Pirates Preview: Can Mitch Keller Get a Win?

The Pittsburgh Pirates extended their win streak to four games with a convincing 10-3 win over the Miami Marlins at PNC Park on Monday night.

Everyone in the Pirates starting lineup had at least one hit with Andrew McCutchen and Adam Frazier leading the way with three hits apiece.

The Pirates (27-40) will look to make it five wins in a row in the second game of the series against the Marlins (24-40) on Tuesday night.

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

Weather

A perfect night for baseball. Sunny skies and temperatures in the mid-70s. Winds W at 5-9 mph.

RHP Mitch Keller (1-8, 4.13 ERA) Will Start for the Pirates

Keller was able to pitch 6.1 innings against the Astros on Thursday but took the loss after allowing six runs on eight hits.

It snapped a string of five-consecutive quality starts for the Keller, who had a 2.90 ERA (10er/31.0ip) from May 7 to the end of the month.

The right-hander is in search of his first win since his first start of the season against these Marlins in Miami on March 28.

In seven career starts against the Marlins, Keller is 2-0 with a 3.08 ERA.

RHP Sandy Alcantara (2-7, 7.89 ERA) Will Start for the Marlins

It’s been a rough season for Alcantara, but he pitched well against the Rockies in his last start by holding Colorado to two runs in 6.0 innings.

After a quality start against the Reds on Apr. 23, Alcantara had a 10.08 ERA (31er/27.2ip) over his next six starts leading up to his most recent.

Among pitchers with at least 50 innings pitched this year, Alcantara ranks last in ERA and has the eighth-worst WHIP (1.58).

The right-hander is 1-0 with a 3.03 ERA in seven appearances/six starts against the Pirates.

Marlins Hitters vs. Keller

• Jesús Sánchez: 1 for 11, one RBI
• Kyle Stowers: 0 for 6, five strikeouts
• Nick Fortes: 0 for 5, one strikeout
• Xavier Edwards: 1 for 3

Pirates Hitters vs. Alcantara

• Adam Frazier: 7 for 15, one double, two home runs, five RBI, one walk, one strikeout
• Andrew McCutchen: 1 for 13, two walks, five strikeouts
• Ke’Bryan Hayes: 5 for 12, five strikeouts
• Bryan Reynolds: 1 for 11, two RBI, two walks, two strikeouts
• Isiah Kiner-Falefa: 1 for 5, one RBI, one walk, two strikeouts
• Oneil Cruz: 1 for 3, one home run, one RBI, one walk
• Tommy Pham: 0 for 3, one walk, two strikeouts

Tidbits

• 10 runs for the Pirates on Monday matched a season-high. They also scored on 10 runs against the Nationals on Apr. 14 and against the Diamondbacks on May 28.
• The Pirates are seeking their first five-game winning streak since winning six games in a row from July 11-20 last season.
• Mitch Keller is seeking his first win at PNC Park since last season on July 8 against the Mets. Since that win, Keller’s overall record is 2-15.

Links

Perrotto: Don Kelly Proving to Be the Right Choice

These Ain’t Your Early-Season Pirates, Just Ask the Marlins

Pirates Rout Marlins, Extend Streak to Four; Everyone Contributes in the Win

Pirates Minor League Report: Konnor Griffin Promoted to Greensboro

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