Pirates Preview: Mitch Keller Tries to Build on All-Star First Half

The Pittsburgh Pirates will try to break a four-game losing streak when they host the Cleveland Guardians at 7:05 p.m. Tuesday at PNC Park.

The Guardians (46-48) ended a four-game skid Monday night by whipping the Pirates 11-0 in the opener of a three-game series. The Pirates (41-53) also lost for the eighth time in their last nine games and 11^th of 13.

Mitch Keller (9-4, 3.31) will start for the Pirates against rookie left-hander Logan Allen (3-2, 4.37).

Keller will be pitching for the first time since working one inning in last Tuesday’s All-Star Game in Seattle. He allowed one run on a solo homer by Tampa Bay’s Yandy Diaz in one inning.

Keller is 1-2 in his last five starts despite a 3.00 ERA.

He pitched seven shutout innings and allowed only one hit against the Arizona Diamondbacks on July 8 but wound up with a no-decision. He walked five and struck out four.

This will be Keller’s second career start against the Guardians. He pitched five no-hit innings against them in 2020 while giving up one run and not factoring in the decision.

Guardians first baseman Josh Bell – and former Pirates’ teammate – is 2 for 2 with a double and three walks against Keller.

Keller is 5-1 with a 2.63 ERA in eight starts at home this season. He has a 4-3 record and a 3.58 ERA in nine starts at night.

Allen is expected to be recalled from Triple-A Columbus, where he was 0-0 with a 3.10 ERA in five starts. He last pitched July 9 at Nashville and was tagged for five runs and six hits in three innings of a no-decision with two walks and two strikeouts.

Allen has made six starts on the road in the major leagues this season, going 2-1 with a 2.97 ERA. He is 1-1 with a 5.19 ERA in seven night starts.

This will be Allen’s first career appearance against the Pirates, who are 3-7 against the Guardians since 2020.