Pirates-Padres, Willy v Lyles & Notes - Josh Back, Nick to Indy, Leadoff Slashes *ugh*

Today: This match closes out the homestand with a 1:35 opening pitch and will be carried on AT&T SportsNet and 93.7 The Fan. It's Kids day, and the 14-and-under gang will get a set of wristbands. Should be cloudy but dry for the match.

Lineup: Josh Harrison 2B, Fran Cervelli C, Gregory Polanco RF, J-Bell 1B, Corey Dickerson LF, Colin Moran 3B, Austin Meadows CF, Jordy SS & Trevor Williams P. Looks like old times again.

Willy toes the slab this afternoon (photo Pittsburgh Pirates)

Pitchers: RHP Trevor Williams (5-2, 2.72) finishes out the four-gamer against RHP Jordan Lyles (1-1, 2.53). After a string of six very solid starts, T-Willy hit a two-game speed bump, but was back at it last outing, tossing six goose eggs at the ChiSox. This will be his first battle with the Friars. Lyles' last outing was a one-hit, 10-K whitewash of the Rockies, his second start of the year after making 13 appearances from the pen. He was converted from starter to swingman in 2016, and the eight-year vet has finished one campaign with an ERA under 5.00. We expect him to normalize, and the Bucs should be postioned to do it - he's faced them nine times (seven starts) and slashed 0-5/7.82, with eight homers allowed in 35+ innings. Lyles tossed four frames against the Pirates last year and gave up five runs.

Notes:

• Leadoff has been a black hole for the Pirates. In 12 games before he broke his hand, J-Hay hit .271/.321 OBP; Fraze has batted .237/.311 (23 games); S-Rod's slash is .200/.310 in five games and Maxie posted .222/.263 in four games. (Cervy batted first once; he went 1-for-4 w/a walk).
• The Bucs sent Nick Kingham back down and reinstated J-Hay from the DL today. That move confirms Joe Musgrove's imminent return.
• Corey Dickerson has a seven-game hitting streak. He's seventh on the NL leaderboard with a .317 BA.
• It's been a very good year: Trevor Williams has a 3.43 ERA over his last 32 starts dating back to May 19th, 2017, 10th among NL pitchers over that span.
• Gregory's seven doubles this month are tied for third in the NL behind Cutch (9) & Brandon Crawford (8).
• After the game, the Bucs get a day off before opening a three-gamer at Cincinnati, then return to PNC to clash with the Cards and Cubs.
• Boy, that was quick - the Braves have released Joey Bats.