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.

The San Francisco Giants (56-56) are headed to Pittsburgh to face the Pirates (48-64), with Justin Verlander on the mound for the Giants and Johan Oviedo for the Pirates. The Giants come off a much-needed series win against the Mets, highlighted by Rafael Devers' standout performance, while the Pirates just secured a win against the Rockies. The Giants swept the Pirates in their last meeting, creating an intriguing matchup.

Betting odds favor the Giants slightly at -132, with a spread of -1.5. Recent trends indicate the Pirates' strength at home, winning four of their last five against National League teams. Verlander's last performance against the Pirates shows promise with a low earned run average, which could play a crucial role in this matchup.

Johan Oviedo, a right-handed pitcher, faced a setback in his salary arbitration, settling for $850,000 instead of the $1.15 million he sought after a 9-14 season with a 4.32 ERA. This ruling marks the first arbitration decision of the year, delivered by a panel of arbitrators shortly after hearing arguments. Oviedo's earnings last year were $765,000, reflecting his struggle in four seasons split between the St. Louis Cardinals and the Pittsburgh Pirates, where he holds a 4.32 ERA overall.

Meanwhile, Dennis Santana also entered arbitration with the Pirates, aiming for a salary increase to $2.1 million from his current $1 million, while the team offered $1.4 million. Santana's performance included a 3-1 record and 3.89 ERA in 62 relief appearances last season. As the arbitration hearings continue until February 14, other notable cases include Nathaniel Lowe, Michael King, and William Contreras, who are vying for substantial salary increases.

The MLB offseason is currently in a lull as teams await the qualifying offer deadline, but rumors are still circulating. The New York Mets are reportedly interested in acquiring Garrett Crochet from the Chicago White Sox to bolster their rotation after a successful NLCS run.

Meanwhile, both the Pittsburgh Pirates and Arizona Diamondbacks are exploring trade options for their pitchers. The Diamondbacks are particularly eager to move Jordan Montgomery, while Zac Gallen and Merrill Kelly are also attracting attention from other teams.

The MLB General Manager Meetings concluded without significant trades, but discussions hinted at potential offseason moves, particularly involving starting pitchers from the Arizona Diamondbacks and Pittsburgh Pirates.

The Diamondbacks, one year post-World Series, are evaluating their pitching roster, with Zac Gallen and Merrill Kelly as key figures. Meanwhile, the Pirates boast a youthful rotation, with players like Mitch Keller and Paul Skenes drawing interest.