MIAMI MARLINS NOTES:
MARLINS MINUTE
The Marlins tonight play the second game of a three-game series in Boston. Is the first stop of a six-game road trip that concludes with a three-game set in Atlanta this weekend. Are coming off a 4-3 homestand vs. Toronto (1-2) and Pittsburgh (3-1).
- At 46-34, have the third-best record in the National League and sixth-best in Baseball.
- Miami is off to its second-best start to a season through the club’s first 80 games in franchise history, behind the 1997 World Series team (48-32).
- Have won 3 straight, 4 of 5, and 13 of of their last 23.
- The Marlins are 21-18 on the road, winning 4 straight and 10 of their last 13 games outside Miami. On the season, the club has won 6 of 12 road series, including 3 of the last 4.
WINNING WAYS
The Marlins are a season-high 12 games over .500. Have not been more games over .500 since the second-to-last day of the 2009 season (13 gms over, 87-74). Marks just the fourth season the Marlins have been at least 12 games over .500 (also 1997, 2003, and 2009).
HEY, JUNE
With a 17-7 record in June, Miami is tied for the second-most wins in MLB this month, trailing only ATL (19). Miami is one win shy of the club record for wins in June set in 2006 (18-7).
- The starting rotation leads the Majors with a 0.92 WHIP this month, and tied for first with the White Sox with 152 strikeouts (just 2 K shy of their club record for June). On offense, the Marlins’ .274 batting average is the 3rd-highest in the Majors.
- LHP Braxton Garrett has posted a 0.77 WHIP and 36 strikeouts in four June starts. The only two players to finish the month of June with a lower mark (min. 25.0 IP) were Jose Fernandez in 2016 (0.70) and Brad Penny in 2001 (0.73).
YESTERDAY’S RECAP
Miami took the series opener in Boston, 10-1, collecting a season-high-tying 19 hits, in their first win at Fenway Park since 2009. RHP Sandy Alcantara held the Red Sox to 1 run in 7.0 innings with 5 strikeouts, snapping a 5-start winless streak. SS Joey Wendle (4×4) matched his career-high in hits and added a walk, reaching base safely 5 times in a game for the first time. CF Jazz Chisholm Jr. (3×4) doubled, drove in 3 runs, and scored twice in his first game back from the IL. 3B Jean Segura (2×5) homered in his first game back from the IL. LF Bryan De La Cruz (2×5) hit a first-inning 2-run home run.
JOEY BATS
SS Joey Wendle has hit safely in 8 of his last 10 games with a plate appearance, going 13×35 (.371). Is batting .357 (25×70) in the month of June after entering the month with a .170 AVG (9×53).
GETTING OFFENSIVE
The Marlins are batting .263 this season, the third-highest mark by a NL club in 2023. Marks the club’s highest batting average prior to the All-Star break since 2017 (.269). Have recorded 33 games this season with 10+ hits, the second-most such games in the NL, trailing only Atlanta (36).
- Since losing 10-1 to the Padres on June 1 at loanDepot park, the Marlins have outscored opponents 116-68 (+48).
BRAX ATTACKS
LHP Braxton Garrett has held opponents to 2 runs or less in 7 of his 8 road starts this season. His 2.18 road ERA (41.1/10) marks the fourth-lowest for a Major League pitcher with at least 5 starts this season.
ARMS RACE
Marlins starters have combined to limit opponents to 1 or 0 earned runs 34 times – most by any NL starting staff in 2023.
- Marlins starters have held opponents to just 21 runs in the first inning this season, the fewest in MLB. Houston and Atlanta rank 2nd, each with 25 runs allowed in the first inning.
CLOSE CALLS
Nearly 50% of the Marlins’ games this season (39) have been decided by 2 runs or less – most in the Majors. Have gone 27-12 in such contests. Are a Major League-best 19-5 in one-run games in 2023.
BOSTON BLUES
Last night’s Marlins win snapped a 10-game losing streak at Fenway Park, marking their first win in Boston since June 18, 2009. Miami is 7-19 all-time in Beantown, trailing the overall series, 14-31.
- The Marlins are 18-7 (.720) in Interleague play this year, the highest such winning pct. among MLB teams.
LA REGADERA
2B Luis Arraez leads MLB with his .399 AVG (113×283), .450 OBP, and 113 hits. Has struck out just 16x in 313 PA (.051 K/PA), the lowest mark in MLB among qualifiers.
- His .399 AVG is the highest through a player’s first 74 games in club history. Is highest by any Major Leaguer through a team’s first 80 gms of a season since Larry Walker in 1997 (.407).
- Matches Dee Strange-Gordon (2015) for most hits in franchise history through a player’s first 74 games of a season.
- Has hit safely in his last 10 games (his second double-digit hit streak in 2023). Is batting .524 (22×42) with 2 HR and a 1.255 OPS over the stretch dating back to June 16 at WAS.
- Leads MLB with 33 multi-hit gms – his most ever before the All-Star break and three games shy of the club record held by Miguel Cabrera (2006). His MLB-most five 4-hit games are tied with Hanley Ramirez (2007) for the most in a season in Marlins history. His three 5-hit games are the most in a single season in Marlins history.
BABY GOAT
RHP Eury Perez has not allowed a run over his last three starts and is currently riding a 21.0-inning scoreless stretch. Has allowed just 1 ER over his last six starts (33.0 IP), holding opponents scoreless in five of the six starts.
- His 1.34 ERA is the lowest in club history through a player’s first 9 career starts. LHP Dontrelle Willis previously held
the record, with a 2.38 ERA in his first 9 starts in 2003. Perez’s 1.34 ERA is the 3rd lowest in the Expansion Era (since
1961) through 9 career starts, trailing Fernando Valenzuela (0.91) and Steve Rogers (1.20). - His 1.34 ERA is the second-lowest for a pitcher his age or younger (20 yrs, 71 days) through their first 9 career starts
since 1913, when ERA became an official MLB stat, trailing only Jack Bentley’s 1.27 ERA from 1913-14 (credit: Elias).
PITCHING ZEROS
LHP Andrew Nardi leads the Marlins bullpen with his 31 outings in which he has allowed 0 ER, tied with San Diego’s Steven Wilson for the
most such outings among all NL relievers.
TODAY’S STARTER – #29 BRAXTON GARRETT
- Braxton Garrett, 25, will make his first career start against the Boston Red Sox and 15th start (16th app.) of the season today.
- In his last start on Thursday, June 22 vs. Pittsburgh, tossed 7.0 innings, allowing just 2 runs, with a career-high 13 strikeouts, the most by a Marlins’ starter this year. Became the first left-handed pitcher in Club history to strike out 13 batters and walk none.
- Has held opponents to 1 or 0 ER in 9 of his 14 starts which is tied for the most among NL starting pitchers (w/ Bryce Elder).
- Dating back to May 14, the Marlins have won 7 of his last 8 starts including 5 consecutive. Has posted a 2.00 ERA (45.0 IP/10 ER) in this span, holding opponents to a .176 AVG (28×159).
- In 3 starts vs. Interleague teams in 2023, has gone 2-0 with a 2.81 ERA (16.0 IP/5 ER). Is 1-2 with a 3.89 ERA (60.2 IP/26 ER) against NL opponents.
- In 20 career starts (21 apps.) at home, owns a 3.93 ERA (103.0 IP/45 ER) and has gone 4-7 with 125 strikeouts. In 20 starts away (21 apps.), is 4-5 with a 3.92 ERA (103.1 IP/45 ER) and 95 strikeouts.
- Career, RHB vs. Garrett: .274 AVG (166×606), .336 OBP, .788 OPS. LHB vs. Garrett: .233 AVG (44×189), .306 OBP, .634 OPS. Has allowed only 3 HR in 189 AB vs. LHB.
- Made 17 starts at the Major League level in 2022 after entering the year as the Marlins No. 11 prospect. Went 3-7 with a 3.58 ERA (88.0 IP/35 ER) with 24 walks, 90 strikeouts, and 9 home runs allowed.
BOSTON RED SOX NOTES:
STATE OF THE SOX: The Red Sox have lost 5 of their last 6 games following a 6-game winning streak from 6/14-20. The Sox are 7-5 in their last 12 games and 10-10 in their last 20…They’re 12-13 during June. At 40-40 (.500), the Red Sox entered today with MLB’s 16th-best record…They’re 3.5 games back from the AL’s 3rd Wild Card position.
HOME COOKING: Last night’s loss snapped the Red Sox’ 4-game winning streak at Fenway Park. The Sox are 8-12 in their last 20 games at Fenway Park, after going 13-7 in their first 20 home games.
SERIES BUSINESS: The Red Sox lost their 3-game series at CWS from Friday-Sunday, falling to 13-10-2 in series play. The Sox are 2-4 in their last 6 home series, beginning 5/12-14 vs. STL, after going 5-1 in their first 6.
TOUGH TEST: The current 3-game series vs. MIA is the first of 3 consecutive series for Boston against teams that entered today with a record of .500 or better (also 3 games at TOR and 3 games vs. TEX). Following the Sox’ 3-game series vs. TEX from 7/4-6, 7 of their 11 series from 7/7-8/17 are against teams that entered today with a record below .500. The Red Sox have played 46 games against teams that entered today with a record of .500 or better, tied for 5th most in MLB (OAK-56, TOR-49, CWS-49, NYY-48). The Sox are 24-22 (.522) in those games, the 3rd-best record in the AL and 5th best in MLB…Their 24 wins are tied with BAL for 3rd most in MLB (TB-26, NYY, 25).
HALFWAY THERE: Tonight will be the Red Sox’ 81st game out of 162, marking the halfway point of the 2023 season. They’ve had a record above .500 through their first 81 games in each of the last six 162-game seasons (2016-22). With a win tonight, the Red Sox will have the same record through 81 games as the 2019 World Series Champion Washington Nationals (41-40). With a loss tonight, they’ll have the same record through 81 games as the 2021 World Series Champion Atlanta Braves (40-41).
SOX & FISH: The Red Sox are 31-14 (.689) all time against the Marlins, their 2nd-best winning percentage against any team (15-5 vs. CIN; .750). Last night’s loss snapped the Red Sox 10-game winning streak vs. MIA at Fenway Park, which began in 2012… Prior to last night, the Sox hadn’t lost to the Marlins at home since the Florida Marlins won here on 6/19/2009. The Sox are 16-5 (.762) vs. MIA since the start of 2012, their best record against any opponent during that span…They’ve won 9 of their last 11 games vs. MIA.
NATIONAL AFFAIRS: The Red Sox are 299-211 (.586) all time in Interleague play (11-16 in 2023). They lead MLB in all-time Interleague wins and own the 2nd-best record (NYY: 293-206, .587). The Sox are 4-4-1 in Interleague series this year… They’ve lost all 4 previous home series vs. NL teams, going 2-11 in those games (0-3 vs. PIT, 0-3 vs. STL, 1-2 vs. CIN, 1-2 vs. COL, 0-1 vs. MIA).
PITCHING IN: In last night’s loss, the Red Sox allowed a season-high 19 hits and a season-high-tying 10 runs (5th time, previous: 6/8 at CLE)…They’re the only team in MLB that hasn’t allowed more than 10 runs in a game this season. In their last 7 games, since 6/20, opponents are batting .301 (74-for-246) with 15 HR against the Sox…In their previous 7 games, from 6/11-19, the Sox led MLB with a .199 opponent AVG (54-for-272) and allowed just 3 HR.
WHAT A RELIEF: The 9 relievers on Boston’s active roster own a combined 2.91 relief ERA (58 ER/179.2 IP; Bernardino, Garza, Jacques, Jansen, Martin, Murphy, Ort, Pivetta, Winckowski). The Sox rank 3rd in MLB in save% (75.0%, 21-for-28), after ranking 22nd in 2022 (58.2%, 39-for-67).
RUNNIN’ RED SOX: The Red Sox rank 3rd in the AL and 6th in MLB in SB% (82.0%, 50-for-61)…In 2022, they ranked 22nd in MLB with a 72.2 SB% (52-for-72). 15 players have stolen a base for the Red Sox this season, matching their total from 2022 and tying CIN for 3rd most in MLB (MIA and PIT-16 each).
SLUGGING SOX: In their last 5 games, the Red Sox are batting .183 (30-for-164) with 9 runs scored (1.8 R/game) and 8 XBH (1.6 XBH/game)…In their previous 9 games, they led the AL with a .313 AVG (90-for-288) and 60 runs scored (6.7 R/game), while recording 39 XBH (4.3 XBH/game). The Sox are 7-for-40 (.175 AVG) with runners in scoring position over their last 6 games, after going 23-for-59 (.390) with RISP in their previous 5.
DEFENSIVE SOX: The Red Sox have not made an error in 8 of their last 9 games, after committing at least 1 error in each of their previous 8 games. Connor Wong has thrown out each of the last 3 runners attempting to steal against him, the longest active streak in MLB.
ON THE MEND: Joely Rodriguez is on a rehab assignment with Triple-A Worcester…He has made 3 appearances for the WooSox, allowing 2 runs in 2.1 innings (6 H, BB, 6 SO). He struck out 3 of his 4 batters faced during a scoreless inning on Sunday vs. Lehigh Valley (17 pitches).
TONIGHT’S STARTER: 61 KALEB ORT – RHP
W-L ERA G GS IP ER HR BB SO WHIP AVG
2023 1-1 5.79 17 1 18.2 12 4 9 21 1.55 .274
CAREER 2-3 6.08 43 1 47.1 32 8 25 48 1.71 .293
Is making his 2nd career start (also 6/18 vs. NYY-G1, 2.1 IP, 2 H, 2 R, BB, 4 SO). Recorded the last 2 outs in the 8th inning on Sunday at CWS (0.2 IP, H, SO). Owns a 2.84 ERA (2 ER/6.1 IP) in 5 outings (1 start) since being recalled on 6/4. Has held righties to a .235 AVG/.703 OPS (8-for-34, 1 HR), compared to a .308 AVG/1.031 OPS for lefties (12-for-39, 3 HR). Opponents have hit .274 against him (20-for-73)…Has an expected AVG of .252 and an expected ERA of 4.35. 13 of this 21 strikeouts have come with his 4-seam fastball (10-for-46, 7 XBH). Owns a 1.86 ERA (2 ER/9.2 IP) in 10 outings for Triple-A Worcester this season.
