Bucs Split 'Em Up

OK, the Bucs have their first split squad action of the year. Some guys are taking the bus to go against Baltimore and Jason Hammel for a 1:05 clash. There's no airwave love for this match, even tho J-Mac and Cutch will make the trip.

Lineup: Starling Marte LF, Chase d'Arnaud SS, Andrew McCutchen CF, Gaby Sanchez 1B, Travis Snider DH, Brad Hawpe RF, Mike McKenry C, Jared Goedert 3B and Ivan DeJesus 2B.

Pitchers: James McDonald, Mike Zagurski, Chris Leroux, Vic Black, Kyle Waldrop and Duke Welker.

J-Mac settled in after a sloppy first frame in his last start. A dependable McDonald would go a long way toward cementing this year's staff.

The prime time gang is visiting Boston in Fort Myers for the 7:05 rematch, the first televised game of the spring on Root Sports. Jon Lester will take the bump and Mike Napoli will make his debut in a Red Sox uniform. Radio action will be aired on The Fan 93.7

Lineup: Darren Ford CF, Jose Tabata LF, Garrett Jones 1B, Pedro Alvarez 3B, Neil Walker 2B, Brandon Inge DH, Felix Pie RF, Clint Barmes SS and Lucas May C.

JT has been on fire so far this spring. We'll see if he can set the table for the big bopper lefties behind him. Clint Hurdle is working Pedro at cleanup this spring, tho there's probably not as much necessity for the move in the short term if Jones can repeat his 2012 season. Felix Pie has been scorching the horsehide, too.

Pitchers: Jeff Locke, Phil Irwin, Stolmy Pimentel, Vin Mazzaro, Brooks Brown and Hunter Strickland.

Nothing like putting the guys battling for a spot and/or recognition under the glass on TV. Locke was strong in his first outing.

• Russell Martin is still on ice with a sore wing, but he may be OK to DH this weekend.
• Joel Hanrahan told Gordon Edes of ESPN Boston that Joe Kerrigan is the guy who turned his career around in Pittsburgh.
• Colin Zarzycki of Fangraphs looks at the Bucco bullpen with a Fantasy league bias and likes it.
• This day in Buc history: In 1909, Barney Dreyfuss began construction of Forbes Field near Schenley Park in Oakland.
• And in 1965, Roberto Clemente missed his report date for spring training, suffering from malaria. He made it to camp a month later and struggled until mid-May. He did eventually rally, and won the NL batting title with a .329 BA, but hit only 10 home runs with 65 RBI, his lowest totals since 1959.
• Umps getting better at balls and strikes? Well, that's the trend, writes Jeff Sullivan of Fangraphs, even tho they still miss 15% of the strike calls by his number crunch.