Pirates vs. Marlins - 9/17/21

Pittsburgh Pirates (54-91) vs. Miami Marlins (62-84), September 17, 2021 @ 7:10 p.m.

Location: loadDepot Park, Miami, FL

TV: AT&T SportsNet Pittsburgh

Radio: KDKA-AM/FM

Marlins SB Nation Site: Fish Stripes

Projected Starters

Pirates: Wil Crowe (3-7, 5.97 ERA)

Marlins: Elieser Hernandez (1-1, 4.14 ERA)

Projected Lineups (subject to change)

Pirates

1. Ke’Bryan Hayes (3B)
2. Yoshi Tsutsugo (RF)
3. Bryan Reynolds (CF)
4. Colin Moran (1B)
5. Jacob Stallings (C)
6. Cole Tucker (SS)
7. Anthony Alford (LF)
8. Hoy Park (2B)
9. Wil Crowe (P)

Marlins

1. Miguel Rojas (SS)
2. Jazz Chisholm Jr. (2B)
3. Bryan De La Cruz (CF)
4. Jesus Sanchez (RF)
5. Lewis Brinson (LF)
6. Lewin Diaz (1B)
7. Payton Henry (C)*
8. Eddy Alvarez (3B)
9. Elieser Hernandez (P)

*Making MLB debut.

After a successful homestand, the Pirates head to Florida to take on the Miami Marlins in the first of a three-game series tonight.

It’s a bit of a surprise that Derek Shelton passed on starting Ben Gamel tonight in favor of Anthony Alford, especially with a right-handed pitcher starting for the Marlins. However, we get a great consolation prize in seeing Cole Tucker starting tonight and, as an added bonus, hitting sixth in the lineup.

Wil Crowe, who has put together some decent starts as of late, will face a Marlins lineup with a bit of a different look than when these two teams met last.

Now without Starling Marte, Miami is looking towards Bryan De La Cruz to man center field. While he’s no Marte, he can generate some quality at-bats.

He’ll also have to deal with a new face in Payton Henry, who is making his MLB debut, according to Marlins insider Craig Mish.

ROSTER NEWS: Jason Mackey of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette tweeted earlier today that Max Kranick is with the team as part of the taxi squad. Putting two and two together, Kranick will likely start Sunday’s series finale.

Let’s round out the preview/game thread on an interesting note, also tweeted by Mackey, regarding Chris Stratton’s usage this season.

Let’s start this series off on the right foot, boys.