Niese (knee) is starting Sunday's game against the Cubs, Travis Sawchik of the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review reports.

EDGE Analysis

Niese got an extra day to rest his sore knee after his Saturday start was bumped back to Sunday. He'll now toe the hill against John Lackey and the Cubs. Niese will look to end the first half of the season on a high note as he's struggled in his last five outings, going 1-4 with a 7.33 ERA and 1.89 WHIP over 27 innings.