Gameday 148: Pirates look to even series against Royals with Mitch Keller on the mound
Mitch Keller vs Michael Wacha
After losing the first game of their series against the Royals, the Pirates look to bounce back with Mitch Keller on the mound.
Luis Ortiz had a rough start, allowing seven runs in total across five innings pitched. Bryan Reynolds hit a pair of doubles, and Oneil Cruz added another. He now has 34 on the season.
They also drove in two of the three runs the Pirates scored.
The Pirates will face a familiar face on Saturday, as former St. Louis Cardinal Michael Wacha is scheduled to pitch. He is 7-3 with a 3.68 ERA in 18 games (16 starts) against the Pirates during his career.
Mitch Keller will be on the mound for the Pirates. He’s pitched better in September after an August that saw him put up a 6.75 ERA.
First pitch is scheduled for 1:05 pm ET.
Pirates Lineup
SS - Isiah Kiner-Falefa
LF - Bryan Reynolds
CF - Oneil Cruz
DH - Andrew McCutchen
2B - Nick Gonzales
RF - Bryan De La Cruz
C - Yasmani Grandal
3B - Jared Triolo
1B - Billy Cook
Royals Lineup
DH - Tommy Pham
SS - Bobby Witt Jr.
1B - Salvador Perez
2B - Michael Massey
C - Freddy Fermin
LF - MJ Melendez
RF - Adam Frazier
3B - Maikel Garcia
CF - Kyle Isbel
Pitching Matchup
PIT - Mitch Keller (11-9, 3.85 ERA, 163.2 IP, 42 BB, 153 K)
KC - Michael Wacha (12-7, 3.34 ERA, 151 IP, 40 BB, 130 K)
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It's really striking how different things are when the Pirates run up against serious major league teams. Since Cherington's deadline "improvements," they're 2-15 against teams currently sitting in playoff spots.
No-hitter watch ends earlier than usual.