Wednesday, May 27, 2015

Cole v Hand: Lineup, Notes As Bucs Look For The Sweep

Today's Game - Gerrit Cole (6-2, 2.05) goes against Brad Hand (0-1, 5.48). Cole was all that in his last outing and continues to make steps toward becoming an elite arm. However, he hasn't had much success against the Marlins - in two career starts (both in 2013), he's 0-1 with a 5.25 ERA. Lefty Hand started 16 times last year, but has been a pen fixture this season until today. He's faced the Bucs once, and got a no decision in a 6-3 Miami win last August at PNC Park. Hand has thrown over three innings just once so far this season, so Pittsburgh should get into the Fish bullpen again fairly early in the game. It's a 12:35 get-away day game, carried by Root Sports and 93.7 The Fan.

Today's Lineup - Josh Harrison RF, Jordy Mercer SS, Cutch CF, Starling Marte LF, Jung-Ho Kang 3B, Neil Walker 2B, Sean Rodriguez 1B, Chris Stewart C, Cole P.

Gerrit Cole (photo: Keith Srakocic/AP)
Stew's behind the dish while Pedro & El Coffee get some lefty downtime. Jordy's still in the lineup; it looks like it's Gregory Polanco's turn as odd man out in the Bucco musical chairs.

 Following the game today, the Pirates embark on a 11-day, 10-game road trip to San Diego (four games), San Francisco (three) and Atlanta (three).

  • The Pirates are going for their second straight sweep and sixth win a row; last year's longest winning streak was five consecutive victories.
  • Day-dro: Pedro Alvarez has hit six of his nine home runs this season during afternoon games and his 40 home runs in day games since 2012 rank first among all NL players.He'll be sitting today, sunlight not withstanding; there's a southpaw on the hill.
  • Pittsburgh’s starting pitchers are 5-0 with a 1.06 ERA over the last five games. According to the Elias Sports Bureau, the last time Bucco starting pitchers went 5-0 with an ERA that low over a five-game span was in August of 1977. In that stretch, John Candelaria (twice), Bruce Kison, Jerry Reuss and Jim Rooker combined to go 5-0 with a 0.69 ERA.
  • Gung-ho on Jung-Ho: Thursday’s telecast by Root Sports will be picked up by MBC Sports, which will be televising the game action from San Diego to Korea. 
  • It's "Education Day" at the ballyard - over 8,000 students are in the house.
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2 comments:

  1. WilliamJPellasMay 27, 2015 at 3:34 PM

    Looks to me like Corey Hart is one his way out. It's a shame, because he was a good ballplayer for several seasons in Milwaukee before his wheels gave out on him. But if he's nowhere to be found in the starting lineup and if the likes of Sean Rodriguez (!!) are starting ahead of him, it wouldn't surprise me if the Pirates send Hart back to the family farm in Bowling Green, KY, in the near future.

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  2. Ron IeraciMay 27, 2015 at 6:34 PM

    Yah, I thought a year further removed from his surgeries might do the trick, Will, but he's a statue in the field. If he has a future, it's as a DL.

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