NEW YORK YANKEES NOTES:
AT A GLANCE: The Yankees continue their seven-game road trip tonight with the second game of a three-game set at Minnesota (0-1 thus far)…will also play a four-game series at Texas from Thurs.-Sun…went 5-5 on their recent season-high 10-game homestand, going 2-1 vs. Los Angeles-AL, 2-2 vs. Minnesota and 1-2 vs. Toronto. Have lost back-to-back games for just the second time this season (also 4/13-14 vs. Minnesota).
Are 7-2 following a loss this season.
Are in a 16-day stretch without an off day (4/18-5/3)… are 3-4 so far over that span.
YESTERDAY’S NEWS: The Yankees fell to the Twins, 6-1, in their series opener at Target Field on Monday…RHP Jhony Brito (2.2IP, 3H, 3ER, 3BB, 1K) made his fifth start of the season and took his second loss of the year…LF Oswaldo Cabrera (0-for-4, 1RBI) drove in the Yankees’ only run with an RBI groundout in the ninth inning…3B DJ LeMahieu (2-for-3, 1BB) reached base three times and picked up the club’s only multi-hit game…DH Aaron Judge (1-for-4, 1 double) recorded the Yankees’ only extra-base hit with a fourth-inning double…SS Anthony Volpe (1-for-3, 1BB) and 2B Gleyber Torres (1-for-3, 1R, 1BB) each reached base twice…Yankees relievers allowed 3R/2ER in 5.1 innings of relief (7H, 3BB, 4K, 1HR).
PITCH PERFECT: Yankees pitchers have posted a 3.16 ERA this season, the second-lowest in the Majors, trailing only Tampa Bay’s 2.72 ERA…their 3.39 runs per game are also the second-fewest in the Majors (Tampa Bay – 2.78).
Have allowed just 78R in 23 games this season, marking their third-fewest runs allowed through their first 23 games in a season in the last 42 years since 1982 (67R in 2022 and 73R in 2003)…have allowed 3R-or-fewer in 14-of-23 games this season and 2R-or-fewer in 10 of those games.
Also rank third in the Majors in WHIP (1.15), fourth in strikeouts (219), opponents’ BA (.217) and opponents’ OBP (.296), and fifth in opponents’ SLG (.360), opponents’ OPS (.655) and in K/9.0IP (9.61).
LEMACHINE: INF DJ LeMahieu has recorded back-toback multi-hit games for the first time this season and the first time since 8/7-8/22…has reached base three times in each of his last two games.
Is batting .364/.462/.545 (12-for-33) with 6R, 3 doubles, 1HR, 5RBI, 4BB and 2HP in his last 10 games.
Has reached base in 16-of-19 games this season, batting .299/.382/.507 (20-for-67) with 12R, 6 doubles, 1 triple, 2HR, 8RBI, 7BB and 2HP.
Is hitting .375/.444/.500 (6-for-16) with 2 doubles, 6RBI and 2BB with RISP this season.
In 23 career games vs. Minnesota, has hit .337/.378/.506 (30-for-89) with 14R, 3 doubles, 4HR, 15RBI, 6BB and 1HP.
TWINNING: The Yankees are 100-41 (.709) vs. Minnesota since 2002, the Majors’ best record by any team vs. an opponent in its own league in that span… including the postseason, have gone 116-43 (.730) vs. the Twins since 2002.
Are 15-6 in their last 21 games vs. the Twins (since 7/23/19) and 25-10 in their last 35 games vs. Minnesota (since 9/18/17).
Have won or split each of their last eight completed series vs. the Twins (are 7-0-1 since 2019) and 15 of their last 17 completed series against Minnesota (are 14-1-2 since 7/3/14).
Own a 27-14 (.659) record at Target Field, the highest winning percentage by any team at the venue (min. 10G).
ON A ROLL: INF/OF Isiah Kiner-Falefa has hit safely in six of his last seven starts, batting .286 (6-for-21) with 1R, 2RBI, 2BB and 3SB in that span.
Over his last seven games, has reached base in 7-of-15 plate appearances (4H, 3BB, .467 OBP).
NASTY NESTOR: LHP Nestor Cortes will make his fifth start of the season tonight…is 3-0 with a 3.09 ERA and 22K in four starts this season.
Has allowed 3R-or-fewer in each of his last 16 starts (since 7/14/22), tied with Luis Severino (16GS from 4/16- 7/7/18) for the third-longest such streak in franchise history…trails only Russ Ford (20GS from 8/9/1910-G2- 5/27/1911-G2) and his own 19-start streak (8/15/21-6/2/22-G1).
Has allowed 3R-or-fewer in 42-of-46 starts since the beginning of 2021…has gone 17-7 with a 2.65 ERA (274.2IP, 81ER), 288K and a .203 (203-for-1,002) opponents’ BA in 54 appearances (46 starts) in that span…his 2.65 ERA in that span is the fourth-lowest in the Majors (min. 200.0IP), trailing only Max Scherzer (2.46), Shohei Ohtani (2.53) and Julio Urías (2.62).
NEW KID ON THE BLOCK: INF Anthony Volpe has reached base in 11 of his last 12 games, reaching base in 19-of-50 plate appearances (10H, 9BB) over that stretch.
Is 8-for-8 in stolen base attempts…joins Cedric Mullins (9-for-9) and Corbin Carroll (8-for-8) as the only three players in the Majors to be 8-for-8-or-better in stolen base attempts.
His 8SB are tied for the fourth-most in the Majors.
His 14BB are tied for the seventh-most by a Yankee through his first 23 career games, trailing Jerry Coleman (18BB in 1949), Fritz Maisel (18BB in 1913), Truck Hannah (17BB in 1918), Bernie Williams (17BB in 1991), Charlie Keller (16BB in 1939) and Otto Vélez (15BB in 1973).
GLEYBER DAY: INF Gleyber Torres has 17BB in 23 games this season, tied for the second-most in the AL and tied for the fourth-most in the Majors…did not record his 17th walk in 2022 until his 69th game of the season on 6/30/22 at Houston.
Has reached base in each of his last five games, going 5-for-18 with 2R and 3BB in that span.
CENTRAL PERK: Since 2022, the Yankees are 29-12 (.707) vs. the AL Central…are 40-16 in their last 56 games vs. the division (since 6/23/21) and 53-22 in their last 75G (since 9/12/19).
Have won or split 21 of their last 24 completed series vs. the AL Central (going 20-3-1 since 9/10/19), 24 of their last 27 completed series (going 21-3-3 since 6/13/19) and 27 of their last 31 completed series (going 24-4-3 since 4/18/19).
SERIES BUSINESS: The Yankees lost their first series of the year this past weekend vs. the Blue Jays…were the last Major League team to lose a series this season…had won or split each of their first six series of a season for just the third time in the last 67 years since 1957 (first nine series in 2003 and their first six series in 1976) -credit: Elias.
Are 11-1 in games this season when facing a series loss.
NOBODY BEATS THE RIZZ: INF Anthony Rizzo has reached base in 19 of his first 22 games this season, batting .300/.394/.538 (24-for-80) with 11R, 4 doubles, 5HR, 11RBI, 9BB, 4HP and 1SF.
Has recorded a hit in 18-of-22 games this season.
Is batting .321/.397/.589 (18-for-56) with 8R, 3 doubles, 4HR, 7RBI, 4BB and 3HP in his last 15 games (since 4/9).
FAST AND FURIOUS: Yankees baserunners rank third in the AL and fifth in the Majors with 23SB…their 23SB mark their most through their first 23 games of a season in the last 22 years (since 2002) and are their third-most through their first 23 games of a season in the last 34 years (since 1990)…recorded 40SB in 1998 and 26SB in 2001.
Have 11SB in their last 10 games.
Did not record their 23rd stolen base in 2022 until their 44th game on 5/25/22 vs. Baltimore
TONIGHT’S STARTING PITCHER: LHP NESTOR CORTES (3-0, 3.09 ERA) LHP Nestor Cortes will make his fifth start of the season tonight vs. the Twins…the 28-year old will make the start on regular four days’ rest…made his last start on Thursday vs. Los Angeles-AL, earning his third win of the season after allowing 3ER over 6.0IP (4H, 2BB, 7K, 0HR, 1HP)…his 3ER allowed snapped his nine-start streak of allowing 2R-or-fewer…was tied for the longest such streak by a Yankees starting pitcher in franchise history (excludes openers)…has allowed 3R-or-fewer in each of his last 16 starts (since 7/14/22), tied with Luis Severino (16GS from 4/16-7/7/18) for the third-longest such streak in franchise history…trails only Russ Ford (20GS from 8/9/1910-G2-5/27/1911-G2) and his own 19-start streak (8/15/21-6/2/22-G1)…according to Elias, his 2.44 ERA in 2022 was the third-lowest by a Yankees pitcher in a single season in the Divisional Era since 1969 (min. 25 games started), trailing only Ron Guidry’s 1.74 ERA in 1978 and Steve Jack Kline’s 2.40 ERA in 1972…was signed by the Yankees as a minor league free agent on 12/10/20…was originally selected by the Yankees in the 36th round of the 2013 Major League Baseball First-Year Player Draft…was selected by the Baltimore Orioles from the Yankees in the 2017 Rule 5 Draft and returned to the Yankees on 4/13/18…was acquired by the Seattle Mariners from the Yankees in exchange for international bonus pool money on 11/25/19… over parts of five Major League seasons, has played with Baltimore (2018), the Yankees (2019, ’21-22) and Seattle (2020).
LAST TIME OUT: Made his last start on Thursday vs. Los Angeles-AL, earning his third win of the season after allowing 3ER over 6.0IP (4H, 2BB, 7K, 0HR, 1HP)… did not allow a base hit to his first 14 batters faced…his 7K matched his season high (also 7K on 4/14 vs. Minnesota)…his 3ER allowed snapped his nine-start streak of allowing 2R-or-fewer…was tied for the longest such streak by a Yankees starting pitcher in franchise history (excludes openers). ON A ROLL: Has allowed 3R-or-fewer in each of his last 16 starts (since 7/14/22), tied with Luis Severino (16GS from 4/16-7/7/18) for the third-longest such streak in franchise history…trails only Russ Ford (20GS from 8/9/1910-G2-5/27/1911-G2) and his own 19-start streak (8/15/21-6/2/22-G1)…has gone 8-1 with a 2.32 ERA (93.0IP, 24ER) in that span…has tossed at least 7.0IP in four of those starts and 6.0IP-or-more in nine of those starts.
Has also allowed 2R-or-fewer in nine of his last 10 starts, going 6-0 with a 2.06 ERA (56.2IP, 13ER) and 57K over that stretch.
Is undefeated in his last 10 starts (since 8/21/22), marking his longest career undefeated streak as a starter.
The Yankees are 7-1 in his last eight starts (since 9/14/22).
His current six-game winning streak marks his career high.
NASTY NESTOR: Has allowed 3R-or-fewer in 42-of-46 starts since the beginning of 2021 and 2R-or-fewer in 35 of those starts…in 54 appearances (46 starts) since the beginning of 2021, has gone 17-7 with a 2.65 ERA (274.2IP, 81ER), 288K and a .203 (203-for-1,002) opponents’ BA…his 2.65 ERA in that span is the third-lowest in the AL and the fourth-lowest in the Majors (min. 200.0IP), trailing only Max Scherzer (2.46 ERA), Shohei Ohtani (2.53 ERA) and Julio Urías (2.62 ERA)…his 0.98 WHIP in that span is the lowest in the AL and fourth-lowest in the Majors…his .203 opponents’ BA in that span is the fifth-lowest in the AL and ninth-lowest in the Majors over that span (min. 200.0IP).
Allowed 2R-or-fewer in nine consecutive starts from 8/21/22-4/14/23…matched the longest such streak by a Yankees starting pitcher in franchise
history (excludes Chad Green’s 12-start streak as an opener from 6/11/17-8/12/19-G2)…in addition to Cortes’ other nine-start streak from 9/25/21-5/15/22, Luis Severino (9/12/18-4/20/22), Michael Pineda (4/5-9/5/14) and Art Ditmar (7/26-9/9/59) also recorded nine-start streaks… was 5-0 with a 1.78 ERA (50.2IP, 10ER) in that span.
Over his last 41 starts since 8/15/21, has gone 17-6 with a 2.65 ERA (231.1IP, 68ER), 242K and a .201 (170-for-844) opponents’ BA…has allowed 3R-or-fewer in 38 of those 41 starts, including 2R-or-fewer in 31 of those starts…his 2.65 ERA over that span is the seventh-lowest in the AL (min. 150.0IP).
VS. MINNESOTA: Will make his seventh career appearance (fifth start) and second of the season against the Twins tonight…is 2-1 with a 3.90 ERA (27.2IP, 12ER) and 22K in six career appearances (four starts) vs. Minnesota.
Faced the Twins on 4/14 at Yankee Stadium and did not record a decision despite allowing just 2ER in 7.0IP (5H, 0BB, 7K, 2HR, 2HP)…marked his ninth consecutive start of allowing 2R-or-fewer, tied for the longest such streak by a Yankees starting pitcher in franchise history (excludes openers).
Made two starts vs. the Twins in 2022, going 0-1 with a 6.48 ERA (8.1IP, 9H, 6ER, 5K, 2HR).
Has made two appearances (one start) at Target Field, going 1-1 with a 5.87 ERA (7.2IP, 5ER) and 4K.
As a starter, is 1-1 with a 4.03 ERA (22.1IP, 10ER) and 19K vs. the Twins.
Made his Major League debut vs. the Twins on 3/31/18 with Baltimore (2.0IP, 3H, 1ER, 2BB, 2K)…struck out Byron Buxton looking in the sixth inning for his first Major League strikeout.
ON THE ROAD AGAIN: Will be making his second road start of the season…made his first start on the road on 4/9 at Baltimore, earning the win after allowing 2ER in 5.1IP (4H, 2BB, 5K).
In 13 road starts in 2022, went 6-3 with a 3.06 ERA (70.2IP, 24ER) and 74K…allowed 1BB-or-fewer in nine of his 13 road starts, including 0BB in six of those starts.
In 21 road starts since the beginning of 2021, is 8-5 with a 3.02 ERA (113.1IP, 38ER) and 117K…has allowed 3R-or-fewer in 17 of those 21 starts…has allowed 1ER-or-fewer in 11 of those starts…his 3.02 ERA ranks seventh-lowest among American League starters in that span (min. 20GS).
In 23 career road starts, has gone 8-6 with a 3.65 ERA (116.0IP, 47ER) and 120K.
LEFT OUT TO DRY: Left-handed batters are hitting .105/.150/.158 (2-for-19) against him this season.
Lefties hit just .110/.180/.159 (9-for-82) against him in 2022…among left-handed pitchers vs. lefthanded batters (min. 65BF), owned the lowest OPS (.338), ranked second in opponents’ batting average (second in AL), OBP (first in AL) and third in opponents’ SLG (second in AL).
Has retired 17-of-20 left-handed batters faced this season (2H, 1BB, 4K). 2023: Is 3-0 with a 3.09 ERA (23.1IP, 20H, 8ER 4BB, 22K, 2HR, 3HP) in four starts this season.
Has allowed 3R-or-fewer in each of his starts, 2R-or-fewer in three of those starts and 1R-or-fewer in one start.
Has recorded at least 7K while tossing 6.0IP-or-more in two of his starts this season.
Ranks eighth among American League pitchers in BB/9 (1.54) and 10th in WHIP (1.03).
Has gone 2-0 with a 3.00 ERA (18.0IP, 6ER) and 17K in three home starts compared to a 1-0 record with a 3.38 ERA (5.1IP, 2ER) in one road start this season.
Has posted a .105/.150/.158 (2-for-19) slash line vs. left-handed batters compared to a .273/.329/.424 (18-for-66) slash line vs. right-handed batters.
Has allowed 0HR in three of his four starts.
Is 2-0 with a 3.97 ERA (11.1IP, 5ER), 12K and a .200 (8-for-40) opponents’ BA in day starts compared to 1-0 with a 2.25 ERA (12.0IP, 3ER), 10K and a .267 (12-for-45) opponents’ BA in night starts.
MINNESOTA TWINS NOTES:
THE TWINS: Have gone 2-2 through four games on their current 10-game homestand, going 1-2 against the Nationals over the weekend, followed by a win over the Yankees last night… tonight the Twins will continue the homestand with the second of three against New York… after this series, the Twins will host the Royals for four games from Thursday-Sunday…the Twins have gone 6-4 at Target Field and 7-6 on the road…Twins have gone just 3-6 in their last nine after starting the season 10-4 in their first 14.
WHAT DOES THE FOX SAY: Tonight’s game will be televised on WTFC Fox 9+/DirecTV/Mediacom/ Midco Sports/DirecTV Stream/Fubo…the scheduling conflict is due to both the Minnesota Timberwolves and Minnesota Wild playoff games.
SONNY SO MONEY AGAINST HIS FORMER SQUAD: The Twins beat the Yankees last night at Target Field by a score of 6-1…Sonny Gray (3-0) was the starter and winner, pitching 7.0 shutout innings, with three hits allowed, two walks and eight strikeouts…Sonny lowered his ERA to 0.62, the third-lowest ERA through a pitcher’s first five games of the season in Twins/Senators history since 1913 (min. 20.0 IP), behind only Walter Johnson (0.24 ERA in 1913) and Eddie Matteson (0.55 ERA in 1918)…the offense recorded 10 hits, three coming from Max Kepler…Joey Gallo hit his team-leading sixth home run, a 432-foot shot, longer than any home run he hit as a Yankee, from 2021-22.
BROCK STEADY: The Twins have selected the contract of right-handed pitcher Brock Stewart from Triple-A St. Paul…Stewart, 31, has appeared in seven games for the Saints this season, posting a 2.08 ERA (8.2 IP, 2 ER), with two saves, two walks, 17 strikeouts, a 1.04 WHIP and a .219 (7-for-32) opponent batting average…the Normal, Illinois native was signed by the Twins as a minor league free agent in July of 2022 and has appeared in 46 career major league games (11 starts), going 6-3, 6.05 ERA (105.2 IP, 71 ER), one save, 48 walks and 87 strikeouts with Los Angeles-NL (2016-19) and Toronto (2019)…Stewart will occupy the vacated 26-man roster spot left by Bailey Ober, who was optioned to St. Paul yesterday…to make room for Stewart on the 40-man roster, the Twins have designated right-handed pitcher Trevor Megill for release or assignment…in seven appearances for the Saints this season, Megill has allowed 14 runs on nine hits in 9.2 innings pitched, with 13 walks and 16 strikeouts.
START SPREADING THE NEWS: The Twins have gone 3-2 against the Yankees this season…a win tonight would secure the season series for Minnesota, which would mark their first over the Yankees since going 4-2 in 2001.
The Twins are looking to win a series over the Yankees for the first time since taking two out of three September 10-12, 2018 at Target Field…Twins have gone 10-31-3 vs. the Yankees in series play since 2001.
Jorge Polanco is hitting .339 (20-for-59) with four doubles, seven home runs, 18 RBI and a 1.138 OPS in his last 14 games against the Yankees…he has eight RBI in his last six games vs. New York.
POLO ON THE MARCO: Jorge Polanco has hit safely in all four games since his return from the IL (left knee inflammation) and is hitting .389 (7-for-18) with two doubles, one home run, five RBI and a 1.056 OPS…he enters tonight with 99 career home runs, looking to be the 21st player in club history to reach the 100-home run mark (since 1961).
SERIES-LY SPEAKING: A victory today would secure the fourth series win of the season for the Twins…the Twins have gone 3-3-1 through their first seven series this season, going 3-0 at Kansas City from March 30-April 2, 1-2 at Miami from April 3-5, 2-1 vs. Houston at Target Field from April 7-9, 2-1 vs. Chicago-AL from April 10-12, 2-2 at New York-AL from April 13-16, 1-2 at Boston from April 18-20 and 1-2 vs. Washington at Target Field from April 21-23.
RYAN KING: Ryan’s last start against the Yankees came in game one on April 13 in the opener of fa four-game series at Yankee Stadium…Ryan allowed one run on three hits in 7.0 innings pitched, with no walks and 10 strikeouts…he was supported with 11 runs, including a nine-run first inning…the Twins have won each of Ryan’s last eight starts, dating back to September 13, 2022, while he has gone 7-0 with one no-decision in that span…Ryan is one of five pitchers in baseball with at least four wins, joining Kyle Gibson (4-0), Clayton Kershaw (4-1), Shane McClanahan (4-0) and Gerrit Cole (4-0).
Nine other pitchers in Twins/Senators franchise history have won each of their first four starts in a season (since 1901): Brad Radke (2001), Jim Deshaies (1993), Bill Krueger (1992) Allan Anderson (1989), Jerry Koosman (1979), Connie Marrero (1951), Bill McAfee (1932), Sad Sam Jones (1930) and Eddie Matteson (1918).
Four pitchers in that same time frame have won their first five: Koosman (’79), Marrero (’51), McAfee (’32) and Jones (’30).
JOEY JACKS: Joey Gallo hit his sixth home run of the season last night and now has an at- bat-per-home run ratio of 6.45, the highest in baseball (minimum 40 plate appearances)… despite missing 10 games (right intercostal strain — April 11-19), he still leads the club in homers and ranks tied for third in the American League and tied for eighth in baseball.
He leads baseball in average exit velocity at 98.7 mph (minimum 40 PA)…additionally, he ranks second in baseball in average distance of balls put in play at 239 feet…his average home run distance is 413 feet, tied with Adolis García and Ryan Mountcastle for third highest in baseball, trailing Sean Murphy (421 ft.) and Matt Olson (419 ft.).
LONELY FOR LEFTIES: The Twins are facing a left-handed starter for just the fifth time this season, the previous four being Jesús Luzardo on April 5 at Miami (5-2 loss), Nestor Cortes on April 14 at New York-AL (4-3 win), Chris Sale on April 18 at Boston (5-4 loss) and Patrick Corbin on April 23 vs. Washington (3-1 win)…the Twins are tied for third in baseball in fewest at-bats against left-handed pitchers with just 148.
Twins are slashing just .203/.273/.351 with six home runs vs. lefties (Correa, Gallo, Garlick, Larnach, Polanco and Taylor)…against right-handers, the Twins are .241/.312/.395.
Carlos Correa is hitting .355 (22-for-62) with a 1.144 OPS against left-handed pitching in his last 32 games, since August 9, 2022. : Low-A Fort Myers catcher Andrew Cossetti has been named Florida State League Player of the Week…the 23-year-old from Eagleville, PA hit .555 (10- for-18) with two doubles, three home runs, five walks, 14 RBI and a 1.792 OPS for the Mighty Mussels… he currently leads the FSL in home runs (4), RBI (17), OBP (.510), SLG (.784), OPS (1.294), and total bases (29).
HBD JACQUE!: Former Twins outfielder Jacque Jones is celebrating his 48th birthday today…Jacque homered twice against the Yankees during the 2004 ALDS — one time off Mike Mussina in Game 1 and the other time off Kevin Brown in Game 3.
STARTING PITCHER – JOE RYAN #41
2023: 4-0, 3.24 ERA CAREER: 19-9, 3.58 ERA
Making his fifth start and appearance of 2023 and his second start at Target Field this year…also his 37th career start and appearance.
Has won a career-best seven consecutive decisions, since September 13, 2022; is 7-0, 2.17 ERA (49.2 IP, 12 ER) with 12 walks, 56 strikeouts and a .156 opponent batting average in that eight-start span.
Facing New York-AL for the second time this year and the third time in his career…is 1-1,
LAST TIME OUT: Ryan extended his career-long winning streak to seven games, earning the victory in the Twins 10-4 win at the Boston Red Sox on April 19…pitched 6.0 innings, allowing three runs on six hits, issuing one walk with three strikeouts…allowed one run in the third, fifth and sixth innings, including a solo home run to infielder Kiké Hernández in the sixth…opposed right-hander Corey Kluber, who took the loss…10 runs of support were the second most of Ryan’s career, trailing only his last start on April 13 at New York-AL (11)…his three strikeouts ties six other starts for the second fewestin his career and is the lowest total in his 15 career quality starts.
With the win, became the 10th pitcher in Twins/Senators history (since 1901) to win his first four starts of the year and the first since Brad Radke went 4-0 from April 3-20, 2001…with a win tonight, would become fifth pitcher in franchise history to go 5-0 in his first five starts of a season and first since Jerry Koosman in 1979.
Ryan’s four wins this year are tied for first in baseball with New York-AL’s Gerrit Cole, Balti- more’s Kyle Gibson, Los Angeles-NL’s Clayton Kershaw and Tampa Bay’s Shane McClanahan.
TWO STARTS AGO: Improved to 3-0 on the year and won his career-best sixth-consecutive decision on April 13 vs. the New York Yankees at Yankee Stadium…pitched 7.0 innings, allowing three hits and one earned run with no walks and 10 strikeouts…took the mound with a 9-0 lead after the Twins plated nine runs in the top of the first inning against Yankees starter Jhony Brito and reliever Colten Brewer…Ryan struck out outfielder Franchy Cordero in the third inning to record his 200th career strikeout, becoming the first pitcher in Twins/Senators history to record 200 strikeouts within his first 35 career games…his 10 strikeouts matched his previous start for the second most in his career…11 runs of support were the most of Ryan’s career…Twins won 11-2 to take the series opener.
WIN STREAK BY THE NUMBERS: In his last eight starts dating back to September 13, 2022, Ryan is 7-0, 2.17 ERA (49.2 IP, 12 ER) with 12 walks and 56 strikeouts…opponents are slashing .156/.219/.254 against Ryan during the win streak, and his .474 opponent OPS is the third lowest in baseball in that stretch among pitchers with at least 40.0 innings pitched (Shohei Ohtani – .360, Jeffrey Springs – .448)…the span marks the longest win streak of Ryan’s career and the longest win streak by a Twins starter since Michael Pineda went 8-0 in a 16-start stretch from July 21, 2019-April 15, 2021.
YANKEE RERUN: Tonight is Ryan’s first career start vs. New York-AL at Target Field and his third career start vs. the Yankees overall…faced New York-AL two starts ago (see note above) and also on September 7, 2022 at Yankee Stadium, taking the loss in a 7-1 Twins defeat…pitched 4.0 innings and allowed three hits and four runs while issuing four walks and striking out three batters…the four walks issued are tied for second most in his career (April 8, 2022 vs. Seattle), and the three strikeouts in that start are tied with six other starts for the second fewest in his career…overall, Ryan is 1-1, 4.09 ERA (11.0 IP, 5 ER) with four walks and 13 strikeouts in his two career starts vs. the Yankees.
ON TARGET: In 19 career starts at Target Field, Ryan is 8-5, 3.65 ERA (103.2 IP, 42 ER) with 34 walks and 115 strikeouts…has similar career numbers on the road, going 11-4 with a 3.51 ERA (95.0 IP, 37 ER), 22 walks and 95 strikeouts in 17 starts…has only made one home start this season, earning the win against Houston on April 8 in a 9-6 Twins victory (6.0 IP, 3 H, 4 R/ER, 1 BB, 10 K)…since his debut on September 1, 2021, Ryan’s 115 strikeouts at Target Field are the most by any pitcher.
LEFT/RIGHT: Left-handed hitters are batting .152 (7-for-46) against Ryan this year…right-handed hitters haven’t fared much better, hitting .182 (8-for-44) with 19 strikeouts…his .167 overall opponent batting average ranks third in baseball this season (min. 20.0 IP), trailing only Gerrit Cole (.155) and Shohei Ohtani (.092)…over his career, Ryan has slightly better splits against left-handed hitters than righties, with lefties batting just .189 with a .618 OPS since his debut in 2021…right-handed hitters are hitting .210 with a .654 OPS off Ryan.
THE ARSENAL: Ryan has utilized a three-pitch mix in his first four starts of the 2023 season…has used his four-seam fastball the most of his three pitches, throwing it 57.5 percent of the time…recorded two strikeouts with his four-seam fastball and one strikeout with his sweeper in his last start on April 19 at Boston…allowed four hits on offspeed pitches to the Red Sox after opposing hitters went 0-for-21 against his two offspeed offerings in his first three starts…here’s a look at Ryan’s repertoire, per Baseball Savant:
PITCH (AVG. MPH) PCT. (# OF PITCHES, VS. RHB/LHB) RESULTS
4-Seam Fastball (92.6)…………..57.5% (203 pitches, 93/110)…. .200 (11-for-55), 3 2B, 3 HR, 20 K Split Finger (83.6)……………………24.9% (88 pitches, 31/57)……………………….. .083 (2-for-24), 5 K Sweeper (81.0)………………………..27.6% (62 pitches, 52/10)………………. .200 (2-for-10), 1 HR, 3 K
