Mitch Keller, one of this season’s stingiest pitchers, leads the Pittsburgh Pirates (25-24) into T-Mobile Park on Friday as they take on the Seattle Mariners (26-24) to open a three-game Interleague series.
The Pirates are playing their first of six games on the road after closing out a rough six-game homestand (2-4). They won only one out of three in their last series against the Rangers, dropping the finale 3-2 on Wednesday at PNC Park. Connor Joe was 1 for 2 with one run.
The Mariners are in the midst of a 10-game homestand. They are coming off a four-game sweep of the Athletics, taking the finale 3-2 on Thursday at T-Mobile Park.
Ty France went 2 for 4 with two home runs and three runs. The teams are meeting for the first time since September 19, 2019, when the Mariners finished off a three-game series sweep with a 6-5 extra innings victory at PNC Park.
ON THE MOUND
Keller (5-1, 2.44 ERA) is set to get the start for Pittsburgh. The RHP ranks second in the NL in strikeouts (77), fourth in ERA, and tied for fourth in wins. Keller allowed two runs over six innings in his last start, a 4-3 road defeat against the Diamondbacks on Saturday.
He yielded three hits while striking out eight in the no-decision. For Seattle, RHP George Kirby (5-3, 2.62 ERA) gets the start. In his last start on Sunday, Kirby took the loss on the road against the Braves. He threw seven innings and gave up three runs on six hits, striking out six and walking one in the 3-2 defeat.
AT THE PLATE
The Pittsburgh offense is averaging 4.3 runs per game for the season, with a slash line of .244/.323/.394. Joe leads the team in OPS at .862. The left fielder is slashing .265/.362/.500 with five home runs, 15 RBIs, and 24 runs over 42 games.
Over the last five games, however, Pittsburgh has averaged only 3.0 runs a game while slashing worse across the board (.220/.291/.289). Against right-handed pitchers like Kirby this season, the Bucs have a .696 OPS.
Bryan Reynolds is the team’s most productive hitter against right-handers with a .875 OPS in 134 at-bats. Seattle is slashing .229/.310/.382 for the season and averaging 4.5 runs per game. Jarred Kelenic leads the team with an .873 OPS.
The center fielder has 10 home runs, 25 RBIs, and 25 runs scored with a slash line of .284/.339/.534. The M’s have a .699 OPS against right-handers in 2023. With a .830 OPS over 128 at-bats, Kelenic also has been their best hitter against right-handers.
HOME AND AWAY
Pittsburgh is 13-11 in road games in 2023, scoring 4.8 runs per game while allowing 3.3 runs. Seattle has won four in a row at their home ballpark.
The M’s are 14-12 at home this season, averaging 4.4 runs per game while surrendering 3.5. Pittsburgh is 4-3 in seven meetings at T-Mobile Park with an average scoreline of 4.0-3.6.
STANDINGS UPDATE
The Pirates are second in the NL Central, one games behind the division-leading Brewers. The Mariners are fourth in the AL West, five games behind the Rangers.
SportsTips’ MLB Pick:
Seattle Mariners (-155)
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*Odds correct at time of publication, courtesy of BetMGM.
