Keller (1-1) earned the win Monday, allowing two runs, five hits and three walks over six innings against the Tigers. He struck out nine.

EDGE Analysis

After allowing four runs in each of his first two outings, Keller looked like a frontline starter Monday against the Detroit, scattering two runs while allowing eight baserunners. He generated an impressive 13 whiffs, including nine alone on his sinker, while racking up nine strikeouts. Keller scheduled to make his next start against the Phillies on the road.

Keller (0-1) took the loss Wednesday against the Nationals, yielding five runs (four earned) on eight hits and two walks during 5.1 innings. He struck out five.

EDGE Analysis

After giving up four earned runs in his 2024 debut, Wednesday's outing set up to be a perfect bounce-back spot for Keller against the sub-standard Nationals. However, Keller was once again tagged for four earned runs -- including a solo homer by Joey Gallo in the second. While he also battled inconsistencies in 2023, his value was kept by his impressive 210:55 K:BB and ability to go deep into games (194.1 IP in 32 starts). He's been unable to provide such value thus far, owning an ugly 8:4 K:BB through 11 innings this season. He's lined up for another recovery chance during Monday's tentatively projected start against the Tigers.

Keller allowed five runs (four earned) on seven hits and two walks over 5.2 innings during Thursday's Opening Day win at Miami. He struck out three.

EDGE Analysis

Keller threw 61 of his 85 pitches for strikes but he was not sharp as the Miami bats seemed to have a beat on him all game. The Pittsburgh righty who signed a five-year contract extension in the offseason left with a three-run deficit, but the Pirates were able to grind their way back into the game, eventually earning the victory and taking Keller off the hook. Expect Keller to rebound in his next start, scheduled to take place mid-week in Washington against the Nationals.

Keller sat between 90-92 mph for much of his spring training outing Wednesday against the Orioles, Alex Stumpf of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

The decreased velocity is a red flag not only for his potential level of performance but also as a potential indication of injury. However, he completed four innings -- his longest outing of the spring -- and told reporters after the game that he wasn't worried and that his velocity would ramp back up as the intensity of games increased. Though his results were inconsistent, Keller is coming off a breakout season during which he struck out 210 batters across 194.1 innings, and he'll take the mound on Opening Day against the Marlins.

Pirates manager Derek Shelton said Thursday that Keller will serve as the club's Opening Day starter March 28 in Miami, Jason Mackey of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports.

EDGE Analysis

Shelton's announcement was seemingly a foregone conclusion after Keller signed a five-year, $77 million contract extension -- the largest for a pitcher in franchise history -- just hours earlier. Though Keller is the Pirates' No. 1 starter, he likely profiles as more of a depth arm for most fantasy pitching staffs after he went 13-9 with a 4.21 ERA, 1.25 WHIP and 210:55 K:BB in 194.1 innings over his 32 starts a season ago.

Keller agreed to a five-year contract extension with the Pirates on Thursday, Jeff Passan and Kiley McDaniel of ESPN.com report.

EDGE Analysis

Keller avoided arbitration for 2024 with a one-year, $5.44 million contract last month, but the new deal cancels out that agreement and will take effect beginning this season, per Alex Stumpf of MLB.com. The deal is worth $77 million in total and will buy out what would have been the first two years of Keller's free agency. Keller, who turns 28 in April, is coming off a 2023 campaign in which he won 13 games while posting a 4.21 ERA, 1.25 WHIP and 210:55 K:BB across 194.1 innings covering 32 starts.

Keller signed a one-year, $5.4425 million contract with the Pirates on Thursday to avoid arbitration, Kevin Gorman of TribLive.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Keller got off to a hot start last season, but he posted a 5.59 ERA in 77.1 innings after the All-Star break. Despite his late struggles, Keller remains a viable fantasy option after racking up 210 strikeouts in 194.1 frames and 13 wins in 2023.

Keller will not start Sunday's season finale against the Marlins, Jason Mackey of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports.

EDGE Analysis

Keller would have been on normal rest for the matchup in Miami, but he's already thrown a career-high 194.1 innings this season and the Pirates will go ahead and shut him down a bit early. The 27-year-old right-hander showed promising flashes at times in 2023 while delivering an overall 13-9 record, 4.21 ERA, 1.25 WHIP and 210:55 K:BB across those 194.1 frames.

Keller did not factor into the decision Tuesday against the Phillies, allowing two runs on three hits and two walks over six innings. He struck out six.

EDGE Analysis

September has been an inconsistent and bumpy ride for Keller so far. In five starts, he has two outings allowing seven or more runs and three allowing two runs or fewer. Overall this month, the 27-year-old pitcher sports a 5.28 ERA, 1.24 WHIP and 31:7 K:BB over 30.2 innings. Keller is currently scheduled to start the last Pirates game of the season in Miami.

Keller (13-9) allowed seven runs on nine hits and a walk while striking out six over 5.2 innings, earning the win Wednesday over the Cubs.

EDGE Analysis

Keller benefited from the Pirates storming ahead to an 8-1 lead in the top of the fifth inning, as he almost gave it all back. He's allowed 15 runs over his last 18.2 innings across three starts, one of which saw him throw eight shutout innings against the Nationals. The right-hander is now at a 4.25 ERA, 1.26 WHIP and 204:53 K:BB through 188.1 innings through 31 starts. He's projected for a road start versus the Phillies early next week.