Bucs Visit Mets, Jamo v Lugo & Notes - Top of the Order Shuffled

Today: The game starts at 7:10 at CitiField and will be carried by AT&T SportsNet and 93.7 The Fan.

Pitchers: RHP Jameson Taillon (4-6, 4.03) v RHP Seth Lugo (2-2, 2.85). Jamo has spent June alternating good starts with meh outings; the good news is he's due for a solid appearance tonight. He hasn't faced the Mets since 2016. Stepping in for Noah Syndergaard from the bullpen (and those are pretty big spikes to fill), Lugo has allowed eight earned runs in his last eight innings and is 1-1/4.00 in his four starts. This is his first call against the Pirates.

Jamo does the spinning tonight. (photo: Pittsburgh Pirates)

Lineup: Starling Marte CF, Josh Bell 1B, Josh Harrison 2B, Colin Moran 3B, Elias Diaz C, Corey Dickerson LF, Gregory Polanco RF, Jordy SS & Taillon P. Looks like a Curly shuffle at the the top of the lineup; we'll see what the results are.

Notes:

• The Bucs have lost five games in a row and 24 of their last 34 games. The Mets are even worse, having lost 25 of their last 32 games, with six defeats in a row and dropping 10-of-13. So it's a series someone has to win in spite of themselves.
• Since May 18th, the Pirates pitching staff has a 4.47 ERA while the offense has produced a .233 BA and scored 123 runs (3.6 per game).
• J-Bell has reached base safely via hit/walk in 14 straight games.
• The Pirates have released reliever Johnny Hellweg, 29, from his minor league contract so that he can play in Japan. Kinda surprised at that; he had a 1.33 ERA, 1.15 WHIP and 11 saves at Indy.
• MLB Pipeline's Prospect Team of the Week features two Pittsburgh puppies: WV Power SS Oneil Cruz, 19, & Bristol Pirates 1B Mason Martin, also 19. The Pirates are tied for most PTOW reps so far this year.