Mitch Keller (5-4, 5.14) draws Jack Perkins for the middle game of this Pirates-Athletics set in Sacramento, and neither side is sending out an ace. Keller is running on fumes lately and Perkins is a converted multi-inning arm being asked to give the A's length.
The bigger context: Keller has fallen off a cliff. After an 8-start run with a 2.87 ERA, he's coughed up 24 earned runs over his last 5 starts for an 8.31 ERA in that stretch, including a 4-inning, 5-run dud against the Dodgers his last time out. That's the guy the Pirates are leaning on tonight to stop the bleeding after a 9-run shellacking in the opener.
The A's are the hotter team and it's not particularly close. They've won 4 of 5, including a 23-run explosion against Colorado over the weekend and last night's 11-2 hammering of these Pirates. Pittsburgh, meanwhile, has dropped 4 of 5 and is hobbling — without Oneil Cruz (hand, 4-6 weeks), Konnor Griffin and Joey Bart, the lineup behind Keller doesn't have a ton of margin for error.
- Day-To-DayAnthony Solometo SP — Solometo underwent left shoulder labrum surgery and is expected to be sidelined until at least April 2027, Mark Chiarelli of Baseball America reports.
- Day-To-DayMitch Jebb LF
- Day-To-DayOddanier Mosqueda RP — Mosqueda will not throw for a couple weeks due to left forearm inflammation, Kevin Gorman of TribLive.com reports.
- Day-To-DayMike Clevinger RP — Clevinger is expected to be sidelined for around six weeks after being diagnosed with an MCL sprain in his right knee, Jason Mackey of MLB.com reports.
- Day-To-DaySean Sullivan SP — Pirates director of sports medicine Todd Tomczyk said Wednesday that Sullivan is battling right elbow soreness, Andrew Destin of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports.
- 10-Day-ILOneil Cruz CF — Pirates general manager Ben Cherington said Sunday that Cruz (hand) is facing an estimated recovery timeline of 4-6 weeks, Danny Demilio of PittsburghBaseballNow.com reports.
- 10-Day-ILKonnor Griffin SS — Griffin will report to the Pirates' facility in Bradenton, Fla. during the upcoming week to continue rehab for his right forearm strain, Aidan Stepansky of MLB.com reports.
- 10-Day-ILJoey Bart C — Bart (foot) will begin a rehab assignment Wednesday at Single-A Bradenton, Colin Beazley of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports.
- 10-Day-ILBrent Rooker DH — The Athletics placed Rooker on the 10-day injured list Friday, retroactive to Tuesday, due to a bone bruise in his left knee.
- 15-Day-ILAaron Civale SP — Civale (shoulder) is expected to be reinstated from the 15-day injured list to start Wednesday's game against the Pirates in Sacramento, Jason Burke of Roundtable.io reports.
- 15-Day-ILLuis Severino SP — The Athletics announced Tuesday that Severino has been diagnosed with a strain of his right shoulder capsule and subscapularis muscle and will be re-evaluated in 4-to-6 weeks, Martin Gallegos of MLB.com reports.
- 60-Day-ILBrooks Kriske RP — Kriske (shoulder) will be shut down from throwing for at least three weeks, Jason Burke of SI.com reports.
- 60-Day-ILDenzel Clarke CF — Clarke (hamstring) will receive a platelet-rich plasma injection Tuesday, Martin Gallegos of MLB.com reports.
- 60-Day-ILGunnar Hoglund SP — Hoglund (knee/back) will be sidelined for the rest of the 2026 season after undergoing surgery on his left hip Monday.
Perkins isn't exactly a fortress himself — 6.25 ERA, 3 runs in 4 innings his last start against Milwaukee, and the A's have him on a short leash since they're still figuring out whether he's a starter or a bulk reliever long-term. Aaron Civale is reportedly being reinstated to start Wednesday's finale, so tonight is the bridge game where the bullpens probably matter more than the names on the card.
The number to watch: this total opened up there for a reason. Two shaky starters, a Pirates lineup short on thump, and an A's club averaging double digits over its last few home games. If Keller's fastball is flat again early, this gets out of hand quick.