Here’s Why Brandon Inge Is In Lineup Today Against Cliff Lee

The Pittsburgh Pirates attempt to take the four game series against the Philadelphia Phillies today in sunny Philadelphia.  It’s the first series of a ten game road trip that has them stopping in Philly, St. Louis and then wrapping it up in Milwaukee against the hated Brewers.

The Bucs are hot right now having won six of their last eight games, nine of their last twelve and have gone 11-4 after losing four straight earlier this year.  The Pirates have won a season-high tying three straight games twice this year.

Last season the Bucs had a 9-12 record after 21 games and were 10-12 after 22 games.  The Bucs are currently 12-9.

Brandon Inge has a pretty good run going and he is in the lineup today for Neil Walker.  The Pittsburgh Kid has been having difficulty against left-handed pitching (3-for-23 this year) and a day of rest should do him good.  It did wonders for Pedro Alvarez.

But this is more about Inge who thanks to a drawn in infield last night has provided a spark for the Bucs in his first two games.  #LunaticInge has now hit safely in 21 of his last 23 games in the bigs going back to his time with Oakland last year.

He is even better against Cliff Lee.  Inge, who is playing second base and batting second, is 16-for-43 against the Phillies lefty with a double and three bombs.  Inge has 16 hits which are tied for third most off Lee and trails only Magglio Ordonez and Paul Konerko.

A four hit day puts him in the lead.  Let’s trust that happens.

Gaby Sanchez has gone deep in each of his last two starts and is 6-for-11 in his last six games
overall…He has gone 6-for-18 with two doubles and two home runs so far against lefties…In addition, he is also hitting
at a .381 clip (8-for-21) while batting cleanup this year.
THIS MONTH: The Bucs bring a 12-9 record into today’s game after going 10-12 in the opening month of last season…
Pittsburgh hasn’t won more than 12 games in the first month of the season since going 14-10 in 2002