PITTSBURGH (93.7 The Fan) – Only once in a start this year did Mitch Keller ever get eight runs. In what could be his final start as a Pirate in PNC Park, the offense erupted in a 8-5 win against Detroit Tuesday night. They haven’t had as many doubles, eight, in a game since 2002.
“We were swinging,” Keller said. “I looked up at the board and everyone was 3 for 4 or 2-for. It’s just awesome to see. It makes giving up a three-run homer a little less painful when you’ve got a lead like that, for sure. It’s awesome to see. The dugout is awesome, the clubhouse is fun. Winning is fun.”
There hasn’t been a lot of winning, but despite that there has been a lot of trade talk swirling around the 29-year-old Keller who is signed for three more seasons after 2025. It’s not just from one source or one reporter, he’s listed by several reporters and sites as the top starting pitcher available before the trade deadline on July 31.
“Obviously, that comes around every July,” Keller said. “You definitely hear the noise but you’ve got to move past it. There’s nothing I can do about it. It’s not like I can tell them where I want to be traded or where I want to be. If I do get traded, I can’t say where I’m going or anything. So there’s no point in worrying about it. That’s my take on it.”
Keller currently is 4-10 with a 3.53 ERA going 125 innings with 30 walks, 97 strikeouts, 10 home runs allowed with a .239 batting average against and a 1.16 WHIP. It’s the best ERA season since 2022 when Keller also had a losing record going 5-12 with a 3.91 ERA and 1.40 WHIP. Keller had his most innings and strikeouts in 2023 with 210 whiffs in 194.1 innings.
“Mitch and all these guys finding ways to be consistent in what they do,” manager Don Kelly said before the game Tuesday. “Have that mentality that they are here for a reason. Mitch has shown that. He's an All-Star. Believing in that when he goes out there and continuing to work and get better, but trusting in the fact that he's a heck of a pitcher.”
“It’s really impressive,” said teammate David Bednar, his locker is next to Keller. “How he’s been able to take the ball and always give us a shot to win games. That’s all you can ask for out of him. What he’s been able to do this year has been really impressive. Can’t say enough good things about what he’s meant to this team.”
It was a 15th quality start this season. That ties him with the Phillies Zack Wheeler and San Francisco’s Logan Webb for the most in baseball. Which again speaks to his value as the trade deadline approaches next Thursday.
“We kind of make jokes about it a little bit,” Keller said of the trade talk. “I don’t think there’s anything to stress over because there’s nothing we can do about it.”