North Shore Nine

The Pirates are back in action today to face the Orioles at McKechnie Field for the first of two straight games against the O’s. First pitch is set for 1:05PM.

Pirates left-hander Jeff Locke will take the mound today to make his fifth start of spring training. Locke has been working on a new delivery and given up 11 runs in 14.0 innings of work this spring. According to Neal Huntington, Locke is not guaranteed a rotation spot and is battling with Vogelsong and Nicasio for the last two spots in rotation. Call me crazy, but I just can’t see a 38-year-old Vogelsong making the rotation over Locke.

Mark Melancon is also scheduled to pitch in relief as well as Cory Luebke. Melancon is having a great spring with five scoreless innings and looks to be ready for the season.

The Orioles will counter with Miguel Gonzalez on the mound. Gonzalez struggled last season with a 4.91 ERA in 26 starts for the O’s. He holds a 14.90 ERA in 9.2 innings of work this spring. 

The Bucs own a 6-13-1 record in spring training with 10 games remaining.

Pirates lineup

Jaso 1B

McCutchen CF

Freese 3B

Marte LF

Cervelli C 

Polanco RF

Harrison 2B

Mercer SS

SP-Jeff Locke