Pirates/MLB
Pittsburgh Pirates CUBS (1-1) @ PIRATES (1-1)
Today’s pitching matchup at 12:35 p.m. has James McDonald (12-8, 4.21 ERA in 2012) going against Cubs starter Travis Wood (6-13, 4.27 in 2012). Both are pitchers who struggled mightily in the second half of last season.
McDonald who was roughed up Saturday by Double-A Altoona, started last season 9-3 but went 3-5 with a 7.08 ERA in 12 starts from July 13. If he gets off to a bad start in April, he may never get his confidence back.
In his last three starts vs the Cubs, McDonald is 0-2 with a 7.04 ERA.
The lefty Wood went 4-3 with a 3.05 ERA in his first 10 starts in 2012 but went 2-10 with a 5.07 ERA in his final 16 starts of 2012.
The Pirates will make a couple lineup changes with Russell Martin batting second, Gaby Sanchez cleanup and Pedro Alvarez batting 5th. Jose Tabata will get the start in right field.
PIRATES LINEUP
1. Starling Marte (.143- 0 HR – 1 RBI), LF
2. Russell Martin (.000 – 0 HR – 0 RBI), C
3. Andrew McCutchen (.333 – 0 HR – 1 RBI), CF
4. Gaby Sanchez (.000 – 0 HR – 1 RBI), 1B
5. Pedro Alvarez (.250 – 0 HR – 1 RBI), 3B
6. Neil Walker (.333 – 0 HR – 0 RBI), 2B
7. Jose Tabata (.000 – 0 HR – 0 RBI), RF
8. Clint Barmes (.200 – 0 HR – 0 RBI), SS
9. James McDonald, P
