Thursday: Motown Showdown - Mitch Keller v Jose Urena; Fowler Gone & Kuhl Hurt, Toddfather & Hartlieb Back, Hayes Reinjured

Today's Game: The first pitch is due at 1:10 and the game will be aired by AT&T SportsNet, MLB Network (out of market) & 100.1 KDKA-FM/1020 KDKA-AM. The winner takes the series. And update your scorecard; there were a couple of moves today.

Lineup: Adam Frazier 2B; Phil Evans LF; Bryan Reynolds CF; Colin Moran 1B; Erik Gonzalez 3B; Todd Frazier DH; Gregory Polanco RF; Jake Stallings C; Kevin Newman SS & Mitch Keller P. B-Rey is expected to be a short-term plug in center until recently claimed Ka'ai Tom arrives.

The Toddfather is back - 2021 photo Pirates

Pitchers: RHP Mitch Keller (1-2/8.74). Kells has tossed two duds and one strong game, and command is his key. When he's aggressive and throws some strikes, he's a tough kid to go against, but when he starts spraying the ball...ruh roh. The Bucs will trot him out and cross fingers that he starts to attack the plate. He faced the Tigers once last year and did OK; he gave up four runs in five innings, but two were unearned. He walked two and fanned six. He's working on an extra day's rest after being pushed back due the twin bill yesterday. Urena had big control problems in his first two outings, but he had a pretty good showing in his last start against Oakland so he may be starting to find his groove. He did have back problems last year, so time will tell if he's past them. As a former Marlin, he's seen Pittsburgh eight times (three starts) and been handled rudely by the Buccos, with a career 1-3/8.18 slash in a small sample of 22 IP.

Notes:

• RHP Chad Kuhl was sent to the 10-day IL (right shoulder) and RHP Geoff Hartlieb has been called up. 
• CF Dustin Fowler has been DFA'ed  and 3B Todd Frazier replaced him on the roster. 
• 3B Ke'Bryan Hayes reinjured his left wrist injury last night while taking BP and be reevaluated in Pittsburgh.
• CF Jared Oliva suffered an oblique strain late last week at the alt site and will be out at least four weeks. Guess that's why he was never placed on the taxi squad...

Tomorrow's Game: The Pirates travel to Minnesota and Target Field for an 8:10 game. It will be carried by AT&T SportsNet & 93.7 The Fan. JT Brubaker goes against ol' bud JA Happ.