Pittsburgh Pirates: 3 Takeaways From Series Split Against The Tigers

PITTSBURGH, PA - JUNE 19: Felipe Vazquez #73 of the Pittsburgh Pirates celebrates with Elias Diaz #32 of the Pittsburgh Pirates after defeating the Detroit Tigers during inter-league play at PNC Park on June 19, 2019 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Justin K. Aller/Getty Images)
PITTSBURGH, PA - JUNE 19: Felipe Vazquez #73 of the Pittsburgh Pirates celebrates with Elias Diaz #32 of the Pittsburgh Pirates after defeating the Detroit Tigers during inter-league play at PNC Park on June 19, 2019 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Justin K. Aller/Getty Images)
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PITTSBURGH, PA – JUNE 19: Starling Marte #6 of the Pittsburgh Pirates celebrates after defeating the Detroit Tigers during inter-league play at PNC Park on June 19, 2019 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Justin K. Aller/Getty Images)
PITTSBURGH, PA – JUNE 19: Starling Marte #6 of the Pittsburgh Pirates celebrates after defeating the Detroit Tigers during inter-league play at PNC Park on June 19, 2019 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Justin K. Aller/Getty Images) /

The Pittsburgh Pirates split a two-game series at PNC Park against the Detroit Tigers this week

So far this season the Pittsburgh Pirates have played 24 series. In these 24 series the team is 10-10-4. However, they find themselves 7 games under .500 at 33-40. The main reason for this is due to the team having been swept five series this season.

In their most recent series, the Pirates split a two-game set at home against the Detroit Tigers. This was a series the Pirates should have swept. Not only are the Tigers a putrid, putrid team. The Pirates also gave Tuesday night’s opener away by struggling with runners in scoring position and playing poor defense.

While a series split was disappointing, it was still a memorable series for the Pirates. On Wednesday night, the team pulled off it’s biggest comeback victory since 2011. These are the kind of fun, special games that make watching a struggling team worthwhile.

Following a day off on Thursday, the Pirates will welcome the San Diego Padres to PNC Park for a three-game weekend series. Before we turn our attention to the Padres, however, let’s take a look back at 3 key takeaways from their series against the Tigers.

PITTSBURGH, PA – JUNE 18: Mitch Keller #23 of the Pittsburgh Pirates pitches in the first inning against the Detroit Tigers during inter-league play at PNC Park on June 18, 2019 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Justin K. Aller/Getty Images)
PITTSBURGH, PA – JUNE 18: Mitch Keller #23 of the Pittsburgh Pirates pitches in the first inning against the Detroit Tigers during inter-league play at PNC Park on June 18, 2019 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Justin K. Aller/Getty Images) /

It was a step in the right direction for Mitch Keller

On Tuesday night, Mitch Keller made his third career MLB start. While Keller still had some trying moments, it was, by far, his best start yet. For the first time, he really looked comfortable on the mound and like he belonged.

In 5 innings of work Keller allowed just four hits, he did not surrender a home run, and he walked just two batters. He was charged with 4 runs in his 5 innings of work, but only 2 of them were earned. He also recorded six strikeouts.

While it still was not where he wants or needs it to be, Keller’s fastball command was the best it has been yet. He left a few pitches over the plate and got burnt for it, but for the most part he put his fastball where he wanted to. The natural movement his fastball possesses helped, too.

His slider continues to flash as a plus pitch as well. He threw 60% fastballs in his start, and struggled with curveball command, but most of the sliders he threw were good ones.

In all honesty, the biggest mistake Keller made came in the top of the 4th inning when he threw a Harold Castro sacrifice bunt attempt away. This put runners on second and third with no one out, which led to the Pirate bringing the infield in. With the infield in, Jung Ho Kang then committed an error that allowed a pair of runs to score.

If Keller properly makes his play, or Kang makes his, then his start looks even better. Also, he likely would have pitched an additional inning due to his pitch count being lower.

All in all, Tuesday’s start was a big step in the right direction for Keller. While he was optioned to Triple-A for the returning Trevor Williams on Wednesday, hopefully, Keller can still use this start to build his confidence and make it something he can build off of before his next MLB start.

PITTSBURGH, PA – JUNE 19: Adam Frazier #26 of the Pittsburgh Pirates tags out Nicholas Castellanos #9 of the Detroit Tigers after trying to stretch a single into a double in the seventh inning during inter-league play at PNC Park on June 19, 2019 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Justin K. Aller/Getty Images)
PITTSBURGH, PA – JUNE 19: Adam Frazier #26 of the Pittsburgh Pirates tags out Nicholas Castellanos #9 of the Detroit Tigers after trying to stretch a single into a double in the seventh inning during inter-league play at PNC Park on June 19, 2019 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Justin K. Aller/Getty Images) /

The Pirates need to go in a new direction at second base

The Pirate offense has been very good this season. The outfield, first base, third base, and shortstop are all providing above league average production. Elias Diaz has been swinging a good bat for over a month now at catcher, and the bench has become one of the best in the National League.

Second base, however, has been a sore spot all season long for the Pirates.

Adam Frazier is the team’s starting second baseman, but it is time for a change. After going 1-for-7 and leaving six men on base in the two games against the Tigers, Frazier is slashing just .258/.319/.371 this season with a wRC+ of 81. He also made a pair of defensive miscues that cost the Pirates runs, with the first of the two costing them the game on Tuesday night.

Entering the season there were a lot of questions surrounding Frazier’s ability to be an everyday player. However, with his play, offensively at least, he earned the right to begin the 2019 season as a starter. He has proven – both offensively and defensively – that he is not cut out to play second base on a day in and day out basis. It is time to return Frazier to a utility role where he is best.

The team could promote Kevin Kramer from Triple-A and give him an extended look at second base. Another option would be to slide Kevin Newman to second base while recalling Cole Tucker to play shortstop. Odds are, the latter of the two is the long term middle infield pairing for the Pirates anyway.

Right now the Pittsburgh Pirates need to be playing with an eye on the future. An everyday role for Frazier is not in that future. Due to this, it is time to go a different direction at second base.

PITTSBURGH, PA – JUNE 19: Francisco Liriano #47 of the Pittsburgh Pirates pitches against the Detroit Tigers during inter-league play at PNC Park on June 19, 2019 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Justin K. Aller/Getty Images)
PITTSBURGH, PA – JUNE 19: Francisco Liriano #47 of the Pittsburgh Pirates pitches against the Detroit Tigers during inter-league play at PNC Park on June 19, 2019 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Justin K. Aller/Getty Images) /

The bullpen stays hot

For much of the season, the Pirate bullpen has struggled. However, the past week the bullpen has pitched much better. This continued against the Tigers.

The Pirate bullpen pitched 8 innings against the Tigers. In these 8 innings of work the bullpen allowed just 1 run. This lone run was charged to Kyle Crick on Tuesday night, but only scored due to a defensive miscue by Frazier.

This series marked what has now been nine straight strong games from the bullpen. Dating back to the second game of their four-game set in Atlanta last week, the Pirate bullpen has allowed just 4 runs in 32 innings of work. This is a good stretch for any bullpen, but for the maligned Bucco bunch it is borderline unthinkable.

In this series relievers such as Michael Feliz and Richard Rodriguez who have struggled this season continued their recent strong work. Clay Holmes also pitched a scoreless inning as his strong 2019 season continues.

dark. Next. Brubaker Returns To Game Action

Maybe just maybe the Pirate bullpen has, finally, turned a corner. If it has, this would go a long way toward the Pirates working their way back to a .500 record.

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