Wednesday, July 9, 2014

Cumpton v Lance. Lineup, Streakers, Even-Steven, More...

Brandon Cumpton (3-2, 4.61) faces Lance Lynn (9-6, 3.17) tonight.

This is Cumpton's third recall of the year, but he's not been gone too long, with his last start being on June 27th. His five June starts were solid, and his ERA is misleading, as it's bloated by a beating he took in LA in May. Brandon has only pitched once against the Birds and that was last year, but it was gem as he tossed seven shutout innings, giving up just three hits.

Lynn has been improving this year, but lately has worked through back issues and a blister problem. He's a sinker ball guy who's getting more grounders this season and having a little more success against lefties by mixing in some hooks and change ups. Lynn was tough in his last outing against the Marlins, tossing eight goose eggs.

The righty has been up and down this year; he's so far been very good or very bad on the mound. He hasn't had all that much success against the Bucs, going 4-3 but with a 5.13 ERA in 10 lifetime starts.

The lineup: Gregory Polanco RF, Josh Harrison LF, Cutch CF, Neil Walker 2B, Pedro 3B, Jordy Mercer SS, Ike Davis 1B, Chris Stewart C and Cumpton P. Looks like Clint got tired of the lefty matchups he got with Ike and Pedro batting back-to-back. He stuck a lefty-killer in Jordy between them.

The game starts at 8:15 and will be shown on ESPN and aired by 93.7 The Fan.

  • Neil Walker brings a 10-game hitting streak into tonight’s game. Jordy has an eight game streak, and Josh's string is up to five games.
  • Since the beginning of last year, the Pirates are 15-15 against St. Louis and the two teams have scored the exact same amount of runs (125) against each other.
  • The Pirates have fireworks and bobbleheads; in St. Louis, tonight is Star Wars Night at Busch Stadium.
  • The Bucs made it official: RHP Gerrit Cole went on the 15-day DL, retro to 7/5, and RHP Brandon Cumpton was recalled from Indy.
  • Ian Casselberry of The Outside Corner looks at what the playoff teams are looking for in the trade market, including the Bucs.
  • Matt Eddy of Baseball America picked the June All-Prospect team, and Indy's RHP Nick Kingham made the club.
  • Ex-Bucs: Brock Holt is slated to play at short tonight, which would make him the second Red Sox ever to start at 1B, 3B, SS, LF, CF, RF in same season other than Jack Rothrock in 1928.

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