ARIZONA DIAMONDBACKS NOTES:
TOP OF THE WEST: The D-backs are in first place in the NL West (+2.0) and have spent 52 days in/tied for first place in the division.
TOP 5 RECORD: The D-backs’ 49-34 (.590) season record is fifth in the Majors behind the Rays (57-28, .671), Braves (54-27, .667), Orioles (48-32, .600) and Rangers (49-33, .598).
YOUNG ‘BACKS: The D-backs’ 27.8 roster age is tied for fourth-youngest in the Majors, with the Rays, behind the Guardians (26.2), Nationals (27.0) and Pirates (27.4).
FIRST PLACE ON JULY 1: The D-backs are in first place on July 1 for the sixth time club history (also: 2018, ’13, ’08, ’01, ’00).
IN THEIR LAST 162 GAMES: The D-backs’ 86-76 record (.531) is fourth-best in the NL and 10th-best in the Majors since July 8 last season, behind the Braves (106-53, .667), Dodgers (104-57, .646), Astros (97-65, .599), Rays (98-67, .594), Orioles (91-67, .576), Blue Jays (92-69, .571), Guardians (91-72, .558), Mariners (86-72, .544) and Phillies (86-74, .537).
THAT’S A WRAP ON A JUNE: In the month of June, the D-backs rank among the Majors’ best in runs (3rd, 144), doubles (3rd, 57), stolen bases (T-5th, 28), hits (T-4th,
245), extra-base hits (4th, 94), OBP (4th, .340), SLG (5th, .442), OPS (5th, .782) and walks (5th, 102).
♦ Ketel Marte’s 1.040 OPS and Christian Walker’s 1.026 OPS were sixth and 10th, respectively, in the Majors in June.
THE ROOK IS AN ALL-STAR: Corbin Carroll was selected as a NL starting outfielder for the 2023 MLB All-Star Game on July 11 in his native Seattle.
♦ First career All-Star selection.
♦ 24th Major League (since 1936) and 10th National League (since 1948) rookie All-Star starter.
♦ Is the Majors’ first rookie starter since OF Aaron Judge/NYY in 2017, the NL’s first rookie starter since OF Joc Pederson/LAD in 2015 (replaced fan-elected starter due to injury) and NL’s first fan-elected starter since OF Jason Heyward/ATL in 2010 (elected a starter but did not play due to injury).
♦ Is the D-backs’ sixth fan-elected starter, joining 2B Ketel Marte (2019), 1B Paul Goldschmidt (2014-15), CF Luis Gonzalez (2001), 2B Jay Bell (1999) and 3B Matt Williams (1999).
♦ D-backs’ eighth All-Star starter (11 starts) [fan-elected starts in bold]: Corbin Carroll (2023), Paul Goldschmidt (2014, 2015, 2018); Randy Johnson (2000, 2001); Jay Bell (1999); Luis Gonzalez (2001); Ketel Marte (2019); Curt Schilling (2002); Matt Williams (1999).
STRIKE EARLY AND OFTEN: The D-backs offense is hitting .308 (36-for-117)/.952 OPS with 28 runs and 16 extra-base hits in the first 2.0 innings over their last 14 games since June 16.
♦ Among teams in the fi rst 2.0 innings since June 1, the Dbacks are second with 42 runs, .528 SLG, .883 OPS, tied for second with 28 extra-base hits, third with a .289 AVG and .355 OBP.
DEFENSE RULES: The D-backs’ 30 errors are the fewest in the Majors, ahead of the Padres’ 31 and Cardinals’ 32, and .990 fielding pct. is tied for the Majors’ best with the Padres.
♦ Christian Walker’s 5 runs prevented and 7 outs above average lead all first basemen, ahead of Nathaniel Lowe/TEX (4 RP, 5 OAA), Anthony Rizzo/NYY (4 RP, 5 OAA), Josh Naylor/CLE (3 RP, 4 OAA), Paul Goldschmidt/STL (3 RP, 3 OAA) and Carlos Santana/ PIT (3 RP, 3 OAA).
♦ Gabriel Moreno’s 48.8 caught stealing pct. (15- of-31) leads catchers, ahead of Ryan Jeff ers/MIN (40.0, 8-of-20) while his 15 caught stealings are tied for second with Connor Wong/BOS behind Shea Langeliers/OAK (23).
♦ Ketel Marte’s 6 defensive runs saved are third in among second basemen [min.: 500.0 innings; 13 players] behind Andrés Giménez/CLE (7) and Nico Hoerner/CHI (7).
KETEL EXTENDS TO 22: Ketel Marte has reached base safely in 23 straight games, the Majors’ longest active on-base streak, hitting .321 (27-for-84)/1.059 OPS with
3 doubles, 7 home runs, 21 RBI and 19 walks (16 strikeouts).
♦ Since April 26, he has reached base safely in 53 of his 54 games…did not reach base on June 2 vs. Braves.
EXTRA! EXTRA! The D-backs’ 57 straight games with an extra-base hit (since April 28, 35-22 record), which is tied for the Majors’ longest active streak with the Angels (since April 29, 2023), is tied for the second-longest streak in a season in club history (also: July 28-Sept. 28, 2003) behind the 69-gamer from July 18-
Oct. 7, 2001.
INTERLEAGUE INSIGHT: The D-backs are 13-8 (.619) in Interleague (Tigers, Royals, Rangers, Athletics, Red Sox, Rays, Angels), the sixth-best record in the Majors, behind the Marlins (20-7; .741), Yankees (12-5; .706), Blue Jays (16-7; .696), Rays (17-10, .630) and Reds (17- 10, .630).
NO SHUTOUT STREAK CONTINUES, NINTH BEST SINCE 1998: The D-backs’ club-record 83 games without a shutout to start the season is the Majors’ ninth-longest single-season streak since 1998: Reds (163 G, April 3-Oct. 1, 2000), Rangers (160 G, April 1-Oct. 5, 2001), Yankees (138 G, March 28-Sept. 1, 2019), Orioles (133 G, April 2-Aug. 31, 2007), Rangers (96, March 31-July 13, 2008), Tigers (April 5-July 16, 2012), Yankees (89 G, April 2-July 16 [GM1], 2017) and Nationals (86 G, April 3-July 7, 2017).
♦ Only team to not be shut out in 2023.
STARTING PITCHER – RHP RYNE NELSON ♦ #19
WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW: Is making his third straight road start…in his last 5 road starts, is 2-0 with a 1.55 ERA (5 ER in 29.0 IP)… the D-backs are 4-1 in those contests.
- The D-backs are 6-3 in his last 9 bids.
- Is facing a new opponent for the eleventh time this season… has faced the Marlins, Royals, Rockies, Nationals, Giants, Athletics, Phillies, Braves, Tigers and Brewers for the first time in 2023.
- Has exited 11 of his 16 starts with the lead or tied.
- All 4 of his wins have come on day games this season.
LAST START: Earned the win on June 25 @ Giants allowing 1 run in a career-high tying 7.0 IP…retired 15 straight batters after allowing a double to Michael Conforto and a walk to J.D. Davis in the first inning…allowed an RBI single to J.D. Davis in the sixth inning.
VS. ANGELS Making his first career start.
- Is the 18th D-back to start @ Angels and the third youngest (25-150), behind Robbie Ray (23-257) in 2015 and Trevor Cahill (24-106) in 2012, surpassing last night’s Dbacks’ starter Tommy Henry (25-337) by 187 days.
INTERLEAGUE INSIGHT: Is 1-1 with a 2.25 ERA (4 ER in 16.0 IP) in 3 starts against AL opponents.
VS. AL WEST FOES: Facing an AL West opponent for the second time in his career and second time this season…faced the A’s on May 17 (ND; 0 ER in 5.1 IP).
ROAD WARRIOR: Is 3-1 with a 2.65 ERA (15 ER in 51.0 IP) in 9 career road starts.
PITCH TRACKING: Opposing batters are hitting .188 (6-for-36) with 7 strikeouts off his changeup and .209 (9-for-43) with 10 strikeouts off his slider.
LEFT ON LEFT: Is holding lefties to a .191 average (9-for-47) over his last 4 starts.
IT’S UNDER CONTROL: Has walked 2 or fewer batters in 11 of his 16 starts.
FIRST PITCH SUCCESS: His first-pitch swing (23.2 to 33.0) and first-pitch strike (53.6 to 60.9) percentages are up from 2022.
BATTED BALL STATS: His ground ball percentage is up to 38.3 from 25.5 while his fl y ball percentage is down to 27.4 from 44.7.
THIRD TIME THROUGH: In his third time thru the lineup, is limiting batters to a .250 average (16-for-64) with 7 walks and 8 strikeouts.
0-2 GOT YOU: Opponents are 3-for-37 (.081) with 15 strikeouts on an 0-2 count.
LOS ANGELES ANGELS NOTES:
LEADING OFF: Today, the Angels play the sixth (2-3) of seven games on a homestand against the Chicago White Sox (2-2) and Arizona Diamondbacks (0-1; June 30 – July 2)…Halos went 1-2 on last road trip at Colorado…LAA was 0-2 on last homestand against the Dodgers.
MOST HOME RUNS IN A MONTH IN ANGELS HISTORY:
- Shohei Ohtani (June 2023) – 15
T2. Shohei Ohtani (June 2021) – 13
T2. Mike Trout (July 2019) – 13
T2. Albert Pujols (June 2015) – 13
T2. Mo Vaughn (May 2000) – 13
T2. Tim Salmon (June 1996) – 13
MASSIVE MONTH: In the month of June, Shohei Ohtani batted .394 (41/104) with seven doubles, three triples, 15 home runs, 29 RBI, a .492 OBP, .952 SLG and a 1.444 OPS…He tied the A.L. record for homers in June, joining Babe Ruth (1930 Yankees), Bob Johnson (1934 A’s) and Roger Maris (1961 Yankees)…Among players with at least 100 June PA, only Babe Ruth (1920 & 1921) had a higher slugging percentage for the month.
THE GREATEST SHO: Tuesday night, Shohei Ohtani recorded his 15th career multi-HR game and his 22nd career 10+ strikeout game…He became the first A.L. player to hit multiple home runs and have 10+ pitching strikeouts in the same game since Cleveland’s Pedro Ramos on July 31, 1963 (Game 2) vs. Angels.
LEAGUE LEADER: As a hitter, Shohei Ohtani leads the Majors in home runs (30), total bases (213), XBH (50), slugging percentage (.674) and OPS (1.070) and is tied for the MLB lead in RBI (67) and triples (5)…On the mound, he also leads the Majors in opponent batting average (.180), ranks third in strikeouts (127) and is
sixth in WHIP (1.04).
I’M FEELING ‘22: Victor Mederos was the Angels sixth round selection in the 2022 Draft out of Oklahoma State University…He is the third player from the 2022 Draft to reach the Majors, with all of them being Angels (also, Zach Neto & Ben Joyce).
SNAKE STREAKS: Tyler Anderson takes the mound tonight with an active streak of 25.0 consecutive innings pitched against the Diamondbacks without allowing an earned run…Also has made six straight quality starts vs. Arizona.
OH BROTHER: Last night, with David Fletcher and Dominic Fletcher both appearing in the game, it was the first time an Angels player played against his brother in a game since May 12, 2014 when Cory Rasmus played against Toronto’s Colby Rasmus (credit: ELIAS).
ESTÉVEZ ENDING: This season, Carlos Estévez is pitching to a 1.91 ERA (33 IP – 7 ER) and has converted all 20 of his save opportunities, which establishes a new Club record to begin a season…Lee Smith held the previous Halos record with 19 consecutive successful save chances to start the 1995 season.
STARTING STRONG: Since June 13, the Angels rotation ranks fourth in the Majors with a combined 3.50 ERA (92.2 IP – 36 ER).
VS. ARIZONA: Today is the second (0-1) of three games this season between the Angels and D-backs…This is the first meetings between the clubs since 2021 (Angels swept three game series at Chase Field) and the D-backs first visit to Angel Stadium since 2020… Halos lead the all-time series 19-17.
INTERLEAGUE PLAY: LAA owns a 271-234 (.537) all-time Interleague record (10-11 in 2023)…The 271 alltime Interleague wins are third most all time behind Red Sox (299) and Yankees (293).
ROCKY MOUNTAIN HIGHS: Last Saturday night at Colorado, the Angels set franchise records with 25 runs scored and 28 hits…Halos previously had 24 runs and 26 hits on Aug. 25, 1979 at Toronto and had 26 hits on June 20, 1980 at Boston…The 24 run margin of victory also set a Club record (previously was 22 in the 24-2 win vs.
TOR on 8/25/79).
WINNING MONTHS: Angels secured a winning record for June (14-13), after going 15-13 in May and 15-14 in March/April (15-13 in April)…Halos have a record above .500 in three straight months for the first time since May – July 2019.
TODAY’S STARTING PITCHER – LHP TYLER ANDERSON
4-2, 5.54 ERA
Last season, went 3-1 with a 0.69 ERA (26 IP – 2 ER) in four starts vs. Arizona
- TODAY’S GAME: Making 15th start of the season and sixth at home…Is in eighth Major League season and made seventh straight Opening Day roster…Signed a three-year contract with Angels, Nov. 16, 2022.
- SUPPORTED: This season has a run support average of 6.51 (runs per 9 innings pitched), which ranks seventh in the American League (min. 50 IP).
- DECISIONS: Is 3-2 in last six starts after a streak of seven consecutive starts with a no-decision…The seven game streak tied for the second-longest in franchise history…Angels record streak was eight straight no-decisions by Jim McGlothlin between the 1966-67 seasons.
- VS. ARIZONA: In 18 career games (16 starts) against the Diamondbacks, is 6-4 with a 4.50 ERA (94 IP – 47 ER) and 91 strikeouts…Last year with Dodgers, went 3-1 with a 0.69 ERA (26 IP – 2 ER) in four starts vs. Arizona…His six wins vs. D-backs are tied for his most vs. any opponent (also six wins vs. Padres) and the 91 strikeouts are his most vs. any opponent…Has made six straight quality starts vs. D-backs.
- AT ANGEL STADIUM: Today is eighth career start at The Big A and sixth as a member of the Angels…This year, is 2-0 with a 5.88 ERA (26 IP – 17 ER) in five home starts, with the wins coming in each of last two home starts…In his two career games at Angel Stadium as a visitor, was 0-1 with an 18.00 ERA (7 IP – 14 ER); made one start for Giants in 2020 and one for Mariners in 2021.
- UPS AND DOWNS: Pitched 6.0 scoreless innings in Angels debut on April 2 at Oakland, before allowing 5+ runs in each of next three starts…Followed that with a five start stretch with a 3.14 ERA (28.2 IP – 10 ER) and 19 strikeouts, before yielding 20 runs across last five starts.
- THE COUNTS: Opponents are batting .179 (26/145) in two strike counts this season, but have a .378 (14/40) average on the first pitch.
- LEFT OUT: This season, is holding left-handers to a .250 average (16/64) compared with a .292 (66/226) average against right-handers.
- LAST TIME OUT: Took the loss in last start on June 25 at Colorado after tossing 6.0 innings and allowing three earned runs on four hits with two walks and nine strikeouts.
- KEEPING IT IN THE PARK: Has allowed just three home runs across last nine starts, after allowing six homers in first five starts.
- CHANGE CHANGE: Last season, held opponents to a .179 (41/229) average against his changeup, but opponents are batting .312 (29/93) this year.
