Bucs-Cubs Round Two, Arch v Montgomery, Lineup & Notes - Starling Returns

Today: The game starts at 8:05 and will be on AT&T SportsNet & 93.7 The Fan.

Pitchers: RHP Chris Archer (5-8, 4.49) meets LHP Mike Montgomery (5-5, 3.75). Arch is coming off his best start for the Pirates, a seven-inning, eight-strikeout victory over the Royals on Wednesday. This will be his fourth career start against the Cubs, who dealt him to the Rays for Matt Garza in 2011. This will be his first 2018 outing against the Bruins; he was 1-1 v Chicago in 2017, giving up four earned runs (five overall) in 12 IP. Montgomery will make his 18th start of the season, and he's 5-4/3.35 in that role. He's been sharp with a 2-0/2.63 against the Pirates this year.

Arch is on the bump (image AT&T SportsNet)

Lineup: Adam Frazier 2B, Starling Marte CF, Josh Bell 1B, Fran Cervelli C, Chris Dickerson LF, Jose Osuna 3B, Pablo Reyes RF, Kevin Newman SS, Archer P. Starling's back and Pablo is back out in right field.

Notes:

• In their last five games played against the Cubs, the Pirates have surrendered just one run in each game, and all the runs have come by way of the homer. According to the Elias Sports Bureau, this marks the first time in MLB history that a team has held an opponent to one run in five straight contests with all the runs being scored on a solo shot.
• Who'd thunk that Ric Rod (87) would have more punch outs then The Nightmare (85)?
• Cervy's homer last night was just the fourth to land on Waveland Avenue this season. It also dented a car parked (illegally, may we add) on the street.
• As both teams are officially eliminated from the WC race, the Pirates’ home makeup game against the Fish on October 1st has been cancelled. That cost Ivan Nova big time; he was in line to make his 30th start if the game was played and reel in a $750 K bonus for the outing. He already pulled in an extra $250 K for making 28 starts, and with a $9.167 M base salary, he probably doesn't have to chase many wolves from his door.
• Some fans have wrinkled their nose and said "ew" while watching their erratic Buccos on the field. Now you can use the word regarding another game - it's been added to the Scrabble dictionary.