MIAMI MARLINS NOTES:
MARLINS MINUTE: The Marlins today begin a six-game road trip with the first of three games at the Mets. Marks the start of the team’s first road trip of the season. Are coming off their season-opening homestand in which they went 1-3 vs. the Mets and took two of three from the Twins. Are coming off their first-back-to-back wins of the year.
WEDNESDAY RECAP: Miami won their second straight game with a 5-1 victory over Minnesota. DH Jorge Soler went 2×4 with two home runs – his 11th multi-homer game – and drove in four of the Marlins’ runs. 3B Jean Segura (2×3) recorded his first multi-hit game of the year. LHP Jesus Luzardo held the Twins to just 1 run in 7.0 innings of work and struck out 10 batters for his 5th career double-digit strikeout game. CF Bryan De La Cruz (1×3) had a go-ahead RBI single in the 8th inning.
SOLER POWER: DH/OF Jorge Soler has homered three times in his first seven games this season, just one off the Major League lead. He has driven in 6 of the Marlins 15 runs this season.
NOBODY MESSES WITH THE JESUS: LHP Jesus Luzardo held the Twins to 1 run over 7.0 innings of work in Wednesday’s win. Dating back to last season, has limited opponents to 1 run or no runs in each of his last 4 starts at loanDepot park. Over the stretch, owns a 0.73 ERA (24.2/2) in his home starts, striking out 38 batters.
JUNIOR RBI’ers: Last night, the Marlins Jr. RBI (Reviving Baseball in Inner Cities) season started up with the Marlins and loanDepot hosting special Opening Day festivities for the Boys & Girls Clubs of Miami-Dade – Northwest Club at Coral City Park. A special first pitch was thrown by Miami-Dade County Commission Chairman Oliver G. Gilbert, III. As part of its continued commitment to the Miami community and in collaboration with the Miami Marlins Foundation, loanDepot supports the growth of youth baseball and softball teams for kids at the Boys & Girls Clubs of Miami-Dade – Northwest Club.
• This year, nearly 50 teams across South Florida are taking the field in their Marlins uniform as part of the Marlins RBI program. Participants enjoy a free, fun, and instructional spring league in addition to clinics hosted by Marlins players and alumni. The Marlins provide uniforms, equipment, and umpires for the leagues.
RING THE BELL: Marlins General Manager Kim Ng and President of Business Operations Caroline O’Connor were joined by ADT Executive Vice President and CMO DeLu Jackson at the New York Stock Exchange on Thursday morning to ring the Opening Bell. The opportunity was extended in recognition of the Marlins’ patch partnership with ADT and to highlight the Marlins organization as the first to be entirely women-led. Marked the first time the Marlins franchise received the honor.
TAKING CARE OF BUSINESS: The Marlins are averaging 2 hour and 26 minute games this season. Included is Tuesday’s 1:57 contest, the Marlins’ quickest game since Sept. 20, 2010 vs. St. Louis (1:52), followed by Wednesday’s 2:10 game.
THE SANDY SHOW: The 2022 National League Cy Young Award winner RHP Sandy Alcantara tossed his fourth career shutout and 10th career complete game on Tuesday vs. Minnesota in his second start of 2023.
• Marked the fourth time in club history that a Marlins pitcher has thrown a complete game shutout in the first six team games of the season and the first since Dontrelle Willis and Josh Beckett in 2005 in games four and six, respectively. Brad Penny threw a complete game shutout in game three of the 2002 season.
• Is the least amount of games by the club before a complete game since Josh Johnson’s CG on April 12, 2009 vs. NYM (Game 6) and marked the first time in MLB a pitcher has thrown a complete game within the first six games of the season since 2020, when the Cubs’ Kyle Hendricks pitched a complete game shutout on Opening Day (credit: Elias).
• His 6 complete games last year led all of MLB and were the most in a single season since Chris Sale’s 6 CG in 2016.
• Dating back to the start of the 2022 season, Alcantara owns a 2.01 ERA (161.0 IP/36 ER) in games following a loss.
BACK ON THE HORSE: Miami has stolen a base in each of their last two games after opening the season without a steal over their first five contests.
• In 2022, the Marlins stole 122 bases, behind only Texas (128) for most in the Majors. Marked the sixth-most SB in a single-season in franchise history. INF/OF Jon Berti led the Majors with 41 SB.
STEALING THE APPLE: The Marlins were successful in 14 of 15 stolen base attempts at Citi Field last year. In fact, the Marlins have been successful in 32 of their 40 stolen base attempts at Citi Field since the start of the 2020 season. Over that same span, since the start of 2020, the Marlins have stolen 150 bases on the road, the most for any team over the stretch (St. Louis, 2nd, 144).
TURNING THE TRENDING TIDE: The Marlins are 2-0 in one-run games this season, including Tuesday’s 1-0 victory vs. the Twins.
• Miami played 64 games decided by one run in 2022, the most such games in the Majors last season. Miami’s 40 one-run losses were
the most such losses in a season in club history, the most since the 1975 Houston Astros (41), and just three shy of the single-season
record for one-run losses during the Live Ball Era (since 1920) held by the 1968 White Sox (44).
HOMER TIME: The Marlins have scored 12 of their 15 runs this season via home runs – hitting seven homers total over the first seven games.
GOOD FIRST IMPRESSIONS: INF Luis Arraez became just the second player in Marlins history to reach base safely as the starting leadoff hitter in each of the first four games to start a season, joining Hanley Ramirez in 2006 (credit: Elias Sports Bureau).
• His 11 hits are tied for second-most in MLB and tied with Atlanta’s Ronald Acuna Jr. and Travis d’Arnaud for tops in the National League. His .478 avg. (11×23) ranks 4th in the NL and 5th in MLB.
HOME OF EVERYTHING: loanDepot park will once again be in the National spotlight this weekend when the Drone Racing League 2023 Championship airs on Saturday, April 8 on NBC at 3 p.m. ET. The event was filmed at loanDepot park back in February and features drones flying more than 150 mph through an obstacle course around the ballpark.
TODAY’S STARTER – #27 EDWARD CABRERA
• Edward Cabrera, 24, made 14 starts at the Major League level last year after being recalled from Triple-A Jacksonville on May 31, 2022.
• Walked 6 batters and allowed 2 runs in 4.0 innings on his first start of the season vs. New York Mets.
• Ranked in the top three among rookie starters in several categories, including his .177 opponents batting average, 1.074 WHIP, and 3.01 ERA.
• His .177 avg. against was the lowest by a rookie starter with at least 10 GS. Among all MLB pitchers, ranked fourth behind Christian Javier (.170), Tony Gonsolin (.172), and Jacob deGrom (.175).
• In 7 starts at home in 2022, went 3-3 with a 4.58 ERA (35.1 IP/18 ER). Posted a 1.49 ERA (36.1 IP/6 ER) in 7 starts away, allowing 10 less hits than at home.
• Was named to MLB.com’s All-Rookie Second Team.
• Made four consecutive scoreless outings (22.2 IP) after returning from injury from Aug. 1 until Aug. 22, becoming the second pitcher in franchise history to make four consecutive scoreless starts, joining Chris Hammond in 1994.
• Set a new career-high with 8.0 innings pitched at Oakland on Aug. 22, 2022.
• In his first start back in almost 2 months on Aug. 5, 2022 tossed 5.0 no-hit innings against Chicago Cubs.
• Was the first pitcher in club history to pitch 6.0 innings or more and allow two hits or less in each of his first two starts of a season.
NEW YORK METS NOTES:
METSCELLANEOUS: Today, the Mets are set to play their first game at Citi Field when they take on Marlins…The Mets are coming off their first road trip of the season, a seven-game trip to Miami (3-1) and Milwaukee (0-2)…Following this series, New York heads to New York…In this homestand, the Mets will host the Marlins (three games) and Padres (three games).
LET’S NOT GO STREAKING: The Mets are on a season-long three-game losing streak…The streak matches their longest of the 2022 season (6-26-29, 7/17-23, 9/3-6, 9/12-14 and 9/30-10/2)….The last time the team lost four or more games was when they lost five straight from 9/21-26, 2022).
TAKE ME HOME, CITI ROADS: The Mets are 40-21 (.656) in Home Openers, including 10-4 at Citi Field…The Mets won their home opener, 10-3, against Arizona last season…The have won it in each of the last three seasons and in seven of their last eight years (2022, 2021, 2020, 2018, 2017, 2016, 2015).
CITI SLICKERS: The Mets won 54 games at home last year…That their highest total at Citi Field in franchise history..,The last time the team won more than 50 games in New York was in 2000 when they went 55-26…Overall, the Mets went 54-27 at Citi Field…The team’s .667 winning
percentage was the fourth-highest in team history…Only the 1988 (56-24, .700), 2000 and 1986 teams (both 55-26, .679) had a better home winning percentage.
IT’S BEEN ONE WEEK: The Mets have yet to commit an error this season… This ties a franchise recorded for the longest the team has gone without committing an error…The 1985 Mets also did not commit an error in their first seven games…Last year, the San Diego Padres did not commit an error in their first 17 games to start the season, which was the longest time since 1900.
INJURY UPDATE: Yesterday, Omar Narváez underwent imaging this morning that revealed a medium to high-grade strain of his left calf…He will be placed on the Injured List…A typical return to play for this type of injury is 8-9 weeks.
WAIVER CLAIM: Yesterday, the Mets claimed RHP Edwin Uceta from Pittsburgh and optioned him to Triple-A Syracuse…Uceta, 25, has appeared in 24 major league games with the Dodgers and Diamondbacks and has 38 strikeouts in 37.1 innings…In addition, the Mets transferred RHP Sam Coonrod to the 60-Day IL.
HOME, SWEET HOME: Today, the Mets will play their first game at Citi Field this year when they take on the Miami Marlins at 1:10 p.m… Citi Field parking lots will open at 9:40 a.m. and gates open at 10:40 a.m… Ahead of the game, the Empire State Building will be lit blue and orange beginning at sunset on April 5 and continue through April 6 for the home opener…The Mets encourage fans to take Mass Transit for the Mets home opener…Mass Transit is the fastest and greenest way to Citi Field…Fans can purchase tickets to all 2023 Mets home gates at the Citi Field box office or by visiting mets.com/tickets or calling 718-507-TIXX.
DOCTOR ROBERT-SON: David Robertson tossed 1.0 perfect inning on Wednesday in Milwaukee…In three games this season, Robertson has allowed only one hit, struck out three and notched a save…Robertson has recorded 158 career saves, which is the seventh-most by an active player.
LET’S GO FISHING: The Mets are 3-1 against the Marlins this season…Tommy Pham is a .305/.378/.500 hitter with 29 runs, eight doubles, a triple, 21 RBI and 13 walks in 26 career games against the Marlins… Starling Marte has hit .289/.339/.413 with 32 runs, 12 doubles, two triple, three homers and 14 RBI in 51 career games against the Fish…Francisco Lindor and Brandon Nimmo have both socked nine home runs against the club.
MIAMI VICE: Megill will make his second consecutive start against the Marlins to begin the 2023 season…In three career games (two starts) against Miami, Megill is 1-1 with a 4.91 ERA (6 ER/11.0 IP) and 13 strikeouts…In his lone outing against Miami at Citi Field, Megill threw a
scoreless inning in relief on September 27, 2023.
OPENOR: Tylor Megill will start the home opener this season…Last year, Megill was named the Mets Opening Day Starter…With 89.2 career innings pitched entering the 2022 season, Megill had the fewest major league innings of any Mets Opening Day starting pitcher in franchise history…Became the 28th different Opening Day starting pitcher in Mets history.
MULTIPLICITY: Pete Alonso logged his 15th career multi-homer game on Wednedsay at Milwaukee, slugging a pair of two-run shots…He ranks sixth in Mets history in multi-homer games…Lucas Duda and Dave Kingman are tied for fifth with 16 each…Mike Piazza and Carlos Beltrán each had 17…His 15 multi-homer games are the third-most since he entered the league in 2019…Only Aaron Judge (20) and Kyle Schwarber (26) have hit more.
PETE ALON150: Alonso ranks tied for sixth on the Mets all-time home run list with 149 homers…Carlos Beltrán also hit 149 with the Mets… Alonso has 149 home runs in 537 career games…With one more long ball in his next 14 games, he will become the second-fastest player in major
league history to reach 150 career home runs…Ryan Howard got there in 495 games and Aaron Judge is currently second-fastest (552 games).
Rank Player HR GAMES
5th Dave Kingman 154 664
6th Carlos Beltrán 149 839
T6th Pete Alonso 149 537
Rank Player RBI GAMES
15thMichael Conforto 396 757
16th Dave Kingman 389 664
17th Pete Alonso 386 537
METS ALL-TIME LEADERS
STRIKE THAT: Alonso has a 14.4 percent strikeout rate over his last 50 games, the lowest in any 50-game stretch in his career…He’s struck out just four times in 30 PA this season (13.3 percent)…Each year he’s spent in the majors, his strikeout rate has decreased…He punched out at a 26.4 percent clip as a rookie in 2019…Last year, he posted a career-best 18.7 percent strikeout rate.
DAY MAN!: The Mets are 3-2 in day games this year…In 2022, the Mets went 39-19 in day games…The team’s .672 winning percentage in the sunlight was the second-best in the National League and third-best in the majors…The Mets posted a 3.16 ERA with 150 walks and 564 strikeouts in the daytime last year…Their 3.16 ERA in the daytime was third in the majors and second in the NL.
MR. .305: Tommy Pham has a .305 (39-128) average against Miami in his career…He went 4-9 (.444) with a double, a home run, three RBI and
a run scored at loanDepot Park in the Mets season-opening series win over the Marlins.
TODAY’S STARTING PITCHER – TYLOR MEGILL RHP #38
MEGILL’S PITCH ARSENAL
Pitch Type Usage Rate vs. LHB vs. RHB Avg. Velocity
Slider 42% 13% 29% 82.6 mph
Four-Seam Fastball 41% 57% 57% 94.4 mph
Curveball 11% 5% 1% 76.9 mph
Changeup 7% 25% 11% 86.9 mph
MEGILL NEWS & NOTES
LAST TIME OUT: Earned the win in his first start of the season on April 1 at Miami…Allowed two runs over 5.0 innings on six hits with two walks and seven strikeouts…Was his first career victory against the Marlins.
AMAZIN APRIL: In six April starts since 2022, Megill is 5-0 with a 2.18 ERA (8 ER/33.0 IP) and 34 strikeouts…Megill’s five wins in April since last season are tied for the most in the majors and his 33.0 innings in the month since 2022 are tied for eighth…Among qualifiers in April dating back to 2022, Megill is ninth in ERA and 11th in WHIP (0.97).
RIGHT/LEFT SPLITS: For his career, Megill has held right-handed batters to a .196 (54-276) batting average, the 10th-best mark in the NL since his major league debut on June 23, 2021 (Min. 200 RHB faced)…During the same time frame, Megill’s .316 (86-272) opponent’s average against left-handed batters is the fourth-worst in the NL (Min. 200 RHB faced).
MIAMI VICE: Will make his second consecutive start against the Marlins to begin the 2023 season…In three career games (two starts) against Miami, Megill is 1-1 with a 4.91 ERA (6 ER/11.0 IP) and 13 strikeouts…In his lone outing against Miami at Citi Field, Megill threw a scoreless inning in relief on September 27, 2023.
RELIEVOR: After starting the first 27 games of his major league career, Megill transitioned to the bullpen after returning from the 60-Day IL on September 19, 2022…Megill pitched to a 6.00 ERA (4 ER/6.0 IP) out of the bullpen…In his final appearance of the 2022 season, Megill threw 2.0 scoreless innings on October 4 vs. Washington.
COMBINED NO-NO: Megill threw the first 5.0 innings of MLB’s first no-hitter of the season on April 29 at Citi Field…It was the second no-hitter in team history (also, Johan Santana, June 1, 2012 vs. St. Louis)…The Mets combine no-hitter against the Phillies marked the 17th time a team has thrown a combined no-hitter and the 10th time in the Wild Card Era…Drew Smith (1.1 IP, BB, 4 K), Joely Rodríguez (1.0 IP, 2 BB), Seth Lugo (0.2 IP) and Edwin Díaz (1.0 IP, 3 K) finished the job with 4.0 hitless innings out of the bullpen. 17.1.
2022 RECAP: Was the Mets Opening Day starter and earned the victory after tossing 5.0 scoreless innings against the Nationals…Did not allow a run over 5.1 innings and earned the victory in his following start against the Phillies on April 12…Started the Mets combined no-hitter against the Phillies on April 29 and threw 5.0 innings with three walks and five strikeouts…Struck out a season-high nine batters in his following start against the Braves on May 4…Was on the 15- Day Injured List with right biceps inflammation from May 12 – June 10…Made two starts in his return from the IL before beginning another stint on the Injured List with a right shoulder strain on June 17…Was transferred to the 60-day IL on June 27 and returned to action on September 19…Made his final six appearances of the season in relief and allowed four earned runs over 6.0 innings in those
appearances.
OPENOR: Last year, Tylor Megill was named the Mets Opening Day Starter…With 89.2 career innings pitched entering the 2022 season, Megill had the fewest major league innings of any Mets Opening Day starting pitcher in franchise history…Became the 28th different Opening Day starting pitcher in Mets history.
RUNS IN THE FAMILY: His brother, Trevor, is a pitcher in the Minnesota Twins organization…They both made their MLB debut in 2021..According to Elias, they are the fourth pair of brothers to make their major league debut in the same season since 2000 (2019, Scott & Tyler Heineman, 2017, Joe & A.J. Jimenez and 2012, Donovan & Jhonatan Solano).
