Because the have ridden the absolute fuck out of their bullpen.
I had this conversation with my roommate before the game even started, he was always going to pitch as long as possible tonight.
You have a TBD and a guy who struggles to throw 5 the rest of the weekend. Avoiding going to the pen was the move. For sure should have had someone warming and probably yank him before the bases loaded.
but pushing Kuechal as long as you can was the move.