Pirates Three Stars of the Week: Mitch Keller Looks Like Ace

The Pittsburgh Pirates went 2-4 on the week after taking one of three games from both the Colorado Rockies and the Baltimore Orioles.

Both wins were a direct result of a pair of excellent starts from right-hander Mitch Keller, who dazzled on the mound.

Thanks to his excellent performance this week, Keller is now 5-1 with a 2.38 ERA through his first nine starts on the season. Keller is currently sixth in the National League in ERA, fourth in wins, third in innings (56.2) and third in strikeouts (69).

The Pirates currently sit at second place in the National League Central with a record of 22-19 as we have surpassed the one-quarter mark of the season.

In addition to Keller, here are the three stars of the week for the Pittsburgh Pirates.

Third Star: Roansy Contreras – 0-1, 2.57 ERA, 7.0 innings, two runs, five hits, one walk, one strikeout, one start

Contreras got back on track by only limiting the Baltimore Orioles to two runs over seven innings pitched. His seven completed innings set a new-season high.

Contreras’ fastball seemed to be up a tick from his previous outings and he put the Pirates in position to win the game, though they were unable to get the right-hander a win.

Second Star: Andrew McCutchen – .294/.429/.471, 5 for 17, one home run, three RBIs, five games

McCutchen hit his seventh home run of the season and also turned in a three-hit performance in a solid week at the plate.

The Pittsburgh Pirates’ offense largely struggled again, but McCutchen was a bright spot as the team looks to break out of a funk.

Andrew. McCutchen…. That is all. pic.twitter.com/Ryvd8jrdTS

— Pittsburgh Pirates (@Pirates) May 10, 2023

First Star: Mitch Keller – 2-0, 0.00 ERA, 16.0 innings, no runs, eight hits, one walk, 21 strikeouts, two starts

What more could be said about Keller’s performance on the week? After tossing his first-career complete game shutout against the Rockies at PNC Park, Keller followed up that performance with a career-high 13 strikeouts in seven shutout innings against the Orioles at Camden Yards.

The Pittsburgh Pirates may have an ace on their hands.

All the feels. pic.twitter.com/20u9FXYd3C

— Pittsburgh Pirates (@Pirates) May 9, 2023

After an off day Monday, the Pirates will be in Detroit for two games with the Tigers. Then the Bucs will return to PNC Park for a three-game slate with the Arizona Diamondbacks.

Check back next week for the Pirates’ top three performers from the week ahead.