Pirates Preview: Can Bucs Avoid Sweep Against Scorching Brewers?

Danny Demilio |

Aug 13, 2025

Mitch Keller, Pittsburgh Pirates — Pittsburgh Pirates starting pitcher Mitch Keller (23) throws against a San Diego Padres batter in the first inning of a baseball game, Friday, May 30, 2025, in San Diego. (AP Photo/Tony Ding)

The Pittsburgh Pirates were dismantled 14-0 by the Milwaukee Brewers on Tuesday night for two-straight losses to open the series.

Starter Paul Skenes lasted only four innings while the bullpen — which included an inning from infielder Jared Triolo — allowed 10 runs in four innings.

The Pirates (51-70) will try and avoid a fifth-straight loss on Wednesday afternoon, while the Brewers (75-44) will got for a 12th-straight win.

First pitch is set for 2:10 p.m. ET, and the game will be broadcast on SportsNet Pittsburgh, MLB Network and 100.1FM & AM 1020

Weather

American Family Field has a retractable roof, so weather will not be an issue this series.

RHP Mitch Keller (5-10, 3.86 ERA) Will Start for the Pirates

Keller allowed a pair of runs across 5.2 innings in his last start against the Cincinnati Reds on Friday.

Though he received a no-decision, Keller brings a personal four-game winning streak into Wednesday’s start dating back to June 27 against the New York Mets. The Pirates are 7-1 in Keller’s eight starts during that stretch.

The right-hander enters his start against the Brewers six strikeouts shy of 800 in his career. Since the start of the 2019 season, Keller ranks 14th in the National League with 794 strikeouts.

Keller faced Milwaukee at PNC Park in May and allowed one run in six innings. In 10 career starts against the Brewers, he’s 1-5 with a 4.99 ERA.

RHP Brandon Woodruff (4-0, 2.29 ERA) Will Start for the Brewers

Woodruff allowed two runs across a season-high seven innings against the New York Mets on Friday.

The veteran right-hander has been dominant since returning from shoulder surgery on July 6. Since his season debut, Woodruff ranks eighth in baseball in ERA and is seventh with 45 strikeouts.

The Brewers are a perfect 6-0 in games started by Woodruff this season while the right-hander has won each of his last eight decisions dating back to Aug. 12, 2023. His last loss came against the Pirates on Aug. 6 of that year.

In 17 appearances against Pittsburgh in his career, Woodruff is 7-3 with a 3.40 ERA.

Brewers Hitters vs. Keller

William Contreras: 5 for 19, two home runs, three RBI, one walk, four strikeouts
Christian Yelich: 7 for 18, one RBI, three walks, five strikeouts
Brice Turang: 4 for 14, one home run, five RBI, four strikeouts
Sal Frelick: 3 for 10, two doubles, two RBI, three walks, two strikeouts
Joey Ortiz: 5 for 8, one double, one triple, one strikeout
Andruw Monasterio: 1 for 3, one strikeout

Pirates Hitters vs. Woodruff

Bryan Reynolds: 2 for 18, one double, one triple, three walks, 10 strikeouts
Andrew McCutchen: 1 for 14, one home run, two RBI, one walk, six strikeouts
Tommy Pham: 4 for 11, one double, one home run, one RBI, one walk, two strikeouts
Jack Suwinski: 1 for 11, one double, one walk, three strikeouts
Oneil Cruz: 2 for 7, one double, one RBI, one walk, three strikeouts
Liover Peguero: 0 for 4
Joey Bart: 1 for 3, one strikeout

Tidbits

The Pirates have been outscored 37-10 during their four-game losing streak.
Mitch Keller has a 1.94 ERA against the National League Central this season. He’s allowed nine runs in 44 innings across seven starts.
The Pirates’ bullpen has a 7.35 ERA this month. That’s the third-worst mark in MLB, ahead of only the Colorado Rockies (8.59) and Washington Nationals (7.89).