Wednesday, June 8, 2016

Wednesday: Jameson Taillon v Noah Syndergaard, Lineup, Notes

Tonight: The finale will begin at 7:05 and be on Root Sports and 93.7 The Fan. No giveaway, but we expect a big crowd and  a warm welcome on a chilly evening for Jameson Taillon.

Pitchers: Jameson Taillon (0-0, 0.00) has a tall order in his first start, facing Noah Syndergaard (6-2, 1.91). It is an interesting career conjunction, though - both  he and Thor were 2010 draft first-rounders. Taillon, 24, took two years off and returned as an improved model. He has four pitches - two & four seamers, change and hook - gets  swings and misses, works through the sixth inning regularly, and has pin point control...the only negative we've heard is he has a long delivery and guys run on him, which is a problem but not the worst prospect news we've ever heard. We're excited to finally get to see Jameson on the main stage. Syndergaard is the most explosive starting pitcher in baseball; he throws a 98 MPH fastball, often touching three figures, with a 91 MPH slider as a complement. Thor averages just seven hits and one walk surrendered per game with 90 K in 70 IP, so the Bucs and JT are have their work cut out.

Jameson Taillon (photo via MLB.com)

Lineup: JJ 1B, Cutch CF, El Coffee LF, JHK 3B, Josh 2B, Fran C, Matt Joyce RF, S-Rod SS, Taillon P. Starling's ankle (no word  re: the injury other than "discomfort") must still be bugging him; Jordy is sitting as a day of rest.

  • The Pirates have a nine game winning streak v the Metropolitans; they had four separate eight-game winning streaks against them in the past. In a bit if irony, the last Mets hurler to beat the Bucs was current Pirate Jon Niese back in 2014.
  • The Mets are in a cold spell having lost 7-of-10, averaging just 2.3 runs/game in that span.  
  • The club send Wilfredo Boscan and Curtis Partch to Indy. Boscan was the 26th man yesterday, while Partch was optioned to create a space for Taillon.
  • The Pirates "Game of Thrones" style intro has been drawing rave reviews. (click link for vid)
  • Indy's OF Adam Frazier extended on-base streak to 29 games today.

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