PITTSBURGH (93.7 The Fan) – The Pirates were excited to watch Mitch Keller return on Sunday. The results didn’t change much as the Phillies took the final game of the series 15-3.
Keller did throw more strikes, did not walk a batter, but gave up eight hits (five extra base hits), four runs and struck out a pair in five innings. Overall for the season the ERA is still above seven.
“I thought he was better,” said Pirates manager Derek Shelton Sunday. “The fastball command was better, something we had worked on. He left some breaking balls in the middle of the plate and they had damage on them.”
“The results weren’t there,” Keller said. “Five innings with four is not ideal. I think I executed a lot of good fastballs. I felt really good, confident. I think in the first and second innings my breaking ball stuff was up in the zone.”
Shelton said it was a positive for Keller that he was on the plate with no walks.
“I think the demeanor on the mound was much more confident, which was very encouraging to see,” Shelton said.
Brault back
Cherington confirmed Steven Brault will make his Pirates debut this week. The veteran lefty suffered a lat injury during Spring Training, made his most recent start at AAA giving up a run over four innings. In 11 rehab innings, Brault has allowed six hits, two runs, walked one and struck out nine.
Rotation rotation
Tyler Anderson’s spot in the rotation gone and Bryse Wilson likely getting starts the rest of the year, there will be starts for others.
JT Brubaker, Chad Kuhl, Wil Crowe likely will remain in the rotation, but Cherington said Miguel Yajure (who threw a simulated game in Bradenton on Sunday), Dillion Peters (acquired from Angels, working back from injury), Brault and potentially more Keller, Max Kranick and Cody Ponce this season.
Cherington said there are opportunities there. They also will limit innings of some pitchers due to the missed or shortened season in 2020.
“There is opportunity being given to players who have a chance to step up and earn more opportunity and put themselves in even a stronger position in the off-season,” Cherington said on 93.7 The Fan. “In other cases, we have young players who are more established that are still trying to take their game to another level.”
Up Next
The debut for RHP Bryse Wilson (2-3, 5.88 ERA) with the Pirates as the Bucs face LHP Eric Lauer (3-4, 3.78 ERA) at 8:10 Monday on 93.7 The Fan.