Frankie v Ricky Nolasco; Lineup & Notes

Today's Game - Francisco Liriano (1-3, 2.96) climbs the hill against Ricky Nolasco (3-1, 6.38). Frankie hasn't been real sharp in his past couple of outings, dropping the last pair, so it would be nice to see him jump back up on the bar stool. He hasn't faced the Twins since his AL days. Nolasco hasn't gotten through the sixth inning yet this year, and the Twinkies bullpen's ERA is at the bottom of the AL pile at 4.19.  But he is 5-4/2.48 lifetime against the Pirates, so he's not been easy for Pittsburgh to solve. The game starts at 7:05 and will be on Root Sports and 93.7 The Fan.

The Bucs are back, but Jordy isn't, at least tonite as Kang gets another start at short. Otherwise, a routine lineup card. Can't sleep on the Twins; Minnesota is in the thick of the AL Central Division with a 21-17 slate, three games back of the first-place Kansas City Royals. Their attack has been effective, even if lacking much power

• Clint Hurdle announced that the Pirates will skip Vance Worley's start against the Twins, with off days bookending the two game series. He'll work from the pen.
• The Bucs sent Wilfredo Boscan back to Indy and called up Jose Tabata. JT had an excellent average (.352) and OBP (.422) at Indy, but showed no power at all with just three extra-base hits. The bench had been a man short since the 12-inning game at Chicago, so now the roster is square. Justin Sellers was transferred from the 15-to-60 day DL to clear a spot on the 40-man.
• Clayton Richard had a bit bumpier road in his third minor league start (second at Indy), giving up three runs on seven hits and four walks with two K in 5-2/3 innings, tossing 100 pitches
• Kevin Creagh of the Point of Pittsburgh took on the daunting task of selecting a lineup of the worst-hitting Pirates of all time.