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As the San Diego Padres await the return of multiple key starters, they hope one of the most significant pieces of their rotation regains his form as they begin a three-game series against the host Pittsburgh Pirates on Friday night.

The Padres picked up a much-needed two-game sweep over the San Francisco Giants following a four-game skid. But one of their immediate priorities is to get veteran right-hander Dylan Cease (1-2, 5.76 ERA) right after some ongoing struggles this season.

According to the San Diego Union-Tribune, Cease met with San Diego pitching coach Ruben Niebla since his most recent start to try to evaluate the problem as he prepares to oppose Pirates righty Mitch Keller (1-2, 3.97).

Cease gave up three runs (two earned) on six hits and walked a season-high four batters this past Saturday while striking out six during a 4-1 loss at home to the Tampa Bay Rays.

Cease’s outings have not been disastrous as the Padres have managed to win four of his six starts. But he has struggled with his control, especially so against the Rays. Cease is 1-0 with a 2.31 ERA in three career starts against the Pirates.

“It’s not necessarily something that’s far away,” Cease told the Union-Tribune. “It’s just not quite in that good rhythm right now.”

In the meantime, it appears the Padres regained their offensive rhythm against the Giants.

Luis Arraez and Jason Heyward returned to the lineup and the team reportedly could have Jackson Merrill and Jake Cronenworth returning within the next 1-2 weeks.

San Diego has a franchise-record 19 wins through the end of April, but knows it will need everything to be clicking to prevail in a loaded National League West division.

Pittsburgh remains in the cellar of the NL Central as it continues to look for consistency from its lineup. The Pirates’ hitting has improved some, helping the team secure four victories in their past nine games, but enters Friday’s games with the fewest home runs in the National League with 24.

Pittsburgh remains the worst team in the NL in slugging (.339), with the second-worst team batting average (.224) and on-base percentage (.303).

A bright spot is Bryan Reynolds seemingly regaining his form after a recent 0-for-18 stretch. Reynolds homered, walked and drove in two of Pittsburgh’s runs in Thursday’s 8-3 loss to the Chicago Cubs.

“He’s a pro and he’s always working. He was hitting earlier this week and really getting after it,” said Pirates bench coach Don Kelly, who managed Thursday’s game while manager Derek Shelton attended his son’s graduation from Florida Atlantic University.

“I think that’s what separates him and others in the clubhouse, the work that they put in.”

This has put more pressure on the Pirates’ pitching staff. Top starters like ace Paul Skenes and Andrew Heaney struggled in their most recent starts.

Keller has been solid overall as one of Pittsburgh’s top three starters but has not picked up a win since his first start on March 28 at Miami. He struck out six and walked one, allowing three runs (two earned) on five hits over six innings in his most recent start last Saturday against the Dodgers in Los Angeles.

Keller is 2-3 with a 5.88 ERA in five career starts against the Padres.

–Field Level Media