Saturday Afternoon: Trevor Cahill v Michael Pineda

Today’s game: The middle match starts at 2:10 and will be carried by AT&T SportsNet PITT2 & 93.7 The Fan.

Lineup: Adam Frazier 2B; Phil Evans LF; Bryan Reynolds CF; Colin Moran 1B; Erik Gonzalez 3B; Gregory Polanco RF; Todd Frazier DH; Michael Perez C; Kevin Newman SS and Trevor Cahill P. El Coffee & Perez in, Jake & Wilmer out.

Pitchers: RHP Trevor Cahill (0-2/9.69) goes against RHP Michael Pineda (1-0/1.00). With Cahill, it’s been simple so far – get out of the first couple of innings and you’re OK.  Unfortunately, he’s given up 13 runs in the first two frames over three games, so… The Twins have handled him pretty well. In 10 outings (eight starts), his line is 1-4/5.55. Pineda hasn’t worked much in the past two seasons as he came off a PED suspension in September last year. In three starts this year, he’s gone 18 IP, giving up just two runs on 10 hits to go with 17 punch outs. The 32-year-old has only taken the bump once against the Pirates, going five innings and giving up three runs in 2017.

Notes:

• If you’re wondering, newly acquired OF Ka’ai Tom has to clear the MLB Covid protocol before he can join the club.
• The Pirates are getting their money’s worth from Phil Evans. He’s played both corner infield spots, both corner OF positions, pitched and DH’ed. 
• Kyle Crick has given up no runs/one hit in 21 at-bats (he does have four walks and a HBP).
• The Pirates have gone five straight games/47 innings without an error, quite an improvement over the spring and a good job for a team that likes to move its players around.

Tomorrow’s Game: The finale is at 2:10 and will be on AT&T SportsNet & 93.7 The Fan. The Twins will send out RHP Matt Shoemaker, with the Bucco hurler TBD. The Bucs have Monday off and then will face the Royals in a quick two-game set at PNC Park.