Pirates

Pirates Preview: Kumar Rocker Finally Reaches Pittsburgh

Published

3 weeks ago

June 21, 2025

Photo provided by Matt Lynch

The Pittsburgh Pirates were defeated 5-2 by the Texas Rangers in the opening game of a weekend series at PNC Park on Friday night.

Pittsburgh looked sloppy coming off a doubleheader in Detroit on Thursday and made several miscues in the loss.

The Pirates (30-47) will look for better luck on Saturday afternoon when their series with the Rangers (37-39) continues. On the mound for Texas will be rookie right-hander Kumar Rocker, who once upon a time many were calling for the Bucs to take with the first pick in the 2021 draft.

First pitch is set for 4:05 p.m. ET, and the game will be broadcast on SportsNet Pittsburgh, FS1 and 93.7 The Fan.

Weather

Hot and sunny. Temperatures in the upper-80s with SSW at 8-10 mph.

RHP Mitch Keller (1-9, 4.08 ERA) Will Start For the Pirates

Keller took a no-decision against the Cubs in his last start over the weekend when he held the Cubs to two runs in 6.0 innings.

The right-hander has gone at least 6.0 innings in each of his last eight starts and in 12 of his 15 starts this season.

Keller hasn’t pitched nearly as well at home this year as he has on the road. In away games, he has a 3.16 ERA in six starts vs. a 4.73 ERA in nine home starts.

Keller through 7.0-shutout innings with nine strikeouts against the Rangers the lone time he faced them in his career.

RHP Kumar Rocker (2-4, 7.31 ERA) Will Start For the Rangers

Rocker threw 5.0-shutout innings against the White Sox in his last on Sunday afternoon.

In his last four starts prior to his most recent, the rookie right-hander had a 9.39 ERA (16er/15.1ip) and allowed 23 hits.

Rocker, who is in his second season with the Rangers, was selected with the third pick in the 2022 draft. Remember the #TankForKumar days?

This will be his first time facing the Pirates.

Rangers Hitters vs. Keller

Josh Jung: 1 for 3, one strikeout
Josh Smith: 1 for 3, two strikeouts
Adolis García: 0 for 3, three strikeouts
Corey Seager: 0 for 3
Marcus Semien: 0 for 3, three strikeouts
Jake Burger: 2 for 2, three RBI

Pirates Hitters vs. Rocker

Spencer Horwitz: 1 for 1, one walk

Tidbits

Nick Gonzales has hit safely in eight of his last 10 games and is batting .317 (13 for 41) during that stretch. He finished with a pair of hits in Friday’s loss.
Mitch Keller is seeking his first win since his 2025 debut in Miami on March 28 and his first win at PNC Park since last season on July 8 against the Mets.
Andrew McCutchen enters Saturday one hit shy of tying Hall of Famer Joe DiMaggio for 185th place on the all-time list with 2,215.