Gameday 53: Mitch Keller on the mound as Pirates have chance to claim series against Braves
Pirates offense exploded for 11 runs on Friday
The Pirates’ offense exploded for 11 runs on 14 hits on Friday, and Bailey Falter pitched well again, which led to the home team winning game one against the Braves 11-5.
Connor Joe hit a pair of doubles, Nick Gonzales had a pair of hits, and Jared Triolo went deep for the Pirates offense.
Mitch Keller will pitch for the Pirates, who have won in three straight starts. In that time, he has reduced his ERA from 5.18 to 3.84 and is now 5-3 on the season.
They will face Reynaldo Lopez, who made the switch back to the rotation this season after mostly pitching in relief during his major league career.
First pitch is expected around 4:05 pm ET.
Pirates Lineup
DH - Andrew McCutchen
LF - Bryan Reynolds
1B - Connor Joe
SS - Oneil Cruz
2B - Nick Gonzales
RF - Edward Olivares
C - Yasmani Grandal
3B - Jared Triolo
CF - Ji-Hwan Bae
Lineup
RF - Ronald Acuna Jr.
2B - Ozzie Albies
DH - Marcel Ozuna
1B - Matt Olson
SS - Orlando Arcia
CF - Michael Harris II
LF - Jarred Kelenic
C - Chadwick Tromp
3B - Zack Short
Pitching Matchup
PIT - Mitch Keller (5-3, 3.84, 61 IP, 19 BB, 54 K)
ATL - Reynaldo Lopez (2-1, 1.54 ERA, 46.2 IP, 17 BB, 44 K)
Yesterday’s Feature
After starting the year on the Development List, Nick Cimillo is making the most of his chance to play more consistently in May. He hit his fifth home run of the season—the fourth this month along—on Friday.
Today’s Feature
One of the more intriguing players to make the jump from the Complex to Bradenton was Eddy Rodriguez. Jim Horner was the manager with the FCL Pirates last year, and is in the same role with the Marauders now, and he discusses what stands out about Rodriguez.
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Triolo and Bae aren't exactly lighting up the sky with fireworks, but they're grinding away enough to get good things done now and then. Can't be said for Tellez, or for numerous other veterans BC has brought in. If you have to have players with crappy numbers, at least have some who are scrambling to find a place in The Show and not just adding another year to their pension rights.
And an interesting factoid -- After a whopping three games, Skenes is already 7th on the team in bWAR.
Frack, it's official, right?