Bucs v Brewers: J-Mac Takes on Marco

James McDonald (2-2, 4.38) takes on Marco Estrada (2-1, 3.86) tonight. McDonald is 1-3 with a 6.98 ERA against Milwaukee with a 8.17 ERA at Miller Park. Estrada is 3-0 with a 1.43 ERA against Pittsburgh. The game starts at 8:10 and will be aired by Root Sports and The Fan 93.7.

Pirate lineup: Starling Marte LF, Russell Martin C, Andrew McCutchen CF, Garrett Jones RF, Gaby Sanchez 1B, Pedro Alvarez 3B, Brandon Inge 2B,Clint Barmes SS and James McDonald P.

 

No Travis Snider, no Neil Walker.

Brewer lineup: Norichika Aoki RF, Jean Segura SS, Ryan Braun LF, Jonathan Lucroy C, Rickie Weeks 2B,

Carlos Gomez CF, Yuniesky Betancourt 3B, Martin Maldonado 1B and Marco Estrada P.

 

We like Jean Segura; the 23 year old is developing into one of the better NL SS's after coming to the Brew Crew as part of the Zack Grienke deal last year.

• Why Jeanmar Gomez tomorrow? By default, it seems. Andy Oliver and Gerrit Cole are doing their thing at Indy (Kyle McPherson is still nursing a sore wing, which is not a good sign as May rolls around) but having control issues, so the Pirate management doesn't want to rush them into a spot start until that issue is in the rear view mirror. We're a little surprised Justin Wilson wasn't considered more seriously. They may have him slotted for the pen permanently,or maybe just don't want to disrupt the pen too much by starting him. It's more likely don't think he's properly stretched out.
• It's not just Pittsburgh: The Brewers have won their last seven straight home games.
• Brandon Moss is still a thing at Oakland. He has a .298/.398/.476 line with four homers and 19 RBI this month. His two-run bomb last night with two outs in the nineteenth capped a 10-8 win over the Angels.
• Here's a vid you won't see every day: Bryan Bullington, now in Japan, drilled a batter who was asking for a timeout.