Bucs Try To Take Series Behind Sanchez

Jonathan Sanchez faces off against Kris Medlen this afternoon. Sanchez's last outing was a washout after two frames. The Braves seem to like him just fine; the lefty is 1-3/5.45 in nine outings versus the Bravos.  With Francisco Liriano and Charlie Morton getting their reps in, every start counts for him; a line of 0-2/12.96 won't cut it. 

Medlen's been strong. The righty has a 1.05 ERA in his past 15 starts and a 1-1/1.42 line in 2013. He hasn't gone against Pittsburgh much, with a 2-0/2.55 mark in 17-2/3 innings. The game starts at 1:35 and will be aired by Root Sports and The Fan 93.7.

Pirate lineup: Starling Marte LF, Travis Snider RF, Andrew McCutchen CF, Garrett Jones 1B, Neil Walker 2B, Pedro Alvarez, Russell Martin C, Clint Barmes SS and Jonathan Sanchez P.

Hurdle used Russell Martin at third last night to both have him fresh to catch today and keep his hot bat in the lineup. He has a .650 OBP in the past five games after a glacial start. Pedro has a two game homer streak

Brave lineup: B.J. Upton CF, Ramiro Pena 2B, Justin Upton LF, Evan Gattis 1B, Chris Johnson 3B, Reed Johnson RF,Gerald Laird C, Andrelton Simmons SS and Kris Medlen P.

2B Pena is taking over for Dan Uggla, who strained a calf last night, and Johnson gets in, replacing the slow starting Jason Heyward in RF.

• If you haven't noticed, the Pirate attack picked up once Clint Hurdle quit pulling his lineup out of a hat and stuck to his regular order with the platoons. Three things that have helped have been a glut of RHP, Marte/Snider coming thru at the top of the order and Russell Martin starting to get on base.
• Martin has a five game hitting streak; Travis Snider has a seven game string.
• In Jeff Sullivan's Fangraphs feature "The Weeks Wildest Swings," he's selected one of Starling Marte's hacks, and a Jay Bruce cut chasing after a Mark Melancon offering. Sullivan also shows Donnie Veal making Colby Rasmus call for mama.
• Charlie Wilmouth of Bucs Dugout has a post in MLB Trade Rumors reviewing Gerrit Cole's draft class of 2011. It includes a poll, so you can add your two cents.
• Gerrit Cole is on the hill for Indy today.
• Andrew Lambo went 2-for-4 yesterday for Altoona. He's batting .344, has a six game hitting streak, and has reached base safely in all 16 Curve games. RHP Tim Alderson is another once hot prospect off to a good start. In 12 IP, he's given up a run on five hits and K'ed a dozen as a multi-role bullpen guy.