Willy v Anthony DeSclafani, Lineup & Notes

Game: The contest begins at 7:05 and will be aired by AT&T SportsNet & 93.7 The Fan.

Lineup: Erik Gonzalez 3B, Adam Frazier 2B, Bryan Reynolds LF, Colin Moran DH, Gregory Polanco RF, Josh Bell 1B, Kevin Newman SS, Anthony Alford CF, Jake Stallings C and Trevor Williams P. The only constant is change.

Willy on the hill - image Pittsburgh Pirates

Pitchers: RHP Trevor Williams (1-5, 5.50) and RHP Anthony DeSclafani (1-2, 7.71) toe the slab today. Williams has given up four homers in his past 10 IP and his ERA has jumped up by nearly two full runs, so it's to be seen if we get good Willy or bad Willy tonight. He faced the Reds about three weeks ago and gave up three runs in five frames. DeSclafani has had his own troubles, also surrendering four dingers in his last 10 innings and 18! runs. The Bucs started DeSclafani's rough stretch when they scored nine runs against him in just two frames. That was his only outing against the Bucs this year, and tonight is a pitching rematch of that contest.

Notes:

• RHP Cody Ponce has been optioned back to Altoona; he was the 29th man yesterday. Pretty handy guy to have stashed away, though, and in case you're wondering, the next twin bill is scheduled for 9/14 at Cincinnati with another slated for 9/18 at St. Louis.
• The Orioles claimed RHP Carson Fulmer off waivers from the Pirates. 
• Leather makes a difference - the Red won the opener yesterday 4-2; three of the runs were cashed in during an inning when the Pirates couldn't catch a cold. The Bucs won the nightcap 4-3, and three of their runs were gift wrapped when Joey Votto dropped a throw to first, setting up all three tallies after two outs. Both teams could stand the help - the Pirates team BA is .222 and Cincy's is .215.