Sunday Afternoon: Mitch Keller Closes Out Against Alex Wood

Today’s Game: The series-ender starts at at 1:05 and will be on AT&T SportsNet & 93.7 The Fan.

Lineup: Adam Frazier 2B; Kevin Newman SS; Bryan Reynolds CF; Jake Stallings C; Will Craig 1B; Erik Gonzalez 3B; Ka’ai Tom LF; Troy Stokes RF; Mitch Keller P. A trio of young ‘uns holding down the back end of the order…

I wouldn’t sit him down either – photo Pgh Pirates

Pitchers:  RHP Mitch Keller (2-4/7.81) finishes up the set against LHP Alex Wood (4-0/1.80). Mitch is up, Mitch is down, Mitch is a mystery. If he continues on his every-other-start pattern, today should be a good outing. He’s seen the Giants just once, in 2019, and gave up five runs in five innings. Wood has gone 5-7 innings in each of his five starts and hasn’t given up more than two runs in any game, limiting both runners (25 in 30 IP) and homers (2). He’s 3-3/3.09 in 10 career games (nine starts) against the Bucs.

Notes:

• Bryan Reynolds leads all MLB players with 15 doubles; among his last 18 hits, 11 have been two-baggers.
• The back end of the bullpen has been pretty stingy w/hits: Opposing BAs .031 (Kyle Crick); .105 (Ric Rod); .114 Sam Howard; .196 Dave Bednar.
• Ka’ai Tom has seven hits and 11 BB/HBP in 16 Pirates games. He’s batting .200 but has a .375 OBP.
• Today is the first time since 4/28 that the Bucs have faced a LH starter.
• The Pirates 15-hit attack last night was the most hits they’ve collected in a game this season.
• Four Bradenton Marauders pitchers combined on a no-hitter last night. Jose Maldonado, Cameron Junker, Brennan Malone, and Wandi Montout combined to strike out 11 with six walks in a 2-0 win over Dunedin.

Tomorrow’s Game: The Pirates are off before beginning a six-day road trip against St. Louis and Atlanta.