Charlie Opens Against Phelps & the Fish - Lineup & Notes (Liz DFA'ed)

Today's Game: Charlie Morton opens his campaign against David Phelps (2-1, 3.21). After a rocky camp, a long stay in Florida at extended spring training and three rehab starts, Morton is ready to test his mechanics after hip surgery. Ground Chuck is 5-3 with a 4.03 ERA in 10 career starts versus the Fish. Phelps had a string of five strong starts ended by hitting a speed bump in his last outing against Arizona. The ex-Yankee faced the Bucs once, and was the winner in a 7-1 NY runaway. Two things to note - he's generally a six inning guy, and he has yet to surrender a long ball this season. The game starts at 7:05 and will be on MLB Network, Root Sports and 93.7 The Fan.

Charlie Morton via Pubpic

Today's Lineup: Josh Harrison 3B, Gregory Polanco RF, Cutch CF, Starling Marte LF, Neil Walker 2B, Pedro 1B, Fran Cervelli C, Jordy Mercer SS, Morton P.

Jordy gets the start and Kang gets a day off, no doubt because Clint prefers the better infield glove behind Ground Chuck with The Kid dropping to fifth to replace Kang. And Josh seems to have reclaimed the leadoff spot from El Coffee.

After losing their first five under new skipper Dan Jennings, Miami has won their last pair. But the Bucs have a sweet history against the Fish at PNC - they've won eight of nine against the Marlins in Pittsburgh over the past three seasons.

• The Bucs had a tough roster decision to make in adding Charlie to the active list - Rob Scahill was the bottom man who had an option remaining, but has pitched better than some guys without options (we're looking at you, Antonio Bastardo). The FO split the difference, DFA'ing Radhames Liz, who had decent ERA of 3.63, but had allowed 32 baserunners in 17-1/3 innings. Our guess is Liz will clear waivers, but then again, someone took Stolmy Pimentel, so... He'll be replaced by Vance Worley as the long man in the pen.
• Elias Sports dug up yet another whiff record against the Mets: "It is the only time in modern major league history (from 1900 to date) that a team's starting pitchers won three straight games within one series while recording a double digit strikeout total in each game." And the Bucs can set more history - if Charlie whiffs 10+, they'll become the first MLB team to have four starters throw consecutive double-figure K games.
• Jameson Taillon tossed a couple of innings in Pirate camp this weekend as the Bucs slowly round him back into pitching shape after TJ surgery.
• Travis Ishikawa was DFA'ed by the Giants today.