Pittsburgh Pirates vs Minnesota Twins Picks and Predictions June 7th 2024

Twins Look to Halt Pirates Starter Mitch Keller’s Win Streak

Pittsburgh right-hander Mitch Keller will be aiming to secure his sixth consecutive win on Friday night as the Pirates open a three-game series against the visiting Minnesota Twins.

Keller’s Impressive Run

Mitch Keller (7-3, 3.42 ERA) is 33/3, allowing just five runs in 26 innings, striking out 27 in his last five. Keller has been incredibly consistent, striking out at least five times in 43 consecutive games through March 30, 2023.

“I mean, even coming up through the minor leagues, that was the thing,” Keller said. “Starters go as deep as possible, that was the M.O. Three pitches or less to every batter, go as deep as you can into the game. I think that really helped me when I got to the big leagues and started seeing success. Like, OK, I can do this and be efficient.”

Keller, 28, excelled in his only career start against the Twins, striking out 12 batters and allowing two runs on seven hits in six innings during a 7-4 win in Minneapolis on August 19, 2023.

Pirates’ Recent Performance

The Pirates couldn’t total a three-game clear of the Los Angeles Dodgers, falling 11-7 on Thursday. In spite of the misfortune, Pittsburgh’s offense has been electric. Scratch Gonzales hit a two-run homer in the third inning on Thursday, boosting his RBI add up to to 22 in 24 diversions since being reviewed from Triple-A Indianapolis on May 10. Oneil Cruz contributed with a colossal 462-foot, three-run homer into the Allegheny Waterway.

Ke’Bryan Hayes also had a strong game against the Dodgers, collecting three hits to improve to 9-for-23 (.391) with one homer, four RBIs, and five runs in his past six games.

Twins’ Struggles and Ryan’s Challenge

The Twins look to bounce back from an 8-5 loss to the New York Yankees that ended their three- and six-game playoff streak. Minnesota right-hander Joe Ryan (4-4, 3.38 ERA) will take the mound and look to bounce back from his longest shutout of the season. In his last start, a 5-2 loss to the Houston Astros, Ryan hit season highs in home runs (four), runs (five) and hits (eight) in five games.

“It’s just frustrating. I don’t know where the (pitch to Kyle Tucker) was located, but all the other ones were exactly executed where we wanted them to be,” Ryan said, per the Minneapolis Star Tribune. “Command was there, and we executed the game plan pretty much to a tee. It’s definitely frustrating.”

Ryan will be facing the Pirates for the first time in his career and will aim to keep the ball in the park, a feat he managed in the two outings prior to his latest start, where he fanned a total of 15 batters in 14 innings.

Twins’ Offensive Highlights

Despite their struggles, the Twins had some bright spots offensively. Carlos Correa and Christian Vazquez each hit a solo homer on Thursday night. Royce Lewis, who sat out the series finale against the Yankees, has hit safely in nine straight games dating back to last September.

Game Outlook

As the series progresses, the duel between Keller and Ryan will be at the forefront. Keller’s recent dominance and ability to stay rooted in plays make him a formidable opponent. However, the Twins are determined to end the losing streak and achieve stability. Minnesota players, including Correa, Vazquez and Lewis, will have to compete against Pittsburgh’s strong pitching staff.

For the Pirates, the key to success will be maintaining their offensive momentum, led by Gonzales, Cruz, and Hayes. If Keller can sustain his current form, Pittsburgh has a solid chance to secure a win.

Both teams have something to prove, and fans can expect a competitive and exciting opener as the Twins try to keep Keller from scoring while the Pirates try to bounce back from their last loss to the Dodgers. The presence of MLB stars like Mitch Keller and Joe Ryan adds some excitement to this already captivating game, making it a must-watch for baseball fans.