Game Thread: Bucs and Cubs, Round II

Joe Musgrove will try to keep his hot streak rolling Tuesday against the Chicago Cubs.

Musgrove (6-7, 4.27) has turned in back to back gems, with his most recent being a six inning shutout in Houston. He’s 0-1 against the Cubs this year, allowing two unearned runs over 6.1 innings on Apr. 1.

Chicago will send Kyle Hendricks (7-5, 3.36) to the mound. He has just been activated off the IL and will likely be on an abbreviated pitch count (60-75, according to MLB.com.) That could be good news for the Bucs since Hendricks has posted a career 3.14 ERA against them in 13 starts.

Hendricks’ pitch mix is still changeup heavy, but it has been hit harder this year. Batters have hit to a .302 average against it with a .328 wOBA thus far. Hendricks isn’t afraid to throw it to either lefties or righties, but the southpaws could be excited to see it. Lefty swinging Pirates have a .275 batting average against changeups this year: the fifth best clip in baseball.

First pitch is scheduled for 7:05 p.m..

Lineups

Cubs

LF Kyle Schwarber

3B Kris Bryant

1B Anthony Rizzo

SS Javier Baez

C Willson Contreras

RF Jason Heyward

CF Albert Almora Jr.

2B Addison Russell

P Kyle Hendricks

Pirates

2B Adam Frazier

RF Bryan Reynolds

CF Starling Marte

1B Josh Bell

LF Corey Dickerson

3B Colin Moran

SS Kevin Newman

C Jacob Stallings

P Joe Musgrove