Sunday, August 26, 2018

Pirates-Brewers Close It Out With a Rubber Match, Arch v Anderson, Lineup & Notes

Today: The Miller Park finale begins at 2:10 and will be broadcast by AT&T SportsNet & 93.7 The Fan. It's also a free game on MLB.TV.

Pitchers: RHP Chris Archer (3-5, 4.31) finishes the set against RHP Chase Anderson (8-7, 3.92). The Bucs are hoping the sinker becomes Arch's third pitch, but he's had a rough row to hoe since adding it again to his arsenal. He's posted a 1-1/4.91 slash through four outings with the Pirates. Chris has one career outing against Milwaukee, getting a no decision after tossing six three-hit, one run, innings versus them last year. Anderson was on fire from late June on, but has come to earth a bit in his last three outings, giving up 10 runs in 14-2/3 IP as five long balls have hurt him over that span. He's faced the Pirates twice this year, getting chased early in the season and then holding them to two runs (solo homers) in 5-2/3 IP in mid-July.

Arch looking for a solid outing today (photo Pittsburgh Pirates)

Lineup: Starling Marte CF, Adam Frazier 2B, Gregory Polanco RF, Fran Cervelli 1B, Corey Dickerson LF, Elias Diaz C, Colin Moran 3B, Adeiny Hechavarria SS & Archer P. Little shook up as far as the order is concerned. We are a little surprised that J-Bell is getting sit-down time although he does lead the team with 120 games and this will afford him a two-day rest with tomorrow being an off day.

Notes:
  • Nick Kingham was recalled yesterday; Clay Holmes was optioned back to Indy.
  • Since being recalled from Indy on July 25th, Fraze is hitting .346 with 11 doubles, three homers, 15 RBI and a .998 OPS in 25 games.The big diff is he's finally getting the ball in the air after being a ground ball machine earlier in the year.
  • Gregory & Cervy bring six-game hitting streaks into today's contest.
  • Who'd thunk it? Tom Haudricourt of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel writes "If the Brewers Want to Make the Playoffs, They Have to Figure Out a Way to Beat the Pirates."
  • Altoona swept Richmond in a twin bill yesterday. They're fighting for the flag in the Eastern League and with the wins have clinched at least a playoff spot.

No comments: