Notes, New Lineup

The Reds RHP Mike Leake (0-3, 6.11) takes the bump against RHP James McDonald (1-1, 2.97) tonight. Leake has been struggling, and has to keep an eye over his shoulder for Aroldis Chapman stepping into his rotation spot. J-Mac has been tough his last couple of outings, so this is a match up that favors Pittsburgh. The game starts at 7:05 and will be shown on Root Sports.

The Lineup: Jose Tabata LF, Neil Walker 2B, Andrew McCutchen CF, Pedro Alvarez 3B, Casey McGehee 1B, Garrett Jones RF, Clint Barmes SS, Rod Barajas C, James McDonald P.

The slumping Alex Presley sits; Jones goes to right and JT slides across the pasture. Pedro is hitting clean up with McGehee protecting him. And Cutch has recovered from his stomach virus after a couple of days off. We like the order; it's about the punchiest lineup Clint Hurdle can put together.

• Pitchers Jeff Karstens and Chris Leroux, both on the DL with cranky shoulders, were throwing off flat ground yesterday.
• West Virginia SS Alen Hanson made Baseball America's Prospect Hot Sheet yesterday, while Gerrit Cole and Jameson Taillon are "In The Picture."
• Ben Badler wrote in Baseball America's Hot Sheet Chat: "Alen Hanson might stay at shortstop, he might slide to second base, but I think there's above-average potential at either spot." He added this about Jameson Taillon: "...there's only a handful of guys in minors I'd throw a potential ace label on, and he's one of them."