Steven Brault v Kris Bubic, Lineup & Notes

Game: First pitch of the series is at 8:05 at Kauffman Stadium. The match will be carried by AT&T SportsNet & 93.7 The Fan. The Royals are 16-28, so it's at least a set played between equals.

Lineup: Erik Gonzalez SS, Kevin Newman 2B, Ke'Bryan Hayes 3B, Bryan Reynolds CF, Colin Moran DH, Josh Bell 1B, Adam Frazier LF, Jake Stallings C, Cole Tucker RF and Steven Brault P. Wonder if B-Rey in CF is going to be a thing? Tuck, who appeared to be the frontrunner for the spot, hasn't played there since Alford was hurt. And it sure looks like K-Man is gonna get a long look at 2B; ditto w/Fraze in the pasture. But Shelty is a man of mystery when it comes to lineups, so stay tuned...

Tuck back in the outfield tonight - photo Pittsburgh Pirates

Pitchers: LHP Steven Brault (0-2, 4.37) takes on LHP Kris Bubic (0-5, 4.89). Steven is 0-2/2.78 in seven starts this year, with his issue being length. He's made it through five innings once and never gone into the sixth this year, although often the short outings haven't been his fault with rain and early season piggy-backing taking their toll. Still, he has lots of room to step it up. Bubic was an ace at Stanford and 1st rounder in the 2018 draft, but this year he's making the long leap from A Ball in 2019 to MLB, so the 23-year-old is in learning curve mode.

Notes:

• The Pirates placed RHP Tyler Bashlor on the 10-day IL (low back inflammation) and recalled LHP Austin Davis, who made the trip on the taxi squad.
• RHPs Blake Cederlind & Cody Ponce, utility guy Jose Osuna and C Andrew Susac will be the taxi squad for this road trip. We'd expect Ponce to pitch in doubleheader Monday in Cincy; he's done a pretty good job tossing as the 29th man (1-0/2.92) in two starts. 
• The Pirates are down to their last 19 games. There are no off days and two twin bills booked as they close out the campaign against KC and the Reds away, the Cards and Cubs at home and Cleveland on the road.
• The Phils DFA'ed Neil Walker.