Gameday 63: Pirates open three game series against Minnesota Twins

Mitch Keller to pitch the opener against the Twins

Jun 07, 2024

After taking two of three versus the Los Angeles Dodgers, the Pittsburgh Pirates will begin a three-game weekend series against the Minnesota Twins.

Jared Jones and Paul Skenes picked up wins for the Pirates during the Dodgers series, with game three being a bit of a clunker.

This will be the Pirates' second series against an AL Central opponent; they previously split a two-game set with the Detroit Tigers.

The Twins enter this series on a three-game losing streak and have gone 5-5 in the last 10. They will have Joe Ryan on the mound of the opener, with Simeon Woods Richardson and Bailey Ober expected to follow him up.

Mitch Keller will pitch for the Pirates, with Jones scheduled on Sunday, but the question will be who the starter is on Saturday. It looks like it could be a potential bullpen-style game, with the only other two players on the 40-man having pitched this week—Braxton Ashcraft on Thursday and Daulton Jefferies on Wednesday.

Pirates Lineup

1B - Connor Joe

LF - Bryan Reynolds

3B - Ke’Bryan Hayes

SS - Oneil Cruz

RF - Edward Olivares

2B - Nick Gonzales

C - Yasmani Grandal

CF - Jack Suwinski

DH - Henry Davis

Twins Lineup

LF - Trevor Larnach

SS - Carlos Correa

3B - Royce Lewis

RF - Max Kepler

C - Ryan Jeffers

DH - Jose Miranda

CF - Bryon Buxton

1B - Carlos Santana

2B - Willi Castro

Pitching Matchup

PIT - Mitch Keller (7-3, 3.42 ERA, 73.2 IP, 20 BB, 66 K)

MIN - Joe Ryan (4-4, 3.38 ERA, 72 IP, 11 BB, 77 K)

Yesterday’s Feature

Antwone Kelly is a promising arm in the lower-levels for the Pirates. He’s learning how to become more of a pitcher and how best to use his fastball to be efficient and get hitters out. I talked to Jim Horner about the young righty, and how he has developed over the last year or so.

Bucs On Deck

Antwone Kelly continues to grow in his first full season of pro ball

When you look at many pitchers in the lower levels, they have the stuff—it’s just a matter of learning how to become pitchers and not just throwers. One of those prospects in the lower levels for the Pirates is Antwone Kelly, a right-handed pitcher currently playing for the Bradenton Marauders…

6 months ago · 8 likes · 5 comments · Anthony Murphy

Today’s Feature

Braxton Ashcraft struck out a career-high 12 batters in seven innings against the Richmond Flying Squirrels. I took a look at the best way to use him the rest of the year and what scenario makes the most sense to actually move him to the bullpen.

Bucs On Deck

Braxton Ashcraft best usage is in the rotation, for now

After an initial rough start to the season, it’s been hard to find a starting pitcher playing better in the Pirates’ system than right-hander Braxton Ashcraft. In four appearances during April, Ashcraft posted a 6.91 ERA, with just 12 strikeouts in 14.1 innings pitched…

6 months ago · 5 comments · Anthony Murphy

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Bucs On Deck

Player Observations: Estuar Suero, Miguel Sosa, Jose Regalado

Even though there are a few repeaters, the amount we’ve seen on the Florida Complex League team players is pretty high. So, my trip to Bradenton was an excellent opportunity to see (plus get video) some of the players playing in the FCL. Many people have heard their names, but they haven’t seen many of them in action…

7 months ago · 5 likes · Anthony Murphy

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