Pirates-Indians Pregame: Happy Independence Day!

Happy Fourth of July!!!

I hope you are able to spend time with your families and enjoy some good food and then sit down to watch some baseball...

Here are today’s pregame notes and lineups:

The Pirates traded minor league starter Clayton Richard to the Cubs Friday, which on the surface was not exactly huge news as he hasn’t pitched for the Major League team once this season.

However, below the surface that move could prove to be significant if the Pirates have an injury or two to the starting rotation because it is yet another blow to the organization’s starting pitching depth.

In fact, the Pirates starting pitching depth has gone from a strength to an area of real concern in a matter of a few months thanks to a rash of injuries.

As of right now, the next guy in line to start for the Pirates behind the five starters in the rotation and reliever Vance Worley is probably Radhames Liz, who was with the Major League team to start the season but was DFA’d May 25th after appearing in 11 games and failing to show any kind of consistency.

Beyond Liz the Pirates could look to some pitchers like Adrian Sampson and Chris Volstad, but they are all either unproven or to this point career minor leaguers.

Pirates manager Clint Hurdle doesn’t think there is any reason to panic because the team has six capable starters on the Major League roster, but he does agree that the margin for error is far less than what it the organization had envisioned at this point in the season.

“No I still think we are in a place where we are covered,” Hurdle said when asked about the lack of depth. “If something were to happen here and we lost two starters that might change. We have lost our surplus, we had great depth at one point, now our depth isn’t as deep.”

The Pirates could have help in the form of Casey Sadley, who is only on the 7-day DL, but they have lost Nick Kingham, Jameson Taillon and Brandon Cumpton for the season and Tyler Glasnow is probably not a viable option for this year either.

<subhead>Liz improving<subhead>

Liz was not claimed by another club when he was DFA’d so he is back pitching with the Pirates Class AAA affiliate in Indianapolis and he has recently moved into the starting rotation.

He has made two starts so far June 26 against Syracuse (4 IP, 0 R, 1 H, 6 K) and then Wednesday against Colorado (5 IP, 1 R, 3 H, 7K) and Hurdle said he has heard nothing but good reports on his progress.

“His last two starts have been good,” Hurdle said. “His velocity has been good and these starts have been more in line with the numbers we saw in winter ball, and then you factor they are in AAA.

“But his overall command has been very good and the right steps are in place for him to find his way back, he just needs to continue to pitch and get innings.”

<subhead>Promise kept<subhead>

Hurdle said he obviously would rather have been able to keep Richard in the Pirates organization but when they signed him they told him they’d help him find his way back to the Majors and they have indeed delivered on that.

“It backs up everything we said to him and what we stand for,” Hurdle said. “We were going to do everything we could to help this man get back to the Major Leagues and we’ve done that.”

<subhead>Buried Treasure<subhead>

Hurdle was asked how seriously he takes All Star balloting and he said “I take it seriously, I take it very seriously. When I get my ballot, I want to vote for the guys I think will help [the National League] win the game.”. …He said there are many factors in who he chooses and yes, familiarity is one of them especially in cases of a player who has consistently been a nemesis to the Pirates “Believe it or not I voted for [Reds third baseman] Todd Frazier,” he quipped, “he was one of my first votes.”. …Hurdle said Pedro Alvarez has shown great improvement in his throwing accuracy in recent weeks. “Six or seven of the last eight throws he’s made have been right on the money to start double plays,” he said. …Neil Walker has been swinging a hot bat since being moved back to the second spot in the lineup and Hurdle said that’s where he is going to stay for the time being for obvious reasons. …Starling Marte made a great throw off the wrong foot to get Yan Gomes out as he tried to stretch a single into a double. Hurdle said that’s a play you can’t teach a guy to make who doesn’t have Marte’s natural ability. “He made it look so easy, he had a little rhythm, a little dance step, I think [famous dance school founder] Arthur Murray picked it up. He is very creative.”

LINEUPS

Pirates

Harrison - 3B

Walker - 2B

McCutchen - CF

Marte - LF

Alvarez - 1B

Cervelli - C

Polanco - RF

Mercer - SS

Locke - LHP

Indians

Kipnis - 2B

Lindor - SS

Brantley - CF

Gomes - C

Santana - 1B

Urshela - 3B

Moss - RF

Aviles - LF

Anderson RHP