Sunday, May 4, 2014

Pitching, Lineup, Locke, Still Looking, Polanco, Leyland

Edinson Volquez (1-2, 3.21 ) takes on Dustin McGowan (1-1, 5.87) as the Bucs look for a sweep of the bullpen-challenged Toronto Blue Jays. Volquez had his first rough start last outing, while McGowan, a reliever filling in for the Jays, had a strong outing. The key for the Pirates is to run up some pitch count on McGowan, who isn't fully stretched out as a starter.

The lineup: Josh Harrison RF, Neil Walker 2B, Cutch CF, Pedro 3B, Starling Marte LF, Ike Davis 1B, Jordy Mercer SS, Chris Stewart C and Volquez P. Marte moves up to #5, Josh stays in fight and Ike gets a start.

The game starts at 1:35 and will be aired by Root Sports and 93.7 The Fan.
  • This is the first time since April 6-8th that the Bucs have won back-to-back games.
  • The press gang reports that Jeff Locke will pitch on Monday.
  • Nick Cafardo of the Boston Globe wrote "Ike Davis’s play since his trade from the Mets has not deterred the Pirates organization from trying to acquire a first baseman. The Pirates don’t believe signing Kendrys Morales is the answer..." 
  • It's thirty games into the season and the Pirates have just three wins from their starting rotation.The bullpen has won nine times.
  • Ho-hum. Greogory Polanco was named to Baseball America's All-Prospect Team, April edition.
  • Ex-Bucs: Jim Leyland's MLB job is working with the video replay system. Who knew?

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