Pirates
Pirates Preview: Mitch Keller, Hunter Greene Duel Once Again
The Pittsburgh Pirates were defeated 11-5 by the Cincinnati Reds on Monday night in the first of three games at Great American Ballpark.
While the pitching for the Pirates (37-41) struggled mightily against the Reds (37-41), Bryan Reynolds extended his hitting streak to 21 games and Oneil Cruz blasted a 459-foot home run.
On Tuesday night, Mitch Keller will be opposite Hunter Greene for the second time in less than a week. The two squared off at PNC Park on Wednesday in a 1-0 Pirates’ win.
First pitch is set for 7:10 ET and the game will be aired on SportsNet Pittsburgh.
Weather
Partly sunny skies with temperatures int he lower-90’s at start time. Winds SW at 8-10 mph.
The Pittsburgh Pirates Will Send Out RHP Mitch Keller (8-4, 3.11 ERA)
Keller was excellent against the Reds last week. The right-hander blanked Cincinnati on two hits in seven innings pitched and struck out seven.
The Pirates’ right-hander has made eight starts since the beginning of May and has a impeccable 1.54 ERA and a 6-1 record.
Keller’s ERA since the start of last month is the second-best mark in baseball behind Garrett Crochet of the White Sox.
The Reds are the team Keller has faced the most in his career. In 15 starts against them. he’s gone 2-4 with a 5.45 ERA.
The Cincinnati Reds Will Send Out RHP Hunter Greene (5-2, 3.35 ERA)
As good as Keller was against the Reds, Greene was equally as impressive against the Pirates.
The 24-year-old struck out nine and allowed a pair of hits in 6.1 shutout innings.
Greene has done an excellent job of making things challenging on hitters this season. Opponents are hitting below the Mendoza Line (.198) against him this year.
In five starts against the Pirates, Greene has had a lot of success. Though he’s yet to record a win against Pittsburgh, he has a 1.55 ERA.
Reds Hitters vs. Keller
- Jonathan India: 6 for 15, one double, five walks, two strikeouts
- Tyler Stephenson: 1 for 12, six strikeouts
- Jake Fraley: 3 for 11, one walk, one strikeout
- Spencer Steer: 4 for 10, one double, one home run, one RBI, two walks, one strikeout
- Jeimer Candelario: 1 for 8, one RBI, four strikeouts
- Will Benson: 0 for 6, one walk, four strikeouts
- Elly De La Cruz: 0 for 6, three strikeouts
- Stuart Fairchild: 0 for 4, one walk
- Santiago Espinal: 1 for 3, one strikeout
Pirates Hitters vs. Greene
- Rowdy Tellez: 4 for 13, three doubles, one RBI, four strikeouts
- Andrew McCutchen: 2 for 9, three walks, three strikeouts
- Ke’Bryan Hayes: 1 for 9, one double, four strikeouts
- Oneil Cruz: 2 for 8, one double, one home run, one strikeout
- Bryan Reynolds: 1 for 8, one walk, three strikeouts
- Jack Suwinski: 0 for 8, three walks, six strikeouts
- Yasmani Grandal: 3 for 5, one double, one strikeout
- Jason Delay: 2 for 5
- Connor Joe: 1 for 5, one strikeout
- Nick Gonzales: 0 for 3, one strikeout
- Michael A. Taylor: 0 for 3, two strikeouts
Tidbits
- Bryan Reynolds’ 21-game hit streak is the longest by a Pirates’ player since 2003.
- After posting a 3.22 ERA through May, Monday’s starter bailey Falter is 0-4 with a 6.63 ERA through four starts in June.
- Edward Olivares notched three hits and reached base four times in Monday’s loss. It was his second three-hit game of the season.
Links
Perrotto: Pirates Seemingly Have Improved Plan for Pitching Phenoms
Pirates Minor League Updates: Paul Skenes, Bubba Chandler Shine
Pirates Pummeled 11-5 by Reds in Series Opener in Cincinnati
Pirates Power Rankings: Buccos Climb After Series Win Against Reds
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