Pirates Defeat Cardinals 8-3, Keller Dominates Early

The Pittsburgh Pirates secured an 8-3 victory over the St. Louis Cardinals, highlighted by a dominant pitching performance from Mitch Keller, who struck out nine batters and delivered his first quality start since July. Keller, despite a rough post-All-Star break ERA, showed signs of regaining his early-season form, potentially reigniting offseason trade interest. The Pirates' offense provided strong early support, scoring five runs in the first inning and adding to their lead with key contributions from Bryan Reynolds, Henry Davis, Andrew McCutchen, and others. Reynolds has been particularly hot in August, hitting .310 with 12 doubles, tying for the National League lead. The Pirates' bullpen also held firm, with Kyle Nicholas and Isaac Mattson closing out the game effectively. With this win, the Pirates have now won five of their last six games, showcasing momentum as they continue their season.