Pirates

Pirates Preview: Mitch Keller, Hunter Greene Duel Once Again

Published

5 months ago

June 25, 2024

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.