MLB Preview: Miami Marlins (25-26) at Los Angeles Angels (25-26)

MIAMI MARLINS NOTES:

MARLINS MINUTE
The Marlins today play the first of three games at the Angels as the final stop on a three-city, 10-game road trip that began with three at San Francisco (1-2) and four at Colorado (1-3). Following an off-day on Monday, Miami will begin its first three-leg homestand with 3 gms vs. San Diego (May 30-June 1), 3 gms vs. Oakland (June 2-4), and 3 gms vs. Kansas City (June 5-7).

• Miami is in a current stretch of 13 straight days with games until the next off day on Memorial Day (May 29).

YESTERDAY’S RECAP
Miami took its first walk-off loss of the season, 7-6, dropping the series at Colorado. LHP Braxton Garrett made another solid start, allowing just 2 runs on 6 hits over 5.0 innings with 3 walks and 3 strikeouts. The Marlins, who entered the eighth inning in a 2-2 tie, surrendered the lead and went into the ninth down by 4. DH Jorge Soler and PH Garrett Cooper each hit 2-run homers to tie it for Miami before a bases-loaded single in the bottom half that ended the game. CF Jonathan Davis went 3×3 with 2 walks.

BACK TO CALI
The Marlins are playing series at Angel Stadium in consecutive years for the first time in club history due to the new schedule alignment. Miami took 1 of 2 here and 1 of 2 against the Angels at loanDepot park last year.

• Have gone 7-12 all-time against LAA and 2-6 here at Angel Stadium. Are looking to win their first series here.

DO YOU LIKE PIÑA COLADAS?
1B Yuli Gurriel has started in 4 of 7 games on this road trip and gone 10×16 (.625) with 3 runs scored, 1 double, 2 triples, 2 RBI, 1 walk, and 0 strikeouts. Has three consecutive multi-hit games, his longest such streak since he recorded five straight multi-hit efforts from July 27-Aug. 1, 2021. His 9 hits in his last 3 gms, matches the most in his career in a 3-game span, done twice, from July 1-4, 2017, and June 10-13, 2018.

• Has recorded triples in back-to-back games (6th inning at COL on 5/24, 3rd inning on 5/25 at COL), becoming the oldest player (38-350) to triple in consecutive games since CLE’s Kenny Lofton on 9/27-28, 2007. Marks first time in his career he’s tripled in back-to-back games, and the first Marlin to do so since Jazz Chisholm Jr. on April 15 & 17, 2022. Were just the sixth and seventh triples of his career and his first since Aug. 14, 2020 vs. Seattle.
• Recorded his eighth career 4-hit game on Wednesday and first since Sept. 12, 2021 vs. LAA.

MIAMI MARLIN, JONATHAN DAVIS
OF Jonathan Davis is 6×7 with 3 runs, 1 triple, 1 home run and 2 walks through his first 2 starts as a Marlin after making his Marlins debut as a pinch-runner in Tuesday’s game.

• Davis went 3×4 with 2 runs scored and a 2-run homer to boost the Marlins to victory Wednesday night. Became just the eighth player in club history to record at least 3 hits in first start as a Marlin, and the first since JB Shuck’s 4×4 debut in 2018.

PODER SOLER
DH/OF Jorge Soler is tied for 2nd in MLB with 15 home runs, including a league-most 10 in the month of May. Is slashing .338/.404/.738 with 22 RBI in his last 20 games, reaching safely in 15 of the contests with 8 multi-hit games. His 1.142 OPS in this span ranks 2nd in the National League (5th in MLB) behind only ARI’s Lourdes Gurriel Jr. (1.239).

• Soler has homered in 7 of Luzardo’s 10 starts this season, including 2 multi-HR games. Owns a .500 batting avg. (20×40) in these starts with 9 HR and 21 RBI.
• Is tied for 2nd-most HR in club history through 49 G, behind only Dan Uggla’s 16 in 2008.
• Recorded fourth career 4-hit game Sunday and first since Sept. 11, 2019 at Chicago-AL.
• His 10 HR in 20 G in the month of May is the most by a Marlin since Adam Duvall also had 10 from June 9 – July 4, 2021.

IN A PINCH
1B/DH Garrett Cooper hit his first career pinch-hit home run yesterday at Colorado, a game-tying shot in the top of the ninth to keep the Marlins alive. Marked the second pinch-hit homer by a Marlin this season (also, Jorge Soler, April 17 vs. SF). Miami had just one pinch-hit home run all of 2022 (Jesus Sanchez, July 28 at CIN).

• The Marlins are 9×26 (.346) in pinch-hit at-bats in 2023, the third-highest avg. among MLB teams (COL, 8×22; WSH, 4×11). Pinch hitters for Miami have 1 double, 1 triple, 2 home runs, 8 RBI, and a league-leading 1.062 OPS.

GOOD FIRST IMPRESSIONS
2B Luis Arraez leads MLB with his .371 batting avg. (63×170), ranks 4th with a .422 OBP and 4th with 62 hits. Is tied for 4th with 18 multi-hit gms. Has struck out 9 times in 187 PA (.048 K/PA), the lowest mark in MLB among qualified batters.

• Is the highest avg. through a player’s first 46 gms to start a season since Cody Bellinger’s .405 avg. through his first 46 gms with the Dodgers in 2019.
• Only Dee Strange-Gordon (74) has more hits for a Marlins player through his first 46 games of a season.
• Is batting a National League-best .381 (31×81) on the road this season. Has hit safely in 17 of 21 games away from Miami. Only NYY’s Aaron Judge has a higher road avg. (.386).
• Marks the best start to a stint with a new ballclub through 46 gms since Daniel Murphy’s .394 avg. with the Nationals in 2016 after they signed him as a free agent.
• With two hits last Wednesday, reached the 500-hit plateau, becoming the seventh active player to reach 500 hits within their first 428 career gms. Joined Bo Bichette (407), Mookie Betts (408), Mike Trout (423), Jose Altuve (426), Whit Merrifield (426), and Jose Abreu (428).

10 MARKS THE SPOT
Miami scored a season-high 10 runs on Wednesday night at Colorado, beating the previous high of 8 runs scored on April 11 at Philadelphia when Miami won 8-4. Marked the first time since Game 162 of last season that Miami scored 10 or more runs (12-9 W vs. Atlanta on Oct. 5). Also recorded 14 hits, matching a season-high (April 11 at Philadelphia).

• The Marlins scraped across 12 hits in yesterday’s 7-6 loss, marking the fifth consecutive game in which the Marlins’ offense recorded 10 or more hits. Is the first time since 2017 the club has recorded a streak of 10+ hits in 5 consecutive games (Sept. 18-23, 2017). Is tied for the longest streak among MLB teams this season.

DANCING ON A THIN LINE
Thus far in 2023, Miami is 24-3 when limiting opponents to 4 runs or less and has gone 1-23 when allowing 5 or more runs.

HE’S HERE AND HE’S PERFECT
RHP Eury Perez made his third Major League start Tuesday at Colorado, becoming the youngest starting pitcher in Coors Field history and third-youngest pitcher (TOR’s Elvis Luciano at 19 yrs, 105 days on May 31, 2019 and LAD’s Julio Urias at 19 yrs, 357 days on Aug. 3, 2016).

• Made his Major League debut on May 12 at 20 years and 27 days, becoming the youngest pitcher in Marlins’ history. The previous youngest pitcher was Jose Fernandez, who debuted at 20 years and 250 days.
• Became the second youngest player (position / pitcher) to debut with the Marlins in club history, behind only INF Edgar Renteria who debuted at 19 years and 277 days.

TODAY’S STARTER – #44 JESUS LUZARDO

• Jesus Luzardo, 25, will make his 11th start of the 2023 season and second career start (6th app.) against the Los Angeles Angels tonight. Owns a 1.64 ERA (11.0 IP/2 ER) with 17 strikeouts against LAA.
• In his last start at Los Angeles – AL (April 12, 2022), set a career-high with 12 strikeouts in just 5.0 innings of work in his first start of the season. Became the first pitcher in franchise history to strike out 12 batters in a start that lasted no more than 5.0 innings (Edward Cabrera matched this mark on April 29, 2023 vs. CHC).
• In his most recent start on Sunday, May 21 at San Francisco, tossed 5.0 innings, allowing 6 runs and 6 hits with 8 strikeouts and 1 walk.
• Has pitched 14 consecutive games with 5+ strikeouts (9/16/22 – 5/21/23); second-longest active streak in MLB (behind Spencer Strider, ATL – 16).
• 5 of 10 outings this year have been quality starts, the most among Marlins starters this season (last, 5/16 vs. WSH). His 3.83 ERA (56.1 IP/24 ER) is also the best among the starting rotation core.
• Has allowed 3 or less runs in 8 of 10 starts; T-1st among Marlins starters (w/ Edward Cabrera).
• Is 11-11 in his career with a 4.08 ERA (187.1 IP/85 ER) in 33 gms (40 apps.) at home and 5-10 with a 4.98 ERA (135.2 IP/75 ER) in 22 gms (31 apps.) away. In 2023, is 2-2 with a 5.91 ERA (21.1 IP/14 ER) in 4 away starts with 24 strikeouts vs. 1-1 with a 2.57 ERA (35.0 IP/10 ER) with
  39 strikeouts in 6 starts at home.
• Through 10 starts in 2022 pitched to a 3-5 record, with a 3.44 ERA (52.1/20), 65 SO, and 5 HR. Through 10 starts in 2023 has a 3-3 record, with a 3.83 ERA (56.1/24), 63 SO, and 8 HR.

LOS ANGELES ANGELS NOTES:

LEADING OFF: Today, the Angels play the seventh (5-1) of nine games on a homestand against the Minnesota Twins (2-1), Boston Red Sox (3-0) and Miami Marlins (May 26-28)…Halos went 3-4 on last road trip to Cleveland (1-2) and Baltimore (2-2)…LAA was 2-4 on last homestand against the Rangers (1-2) and Astros (1-2).

HE’S HERE: Today the Angels selected the contract of RHP Sam Bachman…The Angels first round pick (ninth overall) in the 2021 Draft, Bachman is currently rated by MLB Pipleline as the #5 prospect in the Halos system and would be the highest drafted player from the 2021 Draft to debut…Bachman has made six starts for Double-A Rocket City this year, averaging 9.9 SO/9 innings…In a corresponding move, RHP Reyes Moronta was designated for assignment.

VS. MIAMI: Today is the first of three games this season between the Angels and Marlins…Last season, Halos won three of four games against Miami…LAA is 12-7 all-time vs. Miami (6-2 at Angel Stadium)…Angels have won each of last four home games vs. Marlins.

SWEEPIN’ THE SOX: In their last series, the Angels completed a three-game sweep of the Boston Red Sox at The Big A…It marked the Halos first series sweep against Boston since taking four straight from July 16- 20, 2015 and the first three-game sweep of the Red Sox since Aug. 28-30, 2012…Angels won a season series vs. Red Sox for the first time since 2017.

LEAGUE LEADER: Shohei Ohtani, leads the Majors in opponent batting average (.142), is second in WHIP (0.90) and ranks third in strikeouts (80).

SERIES STATS: After winning two of three vs. Twins in last series and sweeping the Red Sox, Halos have won consecutive series for the first time since beating the Royals (April 21-23) and A’s (April 24-27) last month… LAA is looking to win three straight series for first time this season.

PLAY FROM AHEAD: Halos have held leads in 42 of 51 games played this year.

THE MICK: Mickey Moniak has hits in all eight of his starts for the Angels this season, including three leadoff homers and seven total extra-base hits…He’s one of three players in the Majors with three leadoff HR this year, along with Mookie Betts (LAD) and Christian Yelich (MIL)…On May 13 at Cleveland, became the first player in MLB history to make his season debut on his birthday and hit a leadoff home run.

LATE COMEBACKS: Halos have three wins this season when trailing after eight innings, which matches the Angels total from each of the last two seasons…Last time LAA had more than three wins in a season when trailing after eight frames was 2017 (5).

ESTÉVEZ ENDING: This season, Carlos Estévez is pitching to a 1.23 ERA (22 IP – 3 ER) and has converted all 12 of his save opportunities (the 12 saves are a new career high)…He is the first Angels pitcher to convert his first 12 save opportunities of a season since Ernesto Frieri in 2012 and is looking to become the first Halos closer to convert his first 13 save chances since Troy Percival had 16 straight successful save opportunities to begin the 2001 season.

‘PEN PALS: The Angels bullpen is pitching to a 3.57 ERA (184 IP – 73 ER) this season, which is the eighth-best ERA in the Majors.

WINNING WAYS: Halos have won each of last four games and six of last seven to improve to five games over .500 (28-23), which matches the season high (also, 19-14 on May 5)…With a win today, Angels would move to six games over .500 for first time since May 28, 2022 (27-21) and match season-high with five straight wins.

LEAD ASSISTANT: Hunter Renfroe is tied for second in the American League with five outfield assists this season…Since 2017, his 61 outfield assists lead the Majors (Starling Marte is second with 52 assists).

SINGLE HANDED: Gio Urshela has hit 43 singles this year plus seven extra-base hits (six doubles & one home run)…Urshela ranks second, behind Toronto’s Bo Bichette (51), for the American League lead in singles… Since May 5, Urshela has hits in 15 of 18 games with a PA and is batting .339 (21/62) in that span.

ON THE BOARD: Halos have not been shut out since Aug. 21, 2022 at Detroit…Current streak of 92 games without being shut out is the longest active streak in the Majors and is the fourth-longest streak in Angels history (third longest streak was 97 games in 1997).

NET-OW: Zack Neto has been hit by eight pitches this season, which is tied for second-most in the Majors… Since 1901, Neto’s seven HBP through his first 15 career games are the most in MLB…He also was the first player in Angels history to be hit a pitch in four consecutive games (April 18-21).

ALL OVER THE INFIELD: Gio Urshela is one of six players in the Majors to appear at all four infield positions this season…He has made 18 starts at third base, 16 starts at first base, eight at shortstop and one at second base.

INTERLEAGUE PLAY: LAA owns a 267-226 (.542) alltime Interleague record (6-3 in 2023)…The 267 all-time Interleague wins are third most all time behind Red Sox (295) and Yankees (288).

STEFANIC’S STREAK: INF Michael Stefanic currently has a 50-game on-base streak for Triple-A Salt Lake dating back to last season.

WHITE SOX ON DECK: Following the current series vs. Miami, the Angels will travel to Chicago and open the next road trip with a three-game series against the White Sox…Last season, Halos went 4-3 against Chicago to win a sixth consecutive season series…Since 2011, Angels are 51-27 (.654) against the White Sox.

TODAY’S STARTING PITCHER – LHP REID DETMERS
0-3, 4.87 ERA
Tied career high with 12 strikeouts in last start last Friday vs. Twins

• TODAY’S GAME: Making ninth start of the season today and fifth at home…Made Opening Day roster for second consecutive season…Is in third Major League season with Angels.
• LAST TIME OUT: Matched career high with 12 strikeouts in last start last Friday vs. Minnesota and carried a no-hitter through 5.2 innings…Did not factor in decision after allowing three earned runs on two hits with three walks… Exited game with Angels leading 3-1 in the 6th inning but two bequeathed runners would ultimately score.
• END THE STREAK: Has taken the loss in each of last three decisions, which is longest streak of career.
• STAY UNFAMILIAR: This season, opponents are batting .214 (28/131) the first two times through the order, but are batting .482 (13/27) the third time through the batting order.
• EARLY SUCCESS: Has a 2.25 ERA (24 IP – 6 ER) in the first three innings of games, compared with an 8.64 ERA (16.2 IP – 16 ER) from the fourth inning on…11 of 27 runs allowed this year have come in 6th inning.
• GOING OFFSPEED: In 2023, is holding opponents to a .243 (27/111) average against offspeed pitches, but has a .298 (14/47) average against his fastball.
• VS. MIAMI: Today marks first career appearance vs. Marlins.
• INTERLEAGUE PLAY: In four career Interleague games, is 1-3 with a 6.50 ERA (18 IP – 13 ER) and 23 strikeouts… Tonight is second start of season against an N.L. opponent (took loss at Milwaukee on April 29).
• AT ANGEL STADIUM: In 19 career games at Angel Stadium, is 5-5 with a 3.92 ERA (103.1 IP – 45 ER) and 106 strikeouts…This year, is 0-1 with a 5.31 ERA (20.1 IP – 12 ER) in four 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).