Pirates

Pirates Preview: Mitch Keller Looks to Lead Rebound vs. Marlins

Published

3 weeks ago

March 28, 2025

The Pittsburgh Pirates looked like they were on their way to a win over the Miami Marlins on Opening Day, but a late collapse resulted in a walk-off 5-4 loss at loanDepot Park.

The Pirates entered the eighth inning with a two-run lead but late bullpen struggles and a couple defensive miscues sunk the Pirates, ensuring they would not go a perfect 162-0 this season. So close.

The Pirates will look to rebound for their first win of the season in the second game of the series in Miami on Friday night.

The game will begin at 7:10 p.m. ET and the game will be broadcast on SportsNet Pittsburgh.

Weather

loanDepot Park has a retractable roof, so weather will not be a factor this series.

RHP Mitch Keller Will Start for the Pirates

Keller will make his season debut for the Pirates after finishing the 2024 season at 11-12 with a 4.25 ERA in 31 starts.

The right-hander is now two years removed from his 2023 All-Star campaign in which he went 13-9 with a 4.25 ERA and 210 strikeouts in 194.1 innings across a career-high 32 starts.

This spring, Keller made five starts and pitched well. He was charged with four earned runs on 11 hits in 15 innings and struck out 13 batters.

Keller has fared well in six career starts against the Marlins. He’s 1-0 with a 3.38 ERA and has held the Fish to a .226 batting average and a .587 OPS.

RHP Connor Gillispie Will Start for the Marlins

Gillispie made three appearances with the Cleveland Guardians in his first season in the big leagues in 2024. He totaled 8.0 innings and allowed a pair of runs on four hits with five walks and eight punch outs.

The 27-year-old signed as a free agent with the Atlanta Braves in November but was let go and claimed off waivers by Miami in January.

Gillispie pitched 16.1 innings across six appearances/three starts during spring training and had a 3.86 ERA.

This will be the first-career start for Gillispe, as well as his first time facing the Pirates.

Marlins Hitters vs. Keller

Nick Fortes: 0 for 3, one strikeout
Kyle Stowers: 0 for 3, three strikeouts

Pirates Hitters vs. Gillispie

Adam Frazier: 0 for 1, one strikeout

Tidbits

Bryan Reynolds became the first Pirates batter to record an RBI in three consecutive season openers since Willie Stargell did so in five straight openers from 1974-78.
The Pirates stole six bases on Thursday, the most they’ve had on Opening Day in the modern era. (Previous was four in 1907).
Dating back to July 28 of last season, Colin Holderman has a 7.98 ERA in his last 17 appearances. Dating back to July 29 of last season, David Bednar has a 7.66 ERA in his last 24 appearances.