Game 15 - Guardians Versus Chad Kuhl - 4/15/2023
After an underwhelming effort where you finally bled through enough to eventually win the game against Trevor Williams, it is time for a Guardians date with Chad Kuhl. Kuhl is another veteran righty.
Repertoire
Primarily, Kuhl leans on his slider, though a bit more against righties than lefties. He is a bit rare in that he features heavy sinker against hitters on both sides. The 4-seam is merely a show pitch to throw the scent and shape of his sinker from time to time.
Matchup Grades
Against a righty with a not so prominent hook, Josh Naylor slates to be a position of strength for the Guardians offense. Despite a couple poor showings last night in another favorable matchup, we should still lean on the data with Naylor. That data shows an historic brilliance against middling velocity right-handed sinker/slider types.
Andres Gimenez also loves the strong handed sinker. Steven Kwan is at his best against these kind of sliders. Jose Ramirez is competent against everything Kuhl will throw. Oscar Gonzalez could find something to his liking if he can spit on the slider once or twice, if he gets the opportunity.
With lefties in three of the next four contests after today’s game, Kuhl would represent a perfect opportunity to sit Mike Zunino. This way he could play against a lefty tomorrow and Monday, sit Tuesday against a righty, and then right back at it to play against another lefty on Wednesday.
Kuhl is also a perfect opportunity to sit Myles Straw for a game. You could bring him in later as a defensive replacement or a runner, but starting the game with Will Brennan’s hot bat in center might provide a slight matchup favor. This would buy a few plate appearances for Oscar Gonzalez today and tomorrow, with Brennan likely sitting against a lefty in the series finale.