PHILADELPHIA PHILLIES NOTES:
GAME #86 RECAP: The Phillies capped a three-game sweep over the Rays in St. Pete with a 3-1 extra-inning win … Starter Cristopher Sanchez (ND) went 6.0 innings and allowed 1 run on 4 hits with 0 walks and 2 strikeouts … Darick Hall put the Phils up early with a solo HR in the 5th … Tied at 1-1 in the 11th, the Phils scored twice on a pair of singles by Kyle Schwarber and Trea Turner … Matt Strahm (W, 5-3) was credited with the win after 2.0 scoreless innings and three strikeouts to finish the game.
THE STREAK: The Phillies have won 12 straight games on the road which is tied for the second-longest road winning streak in franchise history with another 12-game streak that spanned two seasons from Sept. 15, 1887-April 25, 1888 … The longest road winning streak in franchise history was a 13-game streak from April 17-June 2, 1976 … When this current streak started, the Phillies were 10 games under .500 on the road at 13-23 – they have run off 12 straight wins to get back over .500 at 25-23 and are the first team in MLB history to be 10 games or more under .500 on the road before winning 11+ straight to get back over .500 … Philadelphia’s 12-game road winning streak is the longest in MLB this season and the longest since Atlanta won 13 straight on the road from July 29-Aug. 22, 2021 … Dating back to June 3, the Phillies have won 14 of 15 on the road which ties the best 15-game span on the road within a season in franchise history (also 14-1 from 4/14-6/2/1976).
WHAT A RELIEF: The Phillies bullpen has an active 22.1-inning scoreless streak (7 G, since 6/29) which is the longest by a Phillies relief corps since a 22.2-inning streak from May 23-28, 2017 … It currently stands as the 10th-longest scoreless streak by a Phillies bullpen in the Expansion Era (since 1961) … During this streak, the bullpen has faced 76 batters and limited them to a .123 AVG and .281 OPS with 0 extra-base hits allowed – they have 22 strikeouts to three walks (7.33 SO/BB ratio) in this stretch.
AMERICA’S TEAM: Yesterday, the Phillies extended their winning streak against the American League to 12 straight games which is the longest Interleague winning streak in franchise history (previous was 5 G, 2x: 6/21-29/03 and 9/1/97-6/6/98) … The streak, which began on May 7, has included wins over BOS (1), TOR (2), DET (3), OAK (3) and TB (3) … Philadelphia’s current 12-game Interleague streak is the longest by a National League club against American League opponents since 2017 when the Dodgers won 13 straight against the AL … The Phillies are the only team in MLB history with a 10-game Interleague winning streak and a 10-game road winning streak in the same season … Philadelphia’s next 10 games will come against the National League (3 G at MIA, 4 G vs SD, 3 G vs MIL) before heading to Cleveland to play the Guardians on July 21.
I’M GIVING IT MY ALL: The Phillies have won eight of their last ten series (since 6/2: 2-1 at WSH, 3-0 vs DET, 2-1 vs LAD, 3-1 at ARI, 3-0 at OAK, 0-2 vs ATL, 2-1 vs NYM, 3-0 at CHI, 1-2 vs WSH & 3-0 at TB) … Over the last two months of June and July combined, the Phillies are 29 games over .500 at 56-27 (.675 win %).
ARMS RACE: Over the last 29 games (since 6/3), the Phillies’ starting rotation has gone 15-4 with a 2.63 ERA (50 ER, 171.1 IP) with 179 strikeouts to 44 walks (4.07 SO/BB ratio) – they have faced 684 batters and held them to a .609 OPS … The staff has gone at least 6.0 innings in 20 of those 29 games and at least .0 innings in nine of 29 … Further, the rotation has allowed 1 ER or none in 20 of those 29 games (69%) … Philadelphia’s starters and relievers have combined for 13.2 fWAR which leads MLB (next: MIN, 12.7) and is more than two full wins clear of the next closest NL club (MIA, 10.9 fWAR).
SEE YOU IN SEATTLE: Phillies outfielder Nick Castellanos was selected as an All-Start for the second time in his career (other: 2021 with CIN) … Castellanos, in his second season with the Phillies, has raised his OPS 159 points from .694 last year to .853 entering play tonight … Castellanos has increased his hard hit rate on balls in play by 10.8 percent from a season ago – that +10.8 percent spike in hard hit rate is the sixth-biggest jump from year to year of any player in MLB from 2022 to 2023 … With his home run Wednesday night in Tampa (108.2 MPH/437 feet), Castellanos has already matched his total of 40 extra-base hits and 13 home runs from a season ago – he is one double shy of matching his total of 27 in 2022.
ON THE PLUS SIDE: The Phillies currently have seven players with an OPS+ (league average is 100) of 105 or greater (min. 200 PA): Nick Castellanos (131 OPS+), Bryce Harper (118), Brandon Marsh (116), Bryson Stott (108), J.T. Realmuto (107), Alec Bohm (106) and Kyle Schwarber (106) … Among all clubs in MLB, Philadelphia’s total of seven players with an OPS+ of 105 or better ranks 4th and trails only Atlanta, Tampa Bay and Texas, who all have eight players with an OPS+ of 105 or better … or context, last season the Phillies had five players with an OPS+ of 105 or better: Harper (146 OPS+), Schwarber (131), Realmuto (130), Hoskins (123) and Segura (105) … The last time a Phillies team had seven or more players post an OPS+ of 105 or better was 2002 (also 7): Abreu, Burrell, Giambi, Ledee, Lieberthal, Polanco, Rolen.
THE VIBES ARE BACK: This season, the Phillies were seven games under .500 at 25-32 (.439 win %) when they entered play on June 3, which was also the one-year anniversary of Rob Thomson’s first game as Phillies manager … Since then, they have gone 22-7 (.759 win %) with a +60-run differential (154-94) and enter tonight a season-best eight games over .500 at 47-39 … When Thomson took over last year on June 3, the Phillies were also seven games under .500 at 22-29 (.431 win %), and in their first 29 games with him as manager (6/3-7/3/22), they went 20-9 (.690 win %) with a +44-run differential (155-111) … Since Thomson was hired on June 3, 2022, the Phillies are 112-85 and their .569 winning percentage ranks 5th in MLB, behind only ATL (.684), LAD (.636), HOU (.613) and BAL (.574) … A win tonight would improve the Phillies to 23-7 over their last 30 games and mark their best 30-game stretch since another 23-7 run from July 29-Sept. 2, 2011.
TONIGHT’S STARTER – ZACK WHEELER RHP #45
2023: 7-4, 4.03 ERA Career: 81-61, 3.47 ERA
LAST START: 7/1 vs WSH (W, 19-4) – 5.0 IP, 7 H, 4 R, 4 ER, HR, 0 BB, 6 SO, 22 batters faced, 85 pitches, 55 strikes … The Phillies defeated the Washington Nationals, 19-4, at Citizens Bank Park in South Philly … The Phillies offense exploded with five doubles, four home runs and five walks as they went 9-for-16 with RISP … Alec Bohm had two home runs, Kyle Schwarber hit a grand slam and every Phillies starter had a hit and scored a run.
TONIGHT’S START:
Keep The Streak Going: Wheeler looks to extend the Phillies’ 12- game road winning streak and his own four-game winning streak (since 5/27) … Over his last seven starts, he is 4-0 with a 3.92 ERA (18 ER, 41.1 IP) with 48 SO to 8 BB (6.00 SO/BB ratio) … The Phillies are 6-1 in his last seven starts.
Wheels Up to Seattle: Wheeler was not selected as a member of the NL All Star team despite ranking 2nd among all pitchers in the NL in fWAR at 3.3 … Zac Gallen leads the NL at 3.4 – Justin Steele ranks 3rd behind Wheeler at 2.7 … Wheeler has a 2.82 FIP which leads the NL and he ranks 6th in BB rate (5.3%), 10th in SO rate
(26.8%)
Luck Be A Ball In Play Today: Wheeler has a 2.82 FIP this season which is lower than his mark last year (2.89) when he posted a 2.82 ERA … This season, Wheeler has a 4.03 ERA and his 1.21 discrepancy between ERA and FIP is the 2nd-largest of any pitcher in MLB (Lance Lynn, 1.21 difference) … Wheeler’s 2.82 FIP ranks 1st in the NL and 2nd among all pitchers in MLB, trailing only Kevin Gausman (2.49 FIP) … Wheeler’s 2.82 FIP would be the second lowest of his career, short of only a 2.59 FIP he posted in 2021 when he finished 2nd in National League Cy Young voting
Vs MIA: 10-4, 2.37 ERA (34 ER, 129.1 IP) in 20 starts … Has only faced the Marlins in Miami one time since joining the Phils (4/17/22) – prior to that, his last appearance in MIA was 8/10/18 with NYM
Whiffs: Wheeler is running a whiff rate of 30% or greater on three different pitches this year: Sweeper (42.9%), 4-seam fastball (31.9%) and Curveball (30.6%)
The Gift That Keeps on Giving: Since he signed with the Phillies as a free agent, Wheeler ranks 1st among all pitchers in MLB in fWAR (since 2020) at 16.6 and he leads Kevin Gausman who ranks 2nd at 15.8 by almost a full win – Corbin Burnes ranks 3rd (15.8), Aaron Nola 4th (14.7) and Sandy Alcantara 5th (12.7)
Statcast Rankings: 97th percentile in extension, 90th percentile in walk rate, 88th percentile in fastball spin & average exit velocity, 84th percentile in barrel rate, 83rd percentile in fastball velocity, 79th percentile in curve spin, 77th percentile in xSLG and 72nd percentile in SO rate
Pitch Usage: 4-seam fastball (40.8%), Slider (17.6%), Sinker (17.2%), Sweeper (12.4%), Curveball (11.9%), Changeup (0.1%) Road
2023: 5-2, 4.00 ERA (20 ER, 45.0 IP), 53 SO, 8 BB in 8 GS
Career: 43-28, 3.52 ERA (244 ER, 624.0 IP), 627 SO, 197 BB in 105 GS
As a Phil: 18-13, 3.69 ERA (96 ER, 234.1 IP), 260 SO, 58 BB in 39 GS
2023 SEASON:
Took a no-hitter into the 8th inning on 6/8 vs DET which was the longest no-hit bid of his career (previous: 6.1 innings on 7/30/13 vs MIA)
Reached 10 years of ML service on Sunday (6/11) vs LAD
Recorded his 18th career double-digit strikeout game and 10th as a Phillie on 5/27 at ATL
Racked up a career-high 23 swings and misses on 4/23 vs COL
Made his 200th career start on 4/23 vs COL
MIAMI MARLINS NOTES:
MARLINS MINUTE
The Marlins today begin the second leg of their homestand and final series before the All-Star Break, with the first of three games against Philadelphia. Are coming off a four-game set vs. St. Louis (3-1). Miami opens the second half with a two-city road trip that begins with three games in Baltimore (July 14-16) before a three-game set in St. Louis (July 17-19).
FISH BYTES
- At 51-38, Miami has set a franchise record for the most wins prior to the All-Star Break. The previous record was 50 wins, done in 2008 (50-45) and 1997 (50-36).
- Is the second-best start to a season through the club’s first 89 games in franchise history.
- The Marlins own the second-best record in the NL, behind only Atlanta, and fifth-best in MLB.
- Have won 9 of their last 14, 22 of 32, and 27 of 41.
HOME IS WHERE THE HEART IS
The Marlins are 28-17 at home this season. Miami ranks 4th in MLB in win percentage at home (.622) this season and is 3rd overall in wins at home. Lost five straight home games from May 2-4 (Braves sweep) and May 12-13 (first two against Cincinnati). Since then, have gone 16-6 including winning 14 of the last 18.
- Own the best record at home through this many games since the team moved to Miami and is tied for the 3rd-best record in Marlins history, behind only 1997 and 2001 (29-16).
WINNING WAYS
Miami sits at 13 G over .500, 1 shy of matching its season-high mark. Marks just the 3rd season the Marlins have been at least 14 games over .500 at any point (also ’97 and ’03).
A GOOD PHIGHT
Miami took their series (2-1) in Philly back in April including the first cycle in Marlins history, by Luis Arraez on April 11 and an extra-innings victory on April 12. The Marlins are 55-46 all-time against the Phillies at loanDepot park.
YESTERDAY’S RECAP
Searching for a four-game sweep vs. St. Louis, the Marlins were blanked in the series finale against the Cardinals, 3-0. RHP Eury Perez allowed just 1 run (solo home run) on 3 hits in 6.0 innings with 7 strikeouts but was charged with his 3rd loss of the season. RHPs Dylan Floro and Jeff Lindgren allowed 1 run each in relief. Miami collected 9 hits but left 10 runners on base. 2B Luis Arraez went 3×5 with 3 singles. RF Jesus Sanchez added a multi-hit game of his own, going 2×4, but struck out and flew out to center in two bases-loaded at bats.
BABY GOAT
RHP Eury Perez tossed at least 5.0 innings and held opponents to 1 or 0 earned runs in 8 of his 11 first Major League starts, tied for the second-most such starts of any pitcher in his first 11 career starts among pitchers to debut since 1901, joining Dwight Gooden in 1984, Jarred Cosart from 2013-14, and Michael Soroka from 2018-19. Is 1 shy of Christy Mathewson’s record of 9 such outings in 1901.
GETTING OFFENSIVE
The Marlins are batting .264 and have collected a total of 796 hits in 2023, both the third-best marks in MLB in their respective categories behind only Texas (.275, 851 H) and Atlanta (.274, 809 H).
- Miami has 10+ hits in 35 games this season which is tied with St. Louis for 2nd in the NL, behind only Atlanta (39).
SOUTH BEACH TANNER
LHP Tanner Scott has set a Marlins record for most strikeouts as a reliever prior to the All-Star Break with 61, beating the previous record held by Kyle Barraclough in 2016 (60). Surpasses his 55 first-half strikeouts in 2022, which ranked fourth in club history.
- His 61 strikeouts lead all National League relievers in 2023, and his 19 outings of 2 or more strikeouts are the most among NL relievers. Both marks rank 4th in MLB.
LA REGADERA
2B Luis Arraez leads MLB with his .388 AVG (124×320), .439 OBP, and 124 hits. Has struck out just 18x in 353 PA, a .051 K/PA, the lowest mark in MLB among qualifiers. • His 35 multi-hit games rank 2nd in MLB (Ronald Acuña Jr. – 36) and is one shy of the club record for most multi-hit games prior to the All-Star Break set by Miguel Cabrera in 2006.
MÁS HISTORIA
With 3 games left before the All-Star Break, we’re keeping an eye on these records:
- 2B Luis Arraez is on pace to post the highest AVG of any Marlins player prior to the All-Star Break. The current record is owned by Luis Castillo, who was hitting .369 at the Break in 2000.
- The Marlins pitching staff, who leads the National League with 840 strikeouts, have also made their mark in the club record books: starters have set a club record with their 492 strikeouts prior to the Break, while relievers have struck out a combined 348 batters, the second-best mark in club history behind only 2018 (365).
ALLOW ME TO INTRODUCE MYSELF
INF/OF Dane Myers has matched a club record, collecting 5 hits through his first 3 career games to join Charles Leblanc (2022), Nick Fortes (2021), Justin Bour (2014), Ed Lucas (2013), Giancarlo Stanton (2010), and Ryan Jackson (1998) as the only seven players in Marlins history to do so.
- Myers, who Miami claimed off waivers from Detroit on Dec. 7, 2022, started the year with Double-A Pensacola but earned a June promotion to Triple-A where he hit .440 (33×75) in 20 G with 2 2B, 6 HR, and a 1.201 OPS.
TODAY’S STARTER – #22 SANDY ALCANTARA
- The reigning NL Cy Young Sandy Alcantara will make his 18th career start against the Philadelphia Phillies tomorrow and 18th start of the season. His 17 career starts against Philadelphia mark his most against any opponent.
- Last faced Philadelphia on April 10 at Citizens Bank Park. Tossed 4.0 innings, allowing a season-high 9 runs on 10 hits with 1 walk and 4 strikeouts.
- In 17 career starts vs. Philadelphia, has gone 6-8 with a 3.79 ERA (107.0/45) and has allowed 104 hits with 97 strikeouts.
- In his most recent start on Sunday, July 2 at Atlanta threw 5.0 innings, allowing 4 runs on 5 hits. Walked 2 batters and struck out 6. Surrendered multiple home runs for the first time this season.
- Is tied for third in MLB with 7 starts of 7.0+ IP (behind SF’s Logan Webb and HOU’s Framber Valdez – 9).
- Has 815.1 IP w/ Marlins (5th on Marlins all-time list behind A.J. Burnett – 853.2). Is just the sixth player with 800+ innings pitched as a Marlin.
- Through 17 starts in 2023 has a 3-7 record, with a 4.93 ERA (107.2/59), 89 SO, and 10 HR. Through 17 starts in 2022 pitched to a 9-3 record, with a 1.82 ERA (123.1/25), 107 SO, and 6 HR.
- Left-handed batters are hitting .259 (52×201) vs. Alcantara in 2023 with 5 home runs and a .730 OPS while right-handed batters are hitting .243 (50×206) with 5 home runs and an .655 OPS.
- In 2022, became the first Cy Young winner in Club history. Won Baseball Digest’s MLB Pitcher of the Year Award.
