Saturday Lidlifter v Rox: JT Brubaker v Jon Gray; Tom Back

Today’s Game: The game starts at 12:05 and will be on AT&T SportsNet & 93.7 The Fan. It’s part of a split rainout doubleheader, so it’s scheduled for seven innings and its own ticket. The Bucs and Rox would like to get this series in; it’s Colorado’s only scheduled visit to Pittsburgh.

Lineup: Adam Frazier 2B; Ben Gamel LF; Bryan Reynolds CF; Gregory Polanco RF; Will Craig 1B; Wilmer Dido 3B; Cole Tucker SS; Michael Perez C; JT Brubaker P.

Pitchers: RHP JT Brubaker (3-4/4.20) faces RHP Jon Gray (4-4/3.43).  Bru has hit the earth hard in his last two outings, giving up 12 runs on 15 hits in 11 IP. Homers have been a factor; he gave up three during his last start against the Bravos and has a six-game streak of yielding at least one gopher ball. This is his first meet up with the Rox. Gray is an extreme Colorado Jekyll and Hyde, with a 2.36 ERA at Coors Field (he’s made seven of his 10 starts there) and small sample 6.36 road ERA. He hasn’t had much luck against the Bucs, going 1-1/7.78 in four lifetime starts, with the most recent appearance in 2019.

Notes:

• OF Ka’ai Tom has been reinstated from the IL and will serve as the 27th man for today’s doubleheader. The Bucs delay making a roster cut by a day.
• Per Shelty, Phil Evans and Colin Moran will be sent on rehab assignments before returning to action while Chad Kuhl’s next start will be with the big club, date yet to be decided although he does lineup for Sunday’s game.
• OF Travis Swaggerty (shoulder dislocation) has been placed on the 60-day IL by Indy, which pretty much deep-sixes this season.
• Jose Tabata, who’s been out of baseball since 2018, is back - the 32-year-old signed with the West Virginia Power, no longer a Pirates affiliate but a member of the Atlantic League, a “partner league” of MLB, whatever that means. He doubled in his first at bat back last night.

Next Game: The game is scheduled to start at 4:05 and will be on AT&T SportsNet & 93.7 The Fan. Mitch Keller takes on Austin Gomber.