Pirates Preview: Priester Needs to Show Improvement

The Pittsburgh Pirates (48-60) were obliterated Thursday night against the Milwaukee Brewers (59-51).

Mitch Keller’s outing on Thursday was another concerning one. In five innings, Keller allowed nine hits, eight runs, three walks, and struck out five.

In his last seven starts, Keller has allowed 29 earned runs in 39.2 innings, which averages out to an ERA of 6.58. In addition to the bloated ERA, Keller’s season mark has ballooned to 4.35.

The Pirates’ offense was no better as they managed just one run and as a result, they lost to the Brewers 14-1.

First pitch at American Family Field is scheduled for 8:10 ET. You can watch all of the action on AT&T Sportsnet.

Weather

American Family Field is a dome.

The Pirates will send out RHP Quinn Priester (2-1, 9.19 ERA)

Priester was rolling through the first four innings of his last outing on July 29 against the Phillies, and then the fifth inning blew up on him.

In the fifth, Priester allowed four runs to score, and then allowed another run in the sixth before his exit from the game.

Priester was a tale of two cities in his last outing. On one hand, Priester struck out seven, and on the other hand he allowed six walks.

These are the typical ebbs and flows in the life of a first time big leaguer, but Priester has got to figure out his control issues.

Priester has not faced the Brewers in his career.

The Brewers will send out RHP Colin Rea (5-4, 4.76 ERA)

Rea’s last start was on July 30 against the Atlanta Braves, and things didn’t go so well for the 33-year-old. In five innings pitched, Rea allowed five hits, five earned runs, two walks, and struck out eight.

Rea offers a six-pitch mix with a sinker (27.8%), cutter (26.3%), four-seam (20.6%), sweeper (10.4%), curveball (8.6%), and a splitter (6.3%).

Rea has faced the Pirates three times (two starts) and holds a 2-0 record with an ERA of 3.55.

Brewers Hitters vs. Priester

• N/A

Pirates Hitters vs. Rea

• Andrew McCutchen: 1-5 with a walk and two strikeouts
• Bryan Reynolds: 0-3 with a strikeout

Links

Floyd: When Do the Pirates Draw a Line in the Sand?

Alfonso Rivas Joins Pirates; Nick Gonzales Optioned to Indianapolis

Perrotto: Deadline Was About Players Pittsburgh Pirates Didn’t Trade

Who Could Fill Rich Hill’s Rotation Spot?

Around The Network

Pittsburgh Hockey Now: These 5 NHL Arenas are Gone, But Can’t Be Forgotten

Steelers Now: Steelers Training Camp Takeaways: Washington Dazzles, Diontae Impresses

Pittsburgh Sports Now: Matt Goncalves Named Pitt’s Lone Preseason All-ACC Selection