Archie v DeSclafani, Lineup & Notes

Game: The match starts at 1:35 and will be aired by AT&T SportsNet and 93.7 The Fan as the Bucs go a sweep. Kids 14-and-under get a stuffed Parrot doll. It'll be cloudy with a possible afternoon rain by mid-game, but it's forecast to reach 73 degrees out. After today's contest, the Bucs are off to Wrigley Field.

Lineup: Adam Frazier 2B, Starling Marte CF, Fran Cervelli C, Josh Bell 1B, Jung Ho Kang 3B, Melky Cabrera RF, Jason Martin LF, Erik Gonzalez SS, Chris Archer P. Both the Bucs and Reds kinda flipped tradition; they used the usual Sunday lineups on Saturday and are back to the A-Teams today.

Jason Martin gets another shot (photo Dave Arrigo/Pittsburgh Press)

Pitchers: RHP Chris Archer closes the set against Anthony DeSclafani. Archie tossed five zeroes in his debut this year with eight whiffs; this will be first go at the Reds. DeSclafani was sharp in his first outing, giving up a run on three hits to the Brew Crew with eight K's. He didn't have much luck against Pittsburgh last year, going 1-2/4.80 in three starts, but his curve has developed into a weapon this campaign.

Notes:

• Yesterday was Kevin Newman's first MLB walk-off hit. 
• Josh Bell has been battling bad ball luck more than anything before being rewarded yesterday. His average exit velocity (94.3 mph) and hard-hit rate (55.6 percent) were both in the MLB's top 20, while his K-rate is at 16%, a couple of ticks lower than his career line.
• Elias Diaz has begun his rehab stint while Gregory Polanco and Dovy Neverauskas start theirs today. That means all three, barring a stumble, will be back before May 1st (rehab lasts for 20 days unless restarted). Eli had a big day for Bradenton, going 2-for-2 with two doubles, two walks, a run scored and two RBI. He even swiped home on a delayed double steal.
• RHP Eduardo Vera was promoted to Indy from Altoona.The 24-year-old will make his AAA debut today in Columbus. John Dreker comments on the move in Pirates Prospects.