Pittsburgh Pirates ace Mitch Keller has absolutely lost his touch. His recent outings are a disaster, raising serious questions about his long-term value to the club and their playoff hopes.
On June 5, 2026, Keller was shelled by the Cincinnati Reds at PNC Park. He lasted only 4.1 innings, giving up 6 earned runs on 9 hits. This included 2 home runs, adding insult to injury for Pirates fans.
The $77 Million Question
This isn’t just a bad start; it’s a trend. Keller has now given up 5 or more earned runs in his last two outings. Over 9.2 innings in those starts, he’s surrendered a whopping 11 earned runs on 17 hits.
His season ERA has ballooned from 3.80 to 4.55. This is not the performance expected from the guy holding a 5-year, $77 million contract. That deal makes him the highest-paid pitcher in Pirates history.
This isn’t some small-time reliever. Keller is supposed to be the ace. He’s the cornerstone, the big money arm the Pirates invested in just two years ago.
The club, currently sitting at a respectable 34-31 record, needs him to perform. They are fighting for a Wild Card spot. His struggles drag the entire team down.
Velocity Dips and Lost Bite
The numbers don’t lie. His fastball velocity was noticeably down against the Reds, averaging 94.0 mph. That’s a full mile-per-hour drop from his season average of 95.2 mph.
More troubling, his usually sharp slider lacked its bite. It generated only 2 whiffs on 15 pitches. That’s a pathetic 13% whiff rate, far below his 30% season average.
Opponents are clearly adjusting, or Keller just can’t locate. He himself admitted his struggles after the game.
“I just didn’t have it tonight. Pitches were flat, and I couldn’t locate. I need to get back to work and make some adjustments. It’s frustrating, especially when the team needs a good start from me.”
— Mitch Keller, June 5, 2026
Frustration is a weak word for what the fans are feeling. This isn’t about analytics; it’s about execution. When a pitcher’s best stuff disappears, there’s a problem.
Shelton’s Blind Faith?
Manager Derek Shelton is doing the usual song and dance. He’s publicly backing his guy, as any manager would.
“Mitch is a competitor, and he’s going to figure this out. We’ve seen him battle through tougher stretches. We have full confidence in him. We just need him to execute a little better.”
— Derek Shelton, Pirates Manager, June 6, 2026
Confidence is one thing, cold hard facts are another. The Pirates cannot afford “rough patches” from their $77 million man. His recent form is hurting the club where it counts: the win column.
Teammates like Andrew McCutchen are also offering support. That’s the locker room code. But behind closed doors, you can bet there’s serious concern.
“Mitch is our guy. Every pitcher goes through these things. We’re behind him 100%. He’ll bounce back.”
— Andrew McCutchen, Pirates Teammate, June 6, 2026
It’s easy to say “he’ll bounce back.” It’s harder when the team’s playoff hopes hang in the balance. The bullpen is getting hammered trying to cover his short starts.
Is This a Temporary Blip or a Permanent Decline?
This isn’t a simple slump. This is the highest-paid pitcher in franchise history showing a significant drop in effectiveness. The velocity is down, the command is gone, and his best pitches are flat.
Is this a temporary blip, easily fixed with a few adjustments? Or is it a sign of a deeper, more permanent decline, jeopardizing the massive investment the Pirates made?
The Pirates gambled big on Keller. They paid him ace money. Now, they need ace performance. If he can’t find his touch quickly, that $77 million contract will look like a very expensive mistake.
This isn’t just about a few bad starts. This is about the future of a franchise. The Pirates need answers, and they need them now.
Source: Google News
