Sunday, June 15, 2014

Worley v Alvarez, Lineup, Top of the Order

Vance Worley (0-0, 0.00) faces Henderson Alvarez (3-3, 2.56) in the finale.

The 26 year old Worley went 3-2 with a 4.30 ERA in seven Indy starts this season, striking out 43 and walking four. He joined the Bucs from Minnesota, where he was last year's Opening Day starter before elbow woes befell him, in a deal for a PTBNL or cash considerations, and is 19-18/4.05 in his career. Clint Hurdle said "Fastball command, a changeup that has been a go-to pitch, and he can spin the ball on occasion," is his toolkit. Vance is pretty good, in a small sample size, against the Fish. His lieftime record is 1-1 with a 1.80 ERA in three games (two starts) against Miami.

Alvarez is quirky, but leads the league in complete games and shutouts. He's been pulled early twice this year because of injuries, but they seem minor and along the lines of precautionary moves than imminent breakdown.  This will be his first outing against the Bucs.

A win today would give the Pirates their first series sweep of the season and just their second three-game sweep of the Marlins in Miami, with the only Florida brooming coming in September of 1993. As is, they have their first series win in Florida since 2007. But Alvarez is rested and with be a tough cookie for the Bucs to crumble today.

The lineup: Gregory Polanco RF, Starling Marte LF, Cutch CF, Ike Davis 1B, Russ Martin C, Pedro 3B, Josh Harrison 2B, Jordy Mercer SS and Worley P.

The game will start at 1:10 and be aired on Root Sports and 93.7 The Fan.
  • In three games with Gregory Polanco, Starling Marte and Andrew McCutchen at the top of the order, the threesome has combined to go 21-for-47 (.447) with two doubles, two home runs, 12 RBI and 11 runs scored.
  • Starling Marte has gone 14-for-28 with three doubles, a homer and five RBI in his last six games, following an 0-for-23 streak.
  • The Pirates have at least 10 hits in six straight games.
  • The change of scenery appears to be helping Bryan Morris, who has pitched six scoreless outings since June 4th for the Fish, including two shutout frames across his old mates last night.

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