Sunday, August 28, 2016

Sunday: Ivan Nova v Chase Anderson, Lineup, Notes

Today: The grand finale will begin at 2:10 and be on Root Sports and 93.7 The Fan. The Bucs are going for a brooming; they have never swept a four-game series at Miller Park.

Pitchers: Ivan Nova (10-6, 4.55; 3-0, 3.20 Pgh) concludes the set against Chase Anderson (7-10, 4.99). Nova hasn't lost as a Bucco yet, and is coming off a gem against Houston after some mixed results in his first three outings. Not too surprisingly, he's never faced Milwaukee. Fun fact - Of the catchers that have worked 100+ IP with Ivan, the two who have teamed up best with him re: career ERA are Fran (4.20) and Stew (3.11). Despite his meh stat line, Anderson has pitched quite well since July, and has a win over the Pirates, going five solid innings while giving up one unearned run on four hits, two walks and seven K.

Ivan and Fran are simpatico. (photo Pittsburgh Pirates)

Lineup: Josh Harrison 2B, John Jaso 1B, Cutch CF, Gregory Polanco RF, Starling Marte LF, David Freese 3B, Fran Cervelli C, Jordy SS, Nova P. JJ gets back into the lineup now that his stroke is improving, and the rest is Clint's A-Team.

  • The Pirate bullpen was short yesterday and will be short again today. Juan Nicasio, Jeff Locke  and Neftali Feliz are likely out, while Tony Watson and Felipe Rivero have worked 3-of-4 games. So Clint would like to get six frames out of Ivan today; seven would be ideal.
  • Pirates recalled AJ Schugel and optioned Adam Frazier to Bristol. That has to do with the above note; the Pirates are short on arms. Bristol's season ends Friday, so it will be a quick turnaround for Fraze to return to the big club.
  • Steven Brault will get the ball tomorrow at Chicago. As for Cole Train, Neal Huntington told the press gang that he felt some pain coming from outside his elbow. The Bucs checked it out and didn't discover any ligament damage, but are sending him to LA for a second opinion this week to be sure. Gerrit will miss at least one start.

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