Sunday, July 16, 2017

Sunday: Cards and Bucs Close, Williams v Carlos Martinez , Lineup, Notes

Today: The Redbird finale will start at 1:35. AT&T Sportsnet and 93.7 The Fan will air the game. Kiddos 14-and-under get a WB Mason Toy Truck collectible.

Lineup: Adam Frazier 2B, John Jaso LF, Cutch CF, Josh Bell 1B, Fran Cervelli C, Gregory Polanco RF, Jordy Mercer SS, Max Moroff 3B & Trevor Williams. Yep, it's Sunday. Kinda surprised Cervy didn't get a break and dunno that I wouldn't flip Fraze and Mad Max in the field, but we'll see how it shakes out today.

Max is at the hot corner tonight (photo Pittsburgh Pirates)

Pitchers: Trevor Williams (3-4, 4.80) goes against Carlos Martinez (6-8, 3.40). The Cubs roughed him up in his last start, a game that his mates in the field basically deserted him. Trevor has slotted as a solid fifth starter, going 2-2/4.03 ERA in his last 11 starts and working six frames or more in three of his last four starts. He hasn't faced the Redbirds this year and gone 1-0/6.23 in three 2016 relief appearances, lasting 4-1/3 IP. Carlos has been tough this year. He ranks among the NL leaders in ERA (3.40, 10th), strikeouts(128, sixth), innings pitched (116.1, seventh), WHIP (1.16, ninth) & opp BA (.213, fifth). He averages 10 K per game, and his numbers are true - his xFIP (3.68) matches up pretty well with his ERA. Martinez is 4-5/3.59 ERA in 18 outings (nine starts) v the Buccos. This will be his first 2017 game against Pittsburgh. His last start v the Pirates was September 30th at Busch and he tossed seven scoreless innings in a 7-0 win.

Notes:
  • J-Bell has a seven-game hitting streak while Cutch is working on a six-gamer.
  • Cutch is one rap away from 1,400 hits.
  • Busy dude: Wade LeBlanc has already reached a career-high in appearances (34) this season while pitching exclusively out of the bullpen for the first time in his career.
Trevor and dad (image Roots Sports)
  • Returning to the scene: Trevor Williams made his MLB debut last year on September 7th vs. St. Louis at PNC Park and allowed one unearned run in three innings of relief for the win; you might recall him embracing his family and giving his dad the game ball after the contest.

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