Pirates

Pirates Preview: Bucs Return to PNC Park to Start Seven-Game Homestand

Published

1 month ago

May 19, 2025

Pittsburgh Pirates starting pitcher Mitch Keller delivers against the Chicago Cubs in the first inning of a baseball game in Pittsburgh, Friday, Aug. 25, 2023. (AP Photo/Matt Freed)

Paul Skenes threw the first complete game of his career, but the Pittsburgh Pirates were defeated 1-0 by the Philadelphia Phillies to cap off a sweep on Sunday afternoon.

Skenes held the Phillies to just one run on three hits and tied a season-high with nine strikeouts, but the bats were silenced by Mick Abel in his MLB debut.

The Pirates (15-32) will look the shake off a 1-5 road trip when they welcome the division-rival Cincinnati Reds (24-24) to town for the start of a three-game series on Monday.

First pitch is set for 6:40 p.m. ET, and the game will be broadcast on SportsNet Pittsburgh, FS1 and 93.7 The Fan.

Weather

Mostly clear skies with temperatures hovering around 60 degrees. Winds NNW at 8-10 mph.

RHP Mitch Keller (1-5, 4.15 ERA) Will Start for the Pirates

Keller struck out a season-high eight batters in 7.0 innings while holding the Mets to two runs on five hits in his last start.

Since allowing seven runs in 3.2 innings against the Yankees on Apr. 4, Keller has a 3.40 ERA (16er/42.1ip) over his last seven starts.

However, the Pirates are just 1-6 in those seven starts with all six losses coming in succession. Despite the solid ERA, Keller is 0-4 during that span.

Keller has faced the Reds more than any other team in his career. In 17 starts, the right-hander is 3-5 with a 6.06 ERA.

LHP Nick Lodolo (3-4, 3.42 ERA) Will Start for the Reds

Lodolo was knocked around a bit in his last start against the White Sox, when he allowed three runs on seven hits in 5.1 innings pitched.

In three starts this month, the left-hander has a 5.94 ERA (11er/16.2ip) and opponents have hit .314 against him.

Through his first six starts of the season entering May, Lodolo had a 2.25 ERA and held opponents to a .197 batting average against.

Lodolo is 2-2 with a 4.30 ERA in four career starts against the Pirates.

Reds Hitters vs. Keller

Tyler Stephenson: 5 for 18, one double, one triple, one home run, six RBI, six strikeouts
TJ Friedl: 1 for 18, two RBI, two walks, three strikeouts
Spencer Steer: 6 for 16, three doubles, one home run, two RBI, two walks, two strikeouts
Elly De La Cruz: 2 for 11, one double, two walks, three strikeouts
Jeimer Candelario: 1 for 11, two RBI, five strikeouts
Will Benson: 0 for 10, two walks, six strikeouts
Santiago Espinal: 2 for 6, one strikeout
Gavin Lux: 1 for 5, one walk, one strikeout
Connor Joe: 0 for 5, one strikeout
Matt McLain: 2 for 3, one double, one RBI
Austin Hays: 1 for 3

Pirates Hitters vs. Lodolo

Bryan Reynolds: 5 for 12, one double, one RBI, three strikeouts
Andrew McCutchen: 2 for 12, one home run, one RBI, three walks, five strikeouts
Ke’Bryan Hayes: 3 for 9, one double, one home run, one RBI, three strikeouts
Oneil Cruz: 2 for 8, one RBI, six strikeouts
Jared Triolo: 0 for 4, one walk
Tommy Pham: 0 for 3, one strikeout

Tidbits

Despite him being ranked fourth in the National League with a 2.44 ERA, the Pirates are 3-7 when Paul Skenes starts this season. Last year, the Pirates went 15-8 in his starts.
Andrew McCutchen notched his 1,700th hit with the Pirates on Sunday. He’s nine hits shy of tying Arky Vaughan for ninth in franchise history.
The Pirates are 6-19 in road games this season, which is the third-worst mark in baseball. They are 1-10 over their last 11 games away from PNC Park.