Pirates

Pirates Preview: Can the Offense Give Keller Enough Support to Even the Series?

Published

12 months ago

May 3, 2023

The Pittsburgh Pirates (20-10) suffered their second-straight defeat Tuesday night but will look to even the series Wednesday against the Tampa Bay Rays (24-6).

The Pirates’ offense couldn’t get anything going against the Rays’ pitching staff, and as a result, the Pirates went 0-10 with runners in scoring position and lost by a score of 4-1.

It may not have been the most ideal start for Roansy Contreras, but he battled through his start and kept the Pirates in the game throughout his 5.1 innings pitched.

First pitch in Tampa is scheduled for 6:40 p.m. You can watch all of the action on AT&T Sportsnet, or listen to the game on the Pirates radio network, 93.7 The Fan.

Weather

N/A, Tropicana Field is a dome.

The Pirates will send out RHP Mitch Keller (3-0, 3.53 ERA)

Keller has been nothing short of stellar so far this season for the Pirates.

Keller has recorded five-straight quality starts and will look to tie a career-high in consecutive quality starts Wednesday afternoon. Keller’s six-straight quality starts mark occurred in 2022 from July 6-Aug. 5.

In his last start on April 27 against the Los Angeles Dodgers, Keller set a season high for strikeouts with ten, while going six innings and giving up just two earned runs on five hits.

Keller has faced the Rays once (one start) and holds a record of 0-0 with an ERA of 5.40 in five innings pitched.

The Rays will send out LHP Shane McClanahan (5-0, 2.12 ERA).

McClanahan has been the model of consistency and dominance for the Rays the whole season.

The lefty has gone at least five innings in every start and has gone six innings in four out of his six total starts. In addition, McClanahan hasn’t given up more than two runs in any start and has started to dial back on the walks given up in his last three starts.

McClanahan has a four-pitch mix with a four-seam (43%), changeup (23.7%), curveball (22.1%), and occasionally throws a slider (11.2%). His fastball averages 97 mph and has held opponents to a .200 average, and has a whiff rate of 26.7%.

McClanahan has faced the Pirates once (one start) and holds a 1-0 record with an ERA of 1.29 in seven innings pitched.

Interesting Batting Match Ups

Rays Hitters

Yandy Diaz: 0-3 with one K against Keller.

Pirates Hitters

Miguel Andujar: 2-5 with two Ks against McClanahan.
Austin Hedges: 0-4 with two Ks against McClanahan.

Tidbits

After Tuesday night’s loss, the Pirates are now 0-8 when trailing after six innings.
Looking over March/April’s numbers, the Pirates pitching staff ranks third in the N.L. with an ERA of 3.55 and rank second with a bullpen ERA of 3.10
Despite their loss against the Rays, the Pirates have won ten of their last 14 on the road and have outscored opponents 88-43.