PITTSBURGH (93.7 The Fan) – The longest tenured Pirates active pitcher will begin the 2021 season Thursday in Chicago. Chad Kuhl starts against Kyle Hendricks as it’s been quite a journey for Kuhl.
“I haven’t pitched in front of my family since the end of 2018,” Kuhl said missing the 2019 season due to Tommy John surgery. “It’s things like that. Being able to pitch in front of fans and pitch with my family in the stands. I think it’s going to be the most special of this whole thing.”
Kuhl drafted by the Pirates in the ninth round in 2013. Worked his way up to make the big leagues three years later. Overall, he’s made 70 career starts with 20 wins and a 4.36 ERA.
The righty now joins Gerrit Cole, Jameson Taillon, AJ Burnett, Doug Drabek, John Candeleria, Steve Blass, Bob Walk as Pirates Opening Day starters.
“You look around and look at all of those matchups around the league,” Kuhl said. “To be one of those is just a cool experience as a fan of the game. Take it all in, enjoy it, once the game starts, it will be another ballgame as usual.”
Kuhl threw four innings total in his last spring outing between in-game and bullpen and will go as long as he can. The forecast calls for 34 degrees at first pitch with a typical Wrigley Field 17 mile-an-hour winds. He says those conditions won’t affect him.
“As a Delaware kid, it’s like pitching at the University of Delaware,” Kuhl said. “A lot of wind, a lot of cold. It’s going to be a fun game.”
As for the Pirates chances in 2021?
“We’ve got a ton of talent,” Kuhl said. “Guys have fought for spots and that’s brought out really good competition. You look at the core of Frazier, Polanco, Newman, Reynolds-these guys can play ball and really produce for our team.”
“We have a lot of innings to cover, but there are a lot of opportunities for guys. A lot of youth to see these guys grow and try to win ballgames.”