Sunday: Chad Kuhl v Clayton Kershaw, Lineup, Notes

Tonight: The rare Sunday nite game starts at 8:05 with coverage by ESPN and 93.7 The Fan. For the kids, there's a Cutch jersey giveaway.

Chad makes his MLB debut tonight (photo Dave Arrigo/Pirates)

Pitchers: Chad Kuhl vs. Clayton Kershaw (11-1, 1.57). First MLB start on national TV against Clayton Kershaw? Hey, no pressure. Kuhl slashed 6-2/2.58 at Indy, tho his FIP is a run higher and he sports a pretty high 83.5% strand rate, both indicators that he's had some luck behind those counting numbers. He relies heavily on a sinker, pitching to contact with good command. His off speed deliveries aren't as developed, which lead many to believe his future is less as a starter and more in the Tony Watson mold. He's mostly tossed to a 90 pitch count in AAA, so six innings would be a good outing for Chad.  Meanwhile, Clayton leads the league in starts, IP, wins, ERA and strikeouts; he's pretty dang good. But in six career starts at PNC Park, he's just human with a slash of 1-0/3.63, and last year, the Bucs won the two games he started against them, 5-4 and 3-2, so...

Lineup: Jordy SS, David Freese 1B, Cutch CF, Jung Ho Kang 3B, Starling Marte LF, Josh Harrison 2B, Stew C, S-Rod RF, Kuhl, P. Not certain of Gregory's condition; he just may be getting another recuperation day with a strong lefty on the hill.

• To make space on the 25-man and 40-man rosters for Chad, Kyle Lobstein was optioned to Indy and Curtis Partch was DFA'ed.
• Nick Cafardi of the Boston Globe is doing a little trade rumor mongering re: Frank and Mark the Shark. He speculates that Miami (and we've already heard Baltimore, too) might be interested in Liriano, while the Astros, Giants, Mets and Red Sox could be "fits" for Melancon.
• Cory Luebke was given his unconditional release after he refused an assignment to Indy, making him a FA. He was DFA'ed earlier this week to create roster space.