Pirates Three Stars of the Week: Bright Spots in Brutal Stretch

Well, things couldn’t have gone much worse for the Pittsburgh Pirates last week as the Bucs were winless in six games.

Pittsburgh began the week in Tampa Bay where they were swept by the Rays before coming back home where they were swept by the Toronto Blue Jays in three games.

With the two series sweeps, the Pirates losing streak reached a season-high seven games. In those seven games, the Pirates have been outscored 44-9.

The saving grace for the Pirates in what was a disaster of a week for the Pirates is that essentially the entire division has been struck in a rut. Entering play on Monday, the Pirates still hold a half-game lead for first place in the National League Central.

Through everything that transpired, these three players served as the rare bright spots.

Third Star: Dauri Moreta – 0-0, 0.00 ERA, 4.1 innings, no runs, no hits, two walks, six strikeouts, three appearances

Moreta had a busy week with three appearances out of the bullpen for Pittsburgh. The right-hander was untouchable as he didn’t allow a hit or a run.

The 27-year-old Moreta has been quite a pickup for the Pirates this offseason after coming over in a trade with the Reds. He owns a 2.81 ERA and one save through his first 14 appearances with the club.

Second Star: Mitch Keller – 0-1, 1.80 ERA, 5.0 innings, five hits, five runs (one earned), one walk, eight strikeouts

While poor defense behind him led to five runs, only one against Keller was earned and he really had his strikeout stuff working in his lone start of the week.

Keller will be on the mound on Monday at PNC Park against the Colorado Rockies as the Pirates look to break out of their slump.