GAME #3, PIRATES AT BOSTON RED SOX

[Bear]

PIRATES V RED SOX

THURSDAY, APRIL 6, 2017, 1:35 PM AT FENWAY PARK

TV:  NESN, MLBN, ROOTPT

PITTSBURGH, 0-2............................................................BOSTON, 2-0

PITTSBURGH:

CHAD KUHL, RHP, 0-0, -.-ERA

After a solid debut (4.20ERA in 14 starts) kuhl solicified a rotation spot with a
stong spring.  The Pirates believe the sinkerballer is capable is capable of
more, especially if he rediscovers his Minor League League ground-ball rate.

BOSTON:

EDUARDO RODRIGUEZ, LHP, 0-0, -.-ERA

After starting last season on the DL, the promising lefty will be there from
the outset this time around.  Rodriguez will try to improve his
performance after going 0-4 with a 6.02 ERA in nine home starts last year.

E-Rod, Kuhl set to close out opening Fenway series

Adam Berry

Weather permitting, the Pirates and Red Sox will wrap up their opening series Thursday afternoon at Fenway Park with a pair of young arms on the mound.

The Red Sox will hand the ball to lefty Eduardo Rodriguez.

"He's primed and ready to go," Boston manager John Farrell said. "I thought he had a number of outings in Spring Training where he was not only powerful, but had an improved slider that was more defined. From a health standpoint too, he's ready to go."

The Pirates will turn to second-year starter Chad Kuhl, who showed his competitive edge - but perhaps not his full capabilities as a ground-ball pitcher -- in a solid rookie season. Kuhl finished 5-4 with a 4.20 ERA in 14 starts as a rookie.

Kuhl expects to have plenty of family in attendance after making the five-to-six-hour drive from his native Delaware. The 24-year-old right-hander said he has previously attended one game at Fenway Park, sitting behind the bullpens during a trip to play Northeastern University in 2013.

"Beautiful park," Kuhl said. "Awesome energy."

THREE THINGS TO KNOW ABOUT THIS GAME

• Rodriguez has excelled at limiting hard contact in each of the past two seasons. From 2015-16, his average exit velocity allowed of 87.0 mph was the fifth-lowest among pitchers with at least 500 batted balls. Clayton Kershaw and Jake Arrieta tied for the lead at 86.2 mph.

• Right fielder Mookie Betts was out of Boston's lineup Wednesday night due to flu-like symptoms, but he does not have the flu.

• Gregory Polanco will be the Pirates' designated hitter, as he was on Opening Day, with Adam Frazier likely returning to left field. The Bucs are playing it safe with Polanco's sore left shoulder but felt he was healthy enough to start in left Wednesday night.

http://m.mlb.com/news/article/20170405222465956/e-rod-kuhl-set-to-close-out-opening-fenway-series/?game_pk=490143

[Bear]

RESERVED

[Bill-806]

  Dreams of an undefeated season loom !!! thumb_u

[longgame]

Looks like heavy rain all afternoon in Boston.

[Bear]

Game ppd.....bummer PPD till next thur @ 2 pm

[SeaBeachFred]

I was looking forward to eating a nice lunch while watching the ball game this afternoon but got all the air let out my balloon when that typical crappy Boston weather put the kibosh on it.  A real bummer.