MLB Preview: Colorado Rockies (19-27) at Texas Rangers (28-17)

COLORADO ROCKIES NOTES:

WHAT’S BEEN HAPPENING LATELY

• The Colorado Rockies wrap-up their short three-game road trip this afternoon against the Texas Rangers … are looking to avoid being swept for the fourth time this season, the third time on the road.
• Following today’s game, the Rockies return home for a seven-game homestand against the Miami Marlins (May 22-25) and New York Mets (May 26-28).
• The Rockies are in the midst of a stretch of 17 straight games without an off-day from May 19-June 4, their longest stretch without an off day this season.
• Colorado has won four of their last six series since May 2 and five of their last eight series since April 24 … had lost or split each of their first seven series of the season prior to this stretch.
• The Rockies have won 11-7 over their last 18 and 13-10 through their last 23 since April 24, a .565 winning percentage that is tied for the fourth-best mark in the NL over that span.

MAY FLOWERS

• The Rockies are 10-7 in May, a .588 winning percentage that is tied for second in the NL with Arizona behind the Dodgers (13-5, .722) … Colorado went 9-20 in April, their worst record in the month of April in franchise history.
• Colorado’s 3.87 team ERA (149.0 IP, 64 ER) this month is the sixth-lowest in the NL … the bullpen has logged six wins and posted a 2.69 ERA (70.1 IP, 21 ER) with 37 walks, 78 strikeouts and five home runs allowed in May, the third-lowest bullpen ERA in the Majors this month.
• Rockies hitters are slashing .271/.330/.427 in May, the fourth-highest average in the Majors … are batting .343 (47-for-137) with runners in scoring position, the highest in the Majors this month … the club hit .251 with runners in scoring position through the end of April.
• After committing 21 errors in their first 29 games through April, tied for the most in the Majors, the Rockies’ six miscues this month are tied for the sixth-fewest in the Majors.

UPPER ECHELON

• Rockies Manager Bud Black is sitting at 436 wins with the Rockies since his first season with the club in 2017, four wins shy of tying Don Baylor for the second-most managerial wins in franchise history … Baylor, the Rockies’ first manager in franchise history, went 440-469 in six seasons at the helm from 1993-98.

DOYLE DOES

• Over his last five games, rookie outfielder Brenton Doyle has gone 7-for-20 with six runs, one double, one triple, three home runs and seven RBI.
• On Monday, Doyle connected on two home runs, his third and fourth of the season, while going 3-for-4 with three runs scored, one double and three RBI … his 10 total bases were the most in franchise history out of the ninth spot in the order, and tied for the fourth-most by a Rockies rookie in franchise history, the most since Ben Paulsen’s 12 on July 26, 2015 vs. Cincinnati.
• Despite playing in only 21 games, Doyle’s four home runs are tied for sixth-most among NL rookies while his six stolen bases are tied for the fourth-most among all NL rookies.

BEHIND THE DISH

• Catcher Elias Díaz ranks third in the Majors with a .326 batting average and fifth in the Majors with a .436 batting average (17-for-39) with runners in scoring position.
• Has appeared in 39 games at catcher, tied for the most in the Majors … his 10 catcher caught stealing are tied for second in the Majors, while his 44.0 caught stealing percentage ranks second (min. 20 games).

THROW THE BALL

• Jake Bird ranks first among Major League relievers with 31.0 innings pitched … his 31 strikeouts are tied for the fifth in the Majors among relief pitchers … has posted a 0.71 ERA (25.1 IP, 2 ER) with eight walks and 27 strikeouts over his last 16 appearances since April 11.
• Brent Suter’s 27.2 innings of relief are fourth in the Majors and second in the NL behind Bird … his 0.98 ERA (27.2 IP, 3 ER) is the eighth-lowest in the Majors among relievers … it is also the third-lowest through a Rockies pitcher’s first 18 games (min. 10 IP) with the club, trailing John Axford (0.53, 2015) and Chuck McElroy (0.96, 1998).

ODDS AND ENDS

• The Rockies are the only team in the Majors to have an undefeated record after seven innings, sitting at 18-0 when leading after seven thus far … alternatively, the Rockies are 0-23 when trailing after seven innings.
• Colorado has gone 2-14 combined on Saturday and Sunday, 17-13 on all other days.

YEEHAW

• The Rockies are looking to avoid their first ever sweep at the hands of the Rangers.
• Have gone 10-8 against Texas since 2020, including 5-5 at Globe Life Field since it opened in 2020.

ROCKIES STARTING PITCHER – #43 CONNOR SEABOLD RHP
STARTING THINGS OFF

• Laguna Hills, Calif., native is in his seventh professional season, his first with the Rockies organization.
• Selected by Baltimore in the 19th round of the 2014 First Year Player Draft but did not sign.
• Selected by Philadelphia in the third round of the 2017 First-Year Player Draft out of Cal. State Fullerton.
• On Aug. 21,2020 was traded by the Philadelphia Phillies with Nick Pivetta to the Boston Red Sox for Heath Hembree and Brandon Workman.
• Designated for assignment by Boston, Jan. 12, 2023 … acquired by Colorado via trade for cash considerations or a player to be named later, Jan. 17.
• Rated by Baseball America as having the best changeup in the Red Sox system in 2021 and best control in 2022 … also ranked by Baseball America as one of the Red Sox top prospects in 2021 (No. 11) and ‘22 (No. 21).
• Made his Major League debut with the Red Sox on Sept. 11, 2021 vs. Chicago-AL.

COLORADO CONNECTION

• Lived in Colorado for five years during his youth.
• During that stretch, he pitched once at Coors Field while attending Castle View High School in Castle Rock (less than an hour south of Denver) before moving back to California.

START YOUR ENGINES

• The Rockies have won each of his first three starts since joining the rotation the first week of May … has tossed 14.1 innings, allowing 10 runs (eight earned) for a 5.02 ERA with 18 hits, six walks and seven strikeouts.
• Did not factor into the Rockies’ 9-8 win over the Reds his last time out, May 15 at Coors Field … allowed six runs (four earned) on a season-high eight hits in 4.1 innings, his shortest start of the season.
• Earned his first Major League win May 9 at Pittsburgh … allowed one run on three hits with a career-high three walks and three strikeouts across five innings in the 10-1 Rockies win.
• Made his first start of the season May 4 vs. Milwaukee at Coors Field … did not factor into the Rockies’ 9-6, allowing three runs on seven hits with no walks and one strikeout in five innings … all three runs came on solo home runs … exited the game with the Rockies trailing 3-0 before Colorado scored four in the seventh and five in the eighth in the comeback win.

LONE START STATE

• Making his first career start against the Rangers.
• Has made two career starts and one relief appearance in Interleague play … tossed 1.1 scoreless innings of relief at Seattle on May 15 in his only appearance vs. an American League team this year.

ARM BARN

• Made seven relief appearances across two stints this season before joining the rotation … allowed eight runs on 18 hits across 13.2 innings (5.27 ERA).
• Has allowed 1.45 walks per nine on the year.
• Opponent’s hitting .321 (25-for-78) against the righty.
• Made his first career Opening Day roster before being optioned on April 18 … recalled on April 28.

SPRING FLING

• Appeared in seven Cactus League games for the Rockies, posting a 6.17 ERA (11.2 IP, 8 ER).
• Walked just one during Spring Training while recording 14 strikeouts.

START ME UP

• Has made nine Major League starts in his career dating back to his Major
  League debut on Sept. 11, 2021 going 1-4 with an 8.33 ERA (31.1 IP, 29 ER).
• As a starting pitcher in the Majors he has struck out 26 and walked 16 while
  allowing nine home runs.

DOING THE SPLITS

• Has posted a 5.30 ERA (18.2 IP, 11 ER) with five walks and 10 strikeouts over his career at Coors Field, allowing three home runs.
• Right handers have hit .344/.403/.584 against him in his career while lefties have slashed .360/.440/.640.
• In his career the first time through the lineup, opponents are hitting .302 (35-for-116) compared to .413 (31-for-75) the second time through and .400 (8-for-20) for the third.

TEXAS RANGERS NOTES:

WINS AND LOSSES: Texas beat the Rockies yesterday, 11-5, and club has a 3-2 record entering the finale of this 6-G, 7-day homestand vs. ATL (1-2) and COL (2-0 + today)… TEX has won 2 straight, 3 of 4, 4 of 6, 7 of 10 and 10 of last 14 G…TEX is an A.L.-best 14-6 (.700) in last 20 G beg. 4/28, 2nd-highest win pct. in MLB in that span (LAD is 16-5, .762)…TEX is 14-10 in last 24 G, but still 21-12 in last 33 G and 24-13 in last 37 G beg. 4/9…club has 5 different win streaks of 3+ G in 2023 (season-best 4-0 both 4/16-19 and 4/28-5/2)…team totaled 7 wins streaks of 3+ G in all of 2022.

• At 28-17 (.622), TEX owns the 3rd-best record in A.L. and T3rd-best in MLB (see chart)…club’s 28 wins rank T3rd in A.L./T4th in MLB (34-TB, 30-BAL, 29-LAD, 28-TEX/ATL/NYY).
• The 28-17 start marks Rangers’ best 45-G start to a season since 2013 (29-16), one of the 4 best starts in club history.
• TEX is a season-high 11 G above .500 for the 1st time since the end of 2016 (95-67), and May 20 is earliest date in a season to be 11-over since 2013 (May 12)…from 2020-22, TEX spent a total of one day above .500 (10-9 on 8/15/20).

BEST RECORDS IN MLB, 2023
Win Pct. Team W-L
.723 Tampa Bay 34-13
.652 Baltimore 30-16
.622 Texas/Atlanta 28-17
.617 Los Angeles-NL 29-18

WITH A WIN TODAY, Texas could:

• Reach 12 games above .500 for 1st time since the end of the 2016 campaign (95-67).
• Post one of the 3 best 46-game marks in Texas history (see chart; 30-16 in 1998 and 29-17 in 2013).
• Win all games of a series for a 3rd time in ‘23 (3-0, 3/30-4/2 vs. PHI; 3-0, 4/17-19 at KC).
• Stay undefeated on Sunday (enter today w/ 7-0 record in Sunday games).

STANDINGS: Rangers hold a 2.0-game lead in the A.L. West for a 4th straight day over 2nd-place HOU…have had a lead of 2-or-more games in the division for 13 straight days (last +1.0 GA on 5/6)…TEX has had sole possession of 1st place in the West for 15 straight, 22 of 23, and 35 of the last 37 days beg. 4/14…season-best +4.0-G lead on 5/14 was largest since end of 2016 (+9.0 GA), just 6th season in TEX history to have a lead of 4.0+ G in the West as early as 5/14…TEX has been alone or tied atop the division for 50 of the season’s first 51 days (exception: 4/8).

SERIES STUFF: Having secured a series win this weekend, club has gone 5-1-1 in last 7 series and 9-2-1 in last 12… team is 10-4-1 overall in series this year, going 6-2-1 at home 4-2-0 on the road…club did not win a 10th series in 2022 until 7/8-10 vs. MIN…TEX won 4 straight series 4/10-23, longest such span since going 5-0-0 from 6/15-7/1/18…TEX is now 4-1-1 in last 6 series at GLF.

AT HOME: The Rangers are 15-8 (.652) at home, winning 2 straight, 3 of 4, and 9 of 13…the .652 home win pct. is T3rd-best in MLB (21-3, .875-TB; 17-7, .708-LAD; 15-8, .652- TEX/BAL…best 23-G start at home since 2019 (also 15-8 and won next game)…TEX has a 101-114 all-time record at
Globe Life Field (2020-23), but are 21-15 last 36 G here (beg. 9/11/22)…TEX leads MLB in R/G (6.52) at home in 2023, and 150 R are 2nd-most in the Majors (156-BOS).

VS. COLORADO: TEX has won 3 straight vs. Rox after 2-8 span…only time to go undefeated in a series vs. Rox: 2-0, 7/2-3/97 at TBIA…TEX is 8-8 in Interleague in ’23, winning 3 of 4…are 7-3 vs. N.L. at GLF, 12-5 at home beg. 4/30/22.

DON’T STOP ‘TIL YOU GET ENOUGH: TEX scored 11 runs yesterday, club’s MLB-high 11th game w/ 10+ runs in ’23 (11-TEX, 8-CHC, 7-TB, 6-LAD)…longest span without a double-digit run game this season is 7 G (twice)…the 2023 Rangers are just 5th team since World War II to post at least
11 G of 10+ R over the 1st 45 G of a season: 2000 COL (12), 1997 COL (11), 2000 LAD (11), 2000 STL (11)…last A.L. team to do it?: 1936 NYY (12), which would win the World Series in Joe DiMaggio’s rookie year.

• TEX leads MLB w/ 6.31 R/G, and 284 R rank 2nd in Majors, just 2 behind TB (286)…2023 Rangers are just the 8th team in last 69 years (beg. 1955) to score at least 284 R thru 45 G in a season, 1st since 2001 COL (290 R) and 1st in A.L. since 1999 CLE (317 R)…2nd-most runs in TEX history after 45 G (288 R in 1998).

PLUS/MINUS: TEX has posted wins by 5 and 6 runs to open this series, as club’s 14 wins by 5+ R this year are tied w/ TB for most in MLB…the 14 such wins are already 2nd-most for TEX in the past 4 seasons and just 5 shy of last year’s total: 14-2023, 19-2022, 13-2021, 3-2020.

• The Rangers’ season-best +98 run differential ranks 2nd in MLB (TB is +126), and is the club’s best figure at any point in any season since finishing 2012 at +101.

ADOLIS AND RBI: Adolis García enters today with a MLB-leading 49 RBI, 5 more than the next-closest player (44-BOS’ Rafael Devers)…entering team game no. 46 today, it’s worth noting that the last 3 players with at least 50 RBI thru 46 team games are CLE’s José Ramírez in 2022, DET’s Miguel Cabrera in 2013, and TEX’s Josh Hamilton in 2012… Hamilton (2008 and 2012) and Juan Gonzalez (1998) are the only Rangers to reach 50 RBI so quickly in a season.

DURAN DINGER: With his HR yesterday, Ezequiel Duran has 2 HR last 4 G and 3 HR his last 7 G, as 5 HR in May rank T7th in the A.L. and 2nd among Rangers to only Adolis García (6)…current MLB batters in age-24 or younger season with at least 7 HR/23 RBI in ’23: STL’s Nolan Gorman (13/39), TB’s Wander Franco (7/23), TOR’s Vladimir Guerrero Jr. (7/27), and Duran (7/23).

GRAY AGAIN: Jon Gray allowed one run in 5.0 IP yesterday to earn the win for a 3rd consecutive start…Gray over his last 3 starts: 3-0, 0.90 ERA (2 ER/20.0 IP), 4 BB/19 SO, .171 opp. BA…produced 17.0 consecutive scoreless innings from 5/8 (2nd inn.) thru last night (3rd inn.), longest span of his career and 2nd-longest by a Ranger in ’23 (Eovaldi-29.2 SHO IP).

• TEX starters have allowed 3-or-fewer runs in 4 straight starts, and rotation’s 2.79 ERA (24 ER/77.1 IP) over last 12 G beg. 5/8 ranks 4th in MLB: PIT-1.87, ATL-2.68, TB-2.75, TEX-2.79.

THESE DAYS: Yesterday was the Rangers’ 5th straight win in a day game, club’s longest daytime win streak since a 5-0 span from 7/17-8/9/16…last longer day win streak was franchise-record 10-0 run earlier that year, 5/22-6/26/16…TEX is 12-4 (.750) in day games, tied w/ TB (15-5, .750) for best win pct. in MLB…1st in MLB in day R/G (8.25), 2nd in R (132).

HEADED EAST: The Rangers are scheduled to fly to Pittsburgh after today’s game and begin a 9-G, 10-day road trip on Monday night at PNC Park…it marks the Rangers’ 2nd consecutive 3-city road trip (7-3 from 5/5-14 at LAA/SEA/ OAK), and the 2nd of a trio of 3-city trips in 2023 (also 8/21- 30 at ARI/MIN/NYM)…TEX has won 3 straight road series for 1st time since 6/9-25/17 at WAS/HOU/NYY…Rangers are 13-9 all-time vs. PIT, including 5-3 at PNC, with only visits to Pittsburgh coming in 2002, 2007, and 2019…TEX was 10-2 in 1st 12 meetings, but 3-7 vs. PIT since 2013.

SHORTS: Texas is 3-0 in its powder blue uniforms in ’23… Rangers’ MLB-high .337 BA w/ RISP is 43 points higher than the next-closest team (BOS-.294).

TODAY’S STARTING PITCHER – #44 Andrew Heaney, LHP
(2-3, 4.71)

TODAY: The 31-year-old left-hander is scheduled to make his 9th appearance/start of the season in this afternoon’s 3-game series finale vs. the Colorado Rockies…took his 3rd no-decision in his last start on Sun. at OAK (6.0 IP, 4 H, R-ER, 2 BB, 9 SO, 93 pitches/57 strikes)…has 4 quality starts in last 5 games (T2nd on Rangers with Jon Gray), but has gone just 1-2 with a 4.60 ERA (15 ER/29.1 IP) in that span…team has only backed him with more than 3 runs in 1 of those starts… each of Heaney’s 2 victories on the season have come at home, as he enters play today with a 2-2 mark and 6.66 ERA (18 ER/24.1 IP) in 5 previous starts at Globe Life Field in 2023…in 1st win as a Ranger on 4/10 vs. KC, set a club record with 9 successive strikeouts, which matched the American League record…is one of 3 rotation members to make his Rangers debut in a start this season (also deGrom, Eovaldi), and he was the 26th and final member of TEX’s Opening Day roster to appear in 2023…Heaney is in his first season with Texas after signing a two-year free agent contract with the club on 12/9/22…is seeking to build on a 2022 campaign in which he produced career bests in ERA (3.10), WHIP (1.087), and strikeout rate (13.6 SO/9) with the Los Angeles Dodgers despite being limited by a pair of Injured List stints…from 2019-22, ranked among Major League pitchers (min. 350.0 IP) in strikeouts per 9 innings (9th, 11.07), swing-and-miss strike pct. (14th, 13.8%), strikeout pct. (15th, 28.8%), and strikeout-to-walk ratio (21st, 4.11)…the 9-year MLB veteran has appeared in 144 games/133 starts with Miami (2014), Los Angeles-AL (2015-21), New York-AL (2021), Los Angeles-NL (2022), and Texas (2023)…an Oklahoma City native, Heaney pitched collegiately at Oklahoma State University before being selected by the Miami Marlins in the first round (9th overall) of the 2012 MLB Draft…TEX has gone 4-4 in Heaney’s 8 starts this season.

LAST START: Did not factor into the decision of Texas’ 11-3 victory in Oakland last Sunday, May 14, despite twirling 6.0 innings of one-run ball (4 H, 2 BB, 9 SO)…marked his 3rd no-decision of the campaign, including his 2nd in his last 3 GS (since 5/3)…the lone run he surrendered came via a Shea Langeliers infield single in the 2nd; went on to retire 12 of the final 15 batters in the wake of the Langeliers knock and exited the contest after 6 innings complete with the Rangers ahead, 3-1…with the game tied at 3 in the 8th, the Texas offense exploded for 8 runs in a decisive top of the 8th, winning the 4-game series finale at the Coliseum by a score of 11-3…the one run allowed marked Heaney’s fewest in a start since a 5.0-inning scoreless performance on 4/16 at HOU…his 9 punchouts signified his most in a start since a season-high 10 SO on 4/10 vs. KC.

VS. COLORADO: Today will mark Heaney’s 6th career game/5th start opposite the Rockies, entering play with a 2-2 mark and 3.86 ERA (13 ER/30.1 IP) in his prior outings…this includes an 0-1 record and 5.40 ERA (6 ER/10.0 IP) in 2 prior games/1 start at home vs. the Rox…most recently faced Colorado on 10/4/22 as a member of the division-rival Los Angeles Dodgers, fanning 7 over a 4.0-inning relief appearance (5 H, 3 R/ER, 1 HR, 0 BB)…today signifies his 2nd Interleague start of the season, also having pitched vs. Arizona on 5/3 (ND, 4.2 IP, 4 H, 6 R/ER, 3 HR, 4 BB, 5 SO, 92 pitches/49 strikes)…owns a career 6-7 mark and 4.58 ERA (66 ER/129.2 IP) over 24 career Interleague games/23 starts; has not factored into the decision of each of his last 7 such games (6 starts), dating back to 7/28/21.