Game Thread: Mitch Keller goes in game 3 in Philly

The Pirates are looking to take the series in Philadelphia as they face the Phillies at 6:05 p.m. at Citizens Bank park, as the Pirates throw Mitch Keller (1-2, 7.24) against the Phils’ right-hander Vince Velasquez (5-7, 4.93)

Velasquez is in his fourth season with Philadelphia after making his major league debut in the second half of 2015 with the Astros. The 58th pick of the 2010 draft out of Pomona, California, Velasquez has a career 4.66 ERA in 93 starts and 23 relief appearances.

OIn his last start Velasquez allowed seven runs in two and a third innings in Miami, but before that had a streak of five straight starts of three or fewer runs.

Velasquez mixes in a curve slider and change with a fastball that average 94.3 mph this year. He’s been equally mediocre against batters from both sides of the plate, in 2019 allowing a .832 OPS against left-handed batters on a 260/325/507 line, and 821 vs righties (245/330/490). Velasquez has served up a .265 isolated power number at home, including eight homers in nine home games.

Keller is coming off the best start of his short major league career, striking out nine while walking just one in six innings against the Reds at PNC Park on Aug. 23, with the only run against him coming on a solo homer by Aristides Aquino.

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PIRATES

1 R Kevin Newman SS

2 L Bryan Reynolds LF

3 R Starling Marte CF

4 S Josh Bell 1B

5 L Colin Moran 3B

6 R Jose Osuna RF

7 L Adam Frazier 2B

8 R Jacob Stallings C

9 R Mitch Keller RHP

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PHILLIES

1 L Corey Dickerson LF

2 R J.T. Realmuto C

3 L Bryce Harper RF

4 R Rhys Hoskins 1B

5 R Jean Segura SS

6 S Cesar Hernandez 2B

7 R Scott Kingery 3B

8 L Adam Haseley CF

9 R Vince Vasquez RHP