MLB Preview: Miami Marlins (37-29) at Seattle Mariners (31-33)

MIAMI MARLINS NOTES:

MARLINS MINUTE
The Marlins continue a 3-city, 9-game, 11-day road trip today with the series opener of a three-game set at Seattle. The first stop of the road trip saw Miami take 2 of 3 against the White Sox. Following this series, Miami heads to Washington (June 16-18), with an off-day on Thursday. The Marlins are coming off a nine-game homestand – tied for its longest ‘stand of the year (also Sept. 15-24) – that saw the club drop 2 of 3 to San Diego and then sweep Oakland and Kansas City in back-to-back 3-game sets.

FISH BYTES

• Miami is 16-16 on the road, winning 5 of the last 6 road games; on the season, the club has won 5 of 10 road series, including the last two (swept the Angels in a 3-game series and took 2 of 3 vs. White Sox).
• The Marlins visit T-Mobile Park for the first time since 2017; the last series win by the Marlins in Seattle was 2008, when the club took 2 of 3 from the Mariners. Overall, Miami leads the series match-up, 10-8.
• Are 15-3 (.833) in Interleague play this year, the highest winning pct. among MLB teams in such games this year. The Marlins headed into 2023 with a 103-148 record in Interleague play dating back to 2010; marked the worst in MLB.
• The Marlins have won 11 of their last 13 games at loanDepot park; lead the NL with 21 home wins this season.

UP THE RANKS
At 37-29, Miami is tied for the second-best start to a season through the club’s first 66 games in club history. See chart to right for the top starts in Marlins history.

• Is their most games over .500 since July 31, 2016 (9 over).
• The Marlins are currently tied with the Dodgers for the third-best record in the NL, behind only the Braves and Diamondbacks.

YESTERDAY’S RECAP
Miami took the rubber match of the three-game series at Chicago-AL, scoring 5 runs across the final 2 innings to defeat the White Sox, 6-5. DH Jorge Soler got the Marlins on the board in the 5th inning with a solo home run and started the rally in the 8th with a second solo home run. 1B Garrett Cooper added a solo home run in the 8th. In the 9th, the Marlins scored 3 runs to take the lead on a solo home run by 3B Jean Segura, his first as a Marlin, and a two-run double by OF Bryan De La Cruz. LHP Braxton Garrett tossed 5.1 scoreless innings in the start. RHP Bryan Hoeing (1-1) picked up the win in relief, and LHP A.J. Puk earned his 7th save of the season.

DON’T COUNT THEM OUT
Miami has 20 comeback wins this season, including 2 consecutive 9th-inning comebacks and 5 in its last 7 games. The Marlins overcame a 4-run deficit yesterday, scoring 2 runs in the 8th inning and 3 more in the 9th. Miami also erased 4-run deficits to win June 4 vs. Oakland (down 5-1, won 7-5) and June 5 vs. Kansas City (down 4-0, won 9-6), marking the third time the club has come back by 4+ runs to win back-to-back games (2 games: 6/17/01 vs. TB & 6/18/01 vs. ATL, and 3 games: 8/9/99, 8/10/99, & 8/11/99 vs. SF).

CLOSE CALLS
The Marlins are 17-5 (.773) in games decided by one run, the most one-run victories and best winning percentage in such games in MLB. Marks the highest winning pct. in one-run games by any team in the Modern Era (since 1901). The 2016 Texas Rangers own the second-best mark (.766; 36-11).

• Miami started the year with a 12-0 record in one-run games, surpassing the 1972 New York Mets 11-0 stretch of one-run games to mark the most in MLB history.

TURNING 20
With 2 home runs yesterday at Chicago-AL, DH/OF Jorge Soler now has 19 home runs this season, 1 shy of becoming the 10th Marlins player (14th occurrence) to hit 20-or-more by the All-Star break. The last time a Marlins player reached the 20 home run mark in the first half was 2017, when Justin Bour (20), Marcell Ozuna (23), and Giancarlo Stanton (26) accomplished the feat. Mike Lowell owns the club record for most home runs before the All-Star break, with 28 in 2003.

BEST BUDS
DH/OF Jorge Soler has homered in 8 of Luzardo’s 12 starts this season, including 2 multi-HR games. Owns a .458 AVG. (22×48) in these starts with 10 HR and 22 RBI.

STARTS WITH PITCHING
Over the last 21 games (May 20), Miami’s starters have pitched to a 2.68 ERA (117.2 IP/ 35 ER), the best mark in MLB, ahead of Texas (2.81), San Diego (2.98), Houston (3.04), and Tampa Bay (3.23). The rotation has combined for a 1.04 WHIP, with 123 strikeouts and just 37 walks.

LA REGADERA
2B Luis Arraez leads MLB with his .397 AVG (91×229), .447 OBP, and tied for 1st with 91 hits. Also tied for 1st with 28 multi-hit games and tied for 4th with 8 games of 3+ hits. Has struck out just 13 times in 253 PA (.051 K/PA), the lowest mark in MLB among qualifiers.

• Arraez is 1 of 6 non-U.S.-born MLB players all-time to post a batting average of .397 or higher through the first 61 games (in which the player registered at least 1 AB) of a season, joining Larry Walker (.410, 1997), Tony Fernandez (.409, 1999), Andres Galarraga (.403, 1993), Rod Carew (.402, 1983), and Roberto Alomar (.399, 1996).
• His .397 AVG marks the highest through a player’s first 61 games in Marlins history. The second-highest mark was set by Luis Castillo (.357) in 2000.
• Arraez has recorded 152 multi-hit games in his career and 144 strikeouts in 500 career games since his debut in 2019. There have been only two players to debut since 1980 to strike out fewer than Arraez within their first 450 career games – see chart above.

FIRST THINGS FIRST
Marlins starters lead MLB by holding opponents to just 16 runs in the first inning this season, ahead of Houston (18), Tampa Bay (18), Atlanta (21), and Texas (23). Miami has allowed just 2 runs in the 1st inning this month, both coming on June 5 vs. Kansas City.

• Additionally, the Marlins have only allowed 2 home runs in the 1st inning, the second-fewest in MLB, trailing only Atlanta (1 HR). Miami
  has gone 48 games without allowing a home run in the first inning, the 5th longest such streak in club history. The Marlins longest
  such streak is 63 games, done in 1996, followed by a 60-game streak in 2006, a 52-game run in 2008, and a 49-game stretch in 2008.

STARTING PITCHER – #44 JESUS LUZARDO

• Jesus Luzardo, 25, will make his 14th start of the season and third career start (sixth app.) against the Seattle Mariners tonight.
• In his last outing vs. Seattle (April 30, 2022), pitched 6.0 innings, allowing just 1 runs on 2 hits with 5 strikeouts on 91 pitches (59 strikes). Earned his second win against the Mariners.
• In his most recent start on Tuesday, June 6 vs. Kansas City, matched his career-high with 7.0 innings pitched and allowed 1 run on 2 hits with 8 strikeouts. The outing marked his 13th multi-strikeout performance of the season.
• Leads Marlins starters in strikeouts with 86.
• Has pitched 17 consecutive games with 5+ strikeouts (9/16/22 – 6/1/23); second-longest active streak in MLB (behind Spencer Strider, ATL – 19).
• 6 of 13 outings this year have been quality starts, the most among Marlins starters (last, 6/6 vs. KC).
• Has allowed 3 or fewer runs in 10 of 13 starts; 2nd among Marlins starters (behind Edward Cabrera – 11).
• Is 12-12 in his career with a 4.10 ERA (199.2 IP/91 ER) in 35 starts (42 apps.) at home and 6-10 with a 4.86 ERA (140.2 IP/76 ER) in 23 starts (32 apps.) away.
• In 2023, is 3-2 with a 5.13 ERA (26.1 IP/15 ER) in 5 away starts with 31 strikeouts vs. 2-2 with a 3.04 ERA (47.1 IP/16 ER) with 55 strikeouts in 8 starts at home.
• Through 13 starts in 2022 pitched to a 3-6 record, with a 3.36 ERA (72.1/27), 82 SO, and 6 HR. Through 13 starts in 2023 has a 5-4 record, with a 3.79 ERA (73.2/31), 86 SO, and 9 HR.

SEATTLE MARINERS NOTES:

TONIGHT’S TILT…the Mariners begin a 6-game, 7-day homestand with the first of 3 games against the Miami Marlins…Seattle will also welcome the Chicago White Sox (3 G, 6/16-6/18) to town…tonight’s game will be televised live on ROOT SPORTS with Aaron Goldsmith and Dave Sims on the call…the game will also be broadcast live on Seattle Sports (710 AM) and Mariners.com with Rick Rizzs and Gary Hill Jr.

ODDS AND ENDS…the Mariners dropped yesterday’s rubber match to the Angels by a 9-4 score…the Mariners are 9-9 over their last 18 games (5/22-c)…Seattle is 23-13 when scoring at least 4 runs and 8-20 when scoring 3-or-fewer…the Mariners are 17-15 at T-Mobile Park and 14-18 on the road this season… are 9-14 in day games and 22-19 at night.

• Series Openers – The Mariners are 10-11 in series openers (4-6 at home) this season.
• Fish Fry – In the most recent matchup between the Mariners and Marlins (May 1, 2022), Julio Rodríguez hit the 1st home run of his Major League career in a 7-3 Seattle victory at Miami.
• Above or Below – In 33 games against .500-or-better teams this season, the Mariners are 11-22…in 31 games against below-.500 teams, the Mariners are 20-11.
• All-Star Rock? – In 13 starts this season, Luis Castillo is 4-4 with a 2.70 ERA (23 ER, 76.2 IP) with 17 walks and a team-leading 92 strikeouts…he has posted a 0.991 WHIP.

THE J-ROD SHOW…Julio Rodríguez over his last 18 games (5/22-c) is batting .342 (26×76) with 10 runs, 4 doubles, 5 home runs and 15 RBI, going 4-for-4 in stolen base attempts…he’s gotten on base at a .367 clip, slugging .592 with a .959 OPS during that span…since May 22, Julio has accumulated 1.1 fWAR, ranking T5th in the Majors behind Corbin Carroll-ARI (1.4), Freddie Freeman-LAD (1.3), Wander Franco-TB (1.2) and Mookie Betts-LAD (1.2).

FRANCE PLAYING THE HITS…Ty France went 3-for-3 with 2 runs scored, a double and hit-by-pitch in yesterday’s contest…over his last 17 games (5/22-c), France is batting .362 (25×69) with 14 runs, 8 doubles, 3 home runs, 8 RBI, 3 walks and 4 hit-by-pitches, getting on base at a .421 clip, slugging .609 with a 1.030 OPS…he has 9 multi-hit games (three 3-hit games) during that span…Ty has also hit safely in 7 consecutive games (6/3-c), batting .483 (14×29) with 6 runs, 5 doubles, 3 RBI and 2-hit-by-pitches with a 1.171 OPS during that stretch.

TEO HEATING UP…Teoscar Hernández went 3-for-4 with a home run and 2 RBI yesterday…in 8 games during the month of June, Teo is batting .379 (11×29) with 4 runs, 1 triple, 2 home runs, 7 RBI and 4 walks, getting on base at a .455 clip, slugging .655 with a 1.110 OPS…in 35 games since May 3, he is batting .288 (38×132) with 13 runs, 4 doubles, 2 triples, 4 homers, 19 RBI, 10 walks and 2 stolen bases, getting on base at a .336 clip, slugging .489 with a .775 OPS.

CHEAPER BY THE DOZEN…Julio Rodríguez (12 home runs, 12 stolen bases) is one of 3 Major League players with 12+ home runs and 12+ stolen bases this season, along with Ronald Acuña Jr.-ATL (13 HR, 28 SB) and Corbin Carroll-ARI (13 HR, 19 SB)…Julio reached 10 HR/10 SB in 54 games this season, tied for 2nd-fastest Mariners player to reach those feats in a season in franchise history with Alex Rodriguez (1998), trailing only Ruppert Jones (52 G, 1979)…in 1998, Alex Rodriguez finished with 42 home runs and 46 stolen bases, becoming the 3rd player in Major League history with a 40/40 season.

JK = JUST KRUSHING…Jarred Kelenic is batting .265 (59×223) with 28 runs, 16 doubles, 1 triple, 11 home runs, 29 RBI, 7 stolen bases and 21 walks this season, getting on base at a .329 clip, slugging .493 with an .823 OPS…the 23-year-old outfielder leads the team in extra-base hits (28), slugging percentage and OPS, ranking 2nd in total bases (110) to Julio Rodríguez (113).

PAUL IS LIFE…in 27 games this season, Paul Sewald is 2-0 with 12 saves and a 2.73 ERA (8 ER, 26.1 IP) with 8 walks and 35 strikeouts…he is 12-for-13 in save opportunities…Sewald has a 0.95 WHIP and has held opponents to a .181 batting average (17×94) with 37 strikeouts over 26.1 IP (12.65 SO/9).

THE PITCHING STAFF…despite recent struggles, the Mariners pitching staff leads the Majors in FanGraphs Wins Above Replacement (10.3)…Seattle pitchers also lead the big leagues in strikeout-to-walk ratio (3.55), FIP (3.56) and walks-per-9 innings (2.59)…they rank T1st in home runs-per-9 innings (0.95) and 5th in WHIP (1.22).

HOME SWEET HOMESTAND…the Mariners open tonight with Star Wars Night at T-Mobile Park…the upcoming homestand also includes Pride Fireworks Night on Friday, June 16, Salute to the Negro Leagues on Saturday, June 17 and Father’s Day on Sunday, June 18…Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday
are all Value Games with tickets as low as $10 for View Level, $20 for Main Level and $30 for Terrace Level.

AS YOU MAY KNOW…Ty France was hit by a pitch in yesterday’s game…it was his 11th hit-by-pitch this season, tied for 2nd-most in the Majors…since the start of 2021, France’s 59 hit-by-pitches rank 2nd-most in the Majors behind only Mark Canha-OAK/NYM (60), but…DID YOU KNOW?…that yesterday marked Ty’s 61st hit-by-pitch in a Mariners uniform (2020-c), moving him into 3rd place on the franchise’s all-time hit-by-pitch leaderboard?…France (61 HBP in 1,632 PA) passed Dave Valle (60 HBP in 2,835 PA) and now trails only Hall of Famer Edgar Martinez (89 HBP in 8,674 PA) and Kyle Seager (63 HBP in 6,204 PA) on the Mariners all-time list.

MARINERS STARTER – RHP BRYCE MILLER
2023/Career MLB Breakdown:
W-L ERA G/GS IP H R ER BB SO HR
Overall 3-3 4.46 7/7 38.1 32 19 19 5 33 3
Home 2-1 4.32 3/3 16.2 15 8 8 2 14 2
Road 1-2 4.57 4/4 21.2 17 11 11 3 19 1
vs. LAA 0-0 -.– 0/0 0.0 0 0 0 0 0 0

ABOUT BRYCE MILLER…

• The 24-year-old right-handed pitcher is scheduled to make his 8th career start, and his first against the Miami Marlins. • Selected by Seattle in the 4th round (113th overall) of the 2021 MLB First-Year Player Draft; signed by Mariners scout Derek Miller. • Spent 3 seasons at Texas A&M from 2019-21…also spent 2 seasons playing for Brazos Valley Bombers of the Texas Collegiate League in 2018 and 2020, and 1 season with the Falmouth Commodores of the Cape Cod League in 2019. • Was born in Mount Pleasant, Texas and attended New Braunfels High School in New Braunfels, Texas.

LAST TIME OUT…L#3 on June 4 at Texas, tossing 2.1 innings and allowing 8 hits (1 HR), 2 walks, and 7 runs with 2 strikeouts.

MILLER IN MAY…made his Major League debut on May 2 at Oakland and held a 3.00 ERA (12 ER, 36.0 IP) with 3 walks and 31 strikeouts over 6 starts during the month…among AL rookies with at least 6 starts during the month, he led the MLB in ERA, WHIP (0.750), Opp. AVG (.185), wins (3) and strikeout-to-walk ratio (10.33).

FIRST 5 STARTS…became the 4th pitcher in franchise history to not allow a home run over his first 5 career starts, joining Michael Pineda, Jim Converse and Brian Snyder…his 4 earned runs allowed are tied for the fewest in a pitcher’s first 5 career starts in franchise history, joining James Paxton (4 ER, 31.1 IP) and Justin Dunn (4 ER, 9.2 IP).

ROOKIE DOMINATION…has only allowed 39 runners to reach base safely through his first 7 career starts which leads the league and ranks ahead
of Tony Gonsolin-LAD (45)…his 39 baserunners allowed are the 2nd fewest among rookie pitchers in franchise history (min. 20.0 IP)…he trails only James Paxton (38).

WATCH ME WHIP…his 0.965 WHIP ranks 5th in the Major Leagues among pitchers with at least 7 starts…he currently ranks behind Jon Gray-TEX (0.964).

TEXAS HEAT…his 4-seam fastball has the 5th most rise of any pitcher in MLB this season…Miller’s heater has 3.2 inches of vertical movement above average, ranking behind Alex Vesia-LAD who is ranked 4th with 3.4 inches of rise on his 4-seamer.

AN ALMOST PERFECT BEGINNING…took a perfect game into the 6th inning in his first career Major League start at Oakland on 5/2 before a Tony Kemp 1-out single broke up the no-hit bid…the 16-consecutive batters retired in a pitcher’s MLB debut are the most since 1961 (h/t Elias Sports).

WHAT A DEBUT…became just the 3rd pitcher in MLB history to strike out 10 batters without issuing a walk in their Major League debut, joining
RHP Johnny Cueto-CIN (4/3/08) and Stephen Strausburg-WSN (6/8/10)…became the 30th pitcher in MLB history to strikeout 10+ in their ML debut…also set a franchise record for most strikeouts in a debut moving ahead of Enrique Romo, who struck out 9 on 4/7/77.

NO RUNNERS ALLOWED…became the only pitcher in MLB history to have 3-or-fewer baserunners allowed in each of their first 3 career starts…his 8 baserunners allowed were the fewest in a pitcher’s first 3 career appearances since at least 1901 (min. 15 IP).

MAKING IT LOOK EASY…he became the only pitcher in MLB history to have 6.0+ innings pitched and allow 3-or-fewer baserunners in his first 3 career starts…his 3-game streak of 6.0+ innings pitched and 3-or-fewer baserunners allowed is tied for the longest since 1901… Blake Snell-SDP and Corbin Burnes-MIL were the most recent pitchers to achieve this feat, both doing so in 2021.

HISTORY IN THE MAKING…became the 2nd pitcher in MLB history to go at least 6.0 innings and allow 2-or-fewer hits in each of his first 2 career games, joining Ken Cloude-SEA (1997)…via Sarah Langs.

IT’S BEEN 21 YEARS…he became the first pitcher with a sub-1.00 ERA & 15 strikeouts over his first 2 career games since Kazuhisa Ishii-LAD (2002)…he is the only pitcher in MLB history to do that while allowing no more than 1 walk.

HARD-EARNED RUNS…became the only pitcher in franchise history to allow 1-or-fewer runs in each of his first 3 career starts.

MAKING MARINERS HISTORY…his 0.47 ERA (1 ER, 19.0 IP) was the lowest in franchise history in a pitchers first 3 career starts…he became just the 2nd pitcher in Mariners history to have a sub 1.00-ERA in his first 3 starts (also: Félix Hernández).

STRIKEOUT MACHINE…recorded 163 strikeouts in 2022 between High-A and Double-A which was the 12th-most among all Minor League pitchers.