The Pirates’ five-game win streak is over after a loss last night to the Cardinals.
Joe Block has the story.
Needing only one more win to lock down a .500 season, manager Donnie Kelly says the Bucs need to play hard for the final four games of 2026.
The Pirates had scored four runs off Matthew Liberatore in his other two starts against them this season, but couldn’t solve him last night. Kelly said the left-hander shut them down.
Mitch Keller has been on the injured list since August 3rd with a teres major muscle injury in his right shoulder, but the right-hander reported yesterday that he feels fully healthy now and will begin a throwing program in late October. Keller had a second straight poor season this year, finishing 6-8 with a 5.29 ERA in 22 starts, after going 6-15 in 2025. He won 13 games in 2023 and 11 in 2024. His average pitch velocity has dropped steadily for five straight seasons, from 95.6 in 2022 to 92.6 this season.
