Pirates lefty Steven Brault believes he will be more effective in consistent role as a starter

Steven Brault bid adieu to his piggyback partner, preparing to pitch solo after three outings in tandem.

Just don’t look for Brault to kiss Chad Kuhl goodbye.

“It was a sad breakup. It was tough. It was a very difficult time for us both,” Brault deadpanned. “Now, we we move forward as individuals for the first time this season.”

With Kuhl getting the start at the Cincinnati Reds on Friday night, Brault (0-0, 5.14 ERA) is looking forward to facing Reds righty Trevor Bauer (2-0, 0.93) on Saturday night at Great American Ball Park.

Breaking up the tandem was a decision made out of necessity for the Pittsburgh Pirates after Joe Musgrove joined Mitch Keller on the injured list. Brault has worked out of the bullpen and starting rotation but believes that he will be a more effective pitcher in a consistent role, so the left-hander has been in constant communication with manager Derek Shelton about his usage.

“We had a good conversation just a few days ago about how it’s been clear what my role has been. Even though because of the injury and stuff, it’s kind of had to not be totally consistent, it’s still been clear, made clear to me, what it was going to be, all the time,” Brault said. “And I really appreciate that, and I know he’s big into taking our person into account in what we need.”

Brault is 3-0 and hasn’t allowed an earned run in 12²/₃ innings over five games (one start) in Cincinnati, striking out 15, allowing nine hits and five walks. He threw 5¹/₃ scoreless innings against the Reds in a 7-2 win at GABP in May 2019, striking out five, allowing three hits and two walks.

“I’ve always enjoyed pitching here,” said Brault, who also struck out 10 Reds in a 6-5 win last Sept. 27 at PNC Park. “I think it’s a cool stadium. … I think that this is just one of those places I feel comfortable throwing. I’m going to try to keep that going.”

After allowing four runs on three hits and three walks while failing to get an out Aug. 7 against Detroit, Brault bounced back two days later by starting against the Tigers and throwing two scoreless innings.

Brault said he discovered a “small mechanical thing” that saw him reverting to an old habit — what he calls, “landing on my front toe” — that caused consistent misses on his arm side. He attributes it to more of a mound mentality that involves being confident in his delivery.

“It’s so funny, because you go from that Cubs outing to that horrible, horrible outing to another good outing against the same team two days later,” Brault said. “It kind of shows that I appreciate Oscar and Shelty having the confidence to have me run out there again so quickly after that, and I really want to get back out there. And now I really want to get back out again, and I’m excited to go throw (Saturday). If you dwell on a bad outing, you’re never going to make it last. So, what’s the point? Just move forward and focus on the next one, as cliche as it is.”