Bucs Look For Bounce Back, Nova v Kershaw & Notes - Dovy Up, Tanner Down

Today: Another night owl special that begins at 10:10. The game will be carried by AT&T SportsNet and 93.7 The Fan.

Pitchers: RHP Ivan Nova (4-5, 4.02) trades twirls with LHP Clayton Kershaw (1-4, 2.84). In his four games since returning to action, Nova has put up a 2-0/1.75 slash, although his last outing against the Mets was just so-so; his strong line has been fueled by limited his bane, the long ball. He's tossed against LA twice and done well, going 1-0/2.36 with starts in 2017 & '16. The Dodgers' Mr. Big Stuff will be making his third start since leaving the disabled list. He's still building up his arm, but tossed five good innings against the Cubs in his last outing. This will be his 12th start against the Pirates. He's been quite good but not untouchable with a 2-3/3.18 slash against the Buccaneers.

Ivan will try to get the Bucs back on track (photo Pittsburgh Pirates)

Lineup: Austin Meadows CF, Josh Harrison 2B, Gregory Polanco RF, Elias Diaz C, David Freese 3B, Josh Bell 1B, Corey Dickerson LF, Jordy SS & Nova P. Colin sits for Freeser today after J-Bell took a seat last night. Freese, btw, is hitting .213 v LHPs. Starling is still out for swing maintenance, and since he's hitting .239 v southpaws may miss tomorrow, too, with lefty Rich Hill due to toss.

Notes:

• Dovydas Neverauskas has been recalled and Tanner Anderson has been optioned to Indy.
• Gregory has reached base safely 27 times in his last 48 PAs (.563 OBP), going 16-for-37 (.432 BA) with three doubles, three homers and 11 walks.
• In the last week, Steven Brault has been called on four times. He's gone four IP, giving up seven earned runs on nine hits with three walks and three whiffs. We wonder if he's running into some dead arm issues now that he's in the pen and getting used every other day? He's only pitched back-to-back twice, both this week, and put up a zero in the first outing and been scored on the following appearance.
• Jacob Stallings has been up for 20 days in two different stints. He's gotten five at bats (1-for-5) and caught seven innings.
• RHP Montana DuRapau, 26, was promoted from Altoona to Indianapolis. You may recall that he was at Indy last year before being suspended 50 games for testing positive for a "drug of abuse."
• Altoona's 1B Will Craig has been selected to participate in the Eastern League Home Run Derby He has 12 long flies in 75 games for the Curve.