
Tigers' Casey Mize, back from All-Star debut, faces Pirates
Mize (9-3, 3.15 ERA) is coming off his first All-Star selection and is finally having the season Detroit hoped to see when it selected him with the first overall pick of the 2018 draft out of Auburn.
After posting a 7-9 record with a 3.71 ERA in his first full season in the majors in 2021, Mize missed most of the 2022 season and all of 2023 after undergoing Tommy John surgery. Mize struggled again in his comeback season a year ago, finishing 2-6 with a 4.49 ERA in 22 appearances (20 starts).
So far this season, Mize has been a different pitcher, striking out 77 and walking 22 batters in 88 2/3 innings.
"It's been a long journey," Mize said last week. "Still have a long way to go, but I feel like this is pretty validating of some hard work and some tough times turning into success and good times."
Mize, however, preceded his All-Star appearance with his worst performance of this season when he allowed six runs on six hits over three innings against the Seattle Mariners on July 12. He struck out four and walked one in a 15-7 loss.
Mize, who allowed one run in two-thirds of an inning in the All-Star Game, is 1-0 with a 3.27 ERA in two career starts against the Pirates. He beat Pittsburgh on June 17, when he tossed six innings and yielded three runs (two earned).
If Mize can recapture his form, it would be a plus for the Tigers, who find themselves in the midst of their worst stretch of the season. Detroit snapped a six-game losing streak on Sunday by defeating the host Texas Rangers, but the Tigers were blanked 3-0 by the Pirates on Monday in an effort led by Pittsburgh ace Paul Skenes.
The Tigers are in an offensive funk, as they have scored just three runs total in four games since the All-Star break. In addition, it was unclear if shortstop Javier Baez, who sat out on Monday because of left shoulder soreness, would be available on Tuesday.
Pittsburgh earned only its second win in 13 games on Monday. Before Skenes led the Pirates to victory, Keller was the only other pitcher to help his team win during that stretch.
Keller (3-10, 3.48 ERA) didn't factor in the decision, but he gave up one run on four hits with no walks and three strikeouts over six innings to help Pittsburgh beat the Minnesota Twins 2-1 on July 13. That was the Pirates' lone victory in their nine-game road trip prior to the All-Star break.
Keller, who is 1-1 with a 3.67 ERA in five career starts against the Tigers, has put together some of his best starts of the season in recent weeks. He is 2-0 with a 1.44 ERA over his past four outings (25 innings).
Similar to Skenes, Keller has been hurt by lack of run support. The Pirates enter the Tuesday game averaging 2.54 runs per nine innings when Keller starts, which ranks the worst among regular starting pitchers in the National League, per Screwball.ai.
The recent surge has increased contending clubs' interest in Keller as the July 31 trade deadline approaches.
"Just trying to go as deep as I can and keep the pressure off the bullpen and set us up to win games," Keller said. "That's really all I'm trying to do is to be efficient and cover innings."
--Field Level Media

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


The Independent
12 minutes ago
- The Independent
Cleveland Browns videographer falls in Lake Erie during helmet unveiling
Video captures the moment a Cleveland Browns videographer falls into Lake Erie during a helmet unveiling. On Wednesday, July 23rd, 2025, the Browns planned on a grand reveal of a new alternative helmet design that the team would be sporting three times during this football season, on a large float in Lake Erie. However, in all of the excitement of filming the moment a Brown's cameraman fell backwards into the lake. Footage of the incident was caught on WYKC's aerial cam as well as from the cameraman's POV. Luckily, Chomps, the Browns' trusted mascot, quickly threw a flotation device to the man while a jet ski swiftly grabbed him from the water. In several comments on X fans were impressed that the man didn't "fumble" his camera in his fall.


The Independent
12 minutes ago
- The Independent
Manny Pacquiao responds to Floyd Mayweather rematch rumours
Manny Pacquiao has addressed speculation that he could be set for a rematch with his old rival Floyd Mayweather. Pacquiao and Mayweather first faced each other 10 years ago in a clash billed as 'The Fight of the Century'. Mayweather emerged victorious via unanimous decision and would go on to have just two more bouts before hanging up his gloves. But he has been involved in exhibition fights in recent years, while Pacquiao is now set to end his four-year absence from the ring to challenge Mario Barrios for his WBC welterweight title this weekend. Rumours have emerged that Mayweather could be tempted back to take on Pacquiao if he wins on Saturday night, but the Filipino legend has claimed he is purely focused on Barrios for now. 'Not yet, I don't have that (fighting Mayweather) in my mind right now,' Pacquiao told Boxing News. 'My focus is on Saturday. 'I always say one at a time. Let's talk about it after the fight and let me focus on this coming fight because this is not an easy opponent. 'He's a champion. He's taller than me so I have to be ready 100 per cent mentally, 100 per cent physically.' Pacquiao will be aiming to become the oldest welterweight champion in history when he steps back between the ropes at the age of 46 against Barrios. But he appears to be open to extending his comeback if Mayweather agrees to a rematch. Mayweather, who turned 48 in February, has not fought professionally since beating Conor Mayweather eight years ago. However, he has stayed in the gym to remain in good condition, and boxing journalist Lance Pugmire claimed earlier this week that Mayweather has already held talks over a potential return to face Pacquiao. Upon visiting the Floyd Mayweather Boxing Club, Pugmire wrote on social media that he was told: 'Conversations are already happening… if Manny wins (this rematch) could be worth billions'. The first fight between Mayweather and Pacquiao generated 4.6million PPV buys – a record that still stands. Both fighters reportedly earned in excess of $100m from the lucrative bout. DAZN is the home of combat sports, broadcasting over 185 fights a year from the world's best promoters, including Matchroom, Queensberry, Golden Boy, Misfits, PFL, BKFC, GLORY and more. An Annual Saver subscription is a one-off cost of £119.99 / $224.99 (for 12 months access), that's just 64p / $1.21 per fight. There is also a Monthly Flex Pass option (cancel any time) at £24.99 / $29.99 per month. A subscription includes weekly magazine shows, comprehensive fight library, exclusive interviews, behind-the-scenes documentaries, and podcasts and vodcasts.


BBC News
13 minutes ago
- BBC News
Branthwaite misses Everton's USA tour with minor injury
Jarrad Branthwaite has not travelled with the Everton squad to the United States for the Premier League Summer Series after picking up a minor centre-back sustained what the club described as a "minor niggle" during Saturday's pre-season friendly against Blackburn Rovers at Ewood 23, will remain at Finch Farm and follow a rehabilitation programme with Everton's medical staff as a Blues are set to face Premier League opposition in the USA as part of their preparations for the first play Bournemouth at New Jersey's MetLife Stadium on Saturday, before facing West Ham United at Chicago's Soldier Field on Wednesday, 30 round off their trip against Manchester United at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta on Sunday, 3 August.