Game #1, Steven Brault v Luis Castillo, Lineup & Notes

Game: The first game begins at 4:05. It will be on AT&T SportsNet, MLB Network (out-of-market) & 93.7 The Fan. Remember, twin bills are seven inning games this year.

Lineup: Erik Gonzalez SS, Kevin Newman 2B, Bryan Reynolds LF, Colin Moran DH, Gregory Polanco RF, Josh Bell 1B, KeBryan Hayes 3B, Cole Tucker CF, Jake Stallings C and Steven Brault P. You can exhale; Key is back in the lineup. In another move, Shelty switched B-Rey and J-Bell in the order.

Pitchers: LHP Steven Brault (0-1, 4.00) battles Luis Castillo (0-5, 4.10) to open the day. Steven has started six times; he’s gotten past the third inning just once. Some was from his piggyback status earlier on, but he seems to be stuck at around 70 pitches, which doesn’t get one very deep into games. He hasn’t gone against the Reds this year and was 1-0/3.48 in two 2019 outings v the Redlegs. Castillo hasn’t given up fewer that three runs nor lasted longer than six frames in his last six outings, though on the plus side he’s fanned 52 in 37-1/3 IP. He will be meeting the Bucs for the first time in 2020, but was strong against them last year, slashing 1-0/1.50 in three starts. The duo have spread some bad mojo so far this year; both their teams are 1-6 when they appear.

Notes:

• Mitch Keller threw live today. He went 35 pitches with no problems, although his future status is still TBD. Jamo even tossed 20 live pitches, so he should be ready to crank it back up in 2021.
  
• In 35 games, the Pirates have used six 3B, six CF, six RF, five 1B, five LF, three SS, two 2B, two C and 27 P.
  
• Clayton Kershaw became the 39th MLB pitcher to fan 2,5000+ batters last night.