ARIZONA DIAMONDBACKS NOTES:
IN THE WEST: The D-backs are third in the NL West (-2.5), behind the Dodgers and Giants…Arizona has spent 62 days in/tied for first place in the division.
ROSTER MOVES: The D-backs recalled RHP Luis Frías from Triple-A Reno and placed LHP Andrew Chafin on the Paternity List.
HEADED TO NIKE RBI WORLD SERIES: The D-backs Nike RBI Senior (ages 16-18) baseball team advanced to the Nike RBI World Series with Sunday’s 9-0 victory vs. Dodgers RBI in the West Regional in Seattle, Wash…the World Series is July 30-Aug. 5 at the Jackie Robinson Training Complex in Vero Beach, Fla.
♦ The D-backs Baseball Academy’s summer baseball league provides an opportunity for inner city students to travel and play season games and selected the 2023 D-backs Nike RBI All-Star Team with players from Alhambra, Betty Fairfax, Central, Cesar Chavez, Maryvale, Metro Tech, North, South Mountain, and Trevor G. Browne high schools.
VS. BRAVES: The D-backs went 1-2 vs. Braves in their series @ Chase Field from June 2-4…since 2019 the D-backs are 5-4 @ Truist Park.
♦ Jake McCarthy, in 2022 @ Braves, batted .500 (5-for-10) with 1 double, 2 RBI, 1 walk and 1 stolen base.
♦ Evan Longoria, in 2022 @ Braves while with the Giants, batted .333 (5-for-15) with 1 double and 2 walks.
EXTRA! EXTRA! The D-backs’ 68 straight games with an extra-base hit (since April 28, 38-29 record) is the Majors’ longest active streak and the 1 shy of the club*record 69-gamer from July 18-Oct. 7, 2001.
ROAD WARRIORS: The D-backs’ 26-18 (.591) road record is the third best in the Majors, behind the Braves (30-14, .682) and Orioles (28-17, .622).
♦ The D-backs’ 26 wins through their first 44 road games are tied for second most in franchise history (also: 2002 Division Champs) to the 2001 World Series Champion D-backs at this point (27).
STARTERS LEADING THE CHARGE: Over their last 6 games (since July 7), D-backs’ starting pitchers 3 home runs are the fewest allowed in the span while their 6 walks are tied for the fewest surrendered (also: Marlins and Giants)…additionally, their collective 3.45 ERA (11 ER in 28.2 IP) is the sixth-best mark in the span in the NL.
2-3-4 OFFENSE PRODUCTION: The D-backs’ 2-3-4 hitters in the batting order ranks among the best in the NL: AVG (1st, .275), hits (1st, 308), extra-base hits (1st, 133), total bases (1st, 557), SLG (2nd, .497), RBI (3rd, 188), OBP (4th, .343) and home runs (4th, 54).
DIAMOND DEFENDERS: The D-backs’ .990 fielding pct. is the best in the Majors while their 34 errors are the fewest, ahead of the Orioles (36) and Padres (38).
♦ The D-backs 16 team defensive runs saved are fourth in the NL, behind the Brewers (34), Padres (23) and Braves (21).
♦ Christian Walker’s 6 Outs Above Average (OAA) and 4 Runs Above Average (RAA) lead all MLB first basemen, ahead of Anthony Rizzo/ NYY (5 OAA/4 RAA) and Josh Naylor/CLE (4 OAA/3 RAA).
YOUNG ‘BACKS: The D-backs’ 27.8 average team age is the tied for the third youngest in the NL (also: Phillies), behind the Pirates (27.6) and Nationals (27.7).
♦ Arizona is 1 of 4 MLB teams to feature players 21-or-younger and 37-andabove (Justin Martinez-21 and Evan Longoria-37) [also: Reds/Elly De La Cruz-21 and Joey Votto-39; Mets/Francisco Alvarez-21 and Justin Verlander-40; and Rockies/Ezequiel Tovar-21 and Daniel Bard-38].
WALKIN IT OUT: The D-backs have 3+ walks in 4 of their last 6 games, including 8 walks on Sunday @ Blue Jays.
♦ The D-backs’ 26 total walks since July 7 are tied for the third most in the NL (also: Cubs), behind the Dodgers (29) and Padres (28).
FOR THE TAKING: The D-backs’ 109 bases taken^ are tied for most in the Majors (also: Padres) while their 48 pct. extra bases taken percentage* is tied for second in the Majors (also: Reds), behind the Rays (49%) and Braves (49%). ^Bases advanced on fl ys, passed balls, wild pitches, balks, def. indifference.
*Pct. runner advanced more than 1 base on single or 2+ bases on a double.
RUN AT YOUR OWN RISK: D-backs’ catchers are 3-for-3 throwing out attempted basestealers in last 4 games.
♦ The D-backs’ 33.9 CS pct. leads the Majors while their 41 stolen bases allowed are the second fewest in the Majors, behind the Tigers (39).
SWIPIN’ BAGS: The D-backs’ 94 stolen bases are fourth in MLB, behind the Rays (114), Reds (113) and A’s (96).
♦ Since June 12, the D-backs have stolen 31 bases, tied for third most in the Majors (also: A’s), behind the Reds (48) and Royals (36), and have only been caught stealing twice (July 7 vs. Pirates and July 14 @ Blue Jays), tied for second fewest (also: Rangers and Phillies).
STARTING PITCHER – RHP ZACH DAVIES ♦ #27
WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW: Is making his 12th start of the season and fourth on the road.
- Has faced 27 teams in his 10-year MLB career…only remaining teams are Orioles, Yankees and Blue Jays.
LAST START: Took the loss on July 9 vs. Pirates (3 ER in 5.1 IP).
VS. BRAVES: Is 1-1 with a 4.98 ERA (12 ER in 21.2 IP) in 4 starts against the Braves… has never faced them as a D-back.
VS. NL EAST: Is 14-9 with a 4.92 ERA (101 ER in 184.2 IP) in 34 starts against NL East teams.
PITCH TRACKING: Opposing batters are hitting .200 (4-for-20) with 2 strikeouts on his cutter and .167 (2-for-12) with 1 strikeout on his curveball.
MISSING BARRELS: Has lowered his barrel pct. down from 8.0 in 2022 to 5.9 in 2023.
- Barrel = comparable hit types (exit velo. + launch angle) that have lead to a min. .500 BA/1.500 SLG.
IT’S UNDER CONTROL: Has walked 2 or fewer batters in 8 of his 11 starts.
0-2, GOT YOU: Opponents are 2-for-9 (.222) with 4 strikeouts on an 0-2 count.
WORKHORSE: Is 1 of 11 MLB pitchers with 27+ starts in 5 of the last 7 seasons since 2016.
IL REPORT: Reinstated from the 15-day injured list (sprained left oblique) on May 27.
- Tossed 4.2 scoreless innings, allowing 3 hits and striking out 7 in 1 rehab start with Double-A Amarillo on May 20.
FROM THE DESERT: His family moved to the greater Phoenix area when he was 7.
- A 2011 graduate of Mesquite High School in Gilbert, Ariz.
- Committed to play college baseball at Arizona State University before getting drafted in 2011.
ATLANTA BRAVES NOTES:
TONIGHT’S GAME: The Braves and D-backs tonight open a three-game series in what is the fourth of six scheduled meetings between the clubs this season…Atlanta took two-of-three from Arizona at Chase Field, June 2-4.
- Atlanta and Arizona played six total games last season, with the Braves winning four of the six… The Braves have won the season series with the Diamondbacks in each of the last two years, and since 2008, Atlanta has only lost the season series with Arizona twice…They went 3-4 against the D-backs in 2019, and 2-5 in 2016…Atlanta is 54-41 (.568) overall against Arizona since that year.
- The Braves swept three games from the D-backs at Truist Park last season, and are 8-7 (.533) against Arizona here since the facility opened in 2017… Atlanta swept Arizona last season and in 2017, but went just 2-7 here from 2018-’21.
- Starting with Atlanta’s series in Arizona, the Braves have won 28 of their last 36 games (.778) and lost just one series, their most recent one to Chicago.
- RH Bryce Elder has never faced the D-backs, nor has he ever pitched against a member of Arizona’s active roster…The 6-foot-2, 220-pound All-Star is 7-2 with a 2.97 ERA (35 ER/106.0 IP) in 18 starts for Atlanta this season, including a perfect 4-0 record with a 2.30 ERA (16 ER/62.2 IP) in 10 night games…The right-hander allowed a career-most seven runs in his last turn, July 9 at Tampa Bay, in Atlanta’s final game before the All-Star Break.
- RH Zach Davies is set to make his fifth career start against Atlanta, and is 1-1 with a 4.98 ERA (12 ER/21.2 IP) in his first four turns…The 6-foot-0,
180-pound native of Puyallup, WA, last faced the Braves in 2021 while with the Cubs, and combined to allow 13 hits and nine runs over 7.2 innings in a pair of starts…In 11 starts for Arizona this season, Davies is 1-5 with a 6.37 ERA (38 ER/53.2 IP).
LOSS: Atlanta dropped its second consecutive game on Sunday afternoon, falling to the White Sox, 8-1…The loss marked the Braves first series defeat since dropping
two-of-three in Oakland, May 29-31.
- The loss snapped a streak of 11 consecutive series victories for Atlanta, the longest run for the club (no splits) since winning 13 straight series from
May 24 to July 7, 2002. - The loss was also the first in a rubber match for the Braves this season, who fell to 7-1 in series-deciding games…Atlanta’s seven wins without a loss in such games were the most in baseball.
- The Braves failed to hit a home run on Sunday, snapping their 28-game homer streak…The streak dated to June 10 vs. Washington…It stands as the second-longest streak in baseball history, falling short of the 2019 Yankees club that homered in 31 consecutive games…Atlanta hit 67 total homers during the run (2.4 per game).
SCORED A RUN: The Braves scored just one run on Sunday in their loss to Chicago (AL), but avoided a shutout…Atlanta suffered its last home shutout at the hands of San Francisco on August 28, 2021, as the club has scored in 144 straight home contests.
- Since that date, the Braves are the only team in baseball to avoid a home shutout…Every other team has been blanked at least four times at their home venue in that time.
- The 144-game streak is Atlanta’s modern-era franchise record (since 1901), better than a 97-game streak that spanned from 2004-05.
- The last major league club to stymie a home shutout for a longer stretch was Colorado, who went 166 games without one from May 10, 2018-August 30, 2020…Among clubs that play their home games below 5,000 feet of elevation, Texas was the last with a longer streak…The Rangers scored in 213 consecutive home games from April 9, 2000-August 1, 2002.
MICHAEL HARRIS II: Logged the only multi-hit game by a Brave in Sunday’s loss, going 2-for-4 with a pair of singles.
- Since June 7, Harris II has hit .368 (43-for-117), pacing the National League and ranking second in MLB…Cleveland’s Josh Naylor (.380) is the only qualified batter with a better mark.
- Since that date, he’s raised his season batting average from .163 to .263 (+.100), while his OPS has increased from .490 to .743 (+.253)
- Per Statcast, Harris II is tied for the third-highest Fielding Run Value (six runs saved) among centerfielders this season (min. 500 innings in CF)…Has saved three runs via his outfield range and three runs via his arm.
ROSTER MOVE: The Braves today selected the contract of OF Forrest Wall and placed LHP Kolby Allard on the 60-day injured list, backdated to July 17, with left shoulder nerve inflammation.
- Wall’s first appearance will mark his major league debut.
- Wall, who will wear No. 73 for Atlanta, has slashed .258/.360/.399 (79-for-306) across 78 games for Triple-A Gwinnett this season.
- Wall has gone 45-for-49 in stolen base attempts this season, second-most at the Triple-A level and fifth-most across all minor league levels.
- The 6-foot-0, 195-pound outfielder signed with Atlanta on January 27 and attended spring training as a non-roster invitee.
- In 13 spring training games for the Braves (seven starts), the 27-year-old batted .393 (11-for-28) with four doubles, nine runs, seven RBI and six stolen bases.
Tonight’s Starting Pitcher – #55 Bryce Elder RHP
2023 Record: 7-2, 2.97 ERA • 2022 Record: 2-4, 3.17 ERA
vs. RHB: .250 (50-200), 5 HR • vs. LHB: .223 (43-193), 5 HR
Home: 3-1, 3.09 ERA (20 ER/58.1 IP) • Away: 4-1, 2.83 ERA (15 ER/47.2 IP)
Today’s Game
- Set to make his first career start against Arizona and 19th on the season.
- Named to 2023 National League All-Star Team, his first selection.
- Joined Hall-of-Famer John Smoltz and Michael Soroka as the only starters in Atlanta-franchise history to make the All-Star team in their second year playing.
- Gave up a career-most seven runs in 3.1 innings pitched against Tampa Bay in his last start.
- Snapped a streak of 22 consecutive outings of at least 5.0 innings pitched.
- His 2.97 ERA on the season is the sixth lowest in the NL among qualifiers.
- No Braves pitcher was won the ERA title since Greg Maddux (2.22) in 1998.
- Elder’s 5.44 ERA with ROB is the seventh lowest in the NL among qualifiers.
- Opponents are hitting .199 against him with runners on base, the third lowest rate in the National League and third lowest in the majors (among QS).
- Owns a 38.5 left on base percentage.
- His groundball rate of 55.7% of balls put in play is the fifth highest in the majors among qualified starters.
- Has recorded an out on 61.8% of those grounders put in play.
- The average launch angle of balls put in play against Elder is 7.10; fourth lowest in the NL.
- Elder is pitching to a 2.00 ERA while holding opponents to a .220/.284/.331 line the first two times through the lineup.
- Conversely, owns a 6.08 ERA and hitters have a line of .273/.348/.444 the third time through the order.
- Is 8-3 with a 2.66 ERA over his last 23 games started after being recalled from Triple-A Gwinnett for the second time, dating to August 14, 2022.
- His 2.26 ERA is the second lowest among pitchers with at least 20 starts during that span.
- In that stretch, Elder is averaging 6.0 innings pitched per outing, tied for the fourth highest rate in the National League (min. 20 starts).
- He has six starts in his career of at least 6.0 innings without allowing a run, the most such games in Braves franchise history (since 1900) in a player’s first 25 starts…Irv Young (1905), Clif Curtis (1909-’10) and Ian Anderson (’20-21) each had five such starts.
2023 Recap
- Joined Hall-of-Famer John Smoltz, Shelby Miller and Julio Teheran as the only Atlanta-era pitchers, age 24 or younger to post a 2.40 ERA or lower through their first 15 starts to a season.
- Elder has 20 games of at least 5.1 innings pitched in 25 career starts; the most in Atlanta franchise history through as many games started.
- Elder’s 2.30 ERA through 20 career starts is the lowest in Atlanta franchise history to begin a career.
- His 117.1 innings pitched through his first 20 games started were the most by an Atlanta player to begin their career since Julio Teheran in 2011-13.
- His 30 earned runs allowed are also the fewest during that span.
- Elder has held opponents to one run or less in nine games this season while pitching at least 5.0 frames in every outing.
- His 13 appearances of at least 5.0 innings pitched while holding opponents to one run or less are the most through a player’s first 25 outings in Atlanta franchise history
