Pirates Preview: Keller Tries to Lead Bucs to Back-to-Back Wins

Danny Demilio |

Jul 22, 2025

Mitch Keller, Pittsburgh Pirates — Photo provided by Matt Lynch

Coming off getting swept over the weekend, the Pittsburgh Pirates blanked the Detroit Tigers 3-0 at PNC Park on Monday night.

Paul Skenes got the win after throwing six-shutout innings, and Spencer Horwitz drove in the game-winning run as part of a three-hit night.

The Pirates (40-61) will try and make it two straight against the American League-best Tigers (60-41) 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

Sunshine overhead with temperatures in the upper-70s. Winds ENE at 3-4 mph.

RHP Mitch Keller (3-10, 3.48 ERA) Will Start for the Pirates

Keller’s final start before the break was a good one. The right-hander held the Minnesota Twins to one run in six innings to help snap the Pirates’ eight-game skid.

The right-hander has allowed two runs or fewer in each of his last five starts and is 2-1 with a 1.96 ERA during that stretch.

After losing 10 straight decisions following his first win of the season in his 2025 debut, Keller has won two straight starts while the Pirates have won three of the last four games he’s pitched.

In five career starts against the Tigers, Keller is 1-1 with a 3.67 ERA.

RHP Casey Mize (9-3, 3.15 ERA) Will Start for the Tigers

Mize, an All-Star for the first time this season, was roughed up to end the first half. Facing the Seattle Mariners, he was tagged for six runs on six hits in three innings.

Prior to that outing, Mize was 3-0 with a 1.82 ERA in four starts from June 17 to July 5.

Mize ranks eighth in ERA among American League right-handers to throw at least 80 innings. His nine wins are tied for eighth most in the AL.

Mize got the win against the Pirates on June 17 after allowing two runs across six innings. In his career against Pittsburgh, Mize is 1-1 with a 3.27 ERA in two starts.

Tigers Hitters vs. Keller

Javier Báez: 5 for 14, one double, one home run, one RBI, seven strikeouts
Matt Vierling: 1 for 5, two strikeouts
Spencer Torkelson: 1 for 4, one double, two walks, one strikeout
Zach McKinstry: 0 for 4, two RBI, one walk, three strikeouts
Colt Keith: 1 for 3, one RBI
Gleyber Torres: 1 for 3, one double, one strikeout

Pirates Hitters vs. Mize

Isiah Kiner-Falefa: 2 for 6, one strikeout
Ke’Bryan Hayes: 2 for 5, one RBI, one strikeout
Bryan Reynolds: 1 for 4, one double, one strikeout
Oneil Cruz: 1 for 3, one strikeout
Spencer Horwitz: 1 for 3
Andrew McCutchen: 1 for 3, one double, one strikeout
Tommy Pham: 1 for 3, one strikeout
Nick Gonzales: 0 for 3
Alexander Canario: 1 for 2, two RBI

Tidbits

Paul Skenes’ win on Monday was his first since May 28 despite posting a 1.77 ERA over the following eight starts. It was also his second home win of the year and first since April 14.
Andrew McCutchen passed Willie Stargell for 180th on the MLB all-time hit list with 2,233.
David Bednar is now a perfect 14 for 14 in save chances this season. He hasn’t been charged with an earned run since May 23 — a span of 19.1 innings.