Paul Skenes wasn't able to put an end to the Pirates' losing streak yesterday, but MitchKeller gives them another chance tonight against a Reds team that's collectively hitting .220 (30th in Major League Baseball) with 133 runs scored (20th) and 42 home runs (T-4th-most) during a 20-11 start to the season.
Of those 42 home runs, 19 have come from Elly De La Cruz (10) and SalStewart (9), two of three qualified Reds players hitting above .237. SpencerSteer ranks fourth on the team in batting average with that .237 figure, while the Pirates (.244; 13th in MLB) have six regulars with batting averages besting Steer. Cincinnati's out to a nice start, for sure. But their lineup isn't one with a ton of spectacular depth. In fact, seven of their 13 active positions players have negative bWAR figures.
Keller hasn't had much success against the Reds in his career (5.59 ERA in 19 career starts), but he's been his usual reliable self over his first six starts to begin the year. He's used his entire arsenal on a regular basis and has compiled a 2-1 record with a 3.18 ERA, while registering five starts in which he's thrown five-plus innings and allowed three or fewer runs. It certainly would have been ideal for Skenes to be the one to put out this current fire. But Keller's a good arm to have on the mound with a chance to keep things from snowballing against the team sitting atop the National League Central standings.
THE ASYLUM
Can Keller stop the bleeding?
Paul Skenes wasn't able to put an end to the Pirates' losing streak yesterday, but Mitch Keller gives them another chance tonight against a Reds team that's collectively hitting .220 (30th in Major League Baseball) with 133 runs scored (20th) and 42 home runs (T-4th-most) during a 20-11 start to the season.
Of those 42 home runs, 19 have come from Elly De La Cruz (10) and Sal Stewart (9), two of three qualified Reds players hitting above .237. Spencer Steer ranks fourth on the team in batting average with that .237 figure, while the Pirates (.244; 13th in MLB) have six regulars with batting averages besting Steer. Cincinnati's out to a nice start, for sure. But their lineup isn't one with a ton of spectacular depth. In fact, seven of their 13 active positions players have negative bWAR figures.
Keller hasn't had much success against the Reds in his career (5.59 ERA in 19 career starts), but he's been his usual reliable self over his first six starts to begin the year. He's used his entire arsenal on a regular basis and has compiled a 2-1 record with a 3.18 ERA, while registering five starts in which he's thrown five-plus innings and allowed three or fewer runs. It certainly would have been ideal for Skenes to be the one to put out this current fire. But Keller's a good arm to have on the mound with a chance to keep things from snowballing against the team sitting atop the National League Central standings.
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