Pirates

Pirates Preview: Bucs Face Another Tough Opponent as Homestand Continues

Published

3 weeks ago

May 2, 2025

Pittsburgh Pirates starting pitcher Mitch Keller delivers during the second inning of a baseball game against the Washington Nationals in Pittsburgh, Thursday, Sept. 14, 2023. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)

The Pittsburgh Pirates dropped an 8-3 rubber match to the Chicago Cubs on Thursday afternoon at PNC Park.

Paul Skenes allowed an unprecedented three home runs in the fifth inning alone and took the loss. Bryan Reynolds hit his fourth home run of the season.

On Friday night, the Pirates (12-20) will continue their homestand by welcoming the San Diego Padres (19-11) to PNC Park.

First pitch is set for 6:40 p.m. ET and the game will be broadcast on Apple TV+ and 93.7 The Fan.

Weather

A chance for some thunderstorms while the game is going on with temperatures around 70 degrees. Winds SW at 8-12 mph.

RHP Mitch Keller (1-2, 3.97 ERA) Will Start for the Pirates

Keller pitched well against the Dodgers in his last start but took a no-decision in an 8-4 loss.

The right-hander allowed three runs (two earned) in 6.0 innings on five hits with just one walk and six strikeouts.

Since allowing a season-high seven runs against the Yankees on Apr. 4. Keller has a 2.59 ERA over his last four starts, but the Pirates are just 1-3 in those games.

Keller is 2-3 with a 5.88 ERA (17er/26.0ip) in five career starts against San Diego.

RHP Dylan Cease (1-2, 5.76 ERA) Will Start for the Padres

After finishing fourth in the National League Cy Young race in 2024, it’s been a rocky start to the season for Cease.

However, most of the damage against him came in a start against the Athletics on Apr. 8 when he was tagged for nine runs in 4.0 innings. Since then, he has a 3.60 ERA over his last three starts.

While his ERA is inflated, the metrics paint a better picture. His 3.16 FIP indicates he’s been unlucky and his 10.92 strikeouts per nine innings ranks eighth in the National League among pitchers with 20+ innings of work.

He’s made three starts against the Pirates in his career and is 1-0 with a 2.31 ERA (3er/11.2ip).

Padres Hitters vs. Keller

Jason Heyward: 6 for 20, three doubles, one home run, two RBI, two strikeouts
Jose Iglesias: 3 for 13, one home run, four RBI, three strikeouts
Jake Cronenworth: 3 for 11, one double, one home run, five RBI, two walks, two strikeouts
Manny Machado: 3 for 11, one home run, three RBI, three walks, four strikeouts
Luis Arraez: 3 for 9, one double, one RBI, one strikeout
Xander Bogaerts: 1 for 6, one RBI
Elias Díaz: 0 for 5
Connor Joe: 0 for 5, one strikeout
Fernando Tatis Jr.: 1 for 3, one strikeout

Pirates Hitters vs. Cease

Adam Frazier: 4 for 14, two RBI, two strikeouts
Bryan Reynolds: 1 for 6, one strikeout
Isiah Kiner-Falefa: 2 for 5, one strikeout
Ke’Bryan Hayes: 2 for 4, one triple, two RBI, one walk, one strikeout
Enmanuel Valdez: 1 for 3, one double
Tommy Pham: 0 for 3, one strikeout

Tidbits

Paul Skenes only allowed one home run through his first six starts of the season. The three that he allowed on Thursday marked a career-high.
Through seven starts this year, Skenes has already matched his loss total in 23 starts last year with three.
Outside of the 60-game 2020 season, the Pirates’ 12-20 record through their first 32 games is their worst start to the start of a season since they were 12-20 in 2014. The Pirates went 88-74 that year and hosted the National League Wild Card game.