Sunday: Chad Kuhl Closes Out Set Against Sandy Alcantara; Redbeard, Austin Added, Tuck Optioned, Kells On Covid IL

Today’s Game: The series concludes at 1:05 and will be aired by AT&T SportsNet & 93.7 The Fan. The Bucs are looking for a four-game brooming of the Fish this afternoon

Lineup: Adam Frazier 2B; Ke’Bryan Hayes 3B; Bryan Reynolds CF; Colin Moran 1B; Gregory Polanco RF; Erik Gonzalez SS; Ben Gamel LF; Michael Perez C; Chad Kuhl P. A Sunday lineup, with Jake Stallings & Kevin Newman getting a blow.

Pitchers: RHP Chad Kuhl (0-2/6.41) closes it out v RHP Sandy Alcantara (2-5/3.68). After a long layoff on the IL, Chad returned and got some of the rust knocked off of him v KC. He did avoid homers and walks, his bane, and his slider was nasty at times, so we’ll see if he can build off that outing. He’s lost 2-of-3 starts against Miami, but hasn’t seen them since 2018. Alcantara has been a workhorse and done a decent job without a lot of help; he suffers from the same problem as Bucco pitchers – half of his 12 starts have been backed up by three or fewer runs. He has no decisions against the Pirates and last faced them in 2019.

Notes:

• 1B Colin Moran & LHP Austin Davis were added to the active roster after Indy rehab stints, UT Cole Tucker was optioned to Indy, and RHP Mitch Keller was placed on the Covid-IL (no minimum stay). Maybe that was the cause of his mysterious “heat illness” Friday. UT Phil Evans is still rehabbing in AAA, but should be back soon – he’s banged five hits in 10 ABs, including a couple of doubles. The FO has some tough roster decisions when he, Mitch and Trevor Cahill return.
• The Pirates, btw, haven’t swept a series yet this season.
• OF JaCoby Jones was DFA’ed by the Tigers. He was the prospect the Buccos traded to Motown for Joakim Soria back in 2016, and he’s spent all six years since with El Tigres as a good glove, meh stick (.212) CF’er.
• The US Baseball team qualified for the Olympics with a 4-2 victory over Venezuela to win the American sectional. Todd Frazier went 4-for-4 with a homer, double, two RBI and two runs scored. 

Tomorrow’s Game: Monday is an off day before the Dodgers come to town for a three-game set starting on Tuesday with JT Brubaker taking the hill v Walker Buehler. The opener starts at 7:05 and will be on AT&T SportsNet & 93.7 The Fan. It’s also Pup Night for Bucco fur parents.