Pirates

Pirates Preview: Can Keller, Bucs Even Series vs. Rangers?

Published

2 months ago

August 20, 2024

Pittsburgh Pirates' Mitch Keller delivers a pitch during the first inning of a baseball game against the Miami Marlins, Thursday, March 28, 2024, in Miami. (AP Photo/Wilfredo Lee)

The Pittsburgh Pirates were defeated 4-3 by the Texas Rangers in the opening game of the three-game series on Monday night.

Jared Triolo belted a three-run home run but Corey Seager’s two-homer game proved to be too much to overcome.

The Pirates (58-66) will have Mitch Keller on the mound in Arlington on Tuesday night against the Rangers (58-68) as they look to force a rubber match for the series finale.

First pitch is set for 8:05 ET and the game will be aired on SportsNet Pittsburgh.

Weather

Globe Life Field is protected by a roof so weather won’t be a factor.

The Pittsburgh Pirates Will Send Out RHP Mitch Keller (10-7, 3.95 ERA)

Keller has been roughed up in each of his past two starts and has seen his ERA balloon from 3.20 to 3.95.

Combined over his last two outings, Keller is 0-1 with a 15.00 ERA (15er/9ip) and has allowed four home runs. Opponents have slashed .357/.413/.762 against him over that span.

Before he was charged with 15 runs over his last two starts, Keller had been tagged for 15 earned runs combined over his previous eight starts, when he posted a 2.89 ERA.

This will be Keller’s first time facing the Rangers.

The Texas Rangers Will Send Out LHP Cody Bradford (4-0, 3.50 ERA)

Bradford returned from a three and a half month stint on the injured list in late July and has rebounded over his last two outings after shakiness upon his initial return.

Over his last two starts, the left-hander has allowed three runs on 11 hits in 11 innings pitched with a pair of walks and nine strikeouts.

Though he doesn’t throw it hard, Bradford throws his four-seam fastball over 50% of the time. Expect to see some changeups and curveballs with the occasional slider.

Bradford has never faced the Pirates.

Rangers Hitters vs. Keller

Robbie Grossman: 5 for 8
Travis Jankowski: 1 for 3, one double

Pirates Hitters vs. Bradford

Tidbits

Joey Bart had two hits in the loss on Monday and extended his on-base streak to 15 games. Bart’s 144 wRC+ is the highest among catchers with at least 190 plate appearances.
Jared Triolo went from June 26 to Aug. 16 without without hitting a home run but now has two long balls in his last three games.
Other than the Pirates, the Rangers are the only team Keller has yet to face as a major-league pitcher.