Game Thread: Pirates will experiment with ‘The Opener’

The Pirates will be practicing the concept of ‘Bullpenning’ by using Montana DuRapau as ‘The Opener’. Interestingly enough, Pittsburgh experimented with this option as far back as 1990 when Ted Power started Game 6 of the 1990 NLCS.

This will be the first game DuRapau has started since 2011.

Adam Frazier, Colin Moran, and Kevin Newman return to the lineup tonight to face Padres southpaw starter Nick Margevicius, who has allowed eight runs on 15 hits during his last two starts.

It will be curious to see how Clint Hurdle strategizes tonight. How long will DuRapau go? Will he use a starter at some point? More importantly, if The Opener struggles, how will that affect his game plan?

First pitch is scheduled for 8:40 EST.

Lineups

Pirates

2B Adam Frazier

CF Starling Marte

RF Gregory Polanco

1B Josh Bell

LF Bryan Reynolds

C Elias Diaz

3B Colin Moran

SS Kevin Newman

P Montana DuRapau

Padres

2B Ian Kinsler

RF Franmil Reyes

SS Manny Machado

1B Eric Hosmer

LF Hunter Renfroe

3B Ty France

CF Wil Myers

C Austin Hedges

P Nick Margevicius