Keller bounces back in a big way by going in full-blown attack mode

ARLINGTON, Texas -- There's one thing that can make up for a lot of inadequacies in the game of baseball, and that's starting pitching. When a team has it in droves, it'll give any team a chance to contend. That's why if the Pirates are going to somehow claw themselves back into the wild card race, pitching is what's going to get them there.

Mitch Keller provided exactly that Tuesday night at Globe Life Field as the Pirates blanked the Rangers, 4-0, rebounding from a loss in the series opener on Monday night. And, it's exactly what the Pirates and Keller both needed, perhaps as equally urgent as possible.

Keller had previously given up 15 earned runs over his past two starts, unsurprisingly earning a loss in both outings. They were both losses that were part of the 10-game losing streak that's most likely going to help define the Pirates' 2024 season.

But Keller bounced back in a big way Tuesday night, tossing seven scoreless innings while giving up three hits, no walks and struck out nine batters, all on only 98 pitches.

"He was outstanding," Derek Shelton said. "(He was) in control the whole game. I know we talked about the two previous outings. With Mitch, that was just a little blip. He came out, he was really strong, he controlled the zone and very impressive outing."

A "little blip" is exactly what both Keller and the Pirates were hoping the two previous starts were. As the Pirates have dealt with more and more injuries to the pitching staff, guys such as Keller have to find ways to execute at a high level. After two horrid starts, Keller and the pitching group simplified everything.

"Just fill it up," Keller said after Tuesday night's game. "Just throw more strikes."

Keller did exactly that. 73 of his 98 pitches went for strikes. He threw a strike on the first pitch to 17 of the 24 batters he faced. He got ahead 0-2 on 11 different occasions, a career high, and only got a count to three balls four different times.

"Joey [Bart] and I just had a really good game plan going in," Keller said. "I think I shook him one time, maybe. Just following his lead. He was really good back there, stealing strikes. Just a really good game plan. Just filling it up, throwing as many strikes as possible and being on the attack. That led to a lot of success out there."

Yeah, some credit can go to Bart. But, when Keller's stuff looks like this ...

... and this ...

... and -- poor Adolis García -- this ...

... we're all reminded of just how good this guy can be.

This was no slouch lineup Keller put together a masterclass start against. He struck out Marcus Semien three times. Semien went into the game ranking in the 71st percentile in chase rate, 76th percentile in whiff rate and 90th percentile in strikeout percentage. That's huge. Keller also played a key role in limiting Corey Seager to an 0-for-4 performance, just one night after Seager singlehandedly beat the Pirates on two mistake pitches by Luis Ortiz.

This might not have been Keller's absolute best performance. He's got some other gems worthy of that title. But, this is exactly the type of performance everyone should expect of Keller when he's on. This is the blueprint for a Mitch Keller game.

"I would agree with that," Shelton said. "It goes to the pitch mix usage. In terms of complete pitch mix usage, he had to start earlier in the year that was eight innings that was like this. He had the complete game last year that I thought his mix was like this. But overall, did a good job, was efficient and went right at them."

That eight-inning performance Shelton mentioned was back on July 8, Keller's most recent victory prior to Tuesday night against the Rangers. In the six starts between then and now, Keller posted a 6.00 ERA and 1.37 WHIP in 30 innings. It's a rough stretch neither he nor the Pirates could afford.

However, one thing that's become clear this season is that Keller has far and away established himself as a stalwart in this rotation. As previously mentioned, starting pitching can be the ultimate game-changer. That's why having a generational talent such as Paul Skenes is such a blessing for this franchise.

But Keller has taken multiple steps forward year after year. He broke through in 2022. He became an All-Star in 2023. This season, he's taken another leap forward, despite having two rough stretches, he's putting up some of the best numbers of his career, including a 3.76 ERA and a 1.21 WHIP. And even at the age of 28, he's the veteran in this group. Tuesday night was more proof of that as the Rangers were the only non-Pirates team he hadn't faced previously. Now, he's faced all other 29 clubs.

In all seriousness, Keller's grown into a pitcher the Pirates very much need. And really, the rotation becoming a strength began with him and his growth over the past few seasons. That's why no matter the stretch he's in, even when he's getting clobbered, you know he won't stay down for long. He'll eventually pull himself out of it.

Just listen to his answer when I asked him how he navigates his way out of rough stretches:

"You're just trying to flush the game, obviously," he said. "The previous two, yeah, they weren't good. As soon as ... literally and figuratively, shower it off and get back at the next one. It's a new week. It's a new game. That's just the mentality you have to bring every time. After today, this one doesn't mean anything. Gotta get back on the next one."

Man ... the Pirates needs more guys like Mitch.