The Pittsburgh Pirates are looking for its third series sweep of the season this afternoon when it takes on the New York Mets. The Pirates were 4-1 and 8-2 winners in games one and two.
Today’s starters:
The Pirates will send Francisco Liriano [1-4 4.15 ERA] to the mound against Jonathon Niese [3-4 3.72 ERA].
Liriano is 1-0 with a 1.69 ERA in one career start against the Mets. He struck out nine batters in the start over the course of 5.1 innings.
He lost his last start against the Minnesota Twins, allowing seven runs on five hits over the course of two innings.
“I just flushed it,” manager Clint Hurdle said. “There’s probably not a guy in the league that does not have one a year. He carries the weight of what happened. I believe he’ll go out there and be focused and prepared with maybe another layer of something to get done.”
Niese has a 3-1 career record against the Pirates in six starts while posting a 4.41 ERA. He does have a 3-0 record with a 2.41 ERA in games played at PNC Park. His last start was a loss in which he tied a career high allowing eight runs in five innings against the St. Louis Cardinals.
Pregame thoughts:
For the first time this season Corey Hart is not in the lineup against left-handed pitching. Hurdle had a choice between two of three players and Hart was left out.
“Other guys are swinging the bat better right now,” said Hurdle. “We want to see how Tabata’s match-up numbers play out and get Rodriguez in. We’ll find a different opportunity for Corey, you can’t play them all.”
Tabata is a beneficiary of this decision and will make his first start of the season.
“I’m going to try and get on the bases because I have Cutch and Marte behind me,” Tabata said. “I’m going try to get on base every single at-bat.”
Though Tabata has been limited to three plate appearances, he has really enjoyed his time with the Pirates thus far.
“It’s unbelievable, everybody wants to be in the big leagues,” said Tabata. “It’s why I worked hard in Triple-A. I’m here and I want to stay here. I’ve continue working hard. I don’t want to go down again. I hope to stay here all year.”
With Charlie Morton starting Monday’s game a corresponding move will be made. Based on statements Hurdle made in his pregame press conference, it will not be Antonio Bastardo. Hurdle always prefers to have two left-handed relievers, so this may not come as a surprise to many Pirates fans.
Bastardo, Hurdle stated, is a guy who has improved and someone that he believes will be used in the seventh or eighth inning in higher leverage situations in the future.
“He’s a guy we’ve got to stay with and keep looking for opportunities to find his way back,” Hurdle said. “I believe he’s going to be a very important part of our bullpen moving forward. You’ve got to give him some rope and give him some opportunities.”
Today’s lineups:
Pirates [20-22]
1. Josh Harrison 3B
2. Jose Tabata RF
3. Andrew McCutchen CF
4. Starling Marte LF
5. Jung Ho Kang 3B
6. Sean Rodriguez 1B
7. Francisco Cervelli C
8. Jordy Mercer SS
9. Francisco Liriano P
Mets [24-20]
1. Curtis Granderson RF
2. Wilmer Flores SS
3. Michael Cuddyer 1B
4. Daniel Murphy 2B
5. John Mayberry Jr. LF
6. Anthony Recker C
7. Darrell Ceciliani CF
8. Ruben Tejasa 3B
9. Jonathon Niese P
Bottom of the ninth:
It may not seem like much, however Pedro Alvarez’s throw to second base in the fourth inning on a fielder’s choice in yesterday’s game likely saved a run. Alvarez had the choice of stepping on first base to record an out or do what he did fire to second and attempt to get a runner out of scoring position. A single to center occurred on the next play and may have scored the run.
“He’s showing that he is more comfortable at first base,” Neil Walker said. “It’s probably the toughest play a first baseman has to make with a runner in your lane and trying to make a throw to second base. He made a throw and made a great play.”
Hurdle said the play was a testament to his improving defense.
“He works as hard as anyone we have at improving,” said Hurdle. “He replicates every play that can be made every day except the throw home. I do believe that’s the second or third snap throw he’s made to second base this year. With every throw and every rep, you’d like to believe there’s a little confidence being built. When it’s done in a game situation I think it has a little more value to it.”
Photo credit: Charles LeClaire/USA TODAY Sports
