PITTSBURGH (93.7 The Fan) – The Pirates have been pretty tight-lipped on information about this season, but we found out during the game on Monday, Chad Kuhl will be the Opening Day starter Thursday in Chicago.
“It’s just really cool,” Kuhl said. “There’s just 30 guys in the league that get to do it. To be one of those 30 is just really cool.”
The 28-year-old was the Bucs 9th round pick in 2013 out of the University of Delaware. He is the most tenured starter with experience in Pittsburgh with 70 career Pirates starts. The righty is 20-23 with a 4.36 ERA overall and last year, Kuhl made 9 starts, going 2-3 with a 4.27 ERA with 44 strikeouts and 28 walks in 46.1 innings.
Kuhl just returned to the team after missing some time for the birth of his child. How long he could pitch on Thursday is in question.
“I’m going to go as long as I can and Shelty takes the ball from me,” Kuhl said. “I was able to build up a little bit past what I did in the game (Saturday), just past four innings.”
Kuhl wasn’t alone in the celebration, Shelton had Steven Brault hiding in the bathroom as he told Kuhl, Brault jumped out and surprised him with a hug.
“Haven’t pitched in front of my family since the end of 2018,” Kuhl said. “Being able to pitch in front of fans and family in the stands. That’s going to be the most special of this whole thing.”
Newman wins shortstop battle
Not a surprise, especially given that he hit .700 during Grapefruit League play. Kevin Newman named the Pirates starting shortstop.
Newman beat out Erik Gonzalez, who played his first game at first base Monday against the Twins.
The 27-year-old Newman had a breakout year in 2019, hitting .308 with 12 HR and 64 RBI. Newman struggled in 2020 with a .224 average, but hit nearly three times that this spring.