Lineup: Sean Rodriguez LF, Jordy SS, Starling Marte CF, J-Bell 1B, David Freese 3B, Jose Osuna RF, Elias Diaz C, Max Moroff 2B & Chad Kuhl P. Just the lineup to shake the cobwebs from the Buccos.
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| Mad Max gets the start (photo Joe Guzy/Pirates) |
Pitchers: RHP Chad Kuhl (2-1, 4.57) opens against LHP Matt Boyd (0-1, 1.40). Chad was projected by many, including moi, to be the Pirates breakout hurler this season. So far, he's been making "fake news" charlatans of us all. Chad started in the Opening series against El Tigres; the Bucs won 8-6 as Cool Chad went 5-2/3 IP and was charged with four runs. Boyd has gotten no help from his supporting cast; he's given up three runs (one in each start) on nine hits in 19-1/3 IP, so he's been plenty tough, though his .132 BABIP/98% strand rate (two of his three runs have been solo homers) are mirages, and his past record suggests that he's due to regress back to his not-so-sterling career norms of 5.21 ERA/1.424 WHIP. He faced the Pirates once last year and was chased after four innings, giving up six runs (five earned).
Notes:
- Bad omen - the Bucs beat the Tigers 13-10 to open their three game sweep in March; hope karma isn't returning the favor.
- Next big question: because of today's doubleheader, the Pirates will need a spot start from someone on Sunday against the Cards. So let the speculation begin - Tyler Glasnow? Nick Kingham?
- The rainout yesterday, the last of three games pushed back, was the 28th MLB postponement this season, the most related to weather through April since the commissioner's office started keeping records in 1986.
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