Pirates Look for Fourth Straight Against Rays

The Pittsburgh Pirates will take on the Tampa Bay Rays

in Grapefruit action. The Pirates are playing some solid baseball this week.  We typically don’t pay attention to the Bucs spring training record–usually because it sucks.  But if the Pirates can keep their confidence at the plate, maybe April won’t be so bad after all.

The Rays BJ Upton is still out after a collision with Desmond Jennings. The team was held hitless in yesterday’s game against the Blue Jays until Brandon Guyer’s leadoff single in the sixth inning.

Clint Barmes is swinging a hot bat for the Bucs with seven hits in eight games this spring. It was a bit surprising to me as he struggled a bit early in camp when we saw him. It would be a pleasant surprise if Barmes had a hot bat with the Bucs this year.

Jake Fox has two bombs and a double in his last four at-bats. Fox is in a battle for a bench job and if he keeps swinging like this, we like his chances.