Big Joe v Tim Melville, Lineup & Notes

Game: The game starts at 8:10 and will be carried by AT&T SportsNet & KDKA-AM (1020)/Pirates Radio Network as 93.7 The Fan will be broadcasting the Pitt-Virginia football game.

Lineup: Kevin Newman SS, Bryan Reynolds LF, Starling Marte CF, Josh Bell 1B, Colin Moran 3B, Jose Osuna RF, Adam Frazier 2B, Jake Stallings, Joe Musgrove P. The A Team, as it stands.

Moose on the mound - photo Pittsburgh Pirates

Pitchers: RHP Joe Musgrove (8-12/4.67) meets RHP Tim Melville (1-0/0.75) in game three of the set. Joe pitched pretty well last time out, and two of his last three outings have been strong, but he hasn't been able to string a solid streak together since April ended. He last faced the Rox last year and went seven innings, giving up two runs (one earned) on four hits, although he took the loss. Melville is a soft thrower with an inspiring backstory - the former high school phenom was sidetracked by injuries, clocked 11 seasons on various farms, spent the winter as a part-time cook and began the year in the indie leagues. On August 21st, he won his first MLB game as a 29-year-old. He's back to being a phenom again, though he should regress, having put up a 5.48 in AAA before being called up. Melville faced the Bucs once in 2016 as a Red and shut them down, giving up a run over four frames.

Notes:

• The Pirates claimed LHP Wei-Chung Wang off waivers from Oakland. The 27-year-old native of Taiwan was 1-0/3.33 in 20 games with the A's this season after a year in the Korean League. He started his career in the Bucco organization, but was lost on a Rule 5 claim by Milwaukee in 2013. The Pirates him expect to join the team on Tuesday in Pittsburgh.
• Starling Marte has a nine-game hitting streak going on.
• Who'd thunk the Bucs would be 6-2 in their last eight games? Colorado is on the Pirates previous track; they've lost 10-of-12. Yah, Reds & Rox, but still looks like up to us...