ARIZONA DIAMONDBACKS NOTES:
TOP OF THE WEST: The D-backs are in first place in the NL West (+3.0) and have spent 53 days in/tied for first place in the division.
TOP 5 RECORD: The D-backs’ 50-34 (.595) season record is fourth in the Majors behind the Braves (55-27, .671), Rays (57-29, .663) and Rangers (50-33, .602).
YOUNG ‘BACKS: The D-backs’ 27.8 roster age is the fourth-youngest in the Majors behind the Guardians (26.2), Nationals (27.0) and Pirates (27.4).
STARTERS LEADING THE CHARGE: D-backs’ starting pitchers Tommy Henry & Ryne Nelson have held the Angels to 2 runs over 13.0 innings on 7 hits and 3 walks with 14 strikeouts for a 1.38 ERA, .152 opponent average and 0.77 WHIP.
♦ Over the last 6 games, the starters are 4-1 with 3.34 ERA (13 ER in 35.0 IP), a .186 opponent average (24-for-129) with 11 walks and 30 strikeouts.
NELLY’S 2 STRIKEOUT NIGHT : Last night, Ryne Nelson recorded 2 strikeouts each of Mike Trout and Shohei Ohtani, becoming the 11th pitcher to strike out the duo twice in a game [courtesy: Elias Sports Bureau]. 6/26/23 Dylan Cease/CWS 5/25/22 Glenn Otto/TEX 5/22/23 Tanner Houck/BOS 8/24/20 Framber Valdez/HOU 5/10/23 Cristian Javier/HOU 8/8/20 Kolby Allard/TEX 8/24/22 Shane McClanahan/TB 5/27/18 Masahiro Tanaka/NYY 6/27/22 Lucas Giolito/CWS 4/22/18 Johnny Cueto/SF 50 WINS: The D-backs’ 50th win last night marked the fourth time the club has had 50 wins by their 84th game:
2017: 52-32 (Wild Card champs)
2002: 50-34 (NL West champs)
2001: 51-33 (World Series champs)
DAY GAME GAMEDAYS : The D-backs’ 19-13 day game record (.594) is sixth in the Majors behind the Yankees (.733, 22-8), Braves (.690, 20-9), Rangers (.688, 22-10),
Rays (.650, 26-14) and Phillies (.639, 23-13).
♦ The D-backs are 9-2 in their last 11 road day games and overall their 12-5 (.706) record in road day games is the Majors’ second-best mark behind the Braves (.722, 13-5) and ahead of the Yankees (.643, 9-5) and Marlins (.600, 12-8).
THE ANSWER-BACKS STRIKE BACK: The D-backs’ 23 comeback wins are tied for fifth-most in the Majors with the White Sox and Braves behind the Reds (30), Orioles (28), Angels (26) and Red Sox (24).
SIXTH OR LATER: The D-backs offense scored 2 runs in the sixth inning and 1 run in the seventh inning of last night’s come-from-behind 3-1 win.
♦ Among all teams from the sixth-ninth innings, the D-backs’ 187 runs are second to the Dodgers (194) while their .758 OPS is third to the the Rays (.767) and Dodgers (.766).
GET ‘EM ON, GET ‘EM HOME: With runners on base and 2 outs, among all teams since June 1, the D-backs are first with 65 runs, a .298 AVG and 25 extra-base hits and second with a .930 OPS.
♦ With runners in scoring position and 2 outs, among teams since June 1, the D-backs’ 52 runs lead the Majors.
BULLPEN OF LATE: D-backs relievers’ 1.64 ERA since June 24 is sixth in the Majors behind the Phillies (0.77), Twins (0.89), Cubs (1.08), Pirates (1.40), Yankees (1.42).
♦ The bullpen’s 0.82 WHIP (10 H, 8 BB) is third in the Majors to the Twins (0.69; 7 H, 7 BB) and Phillies (0.77; 16 H, 2 BB).
STRIKE EARLY AND OFTEN: The D-backs offense is hitting .304 (38-for-125)/.924 OPS with 28 runs and 16 extra-base hits in the first 2.0 innings over their last 15 games since June 16.
♦ Among teams in the first 2.0 innings since June 16, the D-backs are second with 28 runs and .924 OPS, third with a .364 OBP, .560 SLG and 16 extra-base hits, fourth with a .304 AVG.
SWIPING BAGS: The D-backs’ 82 stolen bases are fourth in the Majors behind the Rays (103), Reds (94) and A’s (86).
KETEL KEEPS ON GOING: Ketel Marte’ 24 straight games reaching base is the Majors’ longest active on-base streak, hitting .315 (28-for-89)/1.025 OPS with 3 doubles, 7 home runs, 21 RBI and 19 walks (16 strikeouts).
♦ Since April 26, he has reached base safely in 54 of his 55 games…did not reach base on June 2 vs. Braves.
EXTRA! EXTRA! The D-backs’ 58 straight games with an extra-base hit (since April 28, 36-22 record), which is tied for the Majors’ longest active streak with the
Angels (since April 29, 2023), is the second-longest streak in a season in club history behind the 69-gamer from July 18-Oct. 7, 2001.
INTERLEAGUE ON THE ROAD: The D-backs are 8-2 on the road in Interleague, including 6 straight road wins since May 17.
NO SHUTOUT STREAK CONTINUES, NINTH BEST SINCE 1998: The D-backs’ club-record 84 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 ZAC GALLEN ♦ #23
WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW: His 3.3 fWAR (FanGraphs) ranks second in the Majors behind Kevin Gausman/TOR (3.5) and ahead of Zac Wheeler/PHI (3.2) and Framber Valdez/HOU (3.1).
- In his last 3 starts, is 3-0 with a 2.70 ERA (6 ER in 20.0 IP) and .192 opponent average.
- The D-backs are 5-1 in his last 6 starts.
- Making his tenth start against an AL West opponent… looking for his first win against an AL West team since Sept. 18, 2020 @ Astros.
LAST START: Earned his third straight win on June 27 vs. Rays (W; 4 ER in 6.0 IP).
VS. ANGELS: Making his fi rst career start.
INTERLEAGUE INSIGHT: Is 6-3 with a 3.73 ERA (45 ER in 108.2 IP) with 121 strikeouts in 18 starts against AL opponents.
NL RANKINGS: Ranks among NL leaders in wins (T-1st, 10), strikeout-to-walk ratio (3rd, 4.91), home runs allowed (T-5th, 7), walks (T-5th, 22), strikeouts (6th, 108) and ERA (6th, 3.02).
EARLY RISER: Is 9-5 with a 2.93 ERA (56 ER in 172.0 IP), 1.03 WHIP, .210 opponent average and 178 strikeouts in 30 career day starts.
- Since 2022, his 2.18 ERA (27 ER in 111.1 IP) is second best in the NL in day games behind Taijuan Walker/PHI (2.17) and ahead of Chris Bassitt/NYM (2.31) and Clayton Kershaw/LAD (2.33).
- The D-backs are 9-2 in his last 11 day starts.
AHEAD IN THE COUNT: His .132 opponent average (20-for-152; 55 K) when ahead in the count is tied for fourth with Michael Kopech/CWS among starters (min. 10 GS) behind Marcus Stroman/CHC (.121), Edward Cabrera/MIA (.125) and Kevin Gausman/ TOR (.129).
RISP-Y BUSINESS : Holding runners in scoring position to a .181 average (15-for-83) with 29 strikeouts.
LIMITING THE LONG BALL: Has allowed just seven homers in 104.1 innings this season. The 0.60 homers per nine is eighth best in MLB (min. 50 IP).
IT’S UNDER CONTROL: Has walked 2 or fewer batters in 15 of his 17 starts.
VS. RIGHT AND LEFT: Is limiting righties to a .221 average (47-for-213) with 58 strikeouts, while lefties are batting .247 (45-for-182) with 50 strikeouts. 0-2 GOT YOU: Has a .115 (24-for-209) opponents average and 108 strikeouts with 2 strikes and opponents are 5-for-37 (.135) with 17 strikeouts on an 0-2 count.
- His .115 opponent average with 2 strikes is sixth-best in the Majors.
THE STOPPER: Is 6-0 with 1.86 ERA (12 ER in 58.0 IP) in 9 games following a D-backs loss this season.
LOS ANGELES ANGELS NOTES:
LEADING OFF: Today, the Angels play the seventh (2- 4) and final game on a homestand against the Chicago White Sox (2-2) and Arizona Diamondbacks (0-2; June 30 – July 2)…Halos went 1-2 on last road trip at Colorado…LAA was 0-2 on last homestand against the Dodgers.
TODAY’S TRANSACTIONS: Today, the Angels recalled INF Andrew Velazquez from Triple-A Salt Lake and placed INF Brandon Drury (left shoulder contusion) on the 10-day injured list (retro to June 30)…Additionally, INF Jake Lamb was released from the roster.
WINS AND LOSSES: Angels have lost a season-high four straight games, marking first four game losing streak since Sept. 11-14, 2022…Halos have not had a five game losing streak since a six game streak from Aug. 20-25, 2022.
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 set a franchise record for HR in any month and 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.
LEAGUE LEADER: As a hitter, Shohei Ohtani leads the Majors in home runs (30), total bases (213), XBH (50), slugging percentage (.666) and OPS (1.057) and is tied for the MLB lead in 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).
OH BROTHER: The last two nights have featured David Fletcher and Dominic Fletcher both appearing in the games…It is 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).
REID THIS: Reid Detmers enters today’s game with a streak of four straight starts with 8+ strikeouts and one-or-fewer runs allowed…The only other players with such a streak in Angels history are Nolan Ryan (twice) and Shohei Ohtani (2022). (credit: ESPN Stats & Info.)…Only three A.L. pitchers have had this streak
reach five games: Randy Johnson (1994-95), CC Sabathia (2011) & Chris Sale (2018).
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 third in the Majors with a combined 3.32 ERA (97.2 IP – 36 ER).
VS. ARIZONA: Today is the third (0-2) and final game this season between the Angels and D-backs…Halos have never been swept by Arizona in a series of at least three games…Angels lead the all-time series 19-18.
INTERLEAGUE PLAY: LAA owns a 271-235 (.536) all-time Interleague record (10-12 in 2023)…The 271 all-time Interleague wins are third most all time behind Red Sox (299) and Yankees (294).
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 REID DETMERS
1-5, 3.77 ERA
In last four starts, is 1-0 with a 1.05 ERA (25.2 IP – 3 ER) and 34 strikeouts
TODAY’S GAME: Making 15th start of the season today and ninth at home…Made Opening Day roster for second consecutive season…Is in third Major League season with Angels.
- HISTORIC STRETCH: In each of last four starts, has had 8+ strikeouts and one-or-fewer runs allowed…The only other players with such a streak in Angels history are Nolan Ryan (twice) and Shohei Ohtani (2022); only A.L. pitchers to have such a streak reach five games are: Randy Johnson (1994-95), CC Sabathia (2011) & Chris Sale (2018).
- SUPPORT ME: Averaging 3.07 runs of support per nine innings this season, which is third-fewest in Majors (min. 70 IP).
- LAST TIME OUT: Did not factor in decision in last start on Monday vs. White Sox after tossing 7.0 innings and allowing one earned run on two hits with two walks and 10 strikeouts.
- IN THE WIN COLUMN: Earned first win of the year on June 14 vs. Cubs, after tossing 5.2 innings and allowing one earned run on five hits with two walks and eight strikeouts.
- 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).
- STAY UNFAMILIAR: This season, opponents are batting .196 (45/230) the first two times through the order, but are batting .407 (24/59) the third time through the batting order.
- EARLY SUCCESS: Has a 2.57 ERA (42 IP – 12 ER) in the first three innings of games, compared with an 5.24 ERA (34.1 IP – 20 ER) from the fourth inning on…20 of 37 runs allowed this year (54%) have come in 5th and 6th inning.
- GOING OFFSPEED: In 2023, is holding opponents to a .238 (44/185) average against offspeed pitches, including a .175 (7/40) clip on curveballs.
- VS. ARIZONA: Today marks first career game vs. Diamondbacks.
- INTERLEAGUE PLAY: In seven career Interleague games, is 2-4 with a 4.29 ERA (35.2 IP – 17 ER) and 44 strikeouts…This season, is 1-2 with a 3.27 ERA (22 IP – 8 ER) in four home starts.
- AT ANGEL STADIUM: In 23 career games at Angel Stadium, is 6-6 with a 3.52 ERA (128 IP – 50 ER) and 137 strikeouts…This year, is 1-2 with a 3.40 ERA (45 IP – 17 ER) in eight home starts…Last season, was 4-3 with a 3.22 ERA (72.2 IP – 26 ER) in 13 home starts, including no-hitter on May 10 vs. Rays (seventh individual
no-hitter in Angel Stadium history).
