of Mike Morse who will hit sixth in the lineup and man first base.

Alvarez is not in the lineup for Game 2 of Wednesday's doubleheader against the Cardinals.

Mike Morse will take over at first base with lefty Tyler Lyons due up for St. Louis in the nightcap. Alvarez went hitless in Game 1, but did draw a walk and score a run in the Pirates' 8-2 victory.

Alvarez will start at first base and bat seventh Saturday against the Cubs, Rob Biertempfel of the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review reports.

Alvarez is only 4-for-22 against starter Jason Hammel but has socked a pair of home runs and driven in five runs. The first baseman's .931 OPS in September is his best monthly mark since June of 2013 (1.060).

Alvarez's postseason playing status remains up in the air, even after the first baseman socked a game-deciding homer Thursday.

The big question surrounding the first baseman is whether his ability to go deep is worth the risk of sub-par defense in the postseason. He's now got 26 homers and 75 RBI in only 423 at-bats. Alvarez's OPS is still only .784, but that number is within reach of his career best (.788).

Alvarez socked a three-run homer -- his 26th of the season -- in Thursday's 5-4 win over the Rockies.

Alvarez's bomb off reliever Jairo Diaz with two outs in the top of the eighth inning proved to be the difference for the Pirates, who need every win they can get in the final week-plus of action as they look to chase down the Cardinals for the NL Central crown. The first baseman has certainly been an integral part to the Pirates' continued success so far in September, providing five homers and 10 walks this month. Those represent his second-highest totals in both categories for any month this season.

Alvarez went 2-for-3 with his 25th homer Sunday against the Dodgers.

His .786 OPS now sits just below his career best of .788, set in his rookie season of 2010. Alvarez has hit homers in three of his last five games and continues to platoon at first base with right-handed hitters Michael Morse and Aramis Ramirez.

Alvarez is out of the lineup Saturday against the Dodgers.

Pirates manager Clint Hurdle will give Mike Morse a turn at first base with lefty Clayton Kershaw hurling for the Dodgers. Alvarez is 0-for-9 with seven strikeouts for his career against Kershaw.

Alvarez went 2-for-4 with a two-run homer in Thursday's 9-6 loss to the Cubs.

It was Alvarez's 21st round-tripper against right-handed pitching this season, which accounts for all but three of his homers in 2015. Alvarez has been more prolific with the long ball compared to last season, when he launched only 18 dingers over 398 at-bats, and retains an outside shot of reaching the 30-homer mark for the third time in four seasons.

Alvarez is out of the lineup Wednesday.

Aramis Ramirez has been getting increasingly more playing time at first base, and he will handle those duties and hit cleanup Wednesday. Look for Alvarez to get three or four starts per week down the stretch.

Alvarez is not in the lineup for Game 2 of Tuesday's doubleheader with the Cubs.

Mike Morse will get the start at first base in the nightcap with left-hander Jon Lester toeing the rubber for Chicago. Alvarez went 0-for-2 in Game 1, but he did also draw two walks for the third straight game.

Alvarez has started seven of 11 September games, going 5-for-24 with one homer and two RBI in reduced playing time.

Aramis Ramirez has started three of the team's last four games at first base, sending Alvarez and his league-leading 19 errors (among first basemen) to the bench.

Alvarez is not in the lineup Friday against the Brewers.

Alvarez will be held out of the lineup for the third time in four games, all against right-handed pitching. Aramis Ramirez will once again be called upon to start at first base, while Jung-Ho Kang will get the start at third base.

Alvarez is out of the lineup again Wednesday against the Reds, Adam Berry of MLB.com reports.

While Alvarez sitting against a lefty isn't surprising, he will sit for a second straight game against a right-handed pitcher Wednesday. Aramis Ramirez will start at third base for the second straight game, and the alignment could be used more going forward, possibly making Alvarez just a part-time player.

Alvarez is not in Tuesday's lineup against the Reds, C. Trent Rosecrans of the Cincinnati Enquirer reports.

It looks like a scheduled day off for Alvarez, as the Pirates will go with veteran Aramis Ramirez at first base with Jung Ho Kang at third.

Alvarez has four hits, including a double and a dinger, in nine at-bats against Monday starter Anthony DeSclafani.

The first baseman doubled in three at-bats Sunday before leaving for defensive replacement Sean Rodriguez. Alvarez leads the Bucs with 19 solo homers and 22 home runs overall.

Alvarez is out of the lineup for Saturday's game against the Cardinals.

Alvarez is frequently benched against left-handed starters, and that's the case Saturday with the Cardinals' Jaime Garcia taking the mound. Mike Morse will play first base in his stead as usual.

Alvarez blasted his 19th solo homer and 22nd overall in a 7-4 loss to Milwaukee on Tuesday.

Alvarez now has 10 homers since July 23. He misplayed a first-inning throw to first base but his .770 OPS continues to help fantasy owners.

Alvarez is not in the starting lineup Sunday against the Rockies.

With left-hander Jorge de la Rosa taking the ball for Colorado, the Pirates will use Mike Morse at first base Sunday.

Alvarez went 1-for-3 with a 445-foot homer -- his 21st of the season -- Thursday in Miami.

He's batting .303/.344/.640 with nine homers and 23 RBI in 96 plate appearances since July 23. Alvarez is also hitting .303 with three homers and eight RBI in 51 PA against left-handed pitching, well above his career numbers (.206/.273/.338). He continues to lead all first basemen with 18 errors but manager Clint Hurdle typically replaces Alvarez with a defensive replacement whenever the team holds a late-inning lead.