PITTSBURGH — For the better part of this season, Mitch Keller has performed like an ace. Entering Saturday’s game against the Arizona Diamondbacks at PNC Park, he had put together back-to-back starts totaling 16 scoreless innings, with one walk and 21 strikeouts during the stretch.
Among National League leaders, Keller ranked third in ERA (2.38) and strikeouts (69), tied for second in quality starts (7), tied for fourth in wins (5) and fourth by himself with a .569 OPS against.
Yet, in the seventh inning against Arizona, having allowed one run in the sixth on a couple of infield singles, Keller wasn’t treated like an ace. Manager Derek Shelton removed Keller after just 84 pitches, and the decision ultimately cost the Pirates during a 4-3 loss.
