Pirates

Pirates Preview: Bucs Conclude Series With Guards on Easter Sunday

Published

1 month ago

April 20, 2025

Despite a strong performance from Paul Skenes in front of a sellout crowd on his bobblehead giveaway day, the Pittsburgh Pirates were blanked 3-0 by the Cleveland Guardians at PNC Park on Saturday.

The prolonged struggles from the offense continued for at least another day — Pittsburgh went 0 for 8 with runners in scoring position. It’s been a disheartening series after winning three of four against the Nationals to begin the homestand.

The Pirates (8-14) will try and salvage their series with the Guardians (11-9) on Sunday, and a Happy Easter to everyone!

First pitch is set for 1:35 p.m. ET and the game will be broadcast on Sportsnet Pittsburgh and 93.7 The Fan.

Weather

A beautiful afternoon for baseball. Some sunshine overhead with temperatures in the upper 60s. Winds NE at 7-8 mph.

RHP Mitch Keller (1-2, 4.30 ERA) Will Start for the Pirates

Though he took the loss in his last outing, Keller delivered a quality start by holding the Nationals to three runs in 6.0 innings pitched.

Over his last two starts, Keller has a 2.03 ERA (2er/13.1ip). He tossed 7.1-shutout innings against the Cardinals on April 9.

The Pirates have scored one run total when he has been in the game in his last three starts since
he won his first start of the year on 3/28 at Miami.

Keller will be looking for his first win against the Guardians. In three previous matchups, the right-hander is 0-2 with a 6.61 ERA.

LHP Logan Allen (1-1, 2.30 ERA) vs. Will Start for the Guardians

Allen earned his first win of the season in his last start after holding the Orioles scoreless on two hits in 5.2 innings.

It marked back-to-back outings in which Allen wasn’t charged with an earned run. He allowed one unearned run against the White Sox on April 9.

Through his first three starts of the season, Allen has held opponents to a .655 OPS, a drastic drop from the .918 opponents OPS last year.

In his lone appearance against the Pirates, Allen was the winning pitcher after throwing 5.0-shutout innings with eight strikeouts.

Guardians Hitters vs. Keller

Lane Thomas: 2 for 12, one walk, five strikeouts
Jose Ramírez: 2 for 8, two walks, one strikeout
Carlos Santana: 0 for 8, two walks, two strikeouts
Steven Kwan: 2 for 7, two doubles, one strikeout
Kyle Manzado: 2 for 3, two home runs, two RBI
Brayan Rocchio: 2 for 3
Jhonkensy Noel: 1 for 3, one double, one RBI, two strikeouts
Bo Naylor: 0 for 3

Pirates Hitters vs. Allen

Adam Frazier: 0 for 3, two strikeouts
Jared Triolo: 1 for 2

Tidbits

Oneil Cruz made it 30-consecutive successful stolen base attempts with his third-inning steal. He’s one of three Pirates since 1922 to have a streak of 30-plus consecutive successful stolen base attempts along with Max Carey (37, 1922-23) and Tony Womack (32, 1997).
Paul Skenes recorded four strikeouts in the loss, tied for the second-fewest he’s had in a start in his career.
The Pirates are 2-6 in their last eight games against the Guardians dating back to the start of the 2023 season.