Miami Lineup, Notes

RHP Brad Lincoln (2-0, 0.63 ERA) opens the short Miami series against RHP Anibal Sanchez (2-0, 2.01). It's Bad Brad's first start, although he was called on twice to come on in the second inning this year. Sanchez has been strong and especially hard on right handed batters. The game starts at 7:10 and will aired on Root Sports.

The lineup: Jose Tabata RF, Neil Walker 2B, Andrew McCutchen CF, Pedro Alvarez 3B, Casey McGehee 1B, Alex Presley LF, Rod Barajas C, Clint Barmes SS, Brad Lincoln P.

Surprisingly, no Garrett Jones against the righty Sanchez. But Presley is back in the lineup - and batting sixth.

The Pirates have holes galore in the lineup, and addressing them has become the topic of the day. Don't expect the FO to pull the trigger on any deals for a couple of more months, when the leverage is a little better and the desperation perhaps a little less as regression kicks in. Hopefully Hanny will have reestablished his value and the June spurt of minor league call-ups around the league could make some vets available on the cheap. Until that time arrives, the Bucs will count on internal moves to bolster the roster. And no, they won't rush Starling Marte, so we're looking at options like Jake Fox, Jordy Mercer and Gorkys Hernandez.

• The Fish have been on a roll after a slow start. Miami has won of 10 of their last 12 and four straight series. They also claim 11 comeback wins, so don't let that 18-16 record fool ya. They're tough.
• Also consider that Pittsburgh went 0-6 against the Fish last year and haven't beaten the Marlins since October 1st, 2010. 
• Brad Lincoln's last start was on 9/24/11 when he won a 4-3 decision against Cincinnati.
• Pittsburgh has won back-to-back games four times this year. Tonight the Buccos will look for a three-bagger; their last three-game winning streak was July 17-19th of last year.
• Yesterday was Clint Barmes first MLB gig at first base; he never handled a chance in his two-frame debut. It was also the first time that Rod Barajas played the sack since 2008.
• Indy LHP Justin Wilson left his game today after three innings with tightness in his right groin.