LOS ANGELES ANGELS NOTES:
LEADING OFF: Today, the Angels play the fourth (4-0) of nine games on a road trip against the Detroit Tigers (2-0), Toronto Blue Jays (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. APPLE TV+ TODAY: Tonight’s Angels game vs. Arizona will air exclusively on Apple TV+…Wayne Randazzo, Dan Plesac and Heidi Watney will have the call from Rogers Centre..Additional information on how to watch “Friday Night Baseball” is available here.
BACK ON TRACK: Angels have won four straight games and eight of their last nine contests…Halos lead the Majors with a 9-3 record since the All-Star Break…A
win today would tie Angels longest win streak of the season (LAA has a pair of five-game win streaks: April 30 – May 5 & June 4-9).
MOTOWN SWEEP: Angels swept last series at Detroit, including a sweep of yesterday’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: Yesterday 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…In corresponding 40-man roster moves, RHP Ben Joyce was transferred to the 60-day injured list and INF Jared Walsh has been designated for assignment.
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 161 home runs this season.
LEAGUE LEADER: As a hitter, Shohei Ohtani leads the Majors in home runs (38), total bases (258), XBH (61), slugging percentage (.675) and OPS (1.070) 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 ninth in WHIP (1.07).
ROSTER MOVES: Today, RHP Lucas Giolito joins the Angels active roster…In a corresponding move, RHP Gerardo Reyes was optioned to Triple-A Salt Lake following last night’s game.
THE MICK: Mickey Moniak is currently on a career-high 17-game hit streak and is batting .380 (27/71) 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.
VS. TORONTO: Toronto leads the 2023 season series 2-1 following the first meetings between the clubs this year from April 7-9 at Angel Stadium…Last year, Halos swept three-game series at Rogers Centre (Aug. 26-28, 2022) and are 8-1 in last nine games at the ballpark.
SHO OFF: In Game 1 of yesterday’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 38 home runs through the first 103 team games of the season are the most in Angels history (Ohtani held the previous record with 37 HR through 103 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 switch-hitter 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 – RHP LUCAS GIOLITO
6-6, 3.79 ERA
Has allowed two-or-fewer earned runs in seven of nine starts since June 6
- TODAY’S GAME: Making 22nd start of the season and 12th on the road…Making Angels debut after being acquired via trade from Chicago (A.L.) on Wednesday…Is in eighth Major League season.
- LAST TIME OUT: Took no decision in last start on July 23 vs. Minnesota for Chicago (A.L.) after tossing 5.0 scoreless innings on six hits with three walks and nine strikeouts.
- HOT STOVE: Acquired in a trade with the White Sox on Wednesday, alongside RHP Reynaldo López in exchange for minor league C Edgar Quero and LHP Ky Bush.
- GET SETTLED: This season, 18 of 55 (33%) of runs have come in the 1st inning and 22 (40%) in the 4th inning.
- IN THE ARSENAL: This season, has thrown changeups 23.4% of the time and is holding opponents to a .239 (26/109) average with 31 strikeouts…Throws sliders 29.9% of the time, with opponents batting .225 (32/142) with 40 strikeouts against the pitch.
- VS. TORONTO: After seven career games against the Blue Jays, is 2-2 with a 5.45 ERA (38.0 IP – 23 ER) and 36 strikeouts…Is 0-0 with a 3.00 ERA against Jays this season following a no-decision on July 4 in which he threw 6.0 innings with two runs on four hits, two walks, and four strikeouts for Chicago (A.L.).
- AT ROGERS CENTRE: Tonight marks fourth career appearance at Rogers Centre…Is 1-1 with a 4.08 ERA (17.2 IP – 8 ER) and 22 strikeouts at the ballpark in his career.
- STRIKEOUT ARTIST: Ranks 10th in the American League with 131 strikeouts this season…Since start of 2021, is fourth in the American League with 509 strikeouts; 26.4% strikeout rate ranks third (min. 450 IP) in the A.L. during that time.
- JUNE BLOOM: Posted a 2-1 record and 2.32 ERA (31 IP – 8 ER) with a .198 opponent batting average in the month of June…31.2% strikeout rate ranked third in the A.L. in the month… Surrendered two-or-fewer runs in four of five June starts, and struck out eight or more batters in three of five starts.
- WORKHORSE: 461.1 IP since 2021 ranks sixth in the A.L…Has made at least 20 starts each year dating back to 2018 (2020 excluded) and has made at least 30 starts in consecutive seasons in 2021 and 2022.
- BETTER WITH TIME: Opposing hitters are batting .265 (45/170) this season against Giolito in their first appearance of the day; .220 (36/164) in their second PA; and .203 (24/118) in their third PA.
- GOOD DAY: This year, has a 3.17 ERA (71.0 IP – 25 ER) in day games, compared with a 4.68 ERA (50 IP – 26 ER) in day games…Has a 3.70 ERA (359.2 IP – 148 ER) in 64 day games in his career, versus a 4.60 ERA (590.2 IP – 302 ER) in 104 career night games.
- SPOTLESS STARTER: Has pitched six innings without giving up a hit in two starts this season: April 18 (2) vs. PHI (6 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 7 SO) and June 6 vs. NYY (6 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 3 BB, 7 SO).
- 1,000 CLUB: Reached 1,000 career strikeouts with a third inning punchout of Twins INF Edouard Julien in his last start on July 23…Enters today with 1,004 strikeouts in his career.
- HIGH QUALITY: Has 11 quality starts this season, tied for ninth-most in the American League
TORONTO BLUE JAYS NOTES:
THE LATEST: The Blue Jays wrapped up their western road trip with an 8-1 win over the Dodgers on Wednesday… Finished the trip at 3-3…Are now 9-4 in rubber games
and 10-8-0 in road series for the year…Improved to 20-13 in series finales, having won each of their last six and nine of their last 10 such contests…Have gone 22-10 vs. NL clubs this season…The .688 win% in interleague games is the best among MLB teams (2nd: MIA – .656). Toronto has won 12 of its last 18 games and has gone 31-21 over its last 52 contests…Its .596 win% over that span (since May 26) is the highest in the AL (2nd: CLE – .574)…Is currently holding down the 3rd AL Wild Card spot, 1.0 game back of Houston for 2nd spot and 1.5 games up on Boston (3.0 up on LAA).
WHITTING IT HARD: Whit Merrifield opened Wednesday’s scoring with a sac fly in the 2nd inning…Followed that up with a three-run homer in the 5th, his 5th longball of the season and the 5th of his last 16 games. The three-time All-Star added a single and scored in the 8th, finishing the day 2-for-4 with four RBI, his 3rd four-RBI game this season…Now has 27 multihit games with nine of those coming in July, tied for 2nd most in the AL (1st: Masataka Yoshida – 11)… Has reached base safely in 16 of his last 17 contests with a plate appearance while hitting .373 (25-for-67) with two doubles, five home runs, and 16 RBI (1.024 OPS)…Is now batting .299 on the season, good for 6th among AL hitters.
DANNY DOES MORE DAMAGE: Danny Jansen led off the 6th inning on Wednesday with his 13th home run of the season…Now has a career-high 45 RBI on the year, topping his personal best of 44 from last season…His 4.53 AB/RBI rate for the year is 3rd best among AL batters (min. 200 AB)… Has gone 22-for-77 (.286) with five doubles, seven homers, and 19 RBI over his last 27 games for a .623 SLG and a .969 OPS.
AT HOME IN HOLLYWOOD: Bo Bichette racked up three singles and drove in a pair of runs as he went 3-for-5 on Wednesday…His 14 games with 3+ hits are tied with Luis Arraez for the most in the Majors…Has gone 10-for-25 (.400) with a double, three homers, and seven RBI during his six career games at Dodger Stadium. The All-Star shortstop also leads the AL with 13 7 hits, 17 more than any other batter in the junior circuit, trailing only Arraez (141) for the most in the Majors…
Among AL hitters, ranks 3rd in AVG (.316), 3rd in total bases (213), and 12th in SLG (.491).
PRETTY GOOD YUSEI: Yusei Kikuchi tossed 6.0 innings of one-run ball on a season-high 103 pitches on Wednesday…Earned his career-best 8th win (7 in 2021)…10 of his 21 starts have been one earned run or fewer…Has allowed two runs or fewer in nine of his last 11 starts, pitching to a 3.10 ERA (20 ER/58.0 IP) and a 1.19 WHIP while holding hitters to a .231 average with 19 walks and 68 strikeouts.
HOME WORK: The Blue Jays are starting a seven-day, seven-game homestand tonight…Have gone 27-20 this season at Rogers Centre…The .574 win% at home is 4th best in the AL…After this weekend series with the Halos, will take on the O’s (62-40) for four games. Toronto batters rank 3rd in the AL in home AVG (.263), 3rd in home OBP (.336), 6th in home OPS (.748), and 8th in home SLG (.412)…The pitching staff ranks 1st among MLB teams with 3.38 home ERA, and is 1st among AL clubs with a .219 home opponents’ average while sitting 3rd with a 1.16 home WHIP.
VLAD HABITS: Vladimir Guerrero Jr. singled and scored in both the 2nd and 5th innings on Wednesday…Has gone 28-for-106 (.264) over his last 27 games, including six doubles, eight homers, and 23 RBI for an .883 OPS…His 65 RBI are currently 9th most in the AL…Has recorded an AL-leading 179 hard-hit balls (95+ MPH) this season (2nd: Bo Bichette/Kyle Tucker – 158).
BRAND-ON BASE: Brandon Belt singled in a run during the 3rd inning on Wednesday…Over his last 53 contests, has batted .278 (47-for-169) with 14 doubles, seven homers, 21 RBI, and 36 walks…His .404 OBP over that span (since May 4) is 2nd highest in the AL (min. 200 PA) while his .889 OPS is 10th best…His 4.49 pitches/PA this season tops all AL batters (min. 200 PA).
WINNING WAYS: The Blue Jays are now 20-13-0 in series play for the season…2023 marks the 1st time in team history for the club to have won 20 series before August, ahead of the 19 series wins in 1993 and 1999.
STARTING SOMETHING: Toronto pitchers have now combined for 48 quality starts, 4th most in the Majors…The starting rotation ranks 3rd in MLB in strikeouts (589), 6th in innings pitched (563.1), 6th in ERA (3.88), and 9th in opponents’ average (.243).
HITTING IT: Toronto batters have notched 929 hits this season, 3rd most in MLB…Are currently 3rd in the AL in team AVG (.262), 4th in OBP (.332), 5th in OPS (.750), 6th in SLG (.418), and 7th in extra-base hits (311).
VS. THE ANGELS: All-Time: 219-225
2023: 2-1 Home: 115-104
Home: 0-0 Rogers Centre: 78-65
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 visiting last season.
Bo Bichette went 6-for-13 with a double, two homers, and five RBI during that April series in Anaheim…In 15 career meetings with the Angels, has hit .349 (22-for-63) with seven doubles, three homers, and 13 RBI for a .603 SLG and a 1.009 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 a lifetime .265 (79-for-298) batter in his 83 games vs. the Halos, including 19 doubles, four triples, 16 home runs, and 60 RBI (.884 OPS).
George Springer leads all current Blue Jays with 113 games played vs. LAA…Has batted .272 (116-for426) with 10 doubles, four triples, 28 home runs, and 71 RBI in those contests for an .875 OPS.
STARTING PITCHER – Kevin Gausman, RHP #34
TODAY’S GAME: Making his 21st start of the season and his 10th at Rogers Centre… Allowed 4 runs over 6.0 innings his last time out, on 7/22 at SEA, giving up 5 hits, a career-high-tying 4 homers, no walks, and 9 strikeouts. His 162 strikeouts are the most in the AL (2nd: Pablo López – 160), and are the 2nd most ever by a Blue Jay in their first 20 outings of a season (1st: Roger Clemens – 166 in 1997). Owns a 2.79 FIP since the start of the 2020 season, the 2nd-best mark among qualified hurlers (2nd: Corbin Burnes – 2.75).
2023 HIGHLIGHTS: Named an All-Star for the 2nd time in his career (also: 2021). Gave up 2 runs over 6.0 innings on 7/8 at DET, allowing 5 hits and a pair of walks with 7 strikeouts…Marked his 14th quality start of the year. Took a no-decision on 7/2 vs. BOS, giving up 2 runs over 5.0 innings with 5 hits, a walk, and 7 strikeouts. Took the loss on 6/27 vs. SF, tossing 6.0 frames of one-run ball with 3 hits, a walk, and 12 strikeouts…Fanned LaMonte Wade Jr. in the 4th inning to reach 1,500 career strikeouts, becoming the 21st active player to reach the mark…Was his MLB-leading 7th double-digit strikeout game of 2023. Improved to 7-3 on 6/21 at MIA, giving up 3 runs over 6.0 innings (8H, BB, 6K). Pitched 7.0 frames of one-run ball on 6/6 vs. HOU, scattering 4 hits with no walks and a career-high-tying 13 strikeouts (also: 13K on 4/29/23 vs. SEA)…Became the 4th player (8th time) in franchise history to punch out at least 13 batters without any walks in a single game (last: José Berríos on 7/12/22 vs. PHI). Took a no-decision on 5/21 vs. BAL, tossing 8.0 frames of two-run ball on a season-high 115 pitches (6H, 2BB, 4K)…Matched his longest outing of the year (8.0IP on 4/12 vs. DET). Tossed 7.0 shutout innings on 4/29 vs. SEA, giving up 5 hits with a walk and a career-high 13 strikeouts…Threw a then season-high 108 pitches (74 strikes) while inducing a career-high 28 swing-and-misses…Got 20 whiffs on his splitter alone, the most on a single pitch in the Majors this season, and the most on a splitter in the pitch-tracking era (since 2008). Took a no-decision on 4/12 vs. DET, giving up 3 runs on 5 hits over a season-high 8.0 innings with no walks and 11 strikeouts, his most as a Blue Jay…Surrendered a solo home run to Nick Maton with one out in the 4th inning, ending his streak of 15.1 innings without allowing an earned run, the longest stretch to begin a season in franchise history (2nd: Matt Shoemaker – 14.0 IP in 2019).
