Gameday 21: Mitch Keller on the mound trying to break losing streak for Pirates

Losing streak now at four games.

Apr 20, 2024

After losing 8-1 on Friday, the Pirates’ losing streak was extended to four games. The offense has really struggled in that time, managing just six runs, 17 hits, and striking out 40 times.

Bryan Bello pitched six shutout innings, striking out seven, for the Red Sox Friday night. Quinn Priester made his first start of the season in the majors, allowing four earned runs on seven hits and one walk over 4.1 innings pitched.

He allowed more home runs (3) than strikeouts he got (2).

Mitch Keller will pitch Saturday for the Pirates. In his last two starts (13 innings), he has allowed only four earned runs.

Kutter Crawford and his 0.42 ERA over 21.1 innings will prevent the Pirates from getting back in the win column.

Gametime is expected around 4:05 pm ET.

Pirates Lineup

DH - Edward Olivares

RF - Bryan Reynolds

3B - Ke’Bryan Hayes

LF - Jack Suwinski

C - Joey Bart

1B - Rowdy Tellez

2B - Jared Triolo

SS - Oneil Cruz

CF - Michael A. Taylor

Red Sox Lineup

CF - Jarren Duran

LF - Wilyer Abreu

RF - Rob Refsnyder

1B - Tristan Casas

DH - Masataka Yoshida

3B - Bobby Dalbec

2B - Enmanuel Valdez

C - Reese McGuire

SS - Ceddanne Rafaela

Pitching Matchup

PIT - Mitch Keller (2-1, 4.50 ERA, 24 IP, 7 BB, 21 K)

BOS - Kutter Crawford (0-0, 0.42 ERA, 21.1 IP, 8 BB, 24 K)

Yesterday’s Feature

Quinn Priester made his first start in the majors for the 2024 season. Ryan Palencer talked about him trying to seize this opportunity he is getting in yesterday’s feature.

Bucs On Deck

Quinn Priester looks to take advantage of opportunity

After seeing his first full year in Triple-A last season and getting a taste of the big leagues to the tune of 50 innings, Quinn Priester now has the taste of baseball’s highest level. He entered this season with just one goal to prove he should be back…

7 months ago · 2 likes · 6 comments · Ryan Palencer

Today’s Feature

Few hitters in the system got off to a start like Lonnie White Jr. I took a look at his hot start, and what the key will be for him going forward.

Bucs On Deck

Lonnie White Jr: Consistency key to breakout

He never coached him in Greensboro, but watching Lonnie White Jr. play takes me back to the conversation I had with now Altoona skipper Robby Hammock late last season. I asked him what one of the biggest adjustments players have to make as they move up from level to level, specifically from Single-to-High-A, is that that’s where he was managing at the time…

7 months ago · 1 like · 2 comments · Anthony Murphy

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Bucs On Deck

Fastball/Slider playing up for Hunter Barco early in 2024

After selecting prep hitter Termarr Johnson fourth overall in the 2022 draft, the Pittsburgh Pirates used their next two picks on college pitchers: Thomas Harrington and Hunter Barco. There was talk about Barco going in the first round until he underwent Tommy John surgery, forcing him to miss the remainder of the 2022 season and most of 2023…

7 months ago · 5 likes · 15 comments · Anthony Murphy

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