Bucs-Cards Close Homestand, Kingham v Weaver & Notes - Enny DFA'ed, Fifth Starter Options

Today: The game is at 1:35 and will be carried by AT&T SportsNet and 93.7 The Fan. It's a Sunday Kids Day and all fans 14-and-under get a mini-bat.

Lineup: Adam Frazier 2B, Gregory Polanco RF, Starling Marte CF, J-Bell 1B, Corey Dickerson LF, Elias Diaz C, Colin Moran 3B, Jordy SS & Nick Kingham P. Pretty much the A-Team with Eli spelling Cervy for the day-after-night game (never a given with Clint).

Nick takes his first MLB bow today (photo Pittsburgh Pirates)

Pitchers: RHP Nick Kingham (0-0, 0.00) v RHP Luke Weaver (2-1, 4.85) battle to close out the set. Nick, 26, was a fourth-round pick in the 2010 draft and is making his MLB debut after fighting his way through 2015 TJ surgery. His spring camp showing was up-and-down, but he's been solid at Indy, already earning a Pitcher-of-the-Week award from the International League. A good outing here could earn him consideration for a couple of more starts as Steven Brault's turn in the spotlight is not going so well and Joe Musgrove is just beginning his rehab stint. Weaver was a first round draft pick out of HS in 2011 and debuted in 2016. He had a solid 2017 campaign after joining the rotation at the deadline in lieu of any Bird deals, and started off this year en fuego, but has returned to earth in his last couple of starts. Weaver features a bread-and-butter change to go with a four-seamer and hook. He's 1-0/1.54 in three outings against the Pirates, but with some LOB luck involved as he also has a 1.371 WHIP. His 10 K/per nine has done a lot to offset those runners.

Notes:

• LHP Enny Romero was DFA'ed to clear a 25-man space for Nick Kingham.
• According to the Elias Sports Bureau, Amore became the seventh Pirate with 20 or more RBI before the end of April. The others (by year) are Xavier Nady (26) and Nate McLouth (25) in 2008, Brian Giles w/20 in 2000, Jeff King plated 23 in 1996, Bobby Bonilla had 21 in 1990 and Willie Stargell set the club record with 27 in 1971.

Cervy is sizzlin' in April (photo Dave Arrigo/Pirates)

• Willy stays on regular rest against the Nats in the next series, bypassing Steven Brault. With two off days, the Bucs can: go to a four-man rotation, pitch Brault with extra time off, or plug Kingham into the fifth starter role while awaiting Joe Musgrove. Musgrove will begin his rehab assignment with a three-inning start Tuesday for Bradenton. He's expected to make three or four outings before he's stretched out for six innings and ready to to rejoin the big team. Stay tuned; still lots of moving pieces.
• Starling Marte & Josh Bell have played in all 27 Bucco matches. Everyone else has had at least two sit-down days.
• The Pirates have homered in a season-high seven straight games.
• Jack Flaherty, yesterday's Card starter, was optioned back to the minors today. St Louis called up LHP Austin Gomber to bolster their pen, which had been put through the wringer in the first two games thanks to Mike Matheny's match-up love. 
• After the game, the Pirates leave for Washington and the start of a 10-day, nine-game road jaunt. After playing four games in DC, the trip continues with three games in Milwaukee and ends with two against the White Sox.