Pirates Preview: What Does Keller Have Brewing in Milwaukee?

The Pittsburgh Pirates (48-59) couldn’t get their offense going against the Detroit Tigers on Wednesday afternoon.

Eduardo Rodriguez pitched six strong innings against the Pirates and Osvaldo Bido lasted just three innings in a 6-3 defeat. That Pirates’ loss gave both teams a win in a short two-game series.

Now the Pirates turn their attention to the Milwaukee Brewers (58-51) for a four-game series in Milwaukee starting Thursday night.

First pitch at American Family Field is scheduled for 7:15 ET. You can watch all of the action on FOX.

Weather

American Family Field is a dome.

The Pirates will send out RHP Mitch Keller (9-7, 3.97 ERA)

Keller had a solid bounce-back outing his last time out. In 5.2 innings, Keller allowed six hits, two earned runs, three walks, and struck out eight Phillies.

Keller induced 17 swings and misses against the Phillies. The right-hander had an even distribution in terms of whiffs between his pitches, but his sweeper led the way with six.

Keller has faced the Brewers five times (all starts) and holds an 0-3 record with an ERA of 4.62 in 25.1 innings pitched.

The Brewers will send out RHP Adrian Houser (3-3, 4.43 ERA)

From July 16-23 (two starts), Houser put up fairly good numbers. He went a combined 11.2 innings pitched while giving up six runs, four walks, and he struck out 15 batters.

In his last start, however, Houser had the game blow up in his face. In four innings, Houser allowed eight hits, six earned runs, two walks, and struck out three.

Houser offers a five-pitch mix with a sinker (46.6%), four-seam (24.1%), slider (15.1%), curveball (8.7%), and a changeup (5.5%). In addition, Houser’s sinker averages 92.5 mph.

Houser has faced the Pirates 13 times (eight starts) and holds a 5-5 record with an ERA of 4.05 in 53.1 innings pitched.

Brewers Hitters vs. Keller

• Willy Adames: 5-14 with two doubles, one homer, one walk, and three strikeouts
• Jesse Winker: 4-11 with a double and four strikeouts
• Tyler Naquin: 4-10 with three doubles and four strikeouts

Pirates Hitters vs. Houser

• Bryan Reynolds: 5-18 with a double, homer, and three walks
• Ke’Bryan Hayes: 3-14 with two strikeouts
• Jack Suwinski: 1-1 with a homer

Tidbits

• 16.1 out of 25.1 innings pitched for Keller against the Brewers have taken place in Milwaukee. At American Family Field, Keller holds an 0-2 record with an ERA of 3.86.
• Andrew McCutchen is now four RBIs away from tying Dave Parker for ninth on the franchise’s all-time list.
• After going 0 for 3 with a pair of walks in Wednesday’s game, Henry Davis is stuck in an 0-for-21 rut at the plate.

Links

Perrotto: Deadline Was About Players Pirates Didn’t Trade

Who Could Fill Rich Hill’s Rotation Spot?

Tucupita Marcano to Undergo ACL Surgery

Veteran Insight: Andrew McCutchen on the Post-Deadline World

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