BY JOSH YOHE
ATLANTA — Getting ready for first pitch …
Game: Pirates (30-25) vs. Atlanta Braves (27-28), 1:35 p.m., Turner Field
Pitchers: RHP Gerrit Cole (8-2, 1.90) vs. LHP Alex Wood (4-2, 3.19)
TV, radio: Root Sports, 93.7 The Fan
Online: Gameday / Multimedia / Media notes
Pregame notes 11:52 a.m.: The Pirates are using a heavy right-handed lineup against the lefty Wood. Neil Walker, Gregory Polanco and Pedro Alvarez are getting the day off. Of note, Corey Hart didn’t crack the lineup, as the Pirates instead are going with Jose Tabata and Starling Marte flanking Andrew McCutchen in the outfield. Clint Hurdle explained that Hart’s defensive limitations prompted him to go with Tabata. “He’s working,” Hurdle said of Hart. “He’s doing the best he can with the opportunities he gets. That’s the way it is.” Hurdle said he would like to get Alvarez and Polanco at-bats against left-handed pitching soon, but given that it’s a day game and that the Pirates have seen so few southpaws this season, he didn’t hesitate to give them the day off … Polanco is available but isn’t 100 percent. He was walking with a noticeable limp last night. Hurdle explained that Polanco tweaked his knee while diving back to first base last night. The manager didn’t seem concerned about the injury … Although Hurdle remains intrigued by the idea of keeping Marte hitting in the two-hole, he’s back in the cleanup spot today. The Pirates don’t really have a reasonable answer in the cleanup spot other than Marte, given today’s lineup… Don’t look for Gerrit Cole to have any trouble with the hot Altlanta weather today. It’s forecast to hit close to 90 today, but Cole entered the clubhouse wearing a suit and tie, along with a toque on his head. He’s from California, so perhaps the heat is simply something he enjoys.
Josh Harrison has a Josh Harrison caricature on his wristbands. — GETTY
June 7, 2015
Pregame notes: Pirates-Braves
by Josh Yohe • Game previews
BY JOSH YOHE
ATLANTA — Getting ready for first pitch …
Game: Pirates (30-25) vs. Atlanta Braves (27-28), 1:35 p.m., Turner Field
Pitchers: RHP Gerrit Cole (8-2, 1.90) vs. LHP Alex Wood (4-2, 3.19)
TV, radio: Root Sports, 93.7 The Fan
Online: Gameday / Multimedia / Media notes
Pregame notes 11:52 a.m.: The Pirates are using a heavy right-handed lineup against the lefty Wood. Neil Walker, Gregory Polanco and Pedro Alvarez are getting the day off. Of note, Corey Hart didn’t crack the lineup, as the Pirates instead are going with Jose Tabata and Starling Marte flanking Andrew McCutchen in the outfield. Clint Hurdle explained that Hart’s defensive limitations prompted him to go with Tabata. “He’s working,” Hurdle said of Hart. “He’s doing the best he can with the opportunities he gets. That’s the way it is.” Hurdle said he would like to get Alvarez and Polanco at-bats against left-handed pitching soon, but given that it’s a day game and that the Pirates have seen so few southpaws this season, he didn’t hesitate to give them the day off … Polanco is available but isn’t 100 percent. He was walking with a noticeable limp last night. Hurdle explained that Polanco tweaked his knee while diving back to first base last night. The manager didn’t seem concerned about the injury … Although Hurdle remains intrigued by the idea of keeping Marte hitting in the two-hole, he’s back in the cleanup spot today. The Pirates don’t really have a reasonable answer in the cleanup spot other than Marte, given today’s lineup… Don’t look for Gerrit Cole to have any trouble with the hot Altlanta weather today. It’s forecast to hit close to 90 today, but Cole entered the clubhouse wearing a suit and tie, along with a toque on his head. He’s from California, so perhaps the heat is simply something he enjoys.
Josh Harrison has a Josh Harrison caricature on his wristbands. — GETTY