Pittsburgh Pirates Vs. Minnesota Twins Game 39 Preview
By Larry Snyder
After enjoying an off day Monday, the Pittsburgh Pirates (18-20) are back in action tonight as they host the Minnesota Twins (21-17) in interleague action at PNC Park. The Bucs are 1-2 against the American League this season.
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The crew of the Jolly Roger went 3-4 on their seven game road trip to Philadelphia (2-2) and Chicago (1-2). Minnesota is the second Amerian League team to visit the North Shore this season. They join the Detroit Tigers, who squared off with Pittsburgh Monday, April 13 in the home opener.
The Twins, under manager Paul Molitor, are 14-5 at home, but just 7-12 on the road. The matchup with the Bucs is their first interleague series this season. After putting up a 1-6 mark to begin the season, Minnesota has gone 20-11 since Wednesday, April 15 which is the third most wins in baseball since that date.
UPDATE: Stephen J. Nesbitt of the Post-Gazette is reporting that the Pirates promoted outfielder Jose Tabata from the Triple-A Indianapolis Indians Tuesday, and optioned right-handed pitcher Wilfredo Boscan back to Indy. Also, infielder Justin Sellers has been placed on the 60-day disabled list.
When: Tuesday, May 19
First Pitch: 7:05 p.m. ET
Site: PNC Park
Playing Surface: Natural Grass
Television Coverage: ROOT Sports Network
Radio Coverage: KDKA-FM 93.7 – The Fan
Announcers: Greg Brown, Tim Neverett, Bob Walk, Steve Blass, and John Wehner
Live (Pay) Streaming: MLB.TV
Pittsburgh Pirates
Online Highlights: Pirates Video
Sirius XM Satellite Radio: XM Channel 184, XM Internet 861
All-Star Vote: 2015 Pirates Ballot
Odds: Pirates -1.5 According To OddsShark.com with the Over/Under at 7.5.
Weather Forecast: According to the Weather Channel, the forecast is mainly clear with winds out of the northwest at 10 to 15 mph. The low Tuesday evening is to be 48. Chance of rain is 0%.
Starting Pitchers: The Twins will send Ricky Nolasco (3-1, 6.38 ERA/1.80 WHIP) to the mound. The 6-foot-2, 235-pound righthander will be making his 10th career start and his 12th appearance against the Bucs. He is 5-4 with a 2.48 ERA, 58 strikeouts, and 15 walks against Pittsburgh. However, it should be noted that he has yet to throw through six innings in his last four assignments.
Clint Hurdle has decided to go with Francisco Liriano (1-3, 2.96 ERA/1.01 WHIP). The 6-foot-2, 225-pound lefthander is 1-0 with a 2.77 ERA in two career starts against Minnesota when he was with the White Sox.
5/19 @Pirates lineup vs MIN
— MLB Replays (@MLBReplays) May 19, 2015
Polanco RF
Walker 2B
McCutchen CF
Marte LF
Kang SS
Alvarez 1B
Harrison 3B
Cervelli C
Liriano P
5/19 @Twins lineup vs PIT
— MLB Replays (@MLBReplays) May 19, 2015
Santana SS
Dozier 2B
Mauer 1B
Plouffe 3B
Hunter RF
Suzuki C
Hicks CF
Robinson LF
Nolasco P
Next Matchup: The Pirates and Twins conclude their two-game set Wednesday at PNC Park. The first pitch is scheduled for 7:05 p.m. The Twins will send righthander Mike Pelfrey (3-1, 3.23 ERA/1.38 WHIP) to the hill and the Bucs will counter with lefthander Jeff Locke (2-2, 5.40 ERA/1.45 WHIP). The contest will be on ROOT Sports Pittsburgh.
Beyond The Scoreboard: Lefthander Tony Watson has permitted one hit in his last seven contests…Righthander Mark Melancon collected his 58th career save in a Pirates uniform Sunday which ranks him eighth in team history. Righthander Stan Belinda is next on the list with 61 career saves…Corey Hart has the team’s only pinch hit home run so far this season. He did it Monday, April 13 against the Tigers in the home opener. In addition, he has gone 6-for-13 with a walk and six RBI as a pinch hitter this season.
Next: Pirates holding in Top 20 this week of MLB Power Rankings