RHP Gerrit Cole (AP)
Game: Pirates (54-38) at Royals (55-36)
Time: 8:10 p.m.
Site: Kauffman Stadium
TV, radio: ROOT Sports, KDKA-FM 93.7
Weather: 77 and sunny
Pirates
1. Gregory Polanco RF
2. Neil Walker 2B
3. Andrew McCutchen CF
4. Starling Marte LF
5. Jung Ho Kang SS
6. Pedro Alvarez DH
7. Brent Morel 3B
8. Chris Stewart C
9. Sean Rodriguez 1B
Gerrit Cole RHP
Royals
1. Alcides Escobar SS
2. Mike Moustakas 3B
3. Lorenzo Cain CF
4. Eric Hosmer 1B
5. Kendrys Morales DH
6. Salvador Perez C
7. Omar Infante 2B
8. Alex Rios RF
9. Jarrod Dyson LF
Jason Vargas LHP
Pedro Alvarez making his first start against a left-hander this season. It’s his first start against a southpaw since Aug. 14, 2014 — Washington Nationals lefty Gio Gonzalez. Alvarez started 10 games against lefties last year.
The No. 1 reason for the move today, manager Clint Hurdle said, was “[Jason] Vargas' numbers against left-handers. He's a different kind of left-hander. He's going to show his fastball, the change-up is a go-to pitch. He's going to spin the ball on occassion. We'll see how much he wants to throw the changeup to left-handers. I know he has. But when you look at the other personnel in line, just get Pedro in a good spot here. Got four or five at-bats last night, run him out there and keep him swinging the bat."
Francisco Cervelli will be available in an ”emergency-only” scenario tonight, according to Hurdle. Cervelli has some swelling in his right forearm after being hit while blocking a ball in the dirt last night. It re-aggravated a bruise Cervelli got in Milwaukee over the weekend.
"It's better,“ Cervelli said. ”It's been sore for a couple days, and yesterday I got hit in the same spot and couldn't feel it after.“ He got hit in the sixth inning, tried to hit the next inning, ”and it didn’t feel right.”
As for his save, when he ran down the line to keep A.J. Burnett from behind ejected? "I've got to protect my guy,” Cervelli said with a smile. “I've got to try to not let the umpire see his face.” That speed? "That's good, eh? I run like that to first, I may be safe."
Royals opening day starter Yordano Ventura, their ace last season, was optioned to Class AAA Omaha today, one day after the Pirates touched him up for six runs in four innings. That’s a big move. Here’s Hurdle, joking, when he heard the news: "What would the skipper say in Major League, the movie? [gravelly voice] 'Gotta send him back for some more seasoning.' I got sent back for more seasoning a couple times."
Hurdle on life with a DH vs. without one: "I don't know if it's easier. I have this conversation with Jim Leyland. Jim will tell you it's harder [to use a DH] because in the National League so many times your decision can be made for you. I understand that. That's a very solid, sound argument. Here they say you've just got to know when to take your pitcher out. I get that as well. It's probably more familiarity. I'm more comfortable within the National League game than the American League game. It's kind of weird for me to say, OK, the pitcher's not hitting so we get to put an extra hitter in. Well, I've only got three guys on the bench. What happened? Did somebody leave early? ... Hardly any pinch-hitting. It's just different."
Because you’ve read this far, here, read up on this fun conversation between Hurdle and Rex Hudler before the game.
CLINT HURDLE: Hey there Rex, how are ya? Same last letters in his name as mine. Hudler. Hurdle.
REX HUDLER: That's right. Way to go, buddy. My honor.
CH: My honor.
RH: No.
CH: My honor.
RH: You see, I'd like to have your career, but I don't.
CH: No.
RH: Thank you.
CH: You're welcome. We both learned there's money to be made once we stop playing.
RH: Go ahead, man. Give me that. [fist bump] How have you been able to keep that hair like that? That's beautiful.
CH: Gel.
RH: I needed help with mine. I had to go get some stuff done.
CH: Did ya?
RH: Yeah, tidied it up.
CH: I just gel it up and go.
RH: You're blessed.
CH: My wife, I think it was 2007, Karla looked at me and goes, "The crew cut forever?" I was like, wow! Wow! I didn't have that from you, hun! I guess we'll grow it out a little bit and see where it goes! It was basically her call or I thought she might start dipping into the free-agent market. Figured that was another good career move: grow your hair out.
First Published: March 24, 2016, 5:01 p.m.