Mitch Keller's gem leads the Pirates to a 5-0 shutout win vs. the Cardinals on July 2, 2025, capping a perfect homestand with a 6-game winning streak.
StatPro MLB Beat Reporter
Is this the same team? The Pittsburgh Pirates are playing on another level right now. Capping off a flawless 6-0 homestand, the Bucs dismantled the St. Louis Cardinals 5-0 on Wednesday, securing their third consecutive shutout and extending their winning streak to a season-high six games. The atmosphere at PNC Park is electric, and for good reason – the Pirates are simply unbeatable at home right now.
31 consecutive scoreless innings. The Pirates pitching staff has not allowed a run in over three full games.
The story of Wednesday's finale was Mitch Keller, who looked every bit the ace we know he can be. Tossing seven masterful, scoreless innings, Keller (3-10) scattered five hits and struck out seven, earning his second straight win after a frustrating 15-start winless streak. The offense provided the support late, with a four-run eighth inning breaking the game open. Veteran Tommy Pham stayed red-hot, driving in two runs with a pair of singles, while Isiah Kiner-Falefa delivered the decisive blow with a two-run single, extending his own hitting streak.
Let's zoom out and appreciate what we just witnessed. A perfect 6-0 homestand where the Pirates outscored their opponents 43-4. That's not a typo. The pitching staff's incredible 31-inning scoreless streak is the talk of baseball, a testament to a group that is locked in from the starters to the bullpen. Dennis Santana, whose suspension was recently reduced to three games, and Isaac Mattson came in to complete the six-hitter and preserve the remarkable streak. This is the kind of dominant stretch that can redefine a season.
The excitement isn't just contained to Pittsburgh. The future continues to look promising in the minors. No. 5 prospect Hunter Barco delivered another strong start at Triple-A Indianapolis, inching closer to a potential big-league call-up. Meanwhile, at High-A Greensboro, No. 2 prospect Konnor Griffin put his dynamic tools on full display, collecting three hits and swiping two bases in his latest game. The pipeline is stocked, and these players are making noise.
While the team celebrates its current success, the front office is busy planning for the future. With the MLB Draft just over a week away (July 13-14), all eyes are on who the Pirates will select with the No. 6 overall pick. Reports suggest the team is weighing its options between the top college arms and impact bats available. It's a crucial decision that will shape the next wave of talent for the organization.
After a day off to celebrate the holiday and their incredible run, the Pirates will take this momentum on the road. The true test begins now: can they replicate this dominance away from the friendly confines of PNC Park? With the pitching staff dealing and the bats coming alive, there's every reason to believe this hot streak is more than just a flash in the pan. The next few weeks, culminating in the MLB Draft, could be pivotal for the 2025 Pirates.
