Sunday, April 19, 2015

Bucs Go For Sweep Behind Cole; Lineup & Notes

Today's Game: Gerrit Cole and Matt Garza face off this afternoon. Both have had mixed success against the other's club. Cole Train is 1-2 with a 3.27 ERA in five lifetime starts against the Brewers, while Garza in 2-2 with a 3.92 ERA v Pittsburgh in eight career outings. The game begins at 1:35 and will be aired by Root Sports and 93.7 The Fan.

Gerrit Cole (photo: Jason Vinlove/USAToday)

The Lineup: Josh Harrison 3B, Gregory Polanco RF, Cutch CF, Neil Walker 2B, Starling Marte LF, Pedro1B, Jordy Mercer SS, Chris Stewart C, Cole P.

Fran Cervelli gets to stretch for a day, but otherwise it's all hands on deck. 

  • With Chris Stewart in the lineup, the Pirates have now started all 13 position players they've rostered this year. Clint was serious when he said the regulars were going to get some downtime this season. Pedro is the only guy to start every game.
  • The Bucs caught the Brewers at the right time. Milwaukee has dropped four in a row and is off to its worst start since they also lost nine of their first 11 games in 2002.
  • The 10-game home stand wraps up with a four-game series against the new and improved Cubs, beginning tomorrow night. AJ will take on Jake Arietta.
  • Charlie Morton threw 55 pitches in a simulated game yesterday at Pirate City. He was set to face a Yankees minor league squad, but they cancelled the trip. The team reported that he's progressing, but still not there yet with his post-surgery mechanics.
  • Momentum continues to slowly build for the universal DH, with the latest push from Tim Healy of Sports on Earth.

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