Mitch Keller’s nine‑strikeout gem vs. St. Louis keeps him atop the Pirates’ rotation in the second half, lifting his quality starts to 16—a mark that slots him as a steady 2/3 behind Paul Skenes. Pittsburgh’s depth behind them—Bubba Chandler, Braxton Ashcraft, Jared Jones, Johan Oviedo, Mike Burrows—offers upside, but consistency remains uncertain. A strong finish could anchor a 2026 run with Keller and Skenes as the backbone.

The decision to keep Keller at the trade deadline preserves innings and the team’s continuity. Bednar’s value looms in bullpen plans, while Heaney’s veteran depth adds flexibility. Absent a repeat of August’s woes, Keller could help the Pirates contend and provide fantasy managers with a viable late-season producer and a cornerstone for 2026.

Week 22 of 2025 brings a tight, catcher-friendly waiver wire for starting pitchers. Rookie breakdowns and back-end rotation bets headline shallow leagues, while deeper rosters get a richer pool of options. Nolan McLean and Dean Kremer anchor the top-streamers, with Bubba Chandler, Dustin May, Cristian Javier, Cam Schlittler and Cade Cavalli among the more intriguing adds. Additional depth comes from Cade Cavalli, Mike Burrows, Cade Povich, Davis Martin and Luis Morales, plus a handful of under-15% rostered arms that could surprise in the pennant chase. Proactive FAAB and daily lineup discipline are urged as the weekend approaches.

rostering, matchup awareness, and role clarity drive the week’s decisions. The piece emphasizes evaluating early-season form, pitcher usage trends, and whether a bulking relief role can translate into meaningful starts. The message: add pitchers before they wake up in your league, monitor innings, and exploit favorable matchups as teams push toward playoffs.

On June 20, 2025, the Texas Rangers are set to face the Pittsburgh Pirates at PNC Park. Texas, currently at 36-39, is looking to rebound after a disappointing home series against the Kansas City Royals, where they were swept and managed only three hits in their last game. The Rangers will send ace Jacob deGrom (6-2, 2.19 ERA) to the mound, who is coming off a solid performance against the White Sox. The Pirates (30-46), fresh off an 8-4 victory against the Tigers, will counter with Mike Burrows (1-1, 4.24 ERA).

This matchup has significant betting implications. The Rangers are favored at -188 with a total set at 8.0 runs. Noteworthy trends include Texas going 12-9 against National League teams this season and the Pirates' recent success in staying under the total in their last five matchups against Texas. Additionally, Andrew McCutchen and Marcus Semien are both hot, making them players to watch for any fantasy implications.

The Houston Astros head into PNC Park on June 4, 2025, looking to extend their winning streak against the struggling Pittsburgh Pirates. Houston, currently holding a 33-27 record, recently triumphed over the Pirates with a 3-0 victory in Game 1 of their series. Their momentum reflects a strong stretch, having won 7 of their last 9 games, while the Pirates have faltered, losing 3 of 4.

Tonight's matchup features Ryan Gusto taking the mound for the Astros, who brings a 3-2 record with a 4.62 ERA. Gusto's last outing was shaky, allowing 2 earned runs in just 3.2 innings. Facing him is Pittsburgh's Mike Burrows, still looking for his first win after a rough start to the season, posting an 0-1 record and an alarming 8.64 ERA after allowing 4 earned runs in his last appearance. As the teams clash, MLB betting odds favor the Astros at -140 on the moneyline with a total set at 9.0 runs.

The Pittsburgh Pirates will clash with the Arizona Diamondbacks in Phoenix, both teams looking to improve on their recent performances. Pittsburgh, with a 19-36 record, has struggled this season, while Arizona stands at 27-27. Mike Burrows takes the mound for the Pirates, hoping to bounce back from an ERA of 7.20, while Corbin Burnes, boasting a 2.73 ERA, aims to continue his strong start for Arizona. In the previous matchup, the Diamondbacks shut out the Pirates with a solid 5-0 victory, showcasing their potent offense with 10 hits and two home runs from Ryne Nelson's 6.2 innings of work.

The current odds reflect a favored Diamondbacks team with a moneyline of -256, while the Pirates sit at +207. Betting trends indicate that the Diamondbacks have won four of their last five home games against teams with losing records, reinforcing their status as favorites. Additionally, the Pirates have struggled on the road, failing to cover the run line in their last four games. As both teams look to make the most of this matchup, various betting insights will be analyzed to offer predictions and best bets.