Saturday, May 3, 2014

Pitchers, Lineup, Vinsanity, Jared, Starling, Jordy, Joey Bats, Hats...

RA Dickey (2-3, 5.09 ERA) goes against Francisco Liriano (0-3, 3.97). Dickey, a knuckleballer, depends on control. When he keeps the walks down, he's tough to hit. Dickey will also work in the occasional fast ball and curve. Liriano is back after being yanked early last game with dizziness caused by a nosebleed, and while pitching OK, is still looking for his first win of 2014. On the DL for the early part of last season, he didn't notch his first win last year until May 11th, so he's still on track in a way.

The lineup: Josh Harrison RF, Neil Walker 2B, Cutch CF, Pedro 3B, Gaby Sanchez 1B, Starling Marte LF, Tony Sanchez C, Clint Barmes SS and Liriano P. So this is what RF and SS have become.

The game starts at 7:05 and will be aired by Root Sports and 93.7 The Fan.
  • Vin Mazzaro and Jared Hughes are back, or at least in the clubhouse. We'll post later when any corresponding moves are announced; as of now, the Bucs say everything is "pending."
  • Since being dropped in the order on May 1st, Starling Marte is 7-for-12. His BA has jumped from .229 to .265 and his OPS from from .612 to .702.
  • On the other side of the coin, Jordy Mercer is in an 0-for-25 freefall and batting just .151.  Clint Barmes hasn't proven much of an alternative with a .133 BA.
  • Jose Bautista has a 12-game hitting streak and has reached based in all 29 games he’s played this season. This series is the first time he's been back to PNC Park since being traded in 2008.
  • The Blue Jays are 3-8 in their last 11 games, but over that time the offense is hitting .281  with 22 doubles and 17 home runs. Gotta pitch to win.
  • Tonight the first 25,000 fans at PNC Park will receive a Pirates fedora, compliments of PNC Bank. They're kinda snappy, in a hipster way.
  • John Dreker of Pirates Prospects reported that the Bucs traded minor league IF Benji Gonzalez, a good glove, no-hit guy, to San Diego for an unnamed return.
  • Ex-Bucs: Toronto recalled C Erik Kratz.

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