Archie v Yu Darvish, Lineup & Notes

Game: It's a 2:20 opener at Wrigley as the Bucs and Cubs get it on again. The game will be on AT&T SportsNet; MLB Network for out-of-market viewers, and 93.7 The Fan. Pittsburgh took 3-of-4 in a see-saw set at PNC Park earlier this month; Joe Maddon has promised payback in more ways than one, so it could be an interesting series.

Lineup: Adam Frazier 2B, Bryan Reynolds LF, Starling Marte CF, Josh Bell 1B, Melky Cabrera RF, Colin Moran 3B, Kevin Newman SS, Jake Stallings C, Chris Archer P. Jake and Arch in tandem, ho hum, but holy moly - Redbeard against a lefty! Fraze, too. It's because Yu has a reverse split, and a big one: lefties hit .262 v him; righties just .185.

Lefty, schmefty...Redbeard is batting .286 v LHP this year (but just .221 lifetime) - photo Pgh Pirates

Pitchers: RHP Chris Archer (3-6/5.49) opens against LHP Yu Darvish (2-4/5.01). Archie is working sans his two-seamer and with emphasis on the slider, but the greater issue is getting his fastball command back; too many pitches, too few innings and long taters by the bunch - he's already allowed 20 homers (2.3/nine innings). Darvish has given up four or more runs in four of his last five starts, so both starters have been a lot less than advertised. Chris and Yu hooked up on July 3rd and pitched so-so ball, with the Bucs winning 6-5. Neither starter was involved in the decision in a contest that saw Frankie blow the lead for the Pirates and Craig Kimbrel blow the game for Chi-town. Fun fact: Darvish is winless in 12 starts at Wrigley Field as a Cub, with an 0-5/6.03 line.

Notes:

• Adam Berry of MLB.com thinks the Bucs will keep an eye peeled for a pitcher; what they have to offer in return is kinda up in the air.
• West Allegheny OF Austin Hendrick was named to his second All-America game. After making the roster for the Under Armour game, he was chosen yesterday for the Perfect Game USA Classic, to be played August 11th at Petco Park, which will be aired on the MLB Network.
• The Brewers signed RHP Shelby Miller to a minor league deal. Miller has appeared in 24 games in 2018-19 (12 starts) with a 1-7/9.15 slash.