Pirates

Pirates Preview: Bucs Begin Final Homestand Before the Break

Published

2 weeks ago

June 27, 2025

Photo provided by Eddie Provident

The Pittsburgh Pirates were off on Thursday after falling 4-2 in the rubber match against the Brewers in Milwaukee on Wednesday afternoon.

Paul Skenes allowed four runs and was taken out of the game after throwing 4.0 innings while Brewers rookie starer Jacob Misiorowski blanked the Bucs across 5.0 innings.

After a day to reset, the Pirates (32-50) will start their final homestand before the All-Star break on Friday night against the New York Mets (48-34)

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 leading up to the game. Temperatures around 80 degrees with winds SSE at 6-7 mph.

RHP Mitch Keller (1-10, 4.02 ERA) Will Start For the Pirates

Keller last pitched against the Texas Rangers at PNC Park on Saturday and took the loss after allowing two runs in 5.2 innings.

The right-hander has gone at least 5.0 innings in each of his last 14 starts and in 15 of 16 on the season. Since allowing a season-high seven runs in 3.2 innings against the Yankees on Apr. 4, Keller has a 3.63 ERA over his last 14 outings.

Keller is searching for his first win since his 2025 debut against the Marlins in Miami. His 10 losses this year lead Major League Baseball.

In five career starts against the Mets, Keller is 3-2 with a 2.12 ERA.

LHP David Peterson (5-3, 2.98 ERA) Will Start For the Mets

Peterson had a rare rough outing his last time out, when he allowed five runs in 4.0 innings in a loss in Philadelphia.

Over his last nine starts prior to his recent clunker against the Phillies, Peterson had a 2.28 ERA and worked at least 6.0 inning in seven of those outings.

The left-hander ranks 11th in the National League in ERA and is one of five pitchers in the N.L. to throw a complete game shutout this year.

Peterson has a 3.31 ERA in four appearances/three starts against the Pirates in his career.

Mets Hitters vs. Keller

Brandon Nimmo: 4 for 15, one double, one home run, three RBI, four strikeouts
Jeff McNeil: 2 for 15, one home run, one RBI, two strikeouts
Francisco Lindor: 2 for 13, five walks, six strikeouts
Pete Alonso: 0 for 12, one RBI, three strikeouts
Juan Soto: 4 for 10, one double, one RBI, two walks, one strikeout
Tyrone Taylor: 0 for 7, two strikeouts
Brett Baty: 2 for 5, one home run, one RBI, one walk
Travis Jankowski: 1 for 3 one double
Luis Torrens: 0 for 3 one strikeout

Pirates Hitters vs. Peterson

Andrew McCutchen: 2 for 16, one double, one home run, three RBI, four strikeouts
Bryan Reynolds: 2 for 10, three strikeouts
Ke’Bryan Hayes: 2 for 7, one walk, one strikeout
Joey Bart: 1 for 7, three walks, three strikeouts
Henry Davis: 0 for 4, one strikeout
Isiah Kiner-Falefa: 2 for 3, one home run, one RBI
Oneil Cruz: 1 for 3, one home run, two RBI, one strikeout
Jared Triolo: 1 for 3, one double, two walks, two strikeouts
Alexander Canario: 0 for 3

Tidbits

Tommy Pham has multiple hits in each of his last three games and is batting .636 (7 for 11) with two doubles, a home run, six RBI and two runs scored during that stretch.
Mitch Keller is seeking his first win at PNC Park since last year on July 8 against… the Mets. He’s 0-10 in 16 home starts since then.
Keller is the first Pirates’ starter to lose 10-straight decisions since Jose DeLeon lost 11 in a row in 1985.