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.
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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
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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
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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
Rotowire
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
Rotowire
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.
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Pirates' Mitch Keller: Fades late in Tuesday's win
Rotowire
Keller (9-4) picked up the win in Tuesday's 9-5 victory over the Reds, giving up four runs (three earned) on six hits and three walks over 5.2 innings. He struck out six.
An Oneil Cruz error and a hit by pitch helped load the bases in the third inning, but Keller escaped the jam by striking out Jeimer Candelario and Spencer Steer. The right-hander seemed to run out of gas after that, eventually getting tagged for three runs in the fifth and one more in the sixth as he fell short of his 10th quality start of the season. Keller has still allowed more than three earned runs only once in nine outings since the beginning of May, going 7-1 over that stretch with a 1.85 ERA, 1.05 WHIP and 52:12 K:BB through 58.1 innings. He'll look for win No. 10 on the year in his next trip to the mound, which lines up to come at home next week against the Cardinals.
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
Rotowire
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
Rotowire
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.
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Pirates' Mitch Keller: Picks up win No. 6 Saturday
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Keller (6-3) picked up the victory Saturday against Atlanta, allowing just one run on six hits over 6.2 innings. He registered four strikeouts.
Keller was efficient, needing only 88 pitches to complete his 6.2 frames. Although the right-hander struck out just four, he had a solid 15 whiffs on his 88 offerings. Keller entered May with a 5.18 ERA and no wins in his last three starts. In four outings this month, he's 4-0 with a 1.30 ERA, although the strikeouts haven't been there with only 19 in 33.1 innings. Keller's next outing is projected to come in Toronto.
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Pirates' Mitch Keller: Earns fifth win
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Keller (5-3) allowed two runs on two hits and three walks while striking out three over six innings to earn the win Sunday over the Cubs.
It wasn't as dominant an outing as his six scoreless innings versus the Brewers on Monday, but it was still Keller's third straight quality start. He's allowed three runs over 21 innings across three starts in May. The strong pitching has him down to a 3.84 ERA with a 1.28 WHIP and 54:19 K:BB through 61 innings over 10 starts this season. Keller is projected for a tough home start versus Atlanta in his next outing.
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Pirates' Mitch Keller: Fans seven in win
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Keller (4-3) allowed eight hits over six shutout frames Monday, striking out seven and earning a win over Milwaukee.
Keller faced traffic on the bases throughout the night but was able to dance around danger and keep the Brewers scoreless. He forced 13 whiffs -- his second-best total so far this season -- and threw 71 of 100 pitches for strikes. Of those 13, seven came via the fastball, which averaged 95.2 mph. Keller has seemingly turned a corner after a shaky opening month; he's allowed just one run while posting a 12:1 K:BB over 15 frames in his last two starts. Keller will carry a 3.93 ERA into his next start, which is lined up to be on the road against the Cubs this weekend.
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Pirates' Mitch Keller: Goes the distance in victory
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Keller (3-3) allowed one run, five hits and one walk in a complete game victory Monday against the Angels. He struck out five.
Keller stymied the Angels on Monday night en route to his second career complete game -- his first was a shutout May 8, 2023 against Colorado. The Pirates right-hander induced a whopping 64.0 percent groundball-rate, easily his highest in a start this season, outpacing the 37.5 percent rate he generated on the season prior to Monday. Keller is scheduled to make his next start against the Cubs at home this weekend.
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Pirates' Mitch Keller: Middling once again
Rotowire
Keller (2-3) took the loss Tuesday, allowing three runs on seven hits and two walks over five innings against the A's. He struck out seven.
Although Keller punched out seven batters for a second consecutive outing, he was tagged for a trio of runs, including a solo homer by JJ Bleday. After entering the 2024 season with relatively high expectations, Keller has fallen to a 5.18 ERA through 40.0 innings and has surrendered five or more hits in all seven starts. He's scheduled for a home start against the Angels on Monday.
