Pirates' Mitch Keller: Takes loss in quality start
Rotowire
Keller (1-2) yielded three runs on six hits and two walks over six innings Tuesday, striking out three and taking a loss against Washington.
Keller served up a leadoff homer to James Wood to begin the night but then held the Nationals scoreless until Nasim Nunez's two-run single in the sixth inning. It was Keller's third quality start in four outings this season, but the three punchouts were his lowest total to date. He tossed 67 of 105 pitches for strikes but generated only eight whiffs. Keller now owns a 4.30 ERA with a 17:8 K:BB through 23 innings. He's currently in line for a home matchup against Cleveland this weekend.
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Pirates' Mitch Keller: Bounces back by blanking Cards
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Keller didn't factor into the decision in Wednesday's 2-1 extra-innings win over the Cardinals, allowing four hits and a walk over 7.1 scoreless innings. He struck out six.
The right-hander got lit up by the Yankees in his last start for seven runs in 3.2 frames, but Keller bounced back with one of the sharpest performances of his career as he fired 64 of 96 pitches for strikes before exiting. The game's first runs didn't score until the 12th inning, however, and Joey Bart finally ended it with a walk-off single in the bottom of the 13th. Keller has two quality starts in three trips to the mound to begin the season, and he'll take a 4.24 ERA and 14:6 K:BB through 17 innings into his next outing, which is scheduled to come at home early next week against the Nationals.
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Pirates' Mitch Keller: Crushed by Yankees
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Keller (1-1) took the loss Friday versus the Yankees, allowing seven runs on eight hits and four walks while striking out four over 3.2 innings.
He kept the ball in the yard for the second start in a row, but Keller didn't have much success anywhere else. The Yankees were able to tag him for multiple runs in the second, third and fourth innings to send him to his first loss. Keller has added an 8:5 K:BB with eight runs allowed over 9.2 innings. Wins will be tough enough to come by while pitching for the Pirates, but Keller should be able to take care of business against weaker offenses, making him a reasonable low-end fantasy starter. He's projected to make his next start at home versus the Cardinals.
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Pirates' Mitch Keller: Picks up win over Miami
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Keller (1-0) picked up the win Friday against the Marlins, striking out four over six innings of work while allowing five hits, one walk and one run.
Keller was in control for the most part and picked up a quality start. The 28-year-old retired 10 Marlins in a row at one point before allowing his only run of the outing, an RBI double off the bat of Graham Pauley. Keller posted a respectable 4.25 ERA to go with a 1.30 WHIP in 2024 and begins 2025 as Pittsburgh's No. 2 starter. The right-hander is lined up for a road start against the Rays his next time out.
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Pirates' Mitch Keller: Shaky in Monday's outing
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Keller allowed four runs (three earned) on four hits and three walks across 3.1 innings in Monday's Grapefruit League game against the Orioles.
Keller has been shaky this spring, as he maintained only a 5:4 K:BB across his first 8.2 innings despite allowing only one earned run. Things unraveled for him further Monday, as he was pulled partway through the second innings after throwing 26 pitches in the frame while managing just two outs. Keller re-entered the game and recovered, but it hasn't been a standout exhibition season for him to this point.
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Pirates' Mitch Keller: Drops third straight
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Keller (11-12) took the loss Thursday against the Brewers, allowing three runs on six hits and two walks over five innings. He struck out six.
Keller got off to a solid start, holding Milwaukee to one run through his first four innings, before giving up two more in the fifth. The 28-year-old Keller would ultimately take his third straight loss and fifth in his last six outings. After an encouraging start to the year, Keller faded down the stretch, posting a 7.29 ERA in his final nine starts (45.2 innings). Keller will wrap up the season with a 4.25 ERA, 1.30 WHIP and 166:50 K:BB across 178 innings.
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Pirates' Mitch Keller: Gives up eight in loss
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Keller (11-11) took the loss Friday against Cincinnati, allowing eight runs on seven hits and five walks over 3.1 innings. He struck out one.
It was a rough night for Keller, who issued a season-high five walks while taking his fourth loss in his last five outings. The 28-year-old has gone 1-6 with a 5.68 ERA in 11 starts since the All-Star break. Overall, Keller sports a 4.21 ERA on the year with a 1.29 WHIP and 160:48 K:BB across 173 innings. He'll look to end the campaign on a better note in his final start, currently lined up for next week at home versus the Brewers.
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Pirates' Mitch Keller: Let down by bullpen Saturday
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Keller allowed two runs on seven hits and no walks while striking out eight batters over six innings in a no-decision against Washington in the nightcap of Saturday's doubleheader.
Keller had been struggling coming into Saturday, losing four of his previous five starts and posting a 7.46 ERA and 1.66 WHIP while serving up seven homers over 25.1 innings during that span. The right-hander turned things around with an effective outing against the Nationals, notching just his second quality start across his past seven appearances and keeping the ball in the park in addition to racking up eight punchouts. Keller departed with a 4-2 lead, but Pittsburgh's bullpen gave up six runs over the final three innings to stick him with a no-decision. Keller has just one victory over 10 starts since the All-Star break, though he's posted a strong 51:15 K:BB in 52.1 innings during that stretch.
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Pirates' Mitch Keller: Allows three homers in loss
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Keller (11-9) took the loss Sunday, allowing four runs (three earned) on 11 hits in 5.1 innings against the Guardians. He struck out seven.
Keller's control was on point throughout, as he reached seven punchouts for just the second time in his last 11 starts while not walking a batter for the second time in nine outings. Additionally, his 3.15 pitches per plate appearance was significantly below the league average of 3.88. However, he also allowed 12 baserunners, including a hit batsman and season highs in base hits and homers allowed. Keller entered August with a 10-5 mark and following his first outing of the month, he was sitting with an impressive 3.20 ERA for the season. Since then, he's allowed 21 earned runs over his last five starts, causing his ERA to balloon more than a half run to 3.88. He'll look to steady the ship in his next start, scheduled to take place at home against the Nationals.
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Pirates' Mitch Keller: Bounces back with brilliant outing
Rotowire
Keller (11-7) picked up the win Tuesday in a 4-0 victory over the Rangers, scattering three hits over seven-plus scoreless innings. He struck out nine without walking a batter.
After getting hammered for 15 runs in 12 innings over his last two trips to the mound, Keller was razor-sharp Tuesday, firing 73 of 98 pitches for strikes and retiring the first 11 batters he faced. All three hits off the right-hander were singles, and none of the runners even managed to get to second base. The quality start was Keller's 13th of the year, while the nine strikeouts tied his season high. He'll take a 3.76 ERA, 1.21 WHIP and 134:40 K:BB through 148.1 innings into his next outing, which lines up to come at home early next week against the Cubs.
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Pirates' Mitch Keller: Rain cuts short start
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Keller came away with a no-decision in Saturday's 4-2 win over the Diamondbacks, allowing one hit and two walks over four scoreless innings. He struck out four.
The right-hander appeared headed for a potentially special performance, but a 68-minute rain delay ended his day after 60 pitches (44 strikes). Keller has given up two runs or less in five straight outings, posting a 2.17 ERA, 1.00 WHIP and 22:9 K:BB through 29 innings over that stretch, but the last four have all resulted in no-decisions. He'll try to get back in the win column in his next start, which lines up to come on the road next weekend against the Dodgers.
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Pirates' Mitch Keller: Little run support Sunday
Rotowire
Keller did not factor into the decision Sunday against the Diamondbacks, allowing two runs on two hits and two walks while striking out six over seven innings.
Keller was dominant once again and faced his only trouble in the fourth after Jake McCarthy ripped an RBI triple and then later scored on a sacrifice fly. It was the third quality start in the last four outings for Keller, though he only has one win to show for it, as the Pirates' offense only mustered up one run until they scored in the ninth to send the game into extras. Keller also managed to keep the ball inside the park, something he's struggled with a bit lately after allowing five home runs over his last four starts. The 28-year-old now owns a 3.30 ERA, 1.21 WHIP and 114:34 K:BB in 128.1 innings and lines up for a rematch with the Diamondbacks at home over the weekend.
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Pirates' Mitch Keller: Fires seven strong innings
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Keller came away with a no-decision Monday against the Cardinals, allowing one earned run on six hits and two walks while striking out three in seven innings.
The lone blemish on Keller's line was a solo home run by Nolan Gorman in the fifth inning, the only extra-base hit of the night for the Cardinals. The right-hander matched a season low with just three strikeouts, but he logged his 11th quality start in what has been a strong campaign for the 28-year-old. Keller owns a 3.34 ERA, 1.24 WHIP and a 108:32 K:BB across 121.1 innings this season. He will look to keep things going in his next start, currently scheduled for this weekend in Arizona.
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Pirates' Mitch Keller: Pulled after three innings
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Keller didn't factor into the decision Sunday against the White Sox, allowing two runs on four hits and three walks over three innings. He struck out three.
The Pirates opted not to bring Keller out for the fourth inning, providing the 28-year-old with additional rest ahead of the All-Star Break. Keller has thrown 114.1 innings in the first half of the campaign and is on pace to shatter his career highs in starts and innings pitched, so it's possible the Pirates monitor Keller's workload during the back half of 2024. Still, Keller should be a strong fantasy option when on the mound, as he has posted a 3.46 ERA with 105 strikeouts this season while cruising to a 10-5 record.
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Pirates' Mitch Keller: Collects 10th win
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Keller (10-5) earned the win Monday, allowing two runs on seven hits and no walks over eight innings against the Mets. He struck out six.
The 28-year-old cruised to his second straight season with double-digit wins, allowing just one extra-base hit -- a two-run Brandon Nimmo homer in the sixth. Keller has been reliable since June 1, pitching to a 3.09 ERA, 1.19 WHIP and 44:8 K:BB over 43.2 innings across seven starts. The Pirates right-hander is scheduled to make his last outing of the first half against the White Sox in Chicago this weekend.
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Pirates' Mitch Keller: Allows five earned runs in loss
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Keller (9-5) took the loss against the Cardinals on Tuesday, allowing six runs (five earned) on nine hits and no walks over five innings. He struck out five.
Keller was burned by the long ball, surrendering a two-run home run in the second inning and a grand slam in the fourth. After completing at least six frames in eight consecutive starts from May 6 to June 19, the righty has now failed to do so in his past two outings. The 28-year-old will bring a solid 3.48 ERA, 1.25 WHIP and 96:27 K:BB over 103.1 innings into a projected home matchup with the Mets this weekend.
Keller allowed two hits and two walks over seven scoreless innings in a no-decision against the Reds on Wednesday. He struck out seven.
Keller was locked in Wednesday, holding Cincinnati hitless until the fifth inning, ultimately turning in his second scoreless outing in his last three starts. However, Keller wouldn't factor into the decision, as the Pirates couldn't get on the board until Bryan Reynolds homered in the eighth, providing the lone run in a 1-0 victory. Keller's been excellent since the start of May, pitching to a 1.53 ERA over his last eight outings. Overall, the right-hander's 8-4 with a 3.11 ERA, 1.20 WHIP and 85:24 K:BB across 15 starts (92.2 innings) this season. Keller will look to keep rolling in his next start, currently scheduled as a rematch with Cincinnati on the road.
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Pirates' Mitch Keller: Goes six innings in loss
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Keller (8-4) was charged with the loss after he allowed four runs on eight hits with four strikeouts over six innings Thursday against the Cardinals.
Keller's four earned runs allowed tied a season high, but he still managed to extend a streak of seven straight starts of at least six innings. He gave up a homers to Paul Goldschmidt and Brendan Donovan, making it the first time this season he's allowed multiple long balls in a game. The 28-year-old has a 3.36 ERA, 1.25 WHIP and 78:22 K:BB across 85.2 innings this season.
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Pirates' Mitch Keller: Blanks Twins for eighth win
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Keller (8-3) earned the win Friday over Minnesota, allowing seven hits and two walks over six scoreless innings. He struck out eight.
It's the sixth straight win for Keller -- he hasn't allowed more than two earned runs in an outing during that span, pitching to a 1.13 ERA. The 28-year-old right-hander lowered his ERA to 3.16 on the season with a 1.24 WHIP and 74:22 K:BB across 13 starts (79.2 innings). Keller will look to keep rolling in his next outing, currently scheduled for next week in St. Louis.
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Pirates' Mitch Keller: Wins fifth straight
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Keller (7-3) picked up the win Saturday, allowing one run on five hits and a walk over six innings in an 8-1 victory over the Blue Jays. He struck out eight.
The right-hander has been overshadowed by the debuts of Paul Skenes and Jared Jones this season, but Keller has been the Pirates' most dependable starter. He's won five straight starts, posting a 1.34 ERA. 0.92 WHIP and 27:5 K:BB in 33.2 innings over that stretch, and Saturday's quality start was his seventh of the year. Keller will look to stay hot in his next outing, which lines up to come at home next weekend against the Twins.
