Wednesday, August 1, 2012

Lineup, Notes, News For Cubbie Rubber Match

RHP Jeff Karstens (3-2, 3.88 ERA) takes the bump against LHP Travis Wood (4-6, 4.98 ERA) in the series rubber match. Karstens had a pretty strong July after his return from the DL, even if his last start was on the rocky side. Wood has gone three consecutive outings in which he has allowed at least six earned runs. He is 0-3 with a 12.69 ERA in that span. The game begins at 2:05 and will be aired on Root Sports.

The Lineup: Starling Marte LF, Josh Harrison 2B,  Andrew McCutchen CF, Gaby Sanchez 1B, Travis Snider RF, Mike McKenry C, Pedro Alvarez 3B, Clint Barmes SS, Jeff Karstens P.

Neil Walker gets a blow; ditto for Garrett Jones. We're a little curious why Pedro doesn't, too, especially against a lefty - he's hitting .191 against them. And whoever thought they'd see the day that The Fort hit ahead of El Toro?
  • Chad Qualls was added to roster, and Daniel McCutchen was optioned back to Indy.
  • Andrew McCutchen hit .446 last month. That's the highest batting average in the month of July by a Pirate in the modern era (minimum 50 at bats). He's batting .371 overall. The last time a qualifying player entered August with a mark that high was in 2003, some dude named Albert Pujols, who was bopping .372.
  • Garrett Jones has an eight-game hitting streak; Cutch has a six gamer going on.
  • When AJ Burnett wins his next game, it will be victory #14 and the second highest win total of his career, behind his 18-10 season with Toronto in 2008.
  • Happy 62nd B-Day, Milt May. The catcher seved two stints with the Pirates, then returned under Jimmy Leyland to coach for another decade.
  • This day in history: In 2009, Andrew McCutchen tied a club record by homering three times in Pittsburgh’s 11-6 victory over the Nats at PNC Park. Cutch became the 10th player in club history to go long three times in the same game, the first since Aramis Ramirez did so on April 8, 2001.
  • This day in history, part 2: It's a good day for hitters. In 1970, Willie Stargell smoked three doubles and two home runs against the Braves at Fulton County Stadium. Pops had 6 RBI and tied a MLB record with 5 extra base knocks.
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2 comments:

  1. WilliamJPellasAugust 2, 2012 at 9:50 AM

    Jones is sure making a case to come back next season. Looks like the front office is buying in, as well, thus their acquisition of Gaby Sanchez as Jones' platoon partner next season. Given what it would certainly cost to bring in a good-to-elite veteran first baseman, and given how few of those there are around the game right now, I am more than OK with a Jones-Sanchez platoon for the remainder of 2012 and for 2013. I just hope Sanchez' recent struggles were a bump in the road and not him going over a cliff; he's certainly still young enough to right the ship, especially in a platoon situation where he'll see mostly lefthanders.

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  2. Ron IeraciAugust 2, 2012 at 10:32 AM

    Jones has become pretty key to the Bucs, Will, being steady at bat and flexible in the field. But that being said, I think he's still not an everyday guy. Hopefully, Sanchez will be the missing piece. I'm a little concerned because I heard his probs were related to getting pull happy, a bad thing for a righty at PNC.

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