After last night’s disappointing loss, the Bucs have a chance to make up ground today with their double-header against the Nats. Honestly, though, I’m a bit worried about how this one is lining up for the Buccos. Clint Hurdle almost emptied the bullpen last night, using five guys, and James McDonald is starting the first leg of the double header today. In McDonald’s five June starts, he didn’t make it to the sixth inning in three of them and he didn’t make it out of the fourth in two. If McDonald makes a short start this afternoon, that could put an awful lot of pressure on Brad Lincoln in the nightcap.
I think Lincoln will probably be fine tonight as long as he keeps the ball in the park, but he hasn’t started since June 24th since the Bucs knew he’d be starting today and that makes me a little worried about rust. Lincoln’s at least been capable of going seven innings this year in Indianapolis. I think he might have to tonight. There’s no word on who the Pirates will be demoting in his place, though Jose Tabata’s injury could mean that it’s a reliever rather than a position player. If it’s a reliever, it’ll shorten the bullpen even more. Honestly, though, the only purpose that Tim Wood and Danny Moskos serve right now is to tempt Clint Hurdle to start an inning with them, which usually results in them putting a runner on and getting a quick hook (or being left out on the mound to wilt with the game on the line). I suppose I’m saying that they won’t be missed much.
The Nats are sending lefty John Lannan and Livian Hernandez to the mound today. They teed off on Hernandez earlier this year and did OK against Lannan as well. Both guys are low-strikeout guys that shouldn’t give the Pirates nearly as much trouble as Tom Gorzelanny did last night, especially if the Pirates can draw some walks early and put people on base. Any time you’ve got a double header you’re shooting for a split, but if the Pirates bring their bats today I think a sweep is possible.
First pitch in Game 1 is at 3:35. Game 2 starts shortly after Game 1.
