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Pittsburgh vs. Milwaukee, 18 April 2007

8:05 PM, FSNP, WPGB

Paul Maholm (0-1, 5.40) vs. Claudio Vargas (0-0, 5.14).

Here is the box. It's a pretty standard lineup for the Bucs, with Freddy Sanchez back in the third spot and Adam LaRoche at cleanup. Prince Fielder rests for the Brewers. As Brew Crew Ball points out, they're going with an all-righthanded lineup (except for catcher Johnny Estrada, who's a switch-hitter) so expect the Bucs' righty relievers to get some work tonight. As for Vargas, we faced him twice last year when he was with the D-Backs. He pitched six innings and allowed two runs in both games. He's still a back-of-the-rotation pitcher, and he has been since breaking in with Montreal in 2003, but he had solid ratios last year while pitching in a tough ballpark, and he has struck out eleven batters this year without walking anyone, which may bode well for him this year. Vargas has excellent stuff - he has a good curve and throws in the mid-90s.

Since this is the first time we've faced the Brew Crew this season, here, again, is my Milwaukee season preview.

I'll be watching this one and posting in the comments. Feel free to join me.

By the way, I put the scoreboard back up in the right sidebar, so you can follow scores from all over the majors from right here.