Wednesday at Detroit: Tyler Anderson v Michael Fulmer In Twin Bill Lidlifter; Tom Claimed, Castro Recalled, Alford DFA'ed

Today's Game: The opener starts at 2:10 and will be on AT&T SportsNet PITT2 & 100.1 KDKA-FM/1020 KDKA-AM. This game is yesterday's snow out makeup and the first game of a split twin bill (PS - remember that doubleheaders are seven inning games now and for the most part, no longer 2-for-1 price).

Lineup: Adam Frazier 2B; Phil Evans DH; Bryan Reynolds LF; Colin Moran 1B; Jake Stallings C; Gregory Polanco RF; Eric Gonzalez 3B; Dustin Fowler CF; Kevin Newman SS & Tyler Anderson P. Pretty solid group; it's nice to actually have a DH available when visiting the AL.

Phil the Thrill at DH - 2021 image Pittsburgh Pirates

Pitchers: LHP Tyler Anderson (1-2/4.02) and RHP Michael Fulmer (1-0/3.00) open the Tiger series. Anderson has been as advertised this season, a workmanlike journeyman who gets the team to the sixth in a competitive situation. Tyler has never gone against Motown. Fulmer had a poor 2020 campaign as he worked his way back into shape after TJ surgery and began this year in the bullpen. An injury to Julio Teheran moved him into the rotation, and he won his first start on the 14th, giving up two runs in five frames against the Astros with his velo building back to normal (He touched 96). He's 0-1 against the Bucs in his career, but in his two starts, he's only given up one run on eight hits in 14 IP, with both matches in 2018.  

Notes: 

• CF Anthony Alford was DFA'd to make room for OF Ka’ai Tom, a Rule 5 player who was claimed from the A's. He's a corner guy who went 1-for-16 with Oakland after putting up a .270 MiLB career number. The Bucs also called up Rodolpho Castro to fill AA's roster spot.
• Adam Frazier is 6-for-9 with nine RBI with runners in scoring position. He's also been walked, HBP and lifted a sac fly from that spot, so he's been a beast when given the opp so far.
• The Pirates have won four of their last six games/six of their last nine after losing six in a row.
• Ke'Bryan Hayes didn't play yesterday, either - the alt camp match in Toledo was also snowed out. He'll try again tonight.
• Starling Marte, 32, broke a rib and went on the IL. He was batting .316 for the Marlins over the first 15 games.
• The Pittsburgh Kid, Pine-Richland HS grad Neil Walker, retired yesterday. He last played for Philly last year to end a 12-year career. He played for the Bucs for seven years and became a nomad afterward, making stops with the Mets, Yankees, Marlins, Brewers and Phils. 

Night Game: RHP Mitch Keller (1-2/8.74) takes on RHP Spencer Turnbull, fresh off the IL, in the 6:40 second contest.  Caveat emptor - Keller's scheduled, but is likely to be flipped by the 27th man (consensus guess: RHP Miguel Yajure) to keep the rotation straight; that will be announced between games. The match will be aired by AT&T SportsNet & 93.7 The Fan.