Tuesday: Buc at Brewers, Nova v Zach Davies, Lineup (Polanco to DL, Diaz Up), Notes

Tonight: After licking their wounds in Milwaukee during an off day on Monday, the Bucs get into the meat of their schedule against the Brewers with first pitch at 7:40. The game will be on AT&T SportsNet and 93.7 The Fan; it will also be today's free stream by MLB.tv for out-of-market fans.

Lineup: Starling Marte LF, Josh Harrison 2B, Cutch CF, Josh Bell 1B, David Freese 3B, Adam Frazier RF, Jordy Mercer SS, Stew C, Ivan Nova P. 'Bout as close to A-Team as you can get with the current healthy roster.

Ivan lookin' to recapture his mojo (photo Pittsburgh Pirates)

Pitchers: Ivan Nova (10-9, 3.87) opens against Zach Davies (13-6, 4.40). The 30-year-old righthander is officially on "we is worried" watch. He's lost his last three decisions and has a 4.74 ERA in his last 14 starts, giving up four or more runs seven times, including his last four outings. Some attribute the woes to too many strikes, leaving batters comfortable, or too many upstairs pitches, leading to a rash of long balls. Whatever the reason, it would help the cause a lot to have Mr. Dependable return to quality start or better mode. Ivan is 2-1/3.60  in four career starts against the Brew Crew and just OK this year with a line of 1-1/4.85, losing a 4-2 decision in June and taking a 4-3 decision last month. Davies seems to be finding himself; he tossed great ball for the past month (2-2, 0.94) until being derailed by Minnesota in his last outing. He hasn't done much better against the Pirates than Super Nova has done against the Brewers. He's 1-1/4.58 in three starts against the Bucs this season. His latest outing in July was strong, though - he received no-decision, allowing one unearned run over seven innings in a 3-2 Brewers loss.

Notes:

• The Bucs put Gregory Polanco on 10-day DL, retro to the 13th, with a left hamstring strain. C Elias Diaz has been recalled to take his place; here we go again with three catchers while Cervy's status is being determined. The plan as announced is for Amore to return to action Thursday, with Eli serving as Stew's backup.
• The Pirates have won four straight games against the Brewers after sweeping the last series at PNC Park in July. Pittsburgh is also 8-3 in its last 11 games played here at Miller Park, which was once the Bucs ultimate house of horrors.
• Steven Brault was named International League Pitcher of the Week on Monday after a pair of scoreless seven-inning starts. His 1.94 ERA is the best mark in AAA ball. Brault and OF Jordan Luplow were named to the MLB Pipeline Prospect Team of the Week.
• OF'er Travis Snider was sold by the Rangers to the Mets and will report to AAA Las Vegas. Snider, 29, has not seen the majors since 2015 but was hitting .294 for Texas' AAA club, Round Rock.