In our daily Wake-Up Call, we get you ready for the day with a complete look at all things Pittsburgh Pirates.
It is safe to say that the Pittsburgh Pirates are very happy to see the month of April come to an end.
Sponsored By
The team had a chance to reach a .500 record for the month going into yesterday’s game against the Miami Marlins, but Justin Bour saw to it that the Pirates would instead finish with a mark of 11-13.
Though it goes against instinct, the team should consider the mark a success considering the following:
- They are without two of their best hitters in Jung Ho Kang and Starling Marte
- The club had a somewhat-imposing schedule, including six games against the Chicago Cubs and three against the Boston Red Sox.
- The team exhibited very sloppy play all over the diamond.
- For the first two weeks of the season, the Pittsburgh Pirates had a black hole in their fifth starter spot as Tyler Glasnow was much further away from finding himself than he is now.
- The 11-13 record is actually one game better than their Pythagorean record of 10-14 based on their -20 run differential.
Indeed, the Pirates will be very pleased to see the new month ushered in.
Losing Kuhl Would Not Be Cool
Pittsburgh Pirates starter Chad Kuhl took a one-hopper to the knee/lower leg area in yesterday’s game, and it wasn’t pretty.
Though he walked off under his own power, Kuhl looked very shaky in trying to work through a few warm up pitches.
The club will be awaiting word on Kuhl’s status which should be updated today. Looking ahead, if the Pirates have to replace him, there are several options. They are all predicated on which cupboard Neal Huntington wants to borrow from.
He can borrow from the bullpen and stretch out Trevor Williams or Wade LeBlanc. He can dip into his depth at Triple-A and bring up Steven Brault or Drew Hutchison. Of the two, Brault has looked infinitely better even if his actual stat lines leaves something to be desired.
Losing Kuhl for any extended time could also drive Huntington toward the free agent or trade markets. This much is known – though he was not performing anywhere near his 2016 levels, Kuhl’s presence was something of a known commodity in front of a still-unknown one in Glasnow.
Subscribe To Pirates Breakdown Radio
Our podcast feed has been reborn as Pirates Breakdown Radio. On one singular feed, you will find a variety of shows, interviews, quick hits and much more. All designed to keep Pittsburgh Pirates fans informed and entertained no matter where they are.
We are on all the major podcast platforms, including iTunes and Google Play. So whether or not you have an Android or an iPhone/iPad, click on the corresponding button below to get subscribed!
Download Our Mobile Apps
The introduction of our new FREE Mobile Apps gets fans closer to their favorite Pittsburgh Pirates coverage than ever before. Click here to learn about some of the features of our new app – or, if you just can’t wait, click the corresponding app store for your device and grab your copy now.
Thanks for checking us out here at Pirates Breakdown. Please make sure to follow us on Twitter and Instagram and like us on Facebook for the best Pirates coverage all year long!
Add The Sports Daily to your Google News Feed!
