Tonight, against the Los Angeles Dodgers, the Pittsburgh Pirates are attempting to win a series after dropping four straight.
Pitcher Chad Kuhl will make his Major League debut, and on the other side of the mound will be none other than one of the best pitchers in the game, Clayton Kershaw (11-1, 1.57 ERA).
Pittsburgh manager Clint Hurdle said he thinks Kuhl will do well tonight on the biggest stage of the 23-year-old’s career.
“(Kuhl’s) electric early, and we’re trying to fine-tune some of the delivery mechanics for some of the work that was done,” Hurdle said. “He is very competitive and very aggressive. There’s arm-side strength, which is real. He pitches to both sides of the plate and has good control of the running game. Basically, he’s knocked off all the things on the to-do list at the Minor League level — other than pitching more. It lined up, and we decided to move on this opportunity.”
Kuhl most recently pitched June 20 and earned a win, allowing two runs on 10 hits in 5.2 innings of work. His 2.89 ERA since the start of the 2014 season is the fourth-lowest in all of minor league baseball among those who have pitched 350 innings or more.
Kuhl is the ninth different starting pitcher the Pirates have used this season. They used eight all last season.
To make room for Kuhl on the 40-man roster, pitcher Curtis Partsch, who appeared once for the Pirates and didn’t get an out while allowing three runs on two hits, was designated for assignment. Kuhl joined the 25-man roster when pitcher Kyle Lobstein was optioned to Triple-A Indianapolis. Lobstein had a 2-0 record on the season and a 3.96 ERA over 25 innings in 14 total appearances.
Kershaw also last pitched June 20 against the Washington Nationals. It was his ninth consecutive decision won, and he allowed a run on six hits in seven innings.
He currently leads Major League pitchers in ERA (1.57), WHIP (0.67), strikeouts (141), opponent batting average (.174) and innings pitched (115.0), and he ranks tied for second in wins (11). Kershaw has just seven walks with those 141 strikeouts in 115 innings pitched.
“It tells us that he’s going to be coming after us, so we’re all for that,” catcher Chris Stewart said of Kershaw’s stats. “It’s just a matter of us getting the pitch we want to hit. We know we will get a pitch to hit each at-bat, so it’s all about not missing it. I know we’re going to have to be on top of our game to get to him. It elevates our play, so it’s special to face a guy like that. It brings out the best in everybody.”
Tonight’s lineups
Pirates (36-39)
- Jordy Mercer SS
- David Freese 1B
- Andrew McCutchen CF
- Jung Ho Kang 3B
- Starling Marte LF
- Josh Harrison 2B
- Chris Stewart C
- Sean Rodriguez RF
- Chad Kuhl P
Dodgers (41-35)
- Chase Utley 2B
- Corey Seager SS
- Justin Turner 3B
- Howie Kendrick LF
- Joc Pederson CF
- Yasiel Puig RF
- Yasmani Grandal C
- Scott Van Slyke 1B
- Clayton Kershaw P
Bottom of the ninth
Pitcher Cory Luebke was released by the Pirates prior to tonight’s game because he refused his assignment to Triple-A Indianapolis. Luebke had a 9.35 ERA in 8.2 innings of work. He walked 11 batters while striking out nine batters and couldn’t shake injury and inconsistent results.
“It’s tough but to speak about Cory,” reliever Jared Hughes said. “I believe he’s a success story in terms of coming back from injury. I believe he’s going to land on his feet, he’s a hard worker. You never want to see anybody struggle, we all want to go out there and dominate, and that’s our plan. When it doesn’t work out, you have to go out and do better the next time.”
In injury news, starting pitcher Gerrit Cole (right triceps strain) threw off a mound today, but pitching coach Ray Searage said the Pirates ace won’t return in the near future.
Pirates shortstop Jordy Mercer’s home run last night extended his hitting streak to 10 games. His .355 on-base percentage ranks third in the NL behind the Milwaukee Brewers’ Jonathan Villar and the Dodgers’ Corey Seager … The Pirates have won seven consecutive games and eight of their past nine against the Dodgers at PNC Park.
Image credit: Justin K. Aller/Getty Images
