Steven Brault v Dakota Hudson, Lineup & Notes - Stratton Here, Neverauskas Optioned

Game: The finale is at 2:15 EDT and will be on AT&T SportsNet & 93.7 The Fan. No rain threat today; cloudy and the mid-50's is the forecast.

Lineup: Starling Marte CF, Bryan Reynolds LF, Gregory Polanco RF, Josh Bell 1B, Melky Cabrera LF, Colin Moran 3B, Fran Cervelli C, Kevin Newman 2B, Cole Tucker SS, Steven Brault P. Kinda curious that Fraze would get the day off against a guy that's had issues dealing with LH hitters.

Steven lookin' to make an impression (photo Pittsburgh Pirates)

Pitchers: LHP Steven Brault (0-1/7.11) closes it out against RHP Dakota Hudson (2-3/4.63). Steven went four innings in his first start in over a year, giving up two runs on 66 pitches and is looking for a little more length today; efficiency is an issue. He gave up a run in 1-2/3 IP against the Cards earlier in the campaign, and as usual, walks hurt him. But he's matched up pretty well v StL: he made his MLB debut against the Birds in 2016 and is 0-1/3.43 in eight appearances (two starts) against them. Hudson has to solve lefties; his RH/LH split is .197/.414; 4.6 walks per nine haven't been helping him, either. Dakota sniffed the Bucs in April, facing three batters and giving up a walk.

Notes:

• Chris Stratton has arrived; Dovy Neverauskas was optioned back to Indy.
• J-Bell has a career-high 11-game hitting streak on the line today.
• There was no backsplash after Archie's 60-pitch sim game Friday; he's back and will go Wednesday against the D-Backs.
• Jung Ho Kang whiff yesterday extended his hitless streak to 23 at-bats since April 26th. He has options and sure seems like he could use some Indy time; as you may recall, he got very little MiLB game rehab last year due to injuries.
• RHP Edwin Jackson was sold to Toronto by the A's. When he appears for the Blue Jays, it will be the 14th team he's played for, setting a MLB record. He's currently tied w/Octavio Dotel, who had a Pirates stop in 2010.