Pirates Preview: Headed to Philly For Battle of Keystone State

The Pittsburgh Pirates (74-82) were defeated 4-2 by the Cincinnati Reds on Sunday afternoon before enjoying an off day on Monday.

In the loss, Quinn Priester allowed two runs in 6.0 innings and Jack Suwinski homered, but the Pirates were unable to complete the series sweep after taking the first two games.

The Pirates’ road trip continue to Philadelphia with one more road series on the year against the Phillies (87-69)

Tuesday’s first pitch is set for 6:40 ET and the game will be aired on AT&T SportsNet.

Weather

Fall is in the air with temperatures in the 50s for game time. Rain showers are expected to give way to cloudy skies. Winds NE at 10 to 15 mph.

The Pittsburgh Pirates Will Send Out RHP Mitch Keller (13-9, 4.25 ERA)

Keller was roughed up in his last start against the Chicago Cubs, but he got the win in the Pirates’ 13-7 victory.

In that game, Keller pitched well early but was knocked around in the later innings and ended his night with seven earn runs against him in 5.2 innings pitched.

In his start before his outing against the Cubs, Keller threw 8.0 shutout frames against the Washington Nationals at PNC Park, also getting credit for the win in that one.

In four career starts against the Phillies, Keller is 0-3 with a 6.53 ERA.

The Philadelphia Phillies Will Send Out RHP Aaron Nola (12-9, 4.57 ERA)

It’s been an inconsistent season for Nola, who finished fourth in the National League Cy Young race a season ago.

In his last four outings, he’s only gone at least 5.0 innings once. It came his last time out against the Atlanta Braves when he allowed two runs in 6.0 innings.

In his three starts before that one, Nola posted an ERA of 8.56 (13er/13.2ip).

The right-hander has made eight career appearances against the Pirates and has gone 4-3 with a 4.34 ERA.

Phillies Hitters vs. Keller

• Nick Castellanos: 7 for 27, two doubles, two home runs, five RBIs, three walks, nine strikeouts
• J.T. Realmuto: 6 for 11, one double, one triple, one home run, three RBIs, one walk, two strikeouts
• Kyle Schwarber: 7 for 11, four doubles, one home run, for RBIs, three walks, one strikeout
• Bryce Harper: 4 for 9, two doubles, one RBI, four strikeouts
• Alec Bohm: 2 for 7, one walk
• Bryson Stott: 3 for 6, one double, one strikeout
• Trea Turner: 2 for 6, one home run, two RBIs, one strikeout
• Edmundo Sosa: 2 for 2, one home run, two RBIs

Pirates Hitters vs. Nola

• Bryan Reynolds: 1 for 12, seven strikeouts
• Ke’Bryan Hayes: 1 for 6, one home run, three RBIs
• Miguel Andujar: 0 for 5, one strikeout
• Endy Rodriguez: 2 for 3, one double, one triple, four RBIs, one strikeout
• Jack Suwinski: 1 for 3, one double
• Alika Williams: 1 for 3, one RBI
• Henry Davis: 0 f0r 3, one strikeout
• Liover Peguero: 2 for 2, one home run, two RBIs

Tidbits

• Keller needs six strikeout to pass A.J. Burnett’s franchise record of most strikeouts by a right-handed pitcher in franchise history (209).
• With 27 at-bats against him, Castellanos is the player Keller has most often faced in his career.
• The Pittsburgh Pirates have won five of their seven series in the month of September.

Links

Pirates to Recall Nick Gonzales From Triple-A Indianapolis

Perrotto: This Negative Comment About Pirates is Different

Pirates Emphasize Mental Skills Coaching Among Their Players

Perrotto: Pirates Had Only One Real Choice With Oneil Cruz

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