Pirates Hint at Starting Pitchers vs. Giants
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PITTSBURGH — The Pittsburgh Pirates will head out to the west coast with a ready, starting rotation, as they take on the San Francisco Giants for a three-game series, July 28-30, at Oracle Park.
Right-handed starting pitcher Mitch Keller will take the mound in the series opener for the Pirates, taking on Giants left-handed pitcher Carson Whisenhunt. Whisenhunt will make his MLB debut vs. the Pirates and MLB Pipeline ranks him as the Giants' third best prospect. First pitch is set for 9:45 p.m. (EST).
Keller had a solid outing in his most recent start vs. the Detroit Tigers at PNC Park on July 22, allowing three runs over six innings pitched, while posting five strikeouts in the 8-5 victory.
He has had an excellent season, despite a 4-10 record in 21 starts. He has 15 quality starts, tied for the most in the MLB. A quality start is when a starting pitcher throws six innings and allows three runs or fewer.
Keller has a 3.53 ERA over 125.0 innings pitched, 97 strikeouts to 30 walks, a .239 opposing batting average, a 1.16 WHIP and his innings pitched rank 19th most in the MLB.
This may mark the final start for Keller in a Pirates uniform, as multiple teams have shown trade interest ahead of the deadline on July 31.
Left-handed pitcher Bailey Falter makes the start in the second game on July 29, taking on Giants right-handed starting pitcher Justin Verlander, who is in his 21st season at the MLB level. First pitch is set for 9:45 p.m. (EST).
Falter bounced back with an incredible outing in the 6-1 series finale win over the Tigers on July 23, allowing just four hits and one earned run through seven innings pitched, matching a season-high.
He has a 7-5 record through 21 starts, a 3.82 ERA over 108.1 innings pitched, 69 strikeouts to 35 walks, a .235 opposing batting average and a 1.18 WHIP.
Rookie right-handed pitcher Mike Burrows will take over for the series finale for the Pirates vs. the Giants, who don't have a starting pitcher listed. First pitch is set for 3:45 p.m. (EST).
Burrows had a strong start in the series opener vs. the Arizona Diamondbacks on July 25, allowing three hits and a walk, while posting five strikeouts over a career-high six innings pitched. He wouldn't get the win, as the Pirates had one hit all game and lost 1-0 in extra innings.
He has a 1-3 record through 11 starts and 12 appearances, a 4.15 ERA over 52.0 innings pitched, 53 strikeouts to 20 walks, a .246 opposing batting average and a 1.33 WHIP.
This will mark the first series between the Pirates and Giants this season. They will also face off at PNC Park next week, Aug. 4-6, finishing the two series in 2025.
Dominic writes for Pittsburgh Pirates On SI, Pittsburgh Panthers Pn SI and also, Pittsburgh Steelers On SI. A Pittsburgh native, Dominic grew up watching Pittsburgh Sports and wrote for The Pitt News as an undergraduate at the University of Pittsburgh, covering Pitt Athletics. He would write for Pittsburgh Sports Now after college and has years of experience covering sports across Pittsburgh.