JT v Cookie Carrasco, Lineup & Notes

Game: The Bucs resume action after a three day layoff by hosting the Cleveland Indians (13-9) at PNC Park. The game starts at 7:05 and is on AT&T SportsNet & 93.7 The Fan. The Tribe is hot, coming off a sweep of the Tigers.

Lineup: Adam Frazier 2B, Kevin Newman SS, Josh Bell 1B, Colin Moran DH, Bryan Reynolds LF, Gregory Polanco RF, Erik Gonzalez 3B, Jarrod Dyson CF, Jake Stallings C and JT Brubaker P. Gonzo has pretty much pushed Captain Redbeard into a 1B/DH role lately. But we're kinda wondering if he's not going to end up at short (or utility) once K'Bryan Hayes is ready to move up.

Gonzo is getting a long look at the hot corner - 1919 Topps

Pitchers: RHP JT Brubaker (0-0/3.28) gets his second start against RHP Carlos Carrasco (2-2/3.22). JT hasn't appeared since the 6th, when he made his first MLB start. He features a hard sinker/plus slider and probably is looking at a five-inning limit as 52 pitches are the most he's tossed in an outing this year. Cookie Carrasco pitched five straight solid seasons for the Tribe (2014-18: 68-43/3.27) until last year when he was diagnosed with leukemia in June. He returned in September and won MLB's Comeback Player of the Year award. The Cleveland righty hasn't seen the Bucs since 2011.

Notes:

• Lotsa player moves: RHP Tyler Bashlor was called up; in two MLB seasons with the Mets, he was 0-6/5.33. The 27-year-old works out of the pen. The Pirates have an agreement with FA RHP Jandel Gustave, pending his physical.  The reliever was recently released by the Giants, and in three MLB campaigns he's 1-0-1/3.43 w/96 MPH heater. RHP Cody Ponce was returned to the alternate training camp to clear a spot, as was LHP Miguel Del Pozo after he cleared waivers.  LHP Robbie Erlin was picked up by the Braves after the Bucs let him go. And finally, RHP Henderson Alvarez didn't sign a pending deal with the team; no reason given though we guess they decided they needed bullpen depth more than another starter.
• Pittsburgh has won 2-of-3 games in the last three series with the Tribe (2012, 2015 and 2018).