Sunday, March 17, 2013

Bucs v Yankees

Happy St. Patrick's Day! The Bucs send Phil Irwin to the hill to face the Yankees' Ivan Nova. The contest is at McKechnie Field, and the first pitch is slated for 1:05. The game will be broadcast by The Fan 93.7.

Lineup: Starling Marte LF, Russell Martin C, Andrew McCutchen CF, Pedro Alvarez 3B, Garrett Jones 1B, Gaby Sanchez DH, Travis Snider RF, Josh Harrison 2B and Clint Barmes SS.

Martin continues to be penciled in the two hole; Travis Snider, who held the spot last season, is batting seventh today. Kinda makes us wonder if Neil Walker, who batted in that spot in his early years, might be returned to the that position in the order when the season starts. The starting lineup has been pretty much set since camp began. The only potential battleground, right field, still looks like Snider's to lose, as neither he nor JT have taken any steps to separate themselves so far.

Pitchers: Phil Irwin, Jeff Locke, Jared Hughes, Mike Zagurski, Ryan Reid, Brooks Brown and Kyle Waldrop.

Clint Hurdle and company continue to look over the guys auditioning for the staff; we'd guess that the final slots won't be determined for another week or so.

  • Rob Biertempfel of the Tribune Review wrote that LHP Tony Watson's absence from the lineup this month was due to a sore lat muscle. He's almost ready to work again; he'll see some game action in minor league camp today.
  • Jason Grilli should be well-rested after his return from Team Italia; he hasn't worked a game in ten days. He pitched in one exhibition game and one tournament match for the Italians after getting three outings in Pirate camp.
  • Today in history: In 1972, the Bucs watered their Latin roots by playing a three game pre-season series against the Reds in Caracas, Venezuela.
  • For a taste of the good ol' days, Root Sports will show the seventh game of the 1979 World Series at 7 PM tonight.

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