Sunday, July 13, 2014

Liriano v Cueto, Lineup, Hit Man Sent Down, Cutch, Squeakers, Post ASG Rotation

Francisco Liriano (1-6, 4.60) better have the rust knocked off as he returns to match up with Reds' ace Johnny Cueto (9-6, 2.03).

Frankie was sharp on Monday while taking a rehab spin at Indy, tossing six scoreless and whiffing eight, but he's been out of action since June 11th and wasn't doing all that well prior to his oblique sprain. He has yet to best Cincinnati in the regular season, going 0-4 with a 3.99 ERA in six career starts, though Frankie topped the Reds and Cueto in the one-game playoff last year 6-2.

Cueto is the man this year; his 2.45 ERA since 2011 is the second-best in the majors behind Clayton Kershaw. It's hard to believe that this will be his first All Star game. He's certainly been a All-Star against the Bucs, going 15-4 with a 2.18 ERA in 24 career starts.

The lineup: Gregory Polanco RF, Josh Harrison LF, Cutch CF, Neil Walker 2B, Russ Martin C, Ike Davis 1B, Pedro 3B, Jordy mercer SS and Liriano P. Russ gets the call for a gay-after-night game; Clint figures has can rest up during the break.

The game starts at 1:10 and will be aired by Root Sports and 93.7 The Fan.
  • Matt Hague was optioned back to Indy to clear an active spot for Francisco Liriano.
  • Cutch is the first Pirate player to tie a game in the ninth or later with a homer and then win the same game with another blast. He ended last night with 10 total bases in the game and with 201 coming into today. The only three players in Pirates history to have more total bases at the All-Star break are Brian Giles (205 in 2001), Dave Parker (205 in 1977) and Willie Stargell (203 in 1973).
  • Four of the last five games between the Pirates and Reds have been decided in the last at-bat.
  • The post All-Star rotation, announced today by Clint: Francisco Liriano, Charlie Morton, Jeff Locke, Edinson Volquez and Vance Worley.

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