Pirates at Reds: Keller's 30th Start This Week
The Pittsburgh Pirates will be in Cincinnati this week for a three-game series against the Reds, starting on Tuesday, August 22nd. The series will be a chance for the Pirates to continue their recent surge and try to gain some ground in the National League Central division.
Keller's Milestone Start
One of the key storylines for the series will be Mitch Keller's upcoming 30th start of the season. Keller, a key part of the Pirates' young pitching staff, has been a consistent performer this year, making him a crucial part of the team's success. While he's not likely to reach 200 innings this season, he's on pace to significantly surpass his career-high of 188 1/3 innings, a testament to his improved durability and the team's commitment to his development.
The Reds' Struggles
The Reds, on the other hand, have been struggling mightily this season, finding themselves with the worst record in the National League. With a record under .400 and a losing streak entering the series, it will be a tough challenge for them to stop the momentum of the surging Pirates.
Key Matchups
The series will feature some interesting pitching matchups. Keller will likely start one game, while the Reds are expected to counter with their own young ace, Hunter Greene. Both pitchers are known for their high-velocity fastballs and have the potential to dominate the game.
Keys to the Series
For the Pirates to be successful in this series, they will need to continue to play solid defense, get timely hitting, and rely on their pitching depth. The Reds, on the other hand, will need to find a way to get their offense going and generate some momentum. A big series for the Pirates will need to be followed by continued strong performances against the Braves in Atlanta and the Mets in New York.
Looking Ahead
This series will be an important one for both teams, as it will be a chance for the Pirates to continue their winning ways and for the Reds to try to turn their season around. With the Pirates' focus on the future, this series could be a sign of things to come for the franchise, with a young core of players poised to potentially break out in 2024. The series will be televised on various networks, so fans can tune in to watch the action unfold.
Overall, the Pirates at Reds series promises to be an exciting and competitive series, especially as it could be a pivotal point in the Pirates' season.