CINCINNATI REDS NOTES:
RED HOTTEST
- In 4 games on this road trip the Reds are hitting .361 with 57 hits and 34 runs scored.
- The Reds have scored at least 8 runs in each of the last 4 games, their longest streak since 7/28-7/31, 1987 (4g)…the club record for consecutive games with at least 8 runs scored is 5 (1894; 1895; 7/15-7/19/g1, 1930).
- The Reds won each of C Curt Casali’s last 8 starts and 9 of his last 10 starts.
- Stuart Fairchild hit safely in 5 of his last 6 apps (.409).
- TJ Friedl is hitting .471 since he returned from the injured list on 5/23.
- Luke Maile in his last 14 apps beginning 4/25 is hitting .294.
- Matt McLain is hitting .432 during a season-high 8-game hitting streak, the longest active streak on the team.
- Kevin Newman in his last 17 apps is hitting .348.
- Nick Senzel has a 3-game hitting streak (.364), hit safely 6 of his last 7 apps (.346) and produced at least 1 RBI in 6 of his last 7 apps.
- Spencer Steer in his last 12 apps is hitting .404 with 7 multi-hit games.
- Tyler Stephenson in his last 6 apps has 3 multi-hit games (.309, .379obp).
- Reds pitchers in the last 6 games are 5-1, 3.83.
- Reds starting pitchers in the last 6 games are 4-0, 2.43.
- RHP Alexis Díaz didn’t allow a run in any of his last 6 apps (6.1ip)…has converted all 13 save chances, the longest conversion streak of his career and the longest by a Reds pitcher since 2009 (Francisco Cordero, 15sv).
- RHP Buck Farmer in his last 17 apps has posted a 1.27 ERA.
- RHP Hunter Greene in his most recent start threw 6.0 no-hit innings.
- RHP Ben Lively in his 3 starts has posted a 2.08 ERA.
- RHP Luke Weaver in his last start threw 6.1 shutout innings (3 hits).
- LHP Alex Young in his last 7 apps has posted a 1.59 ERA.
RED HOTS
- Yesterday’s 9-8 win was David Bell’s 600th game as Reds manager.
- Reds baserunners in 51 attempts have scored 50 runs from second base on singles…both lead the Major Leagues.
- In the first inning, Reds batters rank third among the Major League team leaders in hitting (.317; Atl .339, TB .319) and hits (69; Atl 80, TB 76).
- The Reds entered today ranked 28th in the Major Leagues with 42 HR (Cle 30, Wsh 39), their fewest in 54 games since the 2014 team produced 42 HR through its first 54 games…from 4/18-4/25 did not produce a home run in a season-high 8 consecutive games, their longest team homerless streak since 1992.
TONIGHT’S GAME
- Is Game 2 (1-0) of a 3-game series vs Joe Cochran’s Red Sox and Game 5 (4-0) of a 6-game road trip to the two oldest ballparks in the Major Leagues, Chc’s Wrigley Field (1914) and Bos’ Fenway Park (1912).
- The Redlegs are coming off Monday’s off day here following their first series sweep of the Cubs since 7/2-7/4, 2021 (3g at Great American Ball Park) and their first series sweep at Wrigley Field since 8/12-8/14, 2013 (3g).
SERIES NOTES
- The Reds are visiting Fenway Park for the second straight season.
- The Sox lead the all-time series, 14-4, including a split of the home-and-home 2-game series last season.
- The Sox won 5 of the 7 completed series, tied the other 2 series and swept 4 series.
- The Reds’ 2-1 win on 5/31/22 was their first victory at Fenway Park since Game 7 of the 1975 World Series.
- In the June 2005 series at Fenway, the Reds were outscored by the Sox, 23-4, and hit .167 (15-90, 32k) while posting an 8.25era (.340ba)…gametime temperature on 6/13/05 was 91 humid degrees, dropped to a chilly 54 for Game 2 and then plummeted to a frigid 49 for the series finale.
INTERLEAGUE NOTES
- Before the interleague schedule expanded this season to include games vs all 15 American League teams, from 1997- 2022 the Redlegs went 188-247 vs the American League, at .432 the lowest interleague winning percentage of any Major League team…in 2022 the Reds went 12-8 vs AL teams (0-2 vs Cle, 2-0 at Cle, 1-2 at Tor, 1-1 at Bos, 3-0 vs TB, 2-1 at NYY, 2-1 vs Bal, 1-1 vs Bos)…last season’s was their first winning record vs the American League since 2013 (11-9)…in the 8 seasons between the 2013 & 2022 season series wins, the Reds went 61-99 vs AL teams (.381).
BREWERS UP NEXT
- In 2022 the Brewers won 4 of this season’s 6 series and 13 of the 19 games.
- In 2022 allowed 44 HR to the Brewers, the most home runs allowed by Reds pitchers to any team in a single season.
- The Reds’ 6-game losing streak vs Mil at GABP from 6/17-9/24, 2022 tied their longest single-season home losing streak to the Brewers (2015).
- Over the last 5 seasons, the Brewers’ .690 winning percentage (29-13) at GABP is the best of any NL Central Division team in that span.
Tonight’s Pitcher – #34 Luke Weaver, RHP
- Tonight is making his fourth career appearance and second career start vs the Red Sox…will be his second career appearance and first start at Fenway Park.
- In the 4-3 loss on 4/20 at Pit, came off the 15-day injured list to make his 2023 season and Reds debuts…in the first inning allowed all 4 runs on 3 hits, including 2-out, back-to-back home runs by Connor Joe (3-run) and Jack Suwinski (solo)…in his last 5.0 innings faced only 16 batters and retired his last 10 batters…Joe’s 3-run HR snapped Weaver’s career-high 29.0-inning homerless streak (24g) dating back to his only start of 2022 (6/18/22 vs Min, Gary Sánchez).
- On 3/8, left his third spring training appearance with right forearm tightness…didn’t pitch in another Cactus League “A” game for the Reds.
- On Opening Day went on the 15-day injured list with a right elbow flexor strain, snapping his 5-season streak on an active Opening Day roster (Cardinals 2018, Diamondbacks 2019-2022).
- On 4/9 and 4/14 made 2 rehabilitation apps with Louisville (0-0, 3.00, 9ip, 3h, 3er, 4bb, 9k, 1hr, 0.78whip, .107baa).
- On 1/13/23 was signed to a 1-year contract through the 2023 season.
BOSTON RED SOX NOTES:
STATE OF THE SOX: The Red Sox are 6-6 in their last 12 games and 13-12 in their 25 games since the start of May. At 28-26 (.519), the Sox rank 5th in the AL East and are 4.0 games back from the AL’s 3rd Wild Card spot… They would rank no lower than 3rd in any other division, including 1st in the AL Central and T-1st in the NL Central.
AL WILD CARD STANDINGS
Rk. Team W-L Pct. GB
- Baltimore 35-20 .636 +2.5
- New York-AL 34-23 .596 +0.5
- Houston 32-22 .593 –
- Toronto 29-26 .527 -3.5
- Boston 28-26 .519 -4.0
- Los Angeles-AL 29-27 .518 -4.0
RULE OF THIRDS: The Red Sox played their 54th game last night, reaching the 1/3rd mark of the season…They are on pace to finish 84-78.
The Sox have qualified for the Postseason in 5 of the last 6 seasons when they’ve posted a record above .500 through the 1st third of the season, including each of their last 2 World Series Championship seasons (2021, ‘19, ‘18, ‘17, ‘16, ‘13).
HOME COOKING: The Red Sox are 15-12 at Fenway Park…They’re 2-5 in their last 7 games at the venue, after going 11-3 in their previous 14.
The Red Sox have not hit a HR in 4 of their last 6 home games (4 total HR)…They hit 13 HR in their previous 6 home games. The Sox have averaged 10.5 hits per games at home, 0.9 more than the closest team (COL-9.6). They’ve had 9+ hits in 12 of their last 13 home games, including 10+ in their last 3 and 14+ in their last 2.
RED SOX IN HOME GAMES
Stat MLB Rank
6.1 R/game 2nd
10.5 H/game 1st
4.0 XBH/game 1st
124 wRC+ 4th
Stat MLB Rank
.298 AVG 1st
.363 OBP 1st
.486 SLG 3rd
.849 OPS 2nd
SERIES BUSINESS: With a loss tonight or tomorrow, the Red Sox would fall to 11-6-1 in series play, including 6-3-0 at home. With a win tonight, the Sox would force a rubber game tomorrow night…They are 5-1 in rubber games. They are 5-1-0 in their last 6 home series (3-1 vs. LAA, 2-1 vs. MIN, 2-1 vs. CLE, 4-0 vs. TOR, 0-3 vs. STL, 2-1 vs. SEA).
SOX AND REDS: The Red Sox are 14-4 (.778) all time against the Reds, their best record against any opponent and the 2nd-best record of any club vs. CIN (SEA: 15-3). The Sox are 6-2 vs. CIN at Fenway Park, tied for their best record against any opponent at the venue (6-2 vs. SF). In 2022, the clubs split a 2-game series at Fenway Park from 5/31-6/1 and a 2-game series at Great American Ball Park from 9/20-21.
NATIONAL AFFAIRS: The Red Sox are in a stretch over which 17 of 23 games from 5/5-6/1 are against NL teams (2-1 at PHI, 1-1 at ATL, 0-3 vs. STL, 2-1 at SD, 2-1 at ARI, 0-1 vs. CIN). The Red Sox are an MLB-best 297-207 (.589) all time in Interleague play, but 9-12 this season.
GETTING BUSY: Last night began a span of 26 games in 27 days for the Red Sox, through 6/25. 4 of the Sox’ 8 series during that span are against teams with a record currently below .500 (vs. CIN, at CLE, vs. COL, at CWS)…The Sox are 9-7 against opponents with a sub-.500 record. They will play 3 series against AL East opponents during that span (vs. TB, at NYY, vs. NYY)…Just 1 of their 9 series from 4/28-6/1 were within the division (5/1-4 vs. TOR).
ABOUT LAST NIGHT: The Red Sox lost last night’s series opener vs. CIN, 9-8, scoring all 8 runs in the final 3 innings. The Sox’ 8 runs last night were their most since 5/17 vs. SEA (12 runs). The Sox scored 5 runs in the 9th inning…It was the 9th time they’ve scored 5+ runs in an inning, trailing only TEX (15) and TB (12) for most in MLB. 6 consecutive Red Sox batters reached base safely with 1 out in the 9th inning, including a season-high-tying 5 straight batters with a hit (also 4/20 vs. MIN). Rafael Devers (2-for-5, R, 2 RBI) recorded his 500th career RBI, becoming the 4th-youngest Red Sox player to reach the mark (behind Williams, Doerr, and Rice).
PITCHING IN: Red Sox pitchers have allowed 4 ER or fewer in 10 of their last 12 games, posting a 3.50 ERA and .205 opponent AVG in that span (40 ER/103.0 IP, 79-for-385). Over that 12-game span, beginning 5/16, the Sox own the 2nd-best opponent AVG in MLB 6th-best ERA. During that span, Sox relievers rank 2nd in MLB in WHIP (0.97) and 3rd in opponent AVG (.177).
RED SOX PITCHERS, LAST 12 GAMES
Role ERA IP ER H SO AVG WHIP
Starters 3.62 59.2 24 51 61 .225 1.24
Relievers 3.32 43.1 18 28 35 .177 0.97
Total 3.50 103.0 40 79 96 .205 1.13
START ME UP: Red Sox starting pitchers have allowed 2 earned runs or fewer in 9 of their last 11 games…They have tossed at least 5.0 innings in 26 of their last 31 games. Beginning on 4/29 vs. CLE, pitchers in the Red Sox’ current starting rotation (Bello, Houck, Paxton, Sale, Whitlock) are 9-6 with a 3.59 ERA (44 ER/110.1 IP).
SLUGGING SOX: The Red Sox rank in MLB’s top 5 in runs scored (4th, 281), AVG (4th, .264), OBP (4th, .334), OPS (5th, .766), doubles (2nd, 120), and XBH (5th, 185). Last night was the Sox’ 9th game of the season with 14+ hits, tied with WSH for most in MLB. The Sox have hit 3 HR in their last 8 games, after hitting 7 HR in their previous 4 games.
RED SOX OFFENSIVE RANKINGS
Stat AL Rank
281 runs 3rd
489 hits 5th
120 doubles 1st
185 XBH 3rd
20.8 SO% 3rd
Stat AL Rank
.264 AVG 4th
.334 OBP 3rd
.432 SLG 3rd
.766 OPS 3rd
107 wRC+ 4th
SOX STRIKEOUTS: Red Sox batters have struck out 431 times, 2nd fewest in the AL and 5th fewest in MLB. The Sox struck out 10+ times in each of their 9 games vs. ARI, ATL, and TB (11.4 SO/game) but have done so just 5 times in their other 45 games (7.3 SO/game).
ON THE MEND: Adam Duvall began a rehab assignment with Triple-A Worcester last night at Louisville, starting as the designated hitter (0-for-3).
TONIGHT’S STARTER: 65 JAMES PAXTON – LHP
W-L ERA G GS IP ER HR BB SO WHIP AVG
2023 1-1 5.14 3 3 14.0 8 4 6 19 1.36 .245
CAREER 58-34 3.62 140 140 768.2 309 85 237 850 1.22 .239
Is making his first career appearance vs. CIN. Allowed 5 runs over 3.0 IP last Wednesday at LAA (4 H, 3 BB, 5 SO, 2 HR). On 5/19 at SD, earned his 1st win since 8/15/20 vs. BOS with NYY. Is 8-2 with a 2.03 ERA (24 ER/106.1 IP) in 18 career starts in the month of May. Is 29-15 with a 3.64 ERA (142 ER/350.2 IP) in 64 career starts following a team loss. 11 of his 19 strikeouts this season has ended with a 4-seam fastball (9-for-32, 3 HR). 5/12 vs. STL marked his 1st ML appearance since 4/6/21 with SEA…Underwent Tommy John surgery on 4/13/21.
