Pirates-Mets Close It Out With A Rubber Match, Nova v Wheeler & Notes: S-Rod on DL; RHP Tanner Anderson Called Up

Today: The game has a 7:10 opening pitch and will be on AT&T SportsNet & 93.7 The Fan, with the winner taking the series.

Pitchers: RHP Ivan Nova (4-5, 3.98) closes the set against RHP Zack Wheeler (2-6, 4.85). Ivan's been pretty dang good since he's come off the DL (2-0/0.92); hopefully it's the start of a strong run. He hasn't faced the Mets since his Yankee days; his last outing against them was in 2013. Wheeler has struck out 67 batters over his last 64-2/3 innings, but his performance has been all over the board, displaying the good, bad and ugly. Zach's not a long-distance guy; he's gotten past the sixth twice in 14 outings. He's twirled against the Pirates just once in his career, allowing three runs in six innings in May of 2017.

Ivan looking for another sharp start (photo Pittsburgh Pirates)

Lineup: Austin Meadows CF, J-Bell 1B, Josh Harrison 2B, Colin Moran 3B, Elias Diaz C, Corey Dickerson LF, Gregory Polanco RF, Jordy SS & Nova P. Starling's turn to chill; he's hit .184 in the past month, covering 23 games.

Notes:

• The Pirates called up RHP Tanner Anderson from Indy and put S-Rod on the 10-day DL (retroactive to Monday) with a right quad strain. Guess that explains why he wasn't in the lineup yesterday, and makes us wonder if J-Hay is the new backup SS w/Freeser at 2B. Anderson, 25, was 1-1-1/2.34 for the Tribe as a multi-inning reliever; he's a converted starter. Tanner was a 2015-20th round draft pick from Harvard and features a big leg kick, ala Bronson Arroyo. To make room on the 40-man roster, AJ Schugel was placed on the 60-day DL.

Surprise call-up Tanner Anderson 2016 GoSports

• No news on Chad Kuhl's "discomfort" yet. Good news on Cervy; he's out of shut-down mode and can begin working out now.
• The true test for Elias Diaz is about to begin; last year, he hit .266 (he's at .297 now) in the first half of the season, but only .193 in the second half. It would sure help ease the concern over Amore's health if Eli proves consistent this year.
• Jung-Ho Kang is still being bothered by his left wrist; he's being sat down with no baseball activities for a spell.
• Indy's Kevin Newman, Chris Bostick and Dovy Neverauskas were named to the International League All-Star Game.