Pirates Preview: Can Bucs Earn Series Win vs. Blue Jays?

Danny Demilio |

Aug 20, 2025

The Pittsburgh Pirates were defeated 7-3 by the Toronto Blue Jays in the second game of the series on Tuesday night.

Mitch Keller’s struggles continued and he was bounced after allowing five runs on seven hits in 3.1 innings.

The Pirates (53-74) will look to take the rubber match against the Blue Jays (74-53) on Wednesday afternoon.

First pitch is set for 12:35 p.m. ET, and the game will be broadcast on SportsNet Pittsburgh and 100.1 FM and AM 1020.

Weather

Overcast skies with temperatures in the low-80s. Winds NW at 6-7 mph.

RHP Johan Oviedo (0-0, 18.00 ERA) Will Start for the Pirates

Oviedo made his return to the Pirates on Aug. 1 against the San Francisco Giants and allowed a pair of runs in a lone inning of work.

The right-hander underwent Tommy John surgery in the 2023-24 offseason and suffered a lat injury in spring training which pushed back his return to the mound even further.

Oviedo has made three starts with Triple-A Indianapolis on the year and has a 2.63 ERA (4er/13.2ip) with 20 strikeouts and three walks.

In two career starts against the Blue Jays, Oviedo is 0-1 with a 6.75 ERA.

RHP Chris Bassitt (11-6, 4.22 ERA) Will Start for the Blue Jays

Bassitt faced the Texas Rangers on Friday and allowed three runs across five innings. He also walked four batters.

It’s been a rough go of late for Bassitt, who has allowed 13 runs in 18 inning across his last four starts. He’s allowed five home runs and walked 10 batters during that stretch.

Pitching on the road has proved to be an issue for Bassitt. The veteran right-hander has a 6.39 ERA in 12 road appearances this season vs. a 2.73 ERA at home.

Bassitt is a perfect 4-0 with a 2.10 ERA in five career starts against the Pirates.

Blue Jays Hitters vs. Oviedo

George Springer: 1 for 5, one strikeout
Bo Bichette: 1 for 4, one double, one walk
Alejandro Kirk: 2 for 3: one double, one RBI, two walks
Daulton Varsho: 1 for 3, one RBI

Pirates Hitters vs. Bassitt

Isiah Kiner-Falefa: 5 for 16, one double, one RBI, one walk, four strikeouts
Bryan Reynolds: 4 for 12, one double, one walk, four strikeouts
Jack Suwinski: 0 for 8, three strikeouts
Tommy Pham: 1 for 7, one walk, three strikeouts
Joey Bart: 1 for 5, three strikeouts
Andrew McCutchen: 0 for 5, three strikeouts
Nick Gonzales: 1 for 3

Tidbits

Mitch Keller now has a 7.98 ERA through three August starts (13er/14.1ip).
With his strikeout of Ernie Clement in the first, Mitch Keller became the fastest Pirates’ pitcher to reach 800 strikeouts in innings (844 innings).
Keller and Colin Holderman each surrendered home runs in the loss to the Blue Jays. The Pirates hadn’t allowed a home run in any of their previous five games.