Barring any unforeseen circumstances, it's safe to say the Mitch Keller is starter for the Pirates' 2025 home opener Friday at PNC Park.
The Pirates haven't officially announced it yet, but when Derek Shelton was asked ifKellerwill start the home opener against the Yankees on Friday, he said: "I don’t know if we’ve announced that, but that’s the way it’s scheduled."
Keller made his first start of the season at loanDepot Park on Friday and threw six innings of five hit ball while allowing one earned run and striking out four. Shelton has said in the past that he takes the Pirates' home opener into account when scheduling his starting pitching through the first few weeks of the season and it looks like that has come into play.
Carmen Mlodzinski is the last of the five-man starting rotation to take the mound this season as he does so tonight. However, rather than go directly to Paul Skenes, who is set to start Wednesday, the Pirates still have yet to announce a starter for tomorrow's game here in Tampa, Fla. That could mean a spot start from a minor leaguer or a bullpen game. Shelton said that decision will depend how tonight's game goes.
"It's safe to say that we'll probably have a decision after the game on what we're going to do, and who is available for that, depending on what happens today," Shelton said.
Here's his full pre-game media availability:
• Joshua Palacios has elected free agency. He cleared waivers and the Pirates outrighted him to Class AAA Indianapolis two days ago.
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THE ASYLUM
Greg Macafee
9:34 pm - 03.31.2025TAMPA, FLA.Keller scheduled to start home opener
Barring any unforeseen circumstances, it's safe to say the Mitch Keller is starter for the Pirates' 2025 home opener Friday at PNC Park.
The Pirates haven't officially announced it yet, but when Derek Shelton was asked if Keller will start the home opener against the Yankees on Friday, he said: "I don’t know if we’ve announced that, but that’s the way it’s scheduled."
Keller made his first start of the season at loanDepot Park on Friday and threw six innings of five hit ball while allowing one earned run and striking out four. Shelton has said in the past that he takes the Pirates' home opener into account when scheduling his starting pitching through the first few weeks of the season and it looks like that has come into play.
Carmen Mlodzinski is the last of the five-man starting rotation to take the mound this season as he does so tonight. However, rather than go directly to Paul Skenes, who is set to start Wednesday, the Pirates still have yet to announce a starter for tomorrow's game here in Tampa, Fla. That could mean a spot start from a minor leaguer or a bullpen game. Shelton said that decision will depend how tonight's game goes.
"It's safe to say that we'll probably have a decision after the game on what we're going to do, and who is available for that, depending on what happens today," Shelton said.
Here's his full pre-game media availability:
• Joshua Palacios has elected free agency. He cleared waivers and the Pirates outrighted him to Class AAA Indianapolis two days ago.
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