Tuesday: Cody Ponce Opens Cub Series v Jake Arrieta

Today's Game: The PNC park match begins at 6:35 and will be on AT&T SportsNet & 93.7 The Fan.

Lineup: Adam Frazier 2B, Ben Gamel LF, Bryan Reynolds LF, Jake Stallings C, Greg Polanco RF, Erik Gonzalez 3B, Cole Tucker SS, Will Craig 1B, Cody Ponce P. Shelty borrowed the bottom of the order from Indy, and no, we have no idea what to do with the two hole, especially with likely suspect Ka'ai Tom on the IL.

Hey, guess who is at short? - 2020 Donruss

Pitchers: RHP Cody Ponce will kick off the series against RHP Jake Arrieta (4-4/4.46). Cody, 27, picked up Trevor Cahill's start. He was the return for the Jordan Lyles deal with the Brewers, and did well enough in five outings (three starts, 1-0/2.63) last year, going 1-1/3.16, although he has a penchant to give up the long ball, surrendering five homers in 17 IP. He faced Chicago for all of 1/3 of an inning last year, giving up a hit and losing in extra innings. Arrieta has had long ball woes lately, giving up six bombs in his past 14-1/3 IP. But he already has two wins against the Pirates this year, giving up three runs in 12 frames, and has a career 14-6/2.88 slash against the Buccos.

Notes:

• To make roster room for Cody Ponce, RHP Kyle Keller was returned to Indy.
• The Pirates have lost six-of-seven after being thumped on their recent road trip.
• Mars Area's David Bednar is the sixth player from the WPIAL to play for the Pirates in the PNC Park era (since 2001). The only other players from the WPIAL who have also played for the Pirates since 2001 are Uniontown's Terry Mulholland, Pine-Richland's Neil Walker, Upper Saint Clair's Sean Casey, Mount Lebanon's Don Kelly and Freedom Area's Josh Sharpless. (S/O Pirates PR)
• Ke'Bryan Hayes went 3-for-4 with a homer and double in his last rehab game. To those impatiently tapping their feet, he's not eligible to come off the IL until June 3rd. 
• Altoona RHP Roansy Contreras was named the AA Northeast League Pitcher of the Week. He went 6-2/3 IP, giving up two hits and fanning six last week.
• Yes! Zambelli fireworks are back, along with giveaways, free tee Fridays, block parties and all that jazz starting in June. The 2021 promotions schedule is here. The Bucs also said PNC will be at 100% capacity starting in July (55% for June) and tickets are on sale for all remaining dates starting tomorrow instead of being doled out in monthly dribbles.

Tomorrow's Game: Game time is 6:35 and will be on AT&T SportsNet & 93.7 The Fan. The matchup has Wil Crowe going against Trevor Williams.