Gamethread: Gerrit Cole in Game 3 vs Phillies

Gerrit Cole, the Pirates’ presumptive ace but who has struggled along to a 4.51 ERA over 17 starts this year, takes on the Phillies at 7:05 p.m. Wednesday. The series is so far split at one game apiece, and the host team which sports the worst record in MLB (28-54, .341, 21 games out of 1st) trots out a rookie pitcher whom not even I had heard of, forcing me to look him up so that I may better inform you, the readers.

Ben Lively, 1-3 with a 3.72 ERA in sic career MLB starts, was drafted by the Reds out of Central Florida U in the 4th round of the 2013 draft. Acquired by the Phils before 2015, since the start of the 2016 season Lively has made 37 minor league starts in Double-A and Triple-A, compiling a 24-6 W/L record and a 2.51 ERA. Lively showed good control and at least an average K-rate, walking 7 while striking out 45 in 56 ¹⁄₃ innings at Triple-A this year, but has issued 12 walks and gotten only 13 K’s in 38 ²⁄₃ MLB innings, while somehow managing a 3.72 ERA.

While pitching to contact in a small park, Lively has a 91.2 mph fastball, using his 4-seam 39% of the time, 2-seam 23%, Curve 20% and Change 8%.

The smoldering hot John Jaso starts in left field while Adam Frazier takes a rest, with the remainder of the lineup as expected.

The Phillies have six lefty swingers in the lineup vs Cole (four switch, two straight left)

PIRATES

1 R Josh Harrison, 2B

2 L John Jaso, LF

3 R Andrew McCutchen, CF

4 L Josh Bell, 1B

5 R David Freese, 3B

6 L Gregory Polanco, RF

7 R Francisco Cervelli, C

8 R Jordy Mercer, SS

9 R Gerrit Cole, RHP

PHILLIES

1 S Daniel Nava, LF

2 S Freddy Galvis, SS

3 R Maikel Franco, 3B

4 R Tommy Joseph, 1B

5 L Nick Williams, RF

6 S Andres Blanco, 2B

7 L Odubel Herrera, CF

8 S Andrew Knapp, C

9 R Ben Lively, RHP