The starting pitching of the Pittsburgh Pirates has been their strength this season. Rookies Jared Jones and Paul Skenes are garnering a lot of headlines for their historic starts, and rightfully so. But, it is the elder statesman of the group, Mitch Keller, who many consider the ace of the staff.
A former top prospect himself, Mitch Keller has worked tirelessly to turn himself into a reliable major league starter. The hard work has paid off, as he is performing like an ace for the Pittsburgh Pirates this season.
He has been truly dominant at PNC Park, making seven starts and going 4-1 with a 2.36 ERA. In 45.2 innings, he has surrendered only 36 hits and 14 walks, striking out 44. It has been four straight starts that he has allowed 1 or zero runs at his home field.
Mitch Keller has been a workhorse for the Pittsburgh Pirates, not only eating up innings but doing so effectively. During the season, he has made 15 starts, throwing 92.2 innings with a 3.11 ERA. In eight straight starts, he has pitched at least six innings.
What has led to the recent surge in production for Mitch Keller? Based on charts shared by Lance Brozdowski on X, he is working more up and in with his fastball against left-handed hitters.
Early in the season, he was getting hit hard by lefties. In April, they had a swinging strike rate of only nine percent with an expected slugging percentage of .445. In May and June, the swinging strike rate has jumped to 14 percent and the expected slugging percentage is down to .306.
All in all, it has resulted in an FIP under 3.00 in his last eight starts. That has also coincided with Skenes being called up, as his inclusion in the starting rotation has seeingly given everyone a boost.
It has been encouraging to see the adjustments Mitch Keller has made pay off. He is one of the keys to the Pittsburgh Pirates hanging around the playoff picture in the National League. They aren’t a team anyone will want to face in the postseason given the talent of their starting rotation.
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