Pirates preseason: Buccos take on Twins

First, I want to say hello to Bucs Dugout. I’m the new Managing Editor and just want to introduce myself. I grew up in the Pittsburgh area and I graduated from Pitt. Though I moved away for about a decade after college, I found myself back home when it was time to raise a family, as many Pittsburghers who move away initially do (there’s no place like home!).

I’ve been with SB Nation for six years now and also currently serve as Managing Editor of The Dream Shake, which covers the Houston Rockets. Growing up here in the ‘Burgh without a NBA team in town, I fell in love with Hakeem Olajuwon back in 1986 and have been a fan ever since. But of course I love the Buccos too, and I’m looking forward to chatting with you all.

You can continue to count on the team of writers you’ve come to know and follow, along with new Deputy Editor Jeremy Brener, who knows his way around SB Nation, as this is now the fifth site in-network that he writes for, and our only goal is to continue building Bucs Dugout as a positive community for making friends and chatting Bucs.

But enough about me, let’s get to the Bucs, as they take on the Minnesota Twins today in preseason action.

Pittsburgh Pirates (7-7 preseason) vs. Minnesota Twins (6-7 preseason) - Tues, March 16 @ 1:05pm

Stadium: Century Link Sports Complex, Fort Myers, Florida

TV: None

Radio: None

Webcast: Available to listen live via Pirates.com webcast. LISTEN HERE

Starting Pitchers

Pirates: Chad Kuhl - RHP - (1-1) - 6.00 ERA - 5 total Ks

Twins: Jose Berrios - RHP - (1-0) - 0.00 ERA - 7 total Ks

Probable Starting Lineups (subject to last-minute changes)

Pirates

1. Kevin Newman - SS
2. Cole Tucker - 2B
3. Colin Moran - 1B
4. Todd Frazier - 3B
5. Dustin Fowler - LF
6. Brian Goodwin - RF
7. Michael Perez - C
8. Tony Wolters - DH
9. Wilmer Difo - CF

Twins

1. Max Kepler - RF
2. Josh Donaldson - 3B
3. Nelson Cruz - DH
4. Jorge Polanco - 2B
5. Miguel Sano - 1B
6. Mitch Garver - C
7. Byron Buxton - CF
8. Andrelton Simmons - SS
9. Brent Rooker - LF

The Pirates have lost three straight in preseason competition and are coming off a 12-3 defeat yesterday at the hands of the Baltimore Orioles. Adam Frazier went 2-for-3 with a run, while Ke’Bryan Hayes also went 2-for-3 with a run and 2 RBIs.

Tyler Anderson gave up 6 hits and 2 runs in 4 innings, and he also fanned 7, but the middle relief struggled, with Edgar Santana getting credited with 6 earned runs in a third of an inning, while Shea Spitzbarth gave up 2 runs on 2 hits in a big 8-run seventh for Baltimore.

The Bucs will look to get back on track today against a Twins teams with the second-worst run differential in the Grapefruit League, but they’re going up against Jose Berrios, who has yet to give up a run this Spring and has only surrendered 2 hits total in his 2 starts.

Let’s hope the Pirates’ bats can come alive today.

If you’re listening to the webcast, this is the place to talk about it. Chat down below!