Archie v Dereck Rodriguez, Lineup & Notes - Moran at 2B, Diaz Back, Jake to IL

Game: It’s a 1:35 Kids Day match at PNC, with the game on AT&T SportsNet and 93.7 The Fan. The Bucs are looking for a sweep on Kid’s Day, with the 14-and-under young ‘uns getting a drawstring bag as their swag. The weather should be fine if chilly (upper 50′s high), with morning showers but drying out for the afternoon, although a stray sprinkle may linger.

Lineup: Cole Tucker SS, Melky Cabrera RF, Colin Moran 2B, Josh Bell 1B, Fran Cervelli C, Jung Ho Kang 3B, Bryan Reynolds CF, Jason Martin LF, Chris Archer P. Redbeard takes his bow at second base; he’s never played there at the pro level but does have four MLB frames at short back in 2017, with a handful of innings at SS in the minors. We’re beginning to worry a little about Fraze – an infielder with back issues isn’t exactly ideal for the long run.

Pitchers: RHP Chris Archer (1-0/2.00) ends the set against LHP Dereck Rodriguez (2-2/3.63). Archie finished up his suspension without much damage done to the rotation. He’s only faced the G-men twice, in 2016 and 2013, and lost both outings with a 4.85 ERA. D-Rod (he’s Pudge Rodriguez’s son) took on the Pirates last year, going seven innings and giving up one run on two hits for the win. He’s not a flamethrower or big punch out guy (6.8K/nine IP), but in his two seasons, he’s been plenty tough with an 8-6/2.94 line, using a mix of four pitches.

Notes:

• C Elias Diaz was activated today. The team placed C Jacob Stallings on the 10-day IL with a cervical neck strain, retroactive to 4/18, which may explain why Cervy has carried the load without a blow while also buying some time for the out-of-options Jake. Clint also told the beat gang that Gregory Polanco could be added to the active roster sometime during this homestand (the home stretch goes on til Thursday and his rehab window ends Friday, so it’s not much of a push). No word on Kevin Newman, who’s been taking infield but still on the IL with a cut finger. He was eligible to come off the list yesterday.
• Cole Tucker on his debut: “Who the hell gets a curtain call in the major leagues? It was soooo cool.” And the less animated Bryan Reynolds was equally as happy, getting his first MLB knock off the team that traded him last year. He said he didn’t even think of that connection at the time, but the hit did lift the pressure off him.
• The game yesterday lasted 1:32; the delay was 3:08 before they called it off. The attendance was 17,663, at least before the dark and stormies took over.
• The Tampa Bay Rays placed OF Austin Meadows on the 10-day IL with a sprained thumb. He and Tyler Glasnow are turning heads in Tampa so far this year.