The Pirates named Keller their starting pitcher for their Opening Day game March 30 in Cincinnati, Justice delos Santos of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Keller will be rewarded with the Opening Day nod after he overcame a rough start to the 2022 campaign to sharpen his command and control from about mid-May onward, as he finished the season with a 3.22 ERA over his final 120.1 innings. He's carried over that success through his first four appearances of the Grapefruit League slate (4.09 ERA, 1.09 WHIP and 13:1 K:BB in 11 innings) while also incorporating a new slider/cutter hybrid into his repertoire. Wins will likely still be hard to come by for Keller while he's pitching for a Pirates squad that remains in rebuilding mode, but the right-hander could prove to be a solid contributor in the ratio categories during his fifth season in the majors.

Keller allowed one hit and no walks while striking out two across two scoreless innings in Saturday's Grapefruit League game against the Blue Jays.

EDGE Analysis

Keller performed well in his spring debut while facing a mix of Toronto's regulars and reserves. Per Justice delos Santos of MLB.com, Keller also debuted a new pitch that is a cross between a slider and cutter. Keller took a step forward in 2022, posting a 3.91 ERA and 1.40 WHIP, and he will be relied upon by the Pirates as a key part of their rotation throughout the upcoming campaign.

Keller will start the Pirates' Grapefruit League opener Saturday against the Blue Jays, Kevin Gorman of TribLive.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Keller also figures to get the nod for Pittsburgh on Opening Day of the regular season. The 26-year-old right-hander experienced a lot of ups and downs during the 2022 campaign but ultimately delivered an overall 3.91 ERA with 138 strikeouts in 159 innings. He had a shiny 2.20 ERA in his final 41 frames.

Keller signed a one-year, $2.4375 million contract with Pittsburgh on Friday to avoid arbitration, Rob Biertempfel of The Athletic reports.

EDGE Analysis

After beginning the 2022 season with a 6.05 ERA through his first nine starts, Keller flipped a switch and finished with a 3.22 ERA over his final 22 starts. There's not much to speak of in terms of exceptional strikeout stuff or limiting walks, but if Keller can keep the ball on the ground and runners off the pillows, there's room for the 26-year-old to become a bright spot in the Pirates' rotation.

Keller allowed two runs on six hits and two walks over five innings against the Cardinals on Monday. He struck out five and did not factor in the decision.

EDGE Analysis

Keller fired five shutout frames before coughing up a two-run homer to Albert Pujols in the sixth. The 26-year-old righty finally showed promise at the big league level in 2022 after struggling in his first three MLB seasons. Keller finished the season with a 3.91 ERA and a 138:60 K:BB through 159 frames. After posting a 6.61 ERA through his first seven appearances, he recorded a 3.21 ERA over his next 126.1 innings. Keller's impressive summer likely secured his spot in Pittsburgh's rotation for 2023.

Keller allowed a run on five hits, three walks and two hit batsmen while striking out five in five innings in a 4-1 win Tuesday against Cincinnati. He did not factor into the decision.

EDGE Analysis

Keller was a bit wild in Tuesday's start, hitting two batters and throwing a wild pitch that scored the only run against him. Twice he was able to get out of a bases-loaded, two-out jam. In five September starts, he has a 1.80 ERA, 1.10 WHIP and 26:12 K:BB in 30 innings. His final start of the season will likely come early next week against St. Louis.

Keller (5-12) took the loss Thursday against the Cubs, allowing two runs on four hits and two walks while striking out seven in six innings.

EDGE Analysis

Both runs against Keller came in the second inning when Christopher Morel had a two-run double. Keller then retired 13 of the last 14 batters he faced. It was his fifth straight quality start and he's compiled a 2.03 ERA, 1.00 WHIP and 31:11 K:BB in 31 innings during the streak. The strong performance brought his season ERA down to 3.99. His next start will likely be in the middle of next week against Cincinnati.

Keller (5-11) took the loss to the Mets on Friday, allowing three runs on five hits while striking out six and walking two over six innings.

EDGE Analysis

Keller pitched well enough to earn a quality start Friday, his fourth in a row and his 12th of the year, but still came away with the loss. He tossed 57 of 84 pitches for strikes across six frames. The righty has been impressive this month, allowing three runs across 19 innings pitched for a 1.42 ERA. Keller now has a 4.03 ERA on the season, but also has an ugly 1.40 WHIP.

Keller struck out six in seven scoreless innings while allowing two hits and three walks in a 4-3 loss Sunday against St. Louis. He did not factor into the decision.

EDGE Analysis

Keller was efficient and effective Sunday, throwing 91 pitches and allowing only one baserunner to reach second base. He's yet to give up a run in two starts and 13 innings in September. Over his last 11 starts, he has a 2.55 ERA, 1.25 WHIP and 49:19 K:BB in 60 innings. He'll look to continue his scoreless streak in his next start, likely next weekend in New York against the Mets.

Keller (5-10) picked up the win Tuesday, allowing five hits and two walks over six scoreless innings in an 8-2 victory over the Mets. He struck out two.

EDGE Analysis

It's the second quality start in a row for the right-hander, and his seventh in his last 10 outings. Keller sports a 2.83 ERA, 1.30 WHIP and 43:16 K:BB through 54 innings over that stretch, and the 26-year-old appears to be cementing his spot as one of the core pieces of the Pirates' rotation for 2023 and beyond.