Pitchers: RHP Chris Archer (1-2, 5.40 as a Pirate) vs. RHP Dan Straily (5-6, 4.13). Arch tossed his first nice game for the Bucs in his last outing, but the bullpen, in a rarity, gave it away. So we'll see if he's getting more comfortable with the Bucco tweaks and his battery mates as the season winds down. His most recent start against the Fish was in 2017 when he gave up four runs (three earned) in six innings. Straily has picked it up some in the second half - over his last 12 starts, has gone 3-3/3.64, allowing three-or-less runs 10 times. He last faced the Bucs in 2017 at PNC Park, where he allowed four runs on nine hits over four innings. Tonight will be his seventh career appearance (sixth start) at PNC Park, with a line of 2-2/4.71 in the 'Burgh.
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| Arch looks to add another solid start to his Bucco resume (photo Pgh Pirates) |
Lineup: Starling Marte CF, Kevin Kramer 2B, Gregory Polanco RF, Fran Cervelli C, Corey Dickerson LF, Josh Bell 1B, Colin Moran 3B, Jordy SS & Arch. Kramer gets his first MLB start with the A-Team.
Notes:
- The Marlins are 36-61 in Pittsburgh; historically, the odds in this series tilt toward the home town nine, although the Bucs did take 2-of-3 at Miami in April.
- Gregory Polanco has 60 extra-base hits (31-2B, six-3B, 23-HR), equaling his career high from 2016, and a .498 slugging %, the highest he's ever had in one campaign.
- Small sample size, but IF Kevin Newman hasn't been off to a very hot start - he's 4-for-35 (.114 BA) with 11 whiffs.
- John Sickels of Minor League Ball kinda likes Kevin Kramer as a prospect.
- C Ryan Lavarnway spent his off day as a guest of the JCC, which featured the documentary flick "Heading Home" about the 2017 Team Israel WBC squad, of which Lavarnway was a member.
- Patrick Karraker of MLB Trade Rumors has a look at this year's FA class for those boning up for the hot stove league.
- Josh Smoker's comeback was short-lived; the Tigers just released him.
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