Notes, Lineup For Astro Opener

The Astros RHP Jordan Lyles (2-4, 4.59) will go against RHP James McDonald (7-3, 2.44) tonight. Lyles has tossed a pair of pretty good games against KC and San Diego in his last two performances. After strong back-to-back efforts, J-Mick gave up four runs in 5+ innings during his last outing, but still got the win against the Phils. The game begins at 7:05 and will be shown on Root Sports.

The lineup: Alex Presley LF, Drew Sutton RF, Andrew McCutchen CF, Garrett Jones 1B, Neil Walker 2B, Casey McGehee 3B, Rod Barajas C, Clint Barmes SS, James McDonald P. 

It was changed at about 5:30 to this:  Presley 7, Sutton 9, McCutchen 8, Jones 3, Walker 4, McGehee 5, Barmes 6, McKenry 2, McDonald 1.

Pedro is out although available for pinch-hitting. He's not cramping any longer, but his leg is still sore from yesterday's episode. Cutch is back roaming the pasture and Hot Rod is back behind the dish, so the team is still pretty healthy. Nope, Hot Rod's not back. The Fort starts and Eric Fryer survives another day.  JT takes a seat for Sutton, and looks like he's in Clint Hurdle's doghouse again.

• Congrats to Cutch and Hanny as back-to-back All Star selections. The last Pirates to be named to consecutive AS games were 2B Freddy Sanchez (2006-07) and LF Jason Bay (2005-06). The team leader in All-Star appearances is Roberto Clemente, who was a member of 15 squads (three were during double-game years from 1960-62).
• Well, after being named to the International League All-Star team and Player-of-the-Week, it's just about time for the Starling Marte watch to begin. And  it could be as simple as a Marte-for-Tabata swap if JT doesn't add a little jump to his step.
• Ken Rosenthal of Fox Sports is getting into this Bucco baseball thing. He just wrote a column titled "Bucs Must Deal for Greinke Or Hamels." Not should or consider, but must!
• John Stickels published his mid-season Top 120 Baseball Prospects List. Pittsburgh has 6 of the first 77 players on the roster.
• Indy OF Starling Marte was named the International League Player of the Week (6/25-7/1). During that span, he batted .484 with 3 HR, 2 doubles, 2 triples and 13 RBI.
• The minor league pitching continued to look good. Last night, Luis Heredia of State College went 5 scoreless IP, giving up 3 hits with 3 K. Rudy Owens (7-3, 2.45) of Indy tossed 6 IP, surrendering 2 runs (1 earned) on 4 hits and 2 walks with 5 K.
• Good day for the bats, too, led by West Virginia CF Gregory Polanco, who went 5-for-5 with 3 RBI, 3 runs, 3 2Bs and a 3B.