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.
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.
Keller (11-10) took the loss Saturday, giving up four runs (three earned) on four hits and a walk over six innings as the Pirates fell 5-1 to the Royals. He struck out six.
While only one of the runs against Keller was unearned, the Pirates' defense made numerous miscues beyond the two official errors charged to Nick Gonzales and Jared Triolo on the afternoon. Keller still came away with his 15th quality start of the season, and over his last five outings he's posted a 3.49 ERA, 1.24 WHIP and dazzling 34:3 K:BB in 28.1 innings. He'll look to get back in the win column in his next start, which is scheduled to come on the road next week in St. Louis.
Pirates' Mitch Keller: Let down by bullpen Saturday
Rotowire
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.
Pirates' Mitch Keller: Allows three homers in loss
Rotowire
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.
