LOS ANGELES ANGELS NOTES:
LEADING OFF: Today, the Angels play the fifth (3-1) of nine games on a road trip against the Detroit Tigers (3-0), Toronto Blue Jays (0-1; July 28-30) and Atlanta Braves (July 31-Aug. 2)…Halos went 6-3 on last homestand against the Astros (1-2), Yankees (3-0) and Pirates (2-1)…LAA was 0-5 on last road trip against the Padres (0-3) and Dodgers (0-2) just prior to All-Star Break.
PUSHING 40: Shohei Ohtani is one home run shy from recording his second career 40+ HR season (he hit 46 HR in 2021)…Would become the third player in Angels history with multiple 40+ HR seasons, joining Troy Glaus (2000 & 2001) and Mike Trout (2015, 2019 & 2022).
BACK ON TRACK: Angels have won eight of their last 10 contests and have the best record in the American League since the All-Star Break.
BEST RECORDS SINCE THE ALL-STAR BREAK
- Cubs 10-4 (.714)
- Angels 9-4 (.692)
- Red Sox 8-4 (.667)
T4. Orioles 9-5 (.643)
T4. Twins 9-5 (.643)
MOTOWN SWEEP: Angels swept last series at Detroit, including a sweep of Thursday’s doubleheader…Halos are 52-27 (.658) vs. Tigers since 2011 (highest winning percentage for LAA vs. any A.L. opponent in that span).
SHO BUSINESS: Thursday at Detroit, Shohei Ohtani pitched his first career complete game and shutout with a one-hitter against the Tigers in Game 1 of the doubleheader…He also recorded his 16th career multiHR game (fourth this season) in Game 2…He became the first player in MLB history to throw a shutout in one game of a doubleheader and homer in the other (ELIAS).
SOX EXCHANGE: On Wednesday night, the Angels acquired RHP Lucas Giolito and RHP Reynaldo López from the Chicago White Sox in exchange for minor league LHP Ky Bush and C Edgar Quero.
SO EXTRA: Following Tuesday night’s 7-6 victory in 10 innings at Detroit, the Angels have now won each of their last four extra-inning contests (started the year 1-4 through first five extra-inning games)…This is Halos longest extra inning win streak since a four-game streak in 2018.
HOME RUN LEADERS: Angels lead the American League and rank third in the Majors with 162 home runs this season.
LEAGUE LEADER: As a hitter, Shohei Ohtani leads the Majors in home runs (39), total bases (263), XBH (62), slugging percentage (.681) and OPS (1.077) and is tied for the MLB lead in triples (7)…On the mound, he leads the Majors in opponent batting average (.185), is fourth in strikeouts (156) and is 10th in WHIP (1.07).
RECENT ROSTER MOVES: Yesterday, RHP Lucas Giolito joined the Angels active roster…In a corresponding move, RHP Gerardo Reyes was optioned to Triple-A Salt Lake following Thursday night’s game.
THE MICK: Mickey Moniak is currently on a career-high 18-game hit streak and is batting .368 (28/76) during that span (since July 2)…The streak is the longest active hit streak in the Majors…Longest by an Angels player since Shohei Ohtani had an 18-game hit streak from Sept. 14 – Oct. 3, 2022…Last longer hit streak for an Angels player was a David Fletcher’s 26-game streak in 2021.
VS. TORONTO: Toronto leads the 2023 season series 3-1 after taking two of three from April 7-9 at Angel Stadium and last night’s series opener…Last year, Halos swept three-game series at Rogers Centre (Aug. 26-28, 2022) and are 8-2 in last 10 games at the ballpark.
SHO OFF: In Game 1 of Thursday’s doubleheader, Shohei Ohtani made his 20th career pitching start (sixth this season) for the Angels while also leading the Majors in home runs as a batter…In 2021 he became the first player with multiple pitching starts in a season while leading Majors in homers since Babe Ruth in 1919.
RECORD SETTING PACE: Shohei Ohtani’s 39 home runs through the first 104 team games of the season are the most in Angels history (Ohtani held the previous record with 37 HR through 104 (and 105) team games in 2021).
THE INJURED LIST: Angels currently have 16 players on the injured list and have used the IL a total of 25 times this year for 23 different players…The 16 players currently on the IL are the most in the Majors.
SPARKPLUG: With Zach Neto in the starting lineup, the Angels have a 35-25 record, including a 13-4 record in his last 17 starts.
ESTÉVEZ ENDING: Carlos Estévez is pitching to a 1.98 ERA (41 IP – 9 ER) and has converted all 23 of his save opportunities this year…He set the franchise record for consecutive save chances converted to begin a season (previously Lee Smith converted his first 19 chances in 1995)…The only player in Angels history with a longer save streak without a blown save at any point in a season is Francisco Rodriguez (25 game streak in 2008).
FROM BOTH SIDES: On Sunday vs. Pittsburgh, Luis Rengifo posted his third career multi-HR game and homered from both sides of the plate in the same game for the second time in his career (he also did so on Sept. 16, 2022)…Prior to Rengifo, no Angels switchhitter had homered from both sides of the plate in a game since Kendrys Morales on July 30, 2012 at Texas.
LATE COMEBACKS: Halos have four wins this season when trailing after eight innings, which is the highest total for the Club since 2017, when the Angels had five wins when trailing after eight frames.
TODAY’S STARTING PITCHER – LHP REID DETMERS
2-7, 4.38 ERA
Has held opponents to two-or-fewer runs in six of last eight starts.
- TODAY’S GAME: Making 19th start of the season today and eighth on the road…Second start of 2023 vs. Toronto…Made Opening Day roster for second consecutive season…Is in third Major League season with Angels.
- HISTORIC STRETCH: From June 8 – July 2, had five straight starts with 8+ strikeouts and two-or-fewer runs allowed…The only other player in Angels history with such a streak was Nolan Ryan (seven games; his final three games in 1972 and first four in 1973).
- SUPPORT ME: Averaging 3.07 runs of support per nine innings this season, which is third-fewest in Majors (min. 95 IP).
- LAST TIME OUT: Took the loss in last start on July 22 vs. Pittsburgh after tossing 5.0 innings and allowing two earned runs on six hits with two walks and nine strikeouts…Held Pirates scoreless through first four frames.
- WINNING STREAK: With victories on June 8 and July 2, won consecutive decisions for third time in career.
- STAY UNFAMILIAR: This season, opponents are batting .210 (61/291) the first two times through the order, but are batting .359 (28/78) the third time through the batting order.
- EARLY SUCCESS: Has a 3.67 ERA (54 IP – 22 ER) in the first three innings of games, compared with an 5.27 ERA (42.2 IP – 25 ER) from the fourth inning on.
- GOING OFFSPEED: In 2023, is holding opponents to a .229 (53/231) average against offspeed pitches, including a .167 (9/54) clip on curveballs.
- VS. TORONTO: Is 1-0 with a 3.48 ERA (10.1 IP – 4 ER) and 10 strikeouts after two career starts vs. Blue Jays…Took no-decision after pitching five innings and surrendering four earned runs on five hits, two walks, and five strikeouts in previous outing this season against Blue Jays on April 9, 2023.
- AT ROGERS CENTRE: Making second career start at Rogers Centre…Is 1-0 with a 0.00 ERA (5.1 IP – 0 ER) and five strikeouts at Rogers Centre following only previous game on Aug. 26, 2022.
- WHIFF SPECIALIST: Ranks fifth in American League with 29.4% strikeout rate (min. 90 IP)…Has struck out eight-or-more hitters in six of last eight starts…Ranks second on Halos with 122 punchouts in 2023.
- 12K: Matched career high with 12 strikeouts on May 19 vs. Minnesota and carried a no-hitter through 5.2 innings…Previously tallied 12 strikeouts on July 31, 2022 vs. Texas.
- STREAKS SNAPPED: Victory on June 14 ended a career-high streak of five consecutive losing decisions…Also ended streak of 10 straight winless starts to begin a season, which finished tied for third-longest in Angels history (Rickey Clark – 12 starts in 1968 and Hector Santiago – 11 starts in 2014).
TORONTO BLUE JAYS NOTES:
THE LATEST: The Blue Jays rode a trio of homers to a 4-1 win over the Angels last night…Have now gone 18-16 in series openers…Are now a season-high-tying 12 games over .500 (53-41 on July 16). Toronto has won four of its last five games, 13 of its last 19, and has gone 32-21 over its last 53 contests…Its .604 win% over that span (since May 26) is the highest in the AL (2nd: BAL/BOS – .566)…Is currently tied with Houston (58-46) for the 2nd Wild Card spot and 1.5 games up on Boston (4.0 up on LAA).
BATT CHAPMAN: Matt Chapman got the Blue Jays on the board last night with a solo shot in the 2nd inning…Marked his 14th homer of the season…Now has 47 extra-base hits, tied for 3rd most among AL hitters, as his 32 doubles lead the junior circuit…Over his last 30 games, has batted .267 (28-for-105) with nine doubles, a triple, five home runs, 10 RBI, and 20 walks (.903 OPS). The third baseman ranks 2nd in MLB with a 59.5 hard-hit percentage (1st: Aaron Judge – 62.9), 7th in average exit velocity (94.0 MPH), and T-11th in hardhit balls (153)…Has a hard-hit rate of 55% (55/100) with two-strikes this season, 4th best in MLB.
DANNY DOES EVEN MORE DAMAGE: Danny Jansen led off the 3rd inning last night with his 14th home run, now one shy of a personal best (15 in 2022)…The 14 dingers are tied for 2nd most among AL catchers (Salvador Perez – 17)…Has homered in consecutive games for the 2nd time this season (11th career)…Extended his career high in RBI to 46 (44 in 2022). The catcher now owns an AB/HR ratio of 14.79, 7th best in the AL (min. 200 AB), while his 4.50 AB/RBI rate is 3rd best…Has gone 23-for-80 (.288) with five doubles, eight homers, and 20 RBI over his last 28 games for a .650 SLG and a .995 OPS.
WHITTING IT HARD: Whit Merrifield singled in the 3rd and 6th innings before connecting for a solo bomb to center in the 7th…Marked his 8th longball of the season, his 2nd in as many games, and the 6th of his last 17 games. The three-time All-Star finished 3-for-4 with two runs scored and a stolen base…Was his 5th game with 3+ hits this year…Now has 28 multi-hit games with 10 of those coming in July, tied for 2nd most in the AL (1st: Masataka Yoshida – 11)…Has reached base safely
in 17 of his last 18 contests with a plate appearance while hitting .394 (28-for-71) with two doubles, six home runs, and 17 RBI (1.092 OPS)…Is now batting .305 on the season, good for 5th among AL hitters… His 21 stolen bases are tied for 8th in the AL.
BO-ING FOR EXTRAS: Bo Bichette doubled in a run during the 6th inning last night…Added a single in the 7th to finish 2-for-4… Marked his AL-leading 40th multi-hit game. The All-Star shortstop also leads the AL with 139 hits, 19 more than any other batter in the junior circuit, trailing only Arraez (144) for the most in the Majors… Is now batting .317, surpassing Yandy Díaz (.315) for 1st in the AL…Among AL hitters, is also 3rd in total bases (216), 10th in SLG (.493), and 12th in extrabase hits (42).
HOME WORK: The Blue Jays are in the midst of a seven-day, seven-game homestand (1-0 so far)…Have gone 28-20 this season at Rogers Centre…The .583 win% at home is 4th best in the AL…After this weekend series with the Halos, will take on the O’s (63-40) for four games. Toronto batters rank 3rd in the AL in home AVG (.263), 3rd in home OBP (.335), 6th in home OPS (.750), and 8th in home SLG (.415)…The pitching staff ranks 1st among MLB teams with 3.33 home ERA, while sitting 2nd in the AL with a .220 home opponents’ average and 3rd with a 1.17 home WHIP.
KEVIN PUTTING IN THE K’S: Kevin Gausman struck out nine batters over 6+ frames of one-run ball last night…Leads the AL with 171 strikeouts (2nd: Pablo López – 160), behind only Spencer Strider (199) for the MLB lead…Currently tops the AL with a 2.82 FIP (2nd: Sonny Gray – 2.93)…Also ranks 1st in the AL in K rate (33.0%) and SO/9 (12.05) while ranking 5th in ERA (3.10) and SO/BB (5.34).
BOTTOM’S UP: Kevin Kiermaier went 1-for-3 in his 1,000th career game last night…Has recorded 61 hits while batting 9th, the most in the Majors (2nd: Michael Harris II – 59)…Is 14-for-43 (.326) with two doubles, a homer, and five RBI across his last 15 games (.830 OPS).
STARTING SOMETHING: Toronto pitchers have now combined for 49 quality starts, 4th most in the Majors…The starting rotation ranks 3rd in MLB in strikeouts (598), 5th in innings pitched (569.1), T-5th in ERA (3.86), and 9th in opponents’ average (.243).
HITTING IT: Toronto batters have notched 937 hits this season, 3rd most in MLB…Are currently 3rd in the AL in team AVG (.262), 4th in OBP (.331), 5th in SLG (.421), 5th in OPS (.751), and 7th in extra-base hits (315)
VS. THE ANGELS: All-Time: 220-225
2023: 3-1 Home: 116-104
Home: 1-0 Rogers Centre: 79-65
The Blue Jays took two of three games from the Angels when the met in Anaheim in April, winning both contests by a single run…Were swept by the Halos in a three-game series when they visited last season.
Bo Bichette went 6-for-13 with a double, two homers, and five RBI during that April series in Anaheim…In 16 career meetings with the Angels, has hit .358 (24- for-67) with eight doubles, three homers, and 14 RBI for a .612 SLG and a 1.023 OPS.
Matt Chapman was also 6-for-13 in that April series, picking up a double, two homers, and seven RBI as he hit his 1st career grand slam in the finale…Is now a lifetime .265 (80-for-302) batter in his 84 games vs. the Halos, including 19 doubles, four triples, 17 home runs, and 61 RBI (.889 OPS).
George Springer leads all current Blue Jays with 114 games played vs. LAA…Has batted .270 (116-for430) with 10 doubles, four triples, 28 home runs, and 71 RBI in those contests for an .868 OPS.
STARTING PITCHER – Alek Manoah, RHP #6
TODAY’S GAME:
Making his 16th start of the season and his 8th on the road…Took a no-decision his last time out, on 7/23 at SEA, giving up 3 runs over 5.1 frames with 3 hits, 4 walks, and 6 strikeouts. Since entering the league in 2021, has held opposing righthanded hitters to a .183 AVG, the 5th-best mark among qualified hurlers.
2023 HIGHLIGHTS:
Picked up his 2nd win of the year on 7/7 at DET in his return from the minors…Threw 6.0 frames of one-run ball with 5 hits, no walks, and a season-high 8 strikeouts. Made a start with Double-A New Hampshire on 7/2 vs. POR, tossing 5.0 innings of one-run ball with 3H, 3BB, and 10K. Took the loss on 6/5 vs. HOU, lasting a career-low 0.1 frames while allowing 6ER on 7H and a walk. Dropped to 1-6 on the year on 5/31 vs. MIL, surrendering 2 runs on 3 hits and 3 walks over 4.0 innings with 2 strikeouts. Took the loss on 5/3 at BOS, giving up 5R/2ER over 5.0 innings with 8 hits, a walk, and 3 strikeouts on a season-high 103 pitches (63 strikes). Threw 7.0 shutout frames on 4/22 at NYY, scattering just 2 hits and a walk with 5 strikeouts…Was his 2nd outing with 7.0 scoreless innings this season (also: 4/5 at KC). Took a no-decision in the team’s Home Opener on 4/11 vs. DET, giving up 3 runs on 4 hits and 5 walks over 4.1 innings with 3 strikeouts…Became the 5th pitcher in team history to pitch the club’s Season Opener and then their Home Opener, joining Jim Clancy (1981), Jimmy Key (1989), Marcus Stroman (2016), and Hyun Jin Ryu (2020). Earned his 1st win of the year on 4/5 at KC, tossing 7.0 frames of one-hit, shutout ball with four walks and five strikeouts. Was the Opening Day starter for the Blue Jays on 3/30 at STL…Took a no-decision that day, giving up 5 runs on a career-high 9 hits and 2 walks over 3.1 innings with 3 strikeouts… At 25 years and 80 days old, became the 4th-youngest Opening Day starter in team history (Drew Hutchison – 24.227 in 2015; Todd Stottlemyre – 24.324 in 1990; Marcus Stroman 24.338 in 2016).
