TORONTO BLUE JAYS NOTES:
THE LATEST: The Blue Jays snapped their three-game losing skid last night, blanking the Marlins, 2-0, in the middle match of their three-game set…Marked their MLB-leading 10th shutout of the season…Have won an MLB-high 15 games when scoring three runs or fewer this season (2nd: BAL – 11G). Toronto has won four of its last 11 games, but has still gone 11-8 over its last 19 games and 14-10 over the last 24…With a win today, can improve to 14-10-0 in series play this season (7-7-0 on the road) and 5-4 in rubber games.
YUSEI KEY-KUCHI: Yusei Kikuchi faced one batter over the minimum on Tuesday, tossing 6.0 shutout innings with two hits, no walks, and six strikeouts on 87 pitches (57 strikes)… Marked his third scoreless start of the season…Was his fourth career scoreless outing of at least 6.0 frames with two or fewer hits (last: May 16, 2022 vs. SEA)…Lowered his season ERA to 3.97. The 32-year old has allowed two runs or fewer in each of his last five starts, pitching to a 2.81 ERA (8 ER/25.2 IP) and a 1.09 WHIP while holding hitters to a .202 average with nine walks and 29 strikeouts…Is the only Blue Jay starter to pitch into the 5th inning in every one of his outings this season.
THE WORD OF THE DAY IS ‘CLUTCH’: Ernie Clement came off the bench in the 8th inning last night and delivered a single to center, driving in the game’s opening run…Was his 3rd career knock as a pinch hitter (3-for-10) and 2nd career pinch-hit RBI… Also had an RBI sacrifice fly last month on May 25 at TB…Has gone 3-for-7 (.429) with a pair of RBI’s over six games as a Blue Jay. Toronto batters have notched 14 pinch-hit RBI’s this season, the most by the club in a single season since 2018 (19).
GEORGE-GOUS: George Springer drove in the game’s other run last night, following up Clement’s RBI single with one of his own in the 8th inning…Swiped his 12th base of the season three pitches later…The 12 steals are two off his total from last season, and four off his career-high 16 set in 2015…Has hit safely in nine of his last 11 games, batting .333 (14-for-42) with five extra-base hits and four RBI. Since May 19th, the Connecticut native has gone 37- for-119 (.311) with eight doubles, a triple, five home runs, 13 RBI, and 12 walks during his 31 contests… Over that span, ranks T-4th among AL hitters in times on base (50), 6th in total bases (62), 7th in OPS (.900), and 11th in OBP (.379).
ROMANO-MATIC: Jordan Romano earned his 21st save of the season last night, tossing a scoreless 9th inning (1.0IP, H)…Has picked up a save in each of his last 11 appearances (2 ER/11.1 IP)…The 21 saves are tied with Cleveland’s Emmanuel Clase for the most in the Majors. The Markham, ON, native’s 21 saves are the 5th most
before the All-Star break in franchise history…The club’s record for most saves before the All-Star break is 24, set by B.J. Ryan in 2006.
ON THE ROAD AGAIN: The Blue Jays are at the end of a three-city, nine-day road trip (3-5 so far)…Own a 21-22 road record this season for a .488 win% (8th in the AL)…After this trio of games against the Marlins, will have an off-day on Thursday before heading home for a nine-game homestand against the Athletics, Giants, and Red Sox. Blue Jays hitters lead all MLB teams in road hits (396)…Also rank 2nd among AL clubs in road AVG (.262), 3rd in road SLG (.424), 3rd in road OPS (.749), and 4th in road OBP (.325)…The pitching staff ranks 11th in the AL in road ERA (4.53), 14th in road opponents’ AVG (.267), and 14th in road WHIP (1.40).
INTERTAINMENT: Toronto is playing its 7th interleague series of the year…Has gone 13-6 vs. NL clubs so far…The .684 win% is 3rd best among MLB teams (MIA – .739, NYY – .706)…Led the AL with 13 interleague wins last season, which was one off the franchise’s alltime single-season record (14 in 2021)…Since the beginning of the 2021 campaign, Toronto’s .678 win% in Interleague Play (40-19) is the best among all MLB clubs (2nd: TB – .656). The Blue Jays have hit 661 home runs all-time in Interleague Play, the most among all 30 teams (2nd: NYY – 635).
HITTING IT: The Blue Jays have notched 678 hits this season, behind only Texas (698) for the most in the Majors… Are currently 4th in the AL in team AVG (.262), 5th in OBP (.329), 6th in SLG (.415), 6th in OPS (.744), and 6th in extra-base hits (224). Toronto’s offence has racked up 10+ hits on 27 occasions this season, the 6th-most among AL teams…Since 2021, the Blue Jays have 165 doubledigit hit games, 13 more than the next closest Major League club (BOS – 152).
ALL GAUS, NO BRAKES: Kevin Gausman makes his 16th start of the year today…His 121 strikeouts lead the AL, trailing only Spencer Strider (136) for the most in MLB.
Among AL pitchers, is currently 1st in SO/9 (11.75) and K rate (32.2%), 3rd in FIP (2.70), 5th in innings pitched (92.2), and 9th in ERA (3.01).
VS. THE MARLINS: All-Time: 18-22
2023: 1-1 Road: 10-11
Road: 1-1 loanDepot Park: 8-4
The Blue Jays last met the Marlins in 2021, sweeping both two-game series in Toronto and Miami…Have won six of the last seven meetings between these teams, surrendering just a single run or fewer on five occasions…Are 14-5 over the last 19 games vs. MIA.
Vladimir Guerrero Jr. hit safely in all four games against the Marlins in 2021, going 8-for-15 (.533) with a double, a triple, a home run, and four RBI (1.522 OPS)…Has met Miami 10 times in his career, batting .351 (13-for-37) with five extra-base hits and five RBI for a .385 OBP and a 1.006 OPS.
Bo Bichette has met Miami eight times in his career, going 13-for-32 (.406) with a triple, two homers, and seven RBI…Recorded his first of three career five-hit games on Aug. 12, 2020 vs. MIA, going a perfect 5-for-5 with a solo homer and a walk.
Kevin Kiermaier owns a .794 OPS vs. MIA in 36 career meetings, notching nine doubles, two triples, four homers, and 16 RBI…Hit a leadoff, inside-the-park home run on the 1st pitch vs. MIA last season on May 24th…Became the 3rd player since pitch-tracking data was available (1988) to do so (Span on Aug 19, 2017 vs. PHI & Buxton on Oct 2, 2016 at CHW).
STARTING PITCHER – Kevin Gausman, RHP #34
TODAY’S GAME:
Making his 16th start of the season and his 9th on the road…Won his 6th game of the year his last time out, on 6/16 at TEX, throwing 6.0 frames of one-run ball (4H, 2BB, 4K). His 121 strikeouts are the most ever by a Blue Jay in their first 15 outings of a season (2nd: Roger Clemens/Robbie Ray – 113), and are the most in the AL in 2023 (2nd: Pablo López – 110K). Owns a 2.79 FIP since the start of the 2020 season, the 2nd-best mark among qualified hurlers (1st: Corbin Burnes – 2.76).
2023 HIGHLIGHTS:
Took a no-decision on 6/11 vs. MIN, giving up 6 runs on 7 hits and 4 walks over 4.2 innings with 4 strikeouts. Pitched 7.0 frames of one-run ball on 6/6 vs. HOU, scattering 4 hits with no walks and a career-high-tying 13 strikeouts (also: 13K on 4/29/23 vs. SEA)…Became the 4th player (8th time) in franchise history to punch out at least 13 batters without any walks in a single game (last: José Berríos on 7/12/22 vs. PHI). Tossed 6.2 frames of shutout ball on 6/1 vs. MIL, scattering 5 hits and a pair of walks with 11 strikeouts…Was his 5th start with double-digit punchouts this year. Took a no-decision on 5/21 vs. BAL, tossing 8.0 frames of two-run ball on a season-high 115 pitches (6H, 2BB, 4K)…Matched his longest outing of the year (8.0IP on 4/12 vs. DET). Gave up 3R/2ER runs on 5/16 vs. NYY, surrendering 5 hits and 2 walks over 7.0 innings with 10 strikeouts on 102 pitches (63 strikes)…Marked his 7th quality start of the year, and his 4th with double-digit punchouts. Tossed 6.0 shutout innings on 5/10 at PHI, giving up 3 hits with no walks and 9 strikeouts…Was his 6th quality start of the year, and his 5th outing with no earned runs. Tossed 7.0 shutout innings on 4/29 vs. SEA, giving up 5 hits with a walk and a career-high 13 strikeouts…Threw a season-high 108 pitches (74 strikes) while inducing a career-high 28 swing-and-misses…Got 20 whiffs on his splitter alone, the most on a single pitch in the Majors this season, and the most on a splitter in the pitch-tracking era (since 2008). Took a no-decision on 4/12 vs. DET, giving up 3 runs on 5 hits over a season-high 8.0 innings with no walks and 11 strikeouts, his most as a Blue Jay…Surrendered a solo home run to Nick Maton with one out in the 4th inning, ending his streak of 15.1 innings without allowing an earned run, the longest stretch to begin a season in franchise history (2nd: Matt Shoemaker – 14.0 IP in 2019).
MIAMI MARLINS NOTES:
MARLINS MINUTE
The Marlins today conclude a 3-game series with the rubber match against the Toronto Blue Jays. Following this series, Miami will host the Pittsburgh Pirates for a 4-game set (June 22-25). The Marlins are coming off a 3-city, 9-game, 11-day road trip, which saw the club take 2 of 3 from the White Sox, drop 2 of 3 against the Mariners, and finish the trip with a sweep at the Nationals in a 3-game set.
FISH BYTES
- Miami ranks 3rd in the NL in win percentage at home (.611, 22-14) this season and is tied for 3rd in wins at home.
- The Marlins have won 12 of their last 15 games at loanDepot park.
- With a 13-5 record in June, Miami is tied for the 2nd-most wins in MLB this month behind only Atlanta.
- The Marlins are looking to win their third consecutive home series (OAK and KC).
- Miami has the 3rd-best record in the NL following a loss (17-14).
UP THE RANKS
At 42-32, Miami has its second-best start to a season through the club’s first 74 games in franchise history, behind the 1997 World Series team. See chart to right for the top starts.
- The Marlins currently own the third-best record in the NL, behind only Atlanta and Arizona.
YESTERDAY’S RECAP
The Marlins were shut out 2-0 by Toronto on Tuesday night, taking their fourth shutout loss of the season. RHP Eury Perez matched his career-high with 6.0 scoreless innings and also set a career high with 9 strikeouts in his fourth scoreless outing of the year. Miami recorded 6 hits, including multi-hit efforts by C Nick Fortes (2×3, 1 2B) and LF Bryan De La Cruz (2×4, 1 2B). LHP Tanner Scott (4-2) was taxed with the loss, allowing 2 runs on 3 hits in 0.2 innings of work.
BABY GOAT
RHP Eury Perez lowered his ERA to 1.54 with his career-high matching 6.0 inning scoreless start last night, good for the lowest in club history through a player’s first 8 career starts. RHP Josh Beckett previously held the record, with a 2.03 ERA (48.2/11) in his first 8 starts in 2001. Perez is the 9th pitcher in the Expansion Era (since 1961) to post an ERA of 1.60 or lower through 8 career starts.
- His 1.54 ERA is the third-lowest for a pitcher Eury’s age or younger (20-066) since 1913, when ERA became an official MLB statistic, trailing only Jack Bentley’s 1.11 ERA from 1913-14 and Frank Shellenback’s 1.41 ERA in 1918
- Among NL rookie pitchers this season (min. 30.0 IP), Perez owns the lowest ERA and ranks second in wins (4).
- Has allowed just 1 ER over his last 5 starts (27.0 IP), the best mark in MLB over this span.
LA REGADERA
2B Luis Arraez leads MLB with his .398 AVG (103×259), .448 OBP, and 103 hits, and ranks 6th with his .934 OPS. Also leads MLB with 30 multi-hit games, including an MLB-most five 4+ hit games. Has struck out just 15 times in 286 PA (.053 K/PA), the lowest mark in MLB among qualifiers.
- Recorded 102 hits through his first 67 games, becoming the second-quickest Marlin to reach the 100-hit plateau behind only Dee Strange-Gordon who did so in 65 games in 2015. His .398 AVG is the highest through a player’s first 68 games in club history.
- The last player to post an AVG of .390 or higher through his first 68 games was Chipper Jones in 2008.
- Joins Ty Cobb in 1922 as the only players in the Modern Era to record three 5-hit games in a 15-game span (courtesy of OPTA Stats).
- Becomes first player in MLB to record three 5-hit games in a season since Ender Inciarte did so in 2017 with Atlanta. Only four players have recorded four 5-hit games in a season, the last being Ichiro Suzuki in 2004. Sets club record for most 5-hit games in a season; Juan Pierre had two 5-hit games in 2005.
SANDY STOPPER
RHP Sandy Alcantara has gone 2-1 with a 2.68 ERA (43.2 IP/13 ER) in 6 starts this year following a Marlins loss. Owns a 7.55 ERA (39.1 IP/33 ER) and 0-4 record in 7
starts following a Marlins win.
- Alcantara has made 55 starts of 7.0 innings or more dating back to 2018, the 5th-most by a Marlin ahead of Ryan Dempster (54) and behind Josh Johnson (57) for 4th-most.
INTER-STELLAR
The Marlins are 17-6 (.739) in Interleague play this year, marking the highest winning pct. among MLB teams in such games. The second-best mark in Interleague action is held by New York-AL at 12-5 (.706). Miami’s winning percentage this year is the second-best in club history, behind the 1997 team that went 12-3 (.800). Heading into this season, the Marlins owned a 103-148 record in Interleague play dating back to 2010, which ranked as the worst in MLB.
FLASHBACK FRIDAY
The Marlins this weekend will continue their 30th anniversary celebration with their next Flashback Friday when the club hosts Marlins alumni Robb Nen and Preston Wilson. Nen, the Marlins’ all-time save leader, and Wilson, who leads multiple categories for all Marlins’ centerfielders, will be available for pictures with fans in the Marlins Museum presented by Fanatics at 5:45 p.m.
AN APPLE A DAY
Friday night’s 6:40 p.m. game vs. Pittsburgh will air exclusively on Apple TV+. Fans can access the game through the Apple TV app or by visiting tv.apple.com. The Marlins will offer a 2-month free trial of Apple TV+ – fans can redeem at: http://apple.co/mlbgift.
PODER SOLER
DH/OF Jorge Soler ranks t-3rd in MLB with 21 home runs this season and leads all of MLB with 11 go-ahead home runs. Is 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.
TODAY’S STARTER – #22 SANDY ALACANTARA
- The reigning NL Cy Young Sandy Alcantara will make his third career start against the Toronto Blue Jays today. Will mark his 15th start of the season.
- In last outing vs. TOR (June 22, 2021), pitched 8.0 innings allowing just 1 run on 5 hits with 1 walk. Struck out 3.
- In 3 starts vs. Interleague teams this season, has gone 1-0, with a 2.35 ERA (23.0/6) and 16 SO.
- In his most recent start on Friday, June 16 at WSH, went 5.1 innings allowing 5 runs on 10 hits with 1 strikeout. In the previous start on Saturday, June 10 at CWS, went 7.0 innings, allowing just 1 run on 3 hits with 4 strikeouts.
- In 14 starts this season has gone at least 7.0 innings five times, tied for the 3rd-most such starts in the National League behind SF’s Logan Webb (8) and Alex Cobb (6).
- Has 796.1 IP w/ Marlins (6th on Marlins all-time list behind B. Penny – 807.2). Needs 3.2 IP to become just the sixth player with 800+ innings pitched as a Marlin. Has 124 starts with the Marlins; ranks 8th on Marlins all-time GS list behind A.J. Burnett – 131.
- Since the start of the 2022 season, has gone 6-7 with a 3.67 ERA (149.2 IP/61 ER) and 130 strikeouts in 23 starts away, while posting a 10-7 record with a 2.47 ERA (167.2 IP/46 ER) with 149 strikeouts in 23 starts at home.
- Alcantara’s fourth career shutout on April 4th 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 regular season (Dontrelle Willis and Josh Beckett, 2005 and Brad Penny, 2002).
