Pirates Gerrit Cole Faces Stiff Test Against Orioles Lineup

Gerrit Cole will have some work to do today as the Orioles will go with the toughest lineup the Bucs have faced this spring.   And later this afternoon the younger Buccos right hander will face the best lineup Team USA can put on the field in a win-or-else showdown in the World Baseball Classic.   Jameson Taillon will pitch in the most important game he’s pitched in a long time.  Maybe ever?

A Canada win will force Team USA to have to qualify to get in the next WBC.  Now that would be hilarious.

It’s a big day for  the kids!

Roberts at second

Nate the Great in left

Weiters behind the plate

Davis at first base

Betemit will be the DH

Hardy will be at shortstop

Dickerson in center

Machado at third

Flaherty in right

Miguel Gonzalez on the mound for the O’s.  Chirs Tillman was scheduled to go, but was pulled due to some concerns with the 24-year old’s health.

Also scheduled to pitch for the Pirates will be Justin Wilson, Mark Melancon and Ryan Reid, Kris Johnson and Hunter Strickland.  Let’s trust Cole can move through the O’s lineup quickly.

We haven’t been able to spot a Buccos lineup as of yet.

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Jonathan Sanchez will get the start against the Minnesota Twins today.  Liam Hendricks will go for the Twins.  What an important start for Sanchez it will be.  The southpaw needs to throw strikes

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Charlie Morton will throw his first live batting practice session tomorrow.