In our daily Wake-Up Call, we get you ready for the day with a complete look at all things Pittsburgh Pirates.
With Opening Day just a mere day away, we now know the lineup that Clint Hurdle will run out Thursday afternoon against the Detroit Tigers.
Here’s a look.
DH Adam Frazier
1B Josh Bell
3B Colin Moran
SS Jordy Mercer
As announced a couple of weeks ago, Ivan Nova will get the start for the Bucs. He will be opposed by Detroit’s Jordan Zimmerman.
Marte in the sixth spot is interesting, but it makes some sense given that he is only 1 for 10 lifetime against Zimmerman.
Once the Pirates return to a National League Park, Harrison will man the lead off spot and we should see some combination of Marte and Polanco in the two and three holes. Dickerson could also move up in the order, but I like him batting behind Bell so we will see how that goes.
Frazier gets his second consecutive Opening Day start and when he is in the lineup in National League Parks he will lead off and Harrison will bat second.
The Bucs will face Zimmerman, Michael Fulmer and former Bucco Francisco Liriano in the opening series. It remains to be seen what Hurdles lineup will look like against a left-handed starter, but we will find out soon against Liriano.
Notes
- The Pirates had a big spring hitting the ball out of the ballpark, mashing a Grapefruit League-leading 47 home runs. That tied the club record from 2006.
- Chad Kuhl struggled again on Tuesday, four runs on four hits and a pair of walks in just two-thirds of an inning. He finished the spring with a 10.06 ERA.
- Jack Leathersich was claimed off waivers by the Cleveland Indians. I still find it confusing why the Pirates waived Leathersich instead of sending him to the minors as depth, but Huntington must be content with the arms he will have at Triple-A.
- Rule 5 pick Jordan Milbrath was returned to the Indians as well.
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Baseball talk on the web
- Projected 2018 lineups for every MLB team
- Shohei Ohtani to make pitching debut on Sunday
- MLB Power rankings to start the seaons
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