Pirates to send Luis Ortiz, Mitch Keller, Paul Skenes to mound in key series vs. Arizona

Luis Ortiz has put together a solid campaignfor the Pittsburgh Pirates.

The way he’s shifted between the bullpen and starting rotation, performing whatever duties the club has asked of him, has been commendable.

But Ortiz was not at his best the last time he took the mound during a 4-3 defeat on the road against the Arizona Diamondbacks on July 26.

Versus a team the Pirates were and are chasing in the National League wild-card standings, Ortiz’s start unraveled in the sixth inning, with the Diamondbacks going on to win the series.

“He didn’t have his best command,” Pirates manager Derek Shelton said on the SportsNet Pittsburgh postgame show following the loss. “… He looked like he just couldn’t put guys away.”

But Friday, Ortiz gets another crack at Arizona, with the Diamondbacks at PNC Park for three more pivotal games between two NL postseason hopefuls.

Ortiz (5-2, 2.75 ERA) takes on Brandon Pfaadt (5-6, 3.92 ERA), against whom the Pirates managed five runs July 27 in a game Arizona won.

On Saturday, Game 2 of 3 at PNC Park this weekend, the Pirates turn to staff ace Mitch Keller, who’s delivered quality starts in three of his last five outings.

Keller (10-5, 3.30 ERA) takes the hill against Jordan Montgomery (7-5, 6.51 ERA), who let up six runs in four innings his last start July 29 against the Washington Nationals.

Despite seeing his MLB-leading streak of consecutive starts of at least five innings (49) come to an end in early July, Keller has returned to form since then.

Saturday will be his second straight start against Arizona, as he went seven strong innings July 28, taking a no-decision in an eventual win in extras by the Pirates, who narrowly avoided a sweep.

“He kept a really good offense at bay,” Shelton said of Keller’s last start. To (have) come back with where we’re at (in the playoff race), the way Mitch pitched, to continue to grind through it … (That) was our biggest victory.”

In Sunday’s series finale at PNC Park, things don’t get any easier for the Diamondbacks in terms of starting pitching, with Paul Skenes set to make his first career appearance against Arizona.

Skenes (6-1, 1.90 ERA) produced a 1.59 ERA over four July starts.

Arizona is scheduled to start Ryne Nelson (8-6, 4.53 ERA).

This weekend’s series continues a tough stretch for the Pirates that began July 19 vs. the Philadelphia Phillies.

After the Diamondbacks leave town, the San Diego Padres (59-51), currently in command of the NL’s second wild-card spot, visit PNC Park from Aug. 6-8.

The Pirates then hit the road for three games against the NL West-leading Los Angeles Dodgers (63-46) from Aug. 9-11 before visiting the Padres in San Diego for three.

Then it’s three home games from Aug. 16-18 against the Seattle Mariners (57-53).

As of Friday, the next time the Pirates face a club with a losing record looks to be Aug. 19 on the road vs. the Texas Rangers (52-57).