Mitch Keller's 0-2 June Has the Pirates Sweating and Their Wild Card Hopes on Edge

Alright, listen up, because the MLB landscape is heating up, and while our M's are doing their thing, we gotta keep an eye on the rest of the league. Tonight, the Pittsburgh Pirates are back on the diamond, facing off against the A's for the second game of a three-game series. But let me tell you, Pittsburgh has a HUGE problem on the mound, and it's making everyone in the wild card race pay attention. Mitch Keller, their guy, is looking for his first win since MAY 24. Yeah, you heard that right. It's June 16, and he's still chasing that W.

Keller's June Woes Are Getting Real

This isn't just a slump, folks, this is a full-blown struggle that's got the Pirates and their fans on edge. Keller is sitting at a rough 0-2 in his June starts. And it gets worse: he hasn't even seen the end of the 5th inning in any of his last three starts. Think about that for a second. Your ace, or at least a guy who should be eating innings, can't make it past the fourth or fifth? That's brutal for any bullpen, especially when every single game matters. His overall record is 5-4 with a 5.14 ERA, which, let's be honest, is not pretty when you're trying to make a push in the wild card. The pressure is on, big time, for Keller to somehow find his form tonight at Sutter Health Park.

Can the A's New Starter Keep Improving?

Across

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the diamond, the A's are rolling with Jackson Perkins, and this guy's story is kinda wild. He's making only his third start of the season tonight after spending the first two months grinding it out in the bullpen as a relief pitcher. Talk about a transition! His first start on June 5 against the Houston Astros wasn't exactly a masterpiece, where he pitched four innings and gave up five runs. But here's the kicker: his second start on June 10 against the Milwaukee Brewers showed some potential. He still went four innings, but only allowed three runs. That's a definite improvement, right? His overall numbers are 2-3 with a 6.25 ERA, so he's still got some work to do. But for the A's, they're hoping that "upward trajectory" continues. This is the kind of matchup that could either give Keller the bounce-back game he desperately needs or show that Perkins is finding his groove. This game, broadcast on KDKA AM/FM and Sportsnet Pittsburgh, isn't just some random mid-season matchup. Both the Pirates and the A's are smack dab in the middle of their respective wild card races. Every single pitch, every single out, it all counts. For Keller, it's a chance to stop the bleeding and prove he can still be the guy. For Perkins, it's a test to see if he can truly cut it as a starter. You know what that means: buckle up, because tonight's going to be a battle, and tomorrow's rubber match in this series will carry even more weight.

This article was created with AI assistance and reviewed by Seattle On Tap editorial staff. Always verify information with official team sources.