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Posted at 12:00 PM EST.

2:15 PM EST. Last night we backed Jameson Taillon and the Pirates in what was a clear pitching mismatch and we happily cashed our ticket. Bless the baseball gods for providing us with that same opportunity again today, as the Pirates will send Chad Kuhl (RHP) to toe the slab this afternoon in St. Louis. Kuhl is just as good as Taillon but doesn't quite have the pedigree that comes with being a top draft pick. Kuhl was taken in the ninth round by the Pirates in 2013 and he quickly pitched his way through the minors and made his MLB debut in 2016, which was the same year Taillon did despite being drafted three years earlier. Kuhl's 2018 has seen an uptick in his strikeout rate while also allowing fewer walks than last season. Through 61.2 frames, Kuhl has flamed 58 batters, while walking just 23. With his fast track to the majors, it's easy to forget the Kuhl is just 25-years-old. He's posted three quality starts in his last four trips to the mound but has not been able to pick up a victory. That includes a tough-luck loss to the Cubs where Kuhl gave up just one run on four hits over six innings. Over his last five starts, Kuhl has allowed one run or fewer but has just one win to show for it. A correction is coming, as he's pitched too well not to start racking up the Ws.

The toothless Cardinals lineup could only must four hits while striking out six times in a 4-0 loss in this series opener. It only takes a quick look at their collective batting averages to see that St. Louis doesn't pose much of a threat on a nightly basis. Nobody in yesterday's lineup is hitting above .300 on the season. Marcell Ozuna came over from the Marlins but has been a disappointment, as has Dexter Fowler who is hitting a dismal .183. Fowler isn't the only one with a shameful sub .200 average, as second baseman Kolten Wong is also below the Mendoza Line. That 4-0 score actually flatters the Red Birds, as it could have been much worse after the Buccos left 16 men on base.

Enter Luke Weaver, who at 24-years-old does have some pedigree as a former first-round pick in 2014, but he has seen some regression after rocketing into the bigs in 2016. Weaver's strikeout rate is way down this season, as he's knocking out two fewer batters per game this year over last and three less compared to his rookie season. Weaver's walk rate is also up to a career high of 3.09 BB/9. Neither his surface ERA of 4.63 or his xERA of 4.08 are very appealing either when being asked to spot a price. Weaver had a roaring start to the season but has fallen on hard times lately after suffering three losses in a row. He was tapped for four runs over four innings in his last start against the Brewers, who are just about a free-swinging team as there is in the National League. That is not a luxury Weaver will have today, as the Pirates are the most disciplined team in the NL. With a dugout full of wet noodles backing him up, there is no reason not to fade Weaver and the overpriced Cardinals again.

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