Pirates Preview: Buccos Go for Rubber Match Win Over ‘Stros

Danny Demilio |

Jun 5, 2025

Mitch Keller, Pittsburgh Pirates — Photo provided by Matt Lynch

A day after suffering a shutout-loss, the Pittsburgh Pirates returned the favor with a 3-0 shutout-win over the Houston Astros at PNC Park on Wednesday night.

Mike Burrows got the win after throwing 5.1-impressive innings, and three relievers combined to preserve the shutout.

The Pirates (23-39) will try and earn a series win over the Astros (33-28) in a rare night rubber match on Thursday.

First pitch is set for 6:40 p.m. ET, and the game will be broadcast on SportsNet Pittsburgh and 93.7 The Fan.

Weather

A chance for thunderstorms around first pitch and temperatures in the 70s. Winds NW at 4-6 mph.

RHP Mitch Keller (1-7,3.73ERA) Will Start for the Pirates

Keller turned in his fifth-straight quality start when he allowed three runs in 6.0 innings against the Padres in San Diego on Friday.

Though Keller is 0-4 in those five starts, he has an impressive 2.90 ERA and an even better 2.43 FIP. He’s only surrendered one home run over that time.

Keller is looking for his first win since his first start of the season against the Marlins in Miami. He’s dropped seven-straight decisions since while the Pirates are just 2-9 in games he’s started since his first.

The right-hander has only faced the Astros one time and allowed a pair of runs with seven punch outs in 6.0 innings.

LHP Framber Valdez (5-4, 3.12 ERA) Will Start for the Astros

The Pirates’ offense will have its hands full with Valdez, who is coming off his second complete game of the season.

The left-hander held the Rays to one run on just three hits in 9.0 innings on Friday and matched a season-high with nine strikeouts. He also threw an 8.0-inning complete game against the Royals on Apr. 26.

Valdez has allowed one run in four of his last five starts and has a 1.70 ERA (7er/37.0ip) during that stretch. The Astros have won each of the last five times he’s been on the mound.

In three starts against the Pirates in his career, Valdez is 2-1 with a 6.75 ERA.

Astros Hitters vs. Keller

Christian Waler: 1 for 11, one RBI, three strikeouts
Mauricio Dubón: 4 for 7, one double, one walk, one strikeout
Victor Caratini: 1 for 6, one walk, two strikeouts
Brendan Rodgers: 1 for 5, one strikeout
Jeremey Peña: 1 for 3, one strikeout
Jake Meyers: 0 for 3

Pirates Hitters vs. Valdez

Isiah Kiner-Falefa: 3 for 16, one strikeout
Adam Frazier: 2 for 10, one RBI, three strikeouts
Tommy Pham: 2 for 7, one home run, one RBI, four walks, one strikeout
Ke’Bryan Hayes: 1 for 6, one strikeout
Bryan Reynolds: 0 for 6, two strikeouts
Andrew McCutchen: 1 for 5, one RBI, one walk, two strikeouts
Spencer Horwitz: 2 for 3, two RBI
Oneil Cruz: 0 for 3, three strikeouts

Tidbits

Mike Burrows set career-highs with 5.1 innings pitched and six strikeouts. Entering play, he had seven strikeouts in 11.2 innings in his career.
The Pirates snapped a stretch of 15-straight scoreless innings by scoring a pair of runs in the bottom of the second inning.
Mitch Keller has received 2.19 runs of support per game this season, the fewest among qualified starting pitchers.