STEVEN BRAULT NEWS

Santana homer in 10th, 5 RBIs lift Indians over Pirates 6-3

Carlos Santana hit a towering, three-run homer in the top of the 10th inning and drove in five runs to lift the Cleveland Indians to a 6-3 victory over the Pittsburgh Pirates

AUGUST 19, 2020 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Returning to mound Wednesday Brault is slated to start Wednesday's home game against the Indians, Jason Mackey of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports.

Impact Due to positive COVID-19 tests in the Cardinals and Reds roster pools, the Pirates only played two games last week, denying Brault of any starts. He'll return to the pitching schedule Wednesday while JT Brubaker jumps ahead of him in the order, robbing Brault of a two-start week in the process. Since Brault had been working as part of a tandem with Chad Kuhl in his prior appearances, he hasn't covered more than three innings in any outing this season. With that in mind, expect Brault's pitch count to be capped Wednesday.

AUGUST 16, 2020 • ROTOWIRE

Indians beat Tigers for 20th straight time, Reyes hits 2 HRs

The Cleveland Indians beat Detroit for the 20th straight time, nearing the major league record for most wins by a team over a single opponent, as Franmil Reyes hit two home runs to...

AUGUST 16, 2020 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Scheduled start postponed Brault won't start Saturday since the remainder of the weekend series against the Reds was postponed.

Impact The Reds had a player test positive for COVID-19 after Friday's contest, so the remainder of the series was called off as a precautionary measure. Both teams will undergo testing over the coming days to determine the next steps forward.

AUGUST 15, 2020 • ROTOWIRE

Bauer scheduled to start as Cincinnati hosts Pittsburgh

The Cincinnati Reds host the Pittsburgh Pirates

AUGUST 15, 2020 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Gray fans 10, Winker homers twice as Reds beat Pirates 8-1

Jesse Winker had his first career two homer game and Sonny Gray continued his torrid strikeout pace as the Cincinnati Reds broke open a close contest with five runs in the last two...

AUGUST 15, 2020 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Moves into rotation Brault is expected to start against the Reds on Saturday, DK Pittsburgh Sports reports.

Impact The loss of Joe Musgrove (triceps) pushes Brault back into the starting rotation. In his last three outings, the lefty hurled three perfect innings, failed to retire a batter while surrendering four runs, and most recently threw two scoreless frames. Brault has yet to allow a run in 12.2 innings in Cincinnati.

AUGUST 13, 2020 • ROTOWIRE

Cabrera's bat, Turnbull's arm help Tigers sweep Pirates 2-1

Spencer Turnbull pitched seven strong innings and Miguel Cabrera singled home the tiebreaking run in the eighth as the Detroit Tigers edged the Pittsburgh Pirates 2-1 for a three-g...

AUGUST 9, 2020 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Brault scheduled to start for Pittsburgh against Detroit

The Pittsburgh Pirates host the Detroit Tigers

AUGUST 9, 2020 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Set to start Sunday Brault will start Sunday's series finale against the Tigers in place of Joe Musgrove (ankle), Adam Berry of MLB.com reports.

Impact Brault piggybacked off Chad Kuhl on Friday, but he allowed four runs while not recording an out. It was a short outing, but he still threw 32 pitches, so the Pirates are likely to keep a close eye on the lefty's workload Sunday. Prior to Friday's outing, Brault gave up only one hit through five scoreless innings to begin the season.

AUGUST 8, 2020 • ROTOWIRE

Tigers hit 4 homers in 1st inning, drill Pirates 11-5

Niko Goodrum, Miguel Cabrera, C

AUGUST 8, 2020 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Rough outing Friday Brault allowed three hits and three walks without recording an out in Friday's 17-13 loss to the Tigers.

Impact After hurling three perfect innings in his last outing, Brault threw only 13 of 32 pitches for strikes. Despite the inconsistency, the lefty will likely continue serve as a piggyback pitcher because of the team's lack of depth. Brault's fastball velocity (92.5 mph) dropped below the 93-mph mark for the first time in 2020, but the team made no mention of injury.

AUGUST 8, 2020 • ROTOWIRE

Won't start Friday Pirates manager Derek Shelton said that Chad Kuhl would start Friday's game against the Twins rather than Brault, Rob Biertempfel of The Athletic reports.

Impact After Brault was piggybacked by Kuhl in both pitchers' first two appearances of 2020, the Pirates' game notes initially listed the former as being in line for another start Friday. Though Shelton clarified that Kuhl will instead draw the start in the series opener, the skipper was unwilling to say whether Brault would follow Kuhl. Since Brault has tossed five scoreless frames for his first two turns, it would be surprising if he was moved into an exclusive bullpen role at this time.

AUGUST 6, 2020 • ROTOWIRE

Perfect as opener Brault did not allow a baserunner and struck out four across three innings against the Cubs on Sunday. He did not factor into the decision.

Impact Brault has been working as the opener in the fifth rotation spot for the Pirates through two outings this season. He's now worked five scoreless innings, surrendering only one hit and two walks. With injuries to both Mitch Keller (oblique) and Chad Kuhl (finger), Brault may have the opportunity to work as a traditional starter in his next turn.

AUGUST 3, 2020 • ROTOWIRE

Perfect as opener Brault did not allow a baserunner and struck out four across three innings against the Cubs on Sunday. He did not factor into the decision.

Impact Brault has been working as the opener in the fifth rotation spot for the Pirates through two outings this season. He's now worked five scoreless innings, surrendering only one hit and two walks. With injuries to both Mitch Keller (oblique) and Chad Kuhl (finger), Brault may have the opportunity to work as a traditional starter in his next turn.

AUGUST 3, 2020 • ROTOWIRE

Extra-inning mistakes cost Bucs in loss For four innings, everything went according to the Pirates’ plan Sunday afternoon at Wrigley Field. Kevin Newman homered off Jon Lester to g...

AUGUST 2, 2020 • MLB.COM

Báez's single in 11th gives Cubs 2-1 win over Pirates

Javier Báez singled through a drawn-in infield in the bottom of the 11th, scoring David Bote from third base and giving the Chicago Cubs a 2-1 victory over the Pittsburgh Pirates

AUGUST 2, 2020 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Dealing with finger issue Kuhl was removed from Sunday's game against the Cubs with an abrasion on his right index finger.

Impact The 27-year-old covered 1.1 innings and allowed one run on two hits with one strikeout and one walk before leaving the game. Kuhl has been piggybacking off Steven Brault to begin the season, and his status for the next turn through the rotation remains unclear.

AUGUST 2, 2020 • ROTOWIRE

Looks good again Saturday Brubaker allowed one hit and one walk in three scoreless relief innings Saturday. He struck out three Cubs batters in a 4-3 loss.

Impact The rookie is a candidate to take Mitch Keller's spot in the rotation, though the team could also choose to break up the piggyback combo of Steven Brault and Chad Kuhl. Brubaker has proven to be one of the bright spots in an otherwise dismal start for Pittsburgh. He has seven strikeouts in five scoreless innings.

AUGUST 2, 2020 • ROTOWIRE

Lester expected to start for Chicago against Pittsburgh

The Chicago Cubs take on the Pittsburgh Pirates

AUGUST 2, 2020 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Chatwood fans 11, Cubs hit 3 homers to beat Pirates 4-3

Tyler Chatwood matched a career high with 11 strikeouts in another terrific performance, leading the Chicago Cubs to a 4-3 victory the Pittsburgh Pirates

AUGUST 2, 2020 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Darvish shines as Chicago Cubs beat Pittsburgh Pirates 6-3

Yu Darvish pitched six shutout innings and Jason Heyward drove in two runs, leading the Chicago Cubs to a 6-3 victory over the Pittsburgh Pirates

AUGUST 1, 2020 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Brewers rally past Pirates 6-5 in 11 innings

Eric Sogard doubled home Brock Holt in the 11th inning and the Milwaukee Brewers rallied for a rain-delayed 6-5 win over the Pittsburgh Pirates

JULY 28, 2020 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Effective in piggyback role Kuhl allowed three hits and two walks while striking out four over 3.2 scoreless innings of relief in Monday's 6-5 extra-inning loss to the Brewers.

Impact Steven Brault got the start Monday and delivered two scoreless frames of his own, but it was Kuhl who was the more effective pitcher overall in the tandem. The right-hander tossed 55 pitches (33 strikes) and was in line for the win when he exited the game, although the 1-0 lead didn't survive eruptions from both offenses in the late innings. Kuhl and Brault are splitting the No. 5 starter spot for now, but if Kuhl continues to be the second man into the game, his win potential will make him the better fantasy asset of the duo.

JULY 28, 2020 • ROTOWIRE

Pirates to start Brault in home opener against Milwaukee

Pittsburgh hosts Milwaukee for the 2020 home opener

JULY 27, 2020 • ASSOCIATED PRESS