Mitch v Johnny Cueto, Lineup & Notes

Game: The game begins at 9:45 and will be on AT&T SportsNet & 93.7 The Fan.

Lineup: Kevin Newman AA, Bryan Reynolds CF, Clin Moran 3B, Josh Bell 1B, Jose Osuna RF, Adam Frazier 2B, Jake Stallings C, Kevin Kramer LF, Mitch Keller P. This is KK’s first start since September 30th of last year; Starling is still out with his bum wrist.

Pitchers: RHP Mitch Keller (1-3/8.18) v RHP Johnny Cueto (0/0.00). Mitch has been up and down, as to be expected. It’s good to see him back in the saddle so soon after taking a liner off the wrist in his last outing and continuing his ongoing MLB education. This will be the 23-year-old’s first look at the G-Men. Cueto hasn’t tossed since 2018 after TJ surgery. Though locally known for the game he didn’t win in Pittsburgh, he’s an amazing 20-4/2.19 in 30 career starts against the Bucs.

Notes:

• Since Pittsburgh has gotten into the soft part of the schedule, they’re 11-6; the only two series they’ve lost (2-of-3) have been to Cards and Phils.
• The Bucs sure pack ‘em in: The announced attendance of 26,826 last night was the smallest crowd at San Francisco’s Oracle Park since April 12th, 2010. Still, had to look like a full house to the Pirates.
• Austin Meadows won the AL POTW award for the second time. He hit .522 over seven games with nine runs, four homers, eight RBIs, 26 total bases and a 1.130 OPS.