Kuhl allowed three runs on five hits and a walk with six strikeouts in five innings versus the Brewers on Sunday. He did not factor in the decision.

EDGE Analysis

Kuhl was beat by the long ball Sunday, as Daniel Vogelbach and Avisail Garcia's solo shots accounted for two of the three runs against the Pirates' starter. It was encouraging to see Kuhl limit his walks to just one for the first time in 2021. The 28-year-old carries a 6.32 ERA, 1.79 WHIP and 14:16 K:BB across 15.2 innings. His next start is set for Saturday in Minnesota.

Kuhl allowed four runs (three earned) on four hits and seven walks while managing just one strikeout over 3.2 innings as he picked up a no-decision against the Padres on Tuesday.

EDGE Analysis

Kuhl was fortunate that the Pirates' bats came alive in this one, as he did not help himself whatsoever with his performance on the mound. The 28-year-old allowed a leadoff home run to Trent Grisham to begin the game and then eventually walked in a second run after the Padres were able to load the bases. Things never really got any better for Kuhl, as he walked five more batters over the next 2.2 innings and could've had a lot more damage done against him if the Padres would have taken better advantage of their opportunities with runners in scoring position. Kuhl has struggled with walks in the past, but not nearly as bad as he has to begin the 2021 campaign. He currently owns a 6.75 ERA and an 8:15 K:BB through just 10.2 innings over three starts. He'll look to turn things around in a divisional matchup against the Brewers on Sunday.

Kuhl (0-1) took the loss Wednesday at Cincinnati after surrendering five runs (four earned) on two hits with five walks and five strikeouts over four innings.

EDGE Analysis

The 28-year-old served up a solo homer to Tyler Naquin on the first pitch of the afternoon, and the Reds tacked on four more runs before the end of the first inning. Kuhl settled down from there with three scoreless frames, but his command was poor all day as he threw only 33 of 72 pitches for strikes. The right-hander is poised for a tough matchup against San Diego early next week.

Kuhl didn't factor into the decision in Thursday's win over the Cubs. He allowed two runs (one earned) on one hit and three walks while fanning two across three innings.

EDGE Analysis

Kuhl had a short leash in the season opener and was far from effective on the mound. He was aided by a stellar job from the Pirates' bullpen, however, as six relievers combined to allow just one run across six frames. Kuhl's next start is scheduled for April 7 at Cincinnati.

Manager Derek Shelton named Kuhl the Pirates' starter for Thursday's season opener against the Cubs, Kevin Gorman of TribLive.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Kuhl's tenure in the organization was likely enough for him to secure the Opening Day assignment over newcomer Tyler Anderson, who has been the Pirates' most consistent starter during the back half of the Grapefruit League schedule. The 28-year-old righty worked only two innings in his final outing of the spring Saturday against the Red Sox, so he could face some limitations with his workload Thursday. Kuhl made 11 appearances (nine starts) for Pittsburgh in 2020, submitting a 4.27 ERA, 1.36 WHIP and 8.5 K/9.

Kuhl threw three scoreless innings Tuesday, allowing two hits and two walks while striking out four.

EDGE Analysis

First baseman Colin Moran collided with Kuhl in the first inning Tuesday, but the righty remained in the game and pitched well. Kuhl slots as the team's No. 2 or No. 3 starter in 2021. As long as he avoids the blister injury reoccurrence that bothered him last summer, he could surprise, considering he posted a 3.00 ERA and 9:2 K:BB in six spring innings.

Kuhl pitched one inning Sunday, allowing two singles while striking out the side, DK Pittsburgh Sports reports.

EDGE Analysis

Kuhl, whose fastball velocity ranged from 92-95 mph, needed 24 pitches to complete the inning. He relied on his slider for the three whiffs, even though he's barely thrown it in practice. "I felt like I've maybe thrown four sliders in a bullpen since I've been down here," Kuhl said. "It's just one of those things that I've just always had the feel for. It's really a pitch that we're not working on, but games situations are where I can always rely on it."

Kuhl is healthy after dealing with an assortment of injuries during his first season back from Tommy John surgery in 2020, Kevin Gorman of TribLive.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Kuhl went 2-3 with a 4.27 ERA and 1.36 WHIP in 46.1 innings in 2020. Subtract the Pirates' 11-0 loss at Kansas City on Sept. 13 -- when Kuhl, bothered by a bleeding blister and cuticle, allowed nine earned runs on four hits and six walks in 2.1 innings -- and his ERA drops to 2.77. The righty's fastball velocity (94.1 mph) dipped slightly in 2020, but he nearly doubled his slider usage (34.9 percent) while relying on his fastball less than ever (43.9 percent). While Kuhl has a chance to outperform his expected performance, he did benefit from a .235 BABIP against him last season, well lower than his .305 career mark.

Kuhl agreed to a one-year, $2.13 million contract with the Pirates on Friday, avoiding arbitration.

EDGE Analysis

The 28-year-old righty only logged five-plus innings in five of his 11 appearances last season, but he was generally pretty solid, save for a Sept. 13 blowup outing in Kansas City where he gave up nine earned runs in 2.1 innings. He will compete for a rotation spot in spring training.

Kuhl (2-3) tossed seven scoreless innings to pick up the win against the Cubs on Thursday, allowing two hits and three walks while fanning five.

EDGE Analysis

It was a fantastic final start for Kuhl, who will finish the year at 2-3 with a 4.27 ERA. The right-hander silenced the Cubs offense in seven innings of work, allowing just two hits and three free passes. Aside from a poor outing on Sept. 13 in which he allowed nine earned runs against Kansas City, Kuhl did not allow more than three earned runs in his other 10 appearances.