Monday, July 1, 2019

Willy v Adbert Alzolay, Lineup & Notes

Game: The series opens at 7:05, with tonight's match on AT&T SportsNet & 93.7 The Fan. It's also on ESPN for out-of-market fans.

Lineup: Adam Frazier 2B, Bryan Reynolds RF, Starling Marte CF, Josh Bell 1B, Corey Dickerson LF, Colin Moran 3B, Jung Ho Kang SS, Elias Diaz C, Trevor Williams P. Well, so much for a settled lineup, though with his streak ended, K-Man is due for a blow. That said, Fraze's OBP of .311 isn't exactly ideal for a leadoff guy. We'd kinda like Starling there, with the caveat that his OBP isn't much better (.319), but at least he's disruptive when aboard.

And making his fifth start at SS - photo Dave Arrigo/Pirates

Pitchers: RHP Trevor Williams (2-2/4.25) opens it up against RHP Adbert Alzolay (1-0/2.08). Willy's making his third start since being activated from the IL; he's given up 11 runs in 11-2/3 IP in those outings But the second start was better than the first, so he may be rounding into shape. He hasn't faced the Cubs this year, and was 1-2/2.50 against them in 2018. Alzolay is working his second MLB start; he went 4-2/3 IP against the Braves, giving up a run on a homer with four walks and four K. he was selected to the Futures Game, and is a high end prospect for the Cubs, with a 97 MPH heater and good breaking ball; Ad is working for consistency from his change for a third offering.

Notes:
  • The Pirates medical man Todd Tomczyk was named to the AS team as an athletic trainer; who would have more experience after this year?
  • Manny Sanguillen's name is being floated around as a candidate for next year's Negro League Museum's "Hall of Game" for post-NL black players; Dave Parker was just inducted a couple of days ago.
  • In a reader's poll, the Trib results were 2-1 in favor of netting to the foul poles at PNC Park.



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