Pirates

Pirates Preview: Mitch Keller Squares off With Ex-Teammate Trevor Williams

Published

1 month ago

April 3, 2024

Apparently, the only thing that can stop the Pittsburgh Pirates from winning to start the season is a day off.

The Pirates (5-0) had their first scheduled off day after defeating the Washington Nationals (1-3) 8-4 on Monday afternoon, giving them five-straight wins to start the season. It’s the Bucs’ first 5-0 start to a season since 1983.

Mitch Keller will be the first Pirates’ starter to make a second start this season and will do what he can to try and add to the current winning streak on Wednesday.

First pitch is scheduled for 6:45 ET and the game will be aired on SportsNet Pittsburgh.

Weather

There is rain in the forecast on Wednesday but things could clear up for first pitch. Chance of scattered showers later on in the night. Winds WSW at 10 mph.

The Pittsburgh Pirates Will Send Out RHP Mitch Keller (0-0, 6.35 ERA)

Keller was a bit shaky in his season debut against the Miami Marlins on opening day. In that game, Keller allowed five runs (four earned) on seven hits in 5.1 innings and struck out three batters.

Even though the Pirates won the game, Keller will look for better results his second time out.

In three career starts against the Nationals, Keller has gone 1-1 with a 5.17 ERA. The right-hander faced the Nats last September and threw eight shutout innings and allowed just two hits at PNC Park.

The Washington Nationals Will Send Out RHP Trevor Williams (2024 Debut)

Williams will face his former team for the fourth time in his career. The righty pitched for the Pirates from 2016-20 and went 31-37 with a 4.43 ERA in the black and gold.

Against his former foes, Williams is 1-1 with a 5.40 ERA. All three of his starts against the Pirates came in 2021 while with the Chicago Cubs.

Williams finished last season 6-10 with a 5.55 ERA across 30 starts.

Nationals Hitters vs. Keller

Jesse Winker: 4 for 11, one double, one RBI, four strikeouts
Eddie Rosario: 4 for 7, one home run, three RBIs, three strikeouts
Keibert Ruiz: 1 for 6, one RBI, one walk
Lane Thomas: 0 for 6, one walk, three strikeouts
CJ Abrams: 2 for 5
Joey Gallo: 1 for 5, one home run, one RBI, one walk, three strikeouts
Luis García Jr.: 1 for 5, one strikeout

Pirates Hitters vs. Williams

Bryan Reynolds: 2 for 5
Andrew McCutchen: 1 for 5, one RBI, two walks, three strikeouts
Michael A. Taylor: 0 for 3, two strikeouts

Tidbits

The Pirates have scored six or more runs in each of their first five games to start the season for the first time in the Modern Era.
Bryan Reynolds has recorded at least one RBI in five-straight games at Nationals Park dating back to 2022. He has 10 RBIs in that span.
Reynolds is one home run shy of 100 in his career. McCutchen needs one more homer for 300.