MINNESOTA TWINS NOTES:
THE TWINS: Have gone 4-1 through five games on their current six-game roadtrip, sweeping the Royals in three last weekend, followed by a split of the first two games in Miami this week… this afternoon, the Twins will wrap the series with the three-game series finale at loanDepot Park…after today’s game, the Twins will travel home to enjoy an off-day tomorrow, then begin their 14th season at Target Field with three against the Astros from Friday-Sunday and three against the White Sox from Monday-Wednesday.
Twins return home Friday where they went 46-35 at Target Field in 2022.
Today marks the first rubber game of 2023…the Twins were 7-7 in such instances in 2023.
TICK TOCK: Through five games, the Twins average time of game is two hours and 23 minutes, the fastest in baseball…their longest game this season has been 2:35 (April 2 at KC), while their shortest was last night at 1:57…last season, the Twins average time of game was 3:07, a difference of 44 minutes to this season.
ENTER SANDY-MAN, TWINS BATS TO SLEEP: The Twins were shut out by the Marlins and reigning NL Cy Young Award winner Sandy Alcantara last night by a score of 1-0…Kenta Maeda (0-1) was the starter and loser, allowing just one run on three hits in 5.0 innings pitched, including nine strikeouts, the most by a Twins starter this season…it marked Maeda’s first appearance on a regular season major league mound since August 21, 2021 — a span of 591 days…the offense recorded just three hits as Trevor Larnach reached twice, going 1-for-3 with a walk… the game was played in one hour and 57 minutes, the shortest 9-inning game for Minnesota since September 10, 2010 at Cleveland (also 1:57).
HAPPY PABLO DAY: Today’s starter, Pablo López, was acquired by the Twins via trade with Miami on January 20, along with infielder Jose Salas and outfielder Byron Chourio, in exchange for infielder/outfielder Luis Arraez…López made his major league debut with the Marlins on June 30, 2018 and pitched parts of five major league seasons with Miami from 2018-22, going 28-31, 3.94 ERA (510.0 IP, 223 ER), with 142 walks, 489 strikeouts and a 1.19 WHIP in 94 starts…his 489 strikeouts still rank 12th on the Marlins all-time list…last season, he became the 16th pitcher in Marlins history to reach 500.0 innings pitched…he was named the 2020 Marlins Charlie Hough Good Guy Award winner…in 50 career stats at loanDepot Park, he has gone 14-15, 3.45 ERA (284.0 IP, 109 ER) with 79 walks, 268 strikeouts and 26 quality starts…below are his ranks in this ballpark: WINS INNINGS STARTS STRIKEOUTS ERA (min. 200.0 IP)
Fernández – 29 Alcantara – 374.0 Koehler – 60 Fernández- 346 Fernández – 1.49
Koehler – 19 Koehler – 361.1 Alcantara – 56 Alcantara – 333 Alcantara – 2.70
Alcantara – 18 Ureña – 316.1 Ureña – 52 Koehler – 292 López – 3.45
López – 14 López – 284.0 López – 50 López – 268 Koehler – 4.06
Cishek – 14 Fernández – 272.1 Fernández- 42 Ureña – 219 Evoaldi – 4.32
MOUND MASTERS: Through five games, Twins pitchers have combined to post a 1.03 ERA (26.1 IP, 3 ER), with 10 walks, 31 strikeouts, while holding batters to a slashline of .172/.260/.280… below are their ranks among all starting staffs in Major League Baseball:
ERA BAA FIP WHIP HITS ALLOWED
MIN – 1.03 MIA – .172 TB – 1.35 LAD – 0.71 MIN – 16
LAD – 1.80 MIN – .172 LAD – 1.82 TB – 0.88 MIA – 17
TB – 2.08 LAD – .180 ATL – 3.03 MIN – 0.99 SF – 17
MIL – 2.22 MIL – .190 MIN – 3.24 MIL – 0.99 MIL – 19
KC – 2.84 TB – .198 NYY – 3.27 NYY – 1.04 TB – 19
WINNESOTA: The Twins 4-1 record ranks tied for second-best in baseball with Atlanta and Milwaukee, and trailing Tampa Bay (5-0)…a win today would give the Twins their best start since 2017, when they were also 5-1…a win today would also mark the 10th time in Twins/ Senators franchise history (since 1901) to win at least five games in their first six chances.
THE OTHER GUYS: The Twins have won four of their last five against National League opponents, dating back to August 26, 2022…their next Interleague game after today will be when the Twins host the Nationals from April 21-23.
The Twins and Marlins are playing each other for the 19th time in their history today…the Twins are 10-8 against the Marlins, going 2-1 at the Metrodome, 2-1 at Dolphin Stadium, 3-4 at Marlins Park/loanDepot and 3-2 at Target Field.
THE LEFTORIUM: The Twins have six hits in 21 at-bats vs. left-handed pitching this season, including two home runs (Gallo & Larnach).
Last season, the Twins went 27-22 in games started by left-handers.
Carlos Correa hit .299 (40-for-134) with a .945 OPS vs. lefties last season…in his last 26 games, dating back to August 9, 2022, he is hitting .373 (19-for-51) with a 1.197 OPS against left-handed pitching.
SERIES-LY SPEAKING: A victory today would secure the second series win of the season for the Twins…in 2022, they went 21-24-6 in series play, going 14-8-4 at home and 7-16-2 on the road…the last time the Twins won both of their first two series in a season came in 2021, taking two of three at both Milwaukee and Detroit.
LARNACH ON WOOD: Trevor Larnach has eight hits and four walks in 23 plate appearances this season, slashing .421/.522/.684 in five games…his .421 batting average ranks fifth in the AL, trailing Matt Chapman (.579), Adam Duvall (.476), Taylor Ward (.435) and Yoán Moncada (.429)…his .522 OBP also ranks fifth, trailing Chapman (.619), Mike Trout (.565), Duvall (.542) and Gleyber Torres (.524).
STARTING PITCHER – PABLO LóPEZ 49
Making his second start and appearance of 2023 in his sixth major league season (Miami – 2018-22)…also his 96th career appearance (all starts).
Facing Miami for the first time in his career…14-15, 3.45 ERA (284.0 IP, 268 K) with 79 walks and 268 strikeouts in 50 career starts at loanDepot Park.
Acquired by the Twins from Miami on January 20, 2023, along with infielder Jose Salas and outfielder Byron Chourio, in exchange for infielder/outfielder Luis Arraez.
LAST TIME OUT: López started on Opening Day March 30 at Kansas City and earned the win in his Twins debut, pitching 5.1 shutout innings with two hits allowed, three walks and eight strikeouts… retired first seven batters he faced and nine of first 10…escaped bases-loaded, one-out jam in the bottom of the fifth by inducing a 3-2-4 double-play groundout from Royals outfielder MJ Melendez…was his first career Opening Day start and was first Twins pitcher to wear the new road gray uniforms…became second Venezuelan-born pitcher to start for Minnesota on Opening Day, joining Johan Santana (2006-07).
BACK IN MIAMI: Facing the Marlins, his former club, for the first time in his career…was traded from Miami to the Twins January 20 along with infielder Jose Salas and outfielder Byron Chourio in exchange for infielder/outfielder Luis Arraez…is 14-15, 3.45 ERA (284.0 IP, 109 ER) with 79 walks and 268 strikeouts in 50 career starts at loanDepot Park…85.3 percent of his career starts are against National League opponents…is 24-26, 4.09 ERA (438.0 IP, 199 ER) vs. NL opponents in his career.
Is three strikeouts away from reaching 500 career strikeouts…would become the 21st Venezuelan-born pitcher all-time to reach the milestone.
Is currently fifth among active Venezuelan pitchers in strikeouts, trailing Carlos Carrasco (1511), Germán Márquez (971), Eduardo Rodriguez (969) and Martín Pérez (916).
NO POTHOLES ON THIS ROAD: With the victory at Kansas City in his first start, López improved his career road record to 15-16, 4.44 ERA (231.1 IP, 114 ER) with 66 walks and 229 strikeouts…last season, he went 6-5, 3.00 ERA (93.0 IP, 31 ER) in 16 starts on the road compared to 4-5, 4.55 ERA (87.0 IP, 44 ER) in 16 home starts…his 96 road strikeouts in 2022 tied for eighth in the National League, while his .224 road opponent batting average was 18th best in the NL (min. 50.0 IP).
RIGHT ON: López continued his dominance vs. right-handed hitters on Opening Day, with Royals right- ies hitting just .100 (1-for-10) against him…right-handed hitters slashed .218/.269/.379 with nine home runs, 18 walks and 102 strikeouts against López in 2022…his 102 strikeouts vs. right-handed hitters ranked seventh among National League right-handed pitchers…lefties hit .249/.320/.427 with 12 home runs, 35 walks and 72 strikeouts vs. López in 2022…over his career, López has enjoyed more success against right-handed hitters (.657 OPS) than left-handed hitters (.748 OPS).
PITCH BREAKDOWN: López used a five-pitch mix in his first start vs. Kansas City, according to Baseball Savant…debuted his sweeper, throwing the pitch 22.4 percent of the time and collecting three strikeouts with it…utilized his sweeper and sinker vs. right-handed hitters and primarily threw his changeup and curveball to left-handed hitters…here is a look at his arsenal from Opening Day:
PITCH (AVG. MPH) PCT. (# OF PITCHES, VS. RHB/LHB) RESULTS
4-Seam Fastball (95.1)……………..37.6% (32 pitches, 17/15).. ………………….. .167 (1-for-6), 1 2B, 2 K
Sweeper (84.9)……………………………22.4% (19 pitches, 19/0) ………………………. .000 (0-for-4), 3 K
Changeup (89.2)………………………. 20.0% (17 pitches, 2/15)………………………….. .000 (0-for-5), 3 K
Sinker (94.6) ………………………………..10.6% (9 pitches, 9/0) ………………………………. .500 (1-for-2)
Curveball (82.2)…………………………….9.4% (8 pitches, 1/7) ………………………………………………. – –
2022 NOTES:
Opened season as Marlins’ number two starter behind the season’s eventual National League Cy Young Award winner Sandy Alcantara.
Named the NL Pitcher of the Month for April, going 3-0 with a 0.39 ERA and 23 strikeouts in 23.1 innings…became the 12th pitcher in Major League Baseball history to allow one run or less in his first four starts of the season while pitching at least 20.0 innings.
Pitched 8.0 scoreless innings on May 7 at San Diego to match his career-high, done once before on June 8, 2021 vs. Colorado.
Set a career high with 11 strikeouts on May 13 vs. Milwaukee, which he matched again on July 26 at Cincinnati.
Surpassed the 500.0 career innings pitched mark on September 27 at New York-NL, becoming 16th pitcher in Marlins history to reach 500.0 innings.
Tied for team-lead in starts (32) and ranked second in innings pitched (180.0), wins (10) and strikeouts (174)…set career-highs in starts, innings pitched, wins and strikeouts.
CAREER NOTES
• In 2022, set career highs in wins (10), games started (32), innings pitched (180.0) and strikeouts (174) as number two starter for Miami.
• 489 career strikeouts with Miami are 11th on their all-time list and is one of 16 pitchers in Marlins history to reach 500.0 innings pitched.
• In 2021, spent fourth season with Miami, holding opponents to two-or-fewer runs in 15 of his 18 starts and posting a career-low 1.12 WHIP.
• Made first career Postseason appearance October 7, 2020, going 5.0 innings and allowing three hits and two runs while striking out seven in a loss to Atlanta in Game 2 of the National League Division Series.
• Recipient of 2020 Marlins Charlie Hough Good Guy Award, which is voted on by the Miami chapter of the BBWAA to recognize a Miami player who fostered a strong relationship with reporters.
• In 2020, spent entire season on active roster and led Marlins in innings pitched (57.1), games started (11), wins (6) and strikeouts (59).
• Made only 21 starts in 2019 after missing over two months on the Injured List with a right shoulder strain, posting a 5.09 ERA in 111.1 innings pitched with 95 strikeouts. • Made major league debut on June 30, 2018 vs. New York-NL and earned first career victory, tossing 6.0 innings with five strikeouts while limiting the Mets to two runs.
• Started 2018 season with Double-A Jacksonville, earning Southern League Midsea- son All-Star honors before being promoted to Triple-A New Orleans.
• Acquired by Miami along with outfielder Brayan Hernandez, right-handed pitcher Brandon Miller and right-handed pitcher Lukas Schiraldi from Seattle in exchange for right-handed pitcher David Phelps on July 20, 2017.
• Spent 2017 season at High-A level in Seattle and Miami organizations.
• Went 6-1, 1.88 ERA (71.2 IP, 15 ER) in 17 appearances (13 starts) for Low-A Clinton (Seattle) in 2016.
• Missed 2014 season following Tommy John surgery on November 11, 2013.
• Made professional debut with Venezuelan Summer League Mariners on May 23, 2013.
• Originally signed by Seattle as international free agent on July 4, 2012
MIAMI MARLINS NOTES:
MARLINS MINUTE
The Marlins today close out the first homestand of the season, playing the finale of a three-game set against the Minnesota Twins, their first of 15 Interleague series in 2023. Are coming off their opening series against the New York Mets in which they went 1-3. The club’s first road trip will include a three-game series against the Mets that starts on April 6, with a built-in off day on April 7, before heading to play the reigning National League champion Phillies from April 10-12.
YESTERDAY’S RECAP
Miami snapped a three-game skid with a 1-0 win over the Twins, courtesy of reigning National League Cy Young winner RHP Sandy Alcantara’s 100-pitch complete game shutout. The Marlins lone run came off the bat of OF Avisail Garcia, who hit his first home run of the season. INF Jean Segura recorded his first stolen base, also standing as Miami’s first stolen base of 2023.
TAKING CARE OF BUSINESS
Yesterday’s time of game was 1:57, the Marlins’ quickest since Sept. 20, 2010 vs. St. Louis (1:52), which stands as the fastest 9-inning
game in club history. Among such games, last night marks the sixth quickest in club history.
TWINS IN TOWN
The Marlins are hosting the Minnesota Twins this week at loanDepot park for the first time since 2019 when they went 1-2 in the three-game set. Are 8-11 in 19 match-ups against the Twins dating back to 2002. Is just the third time the club hosts the Twins since moving to Miami.
BACK IN THE 305
The Marlins are scheduled to face RHP Pablo Lopez today at loanDepot park. Lopez went 28-31 with a 3.94 ERA in 94 starts with the Marlins prior to being traded in the offseason. Will mark the 37th time in franchise history the Marlins will face a starting pitcher who made at least 90 starts for the organization before joining another team. These opposing starters have gone 14-11 with a 3.87 ERA in the 36 previous such starts against the Marlins.
THE SANDY SHOW
The 2022 National League Cy Young Award winner RHP Sandy Alcantara tossed his fourth career shutout and 10th career complete game yesterday 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.
FUERTE FORTES
C Nick Fortes made back-to-back starts on Friday and Saturday, going 3×7 with a home run and two singles. His 2-run shot on Saturday went 422 ft., the longest of his first 14 career home runs (88 gms.). 6 of his 14 home runs (42.8%) have been go-ahead, including 2 against the New York Mets (walk-off home run on June 26, 2022 off Adam Ottavino).
BACK ON THE HORSE
Miami entered yesterday’s game as one of four teams in MLB yet to record a stolen base prior to Jean Segura’s stolen base in the second inning. Segura now ranks 6th among active players in stolen bases with 206 in his career.
• 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.
TURNING THE TRENDING TIDE
The Marlins are now 2-0 in one-run games this season, including yesterday’s 1-0 victory which marked the 12th in club history in which the lone run came on a solo home run (previous, Aug. 5, 2020 at Baltimore). The previous occurrence at home was Sept. 20, 2016 vs. Washington.
• 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 eight of their 10 runs this season via home runs – hitting five homers total over the first six 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 most in MLB and leads the National League. His .478 avg. (11×23) ranks 4th in the NL and 5th in MLB.
CAN’T MAKE IT THAT EASY
Through the first six games of play, the Marlins offense has struck out 64 times in 189 at-bats (most in MLB), marking the most strikeouts in club history through the first six games of a season. The second-most through six games is 56, done in both 2018 and 2022.
TODAY’S STARTER – #44 JESUS LUZARDO
• Jesus Luzardo made 18 starts to match his career-high in 2022. Missed 71 games from May 10 to August 1 with a left forearm strain.
• Walked 4 batters and allowed 0 runs in 5.2 innings on his first start of the season vs. New York Mets.
• Is making his second career start against the Twins.
• In 12 starts after returning on Aug. 1, went 2-4 with a 3.03 ERA, allowing 24 runs in 71.1 innings. Pitched 6.0+ innings in nine of 12 outings. Allowed two runs or less in nine of those outings.
• Opposing batters hit 1×36 (2B) in 0-2 counts vs. Luzardo in 2022. Struck out 21 of 36 batters (58%) in that situation.
• On Tuesday, April 12, 2022 he set a career high with 12 strikeouts in just 5.0 innings of work at Angel Stadium 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.
• In his final four starts of 2022 (Sept. 16 – Oct. 3), posted a 1.85 ERA (24.2 IP/5 ER) with 45 strikeouts, including 6.0 scoreless innings and a career-high matching 12 K’s in his last outing against Atlanta.
• Pitched at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School, located in Parkland, Fla., approx. an hour and a half north of loanDepot park.
• Became a Florida Special Olympics ambassador in 2022 by promoting and supporting all champions at the Miami Race for Inclusion at Bayfront Park.
