Bucs & Mets, Nova v Vargas, Lineup & Notes - McRae Up, Feliz Down

Today: The game starts at 7:05 and will be on AT&T SportsNet & 93.7 The Fan. This is Faith Night, with manager Clint Hurdle, Trevor Williams and other Buccos sharing how their faith has impacted both their lives and their baseball careers before the contest.

Pitchers: RHP Ivan Nova (6-6, 4.28) takes on LHP Jason Vargas (2-6, 8.60). Since coming off the DL on June 10, Nova is 4-1/3.40,with seven of the 18 runs he's surrendered coming in one start. His outings haven't all been pretty, but he's been effective. He's faced the Mets once this year, getting no decision after going six innings and giving up three runs. A strained right calf injury has kept Vargas on the DL since June 24th. The vet had a couple of decent outings before the injury but has by-and-large been beat up this year; he hasn't gotten past five innings in a start yet. He hasn't faced the Bucs since 2015 and has a 9.00 ERA in the nine innings he's worked.

Ivan tries to get the Bucs back in gear (photo Pittsburgh Pirates)

Lineup: Jordan Luplow LF, Josh Harrison 2B, Gregory Polanco RF, Elias Diaz C, David Freese 3B, Josh Bell 1B, Sean Rodriguez CF, Jordy SS & Nova P. Starling may be available from the bench tonight; Corey D's status is TBD. Looks like the Bucs rae going to ease Amore back into the lineup, which is a good move.

Notes:

• Pirates have recalled RHP Alex McRae from Indy and optioned RHP Michael Feliz to the Tribe.
• A new face for the foes: FA Austin Jackson, 31, was inked by NY and is expected to join the Mets immediately, though he hasn't played since July 7th as a Giant. The Metropolitans have been short-handed in the pasture as Juan Lagares, Jay Bruce and Yoenis Cespedes are all down. Matt den Dekker was DFA'ed to clear Jackson's spot. You may remember him; the Pirates drafted him in 2009, but he didn't sign.
• The Pirates have homered in 10 of their last 11 games, connecting for a total of 24 big flies during that span.
• Felipe Vazquez has 23 saves; the franchise high-water mark for a lefty closer is 24, set by Mike Gonzalez in 2006.
• The Rangers have been poking around the Pirates AAA roster in a due diligence move, likely related to the Bucs reported interest in Texas closer Keone Kela, who would become Felipe Vazquez's set-up guy if he makes it to the North Shore. Pittsburgh isn't alone in his pursuit - the righty is young (25) and controllable (arb eligible thru 2021), so a package to land him would have to be solid. Reports point toward IF Kevin Newman as the centerpiece of any proposed deal.
• Enny Romero was DFA'ed by the Bucs, claimed by KC, DFA'ed by them, and has elected free agency rather than reporting to AAA.