Tuesday, April 7, 2026
Mikey Balhan Sports
Home Blog Page 2624

MLB Preview: Oakland Athletics (15-50) at Milwaukee Brewers (34-30)

MLB Editor
-
0
MLB Preview: Oakland Athletics (15-50) at Milwaukee Brewers (34-30)

OAKLAND ATHLETICS NOTES:

ABOUT THE A’S: Beat the Brewers last night by a score of 5-2 to win their third game in a row for the first time this season…have not won more than three straight since winning the final four games last year and the first game this year…won the three-game series at Pittsburgh and have won two of the last three series after winning just one of the first 17…are 5-5 (.500) over the last 10 games and are 7-24 (.25) over the last 31…are 15-50 (.219) overall, which is tied for the fourth worst record by and AL, NL or FL team since 1900…were swept in a three-game series at Miami last weekend and have been swept nine times.

OFFENSE: The A’s scored five runs on six hits and seven walks last night and collected a season-high tying 17 hits on Wednesday at Pittsburgh (also May 5 at Kansas City) and added eight walks for a season-high 25 times on base… have 25 runs and 38 hits over the last three games and are batting .244 (65- for-244) with 35 runs scored in seven games in June after hitting .208 with 87 runs in 29 games in May…overall, have the second lowest OPS (.664), batting average (.224) and slugging percentage (.358) in the majors and the sixth lowest on-base percentage (.306)…rank second in fewest runs (235) and extra base hits (159), are fourth in fewest doubles (90), fifth in most strikeouts (597) and ninth in fewest home runs (62)…lead the majors in hit by pitches (39) and are tied for third in sacrifice hits (12)…have been shut out eight times, which is tied for the most in the majors…A’s pinch hitters lead the majors in hits (15), are tied for the lead in walks (10) and tied for fourth in plate appearances (66).

PITCHING: The A’s have a 6.50 ERA, which is the highest in the majors…according to the Elias Sports Bureau, the highest ERA by an AL or NL team since the earned run became an official stat is 6.70 by the 1930 Philadelphia Phillies…also have the highest opponents OPS (.850), batting average (.276), on-base percentage (.368) and slugging percentage (.482) in the majors this year…lead the majors in most walks (301), home runs (102) and hit batters (43), have the second most wild pitches (33) and the fourth fewest strikeouts (488)…have surrendered six grand slams, which are the most in the majors and tied for fifth most in a season in Athletics history (8 in 1993 and 1999, 7 in 1954 and 1997)…also lead the majors with 13 walks with the bases loaded, which is the most by an A’s team since 2012 (13).

STARTING PITCHING: Luis Medina earned the win last night but he was not the starter, following opener Sam Moll…starting pitchers picked up the win in each of the two previous games, marking just the second time this year they have done that (May 5-6 at Kansas City)…went 2-32 over the first 62 games and are 4-32 with a 6.94 ERA for the season…the ERA is the highest in the majors and no other team has fewer than nine wins from its starters… the fewest wins from a starting rotation in a full season in Major League history is 21 by the Pirates last year…A’s starters have the fewest innings pitched this year (298.1).

THE BULLPEN: Trevor May recorded the save last night, his second of the season…also earned the save on Wednesday, snapping a 29-game streak without a save…that was the second longest single-season streak by an A’s team since the save became an official stat in 1969…it fell one short of the record of 30 (June 1-July 2, 1980)…the save was the A’s first since May 6 at Kansas City and the pen is 6-for-17 (35.3%) in save opportunities for the season…the A’s bullpen has the lowest save percentage and fewest saves in the majors and the 11 blown saves are 10th most…has the highest ERA in the majors (6.01) and the second most innings pitched (269.2)…has allowed 50-of-120 (41.7%) inherited runners to score, which is the fourth highest percentage… have the fourth most inherited runners.

ON THE BASES: The A’s are 62-for-77 (80.5%) in stolen base attempts…rank fourth in the majors in stolen base attempts and tied for fourth in stolen bases…opponents are 50-for-69 (72.5%), which is the sixth lowest success rate in the majors…the 18 caught stealings are second most…A’s pitchers are tied for second in the majors in pickoffs (6).

HOME AND AWAY: The A’s are 3-4 on this nine-game road trip to Miami (0- 3), Pittsburgh (2-1) and Milwaukee (1-0)…the win on Tuesday at Pittsburgh snapped a 15-game road losing streak, which matched the longest in Oakland history (May 24-June 23, 1986)…this is the first of two three-city road trips this year…went 0-7 on the last road trip to Houston (0-3) and Seattle (0-4) and are 8-26 (.235) on the road, which is the worst road record in the majors…return home following the game Sunday for a seven-game homestand against Tampa Bay (four games) and Philadelphia (three games)…went 2-4 on the last homestand against Houston (0-3) and Atlanta (2-1) and are 7-24 (.226) at home, which is the lowest home winning percentage in the majors…have compiled a 5.71 ERA at home compared to 7.30 (228 er in 281.0 ip) on the road.

DEFENSIVE DOINGS: The A’s have committed just two errors over the last 11 games but have 37 for the season, which is tied for seventh most in the majors…are tied with the Rangers for the most outfield assists (13).

WINNING LATE: The A’s have scored the winning run in their final at bat in eight of their 15 victories…have five walk-off wins, which is tied for the most in the majors…are 9-46 when tied or trailing after seven innings compared to 6-4 when leading after seven innings…only Atlanta (11) has more wins when tied or trailing after seven and no other team has fewer than 14 wins when leading after seven…are 3-4 (.429) in extra inning games…are tied for third in the majors in extra inning losses, tied for seventh in games (7) and tied for eighth in wins.

RUN DIFFERENTIAL: The A’s have a run differential of +16 over the last three games and are +2 over the last 10 games…are -197 for the season, which is the lowest in the majors…had a run differential of -202 all last year, which was second lowest in Oakland history (-287 in 1979)…are 8-11 (.421) in one-run games…are tied for sixth in the majors in one-run losses and tied for eighth in games (19)…are 7-39 (.152) in games decided by two or more runs, including 1-14 in games decided by six or more runs.

THIS AND THAT: The A’s are 13-25 (.342) in night games, 2-25 (.074) in day games…are 13-11 when scoring four or more runs, 2-39 when scoring fewer than four runs…have employed 45 players, which is the most in the majors (Brewers, 44)…have used 29 pitchers, which is second most (Rays, 30)…have used 12 rookies and seven players have made their Major League debuts… have used the injured list 15 times, including 11 times for pitchers…currently have seven players on the IL, including six pitchers…have an average time of game of 2:45, which is the longest in the majors…however, have not averaged under 2:53 per game since 2010 (2:43).

A’s IN MAY: The A’s went 6-23 (.207) in May after going 5-23 (.179) in April… both records were the worst in the majors…set an Athletics record for losses in May after matched the A’s total from April this year for second most in any month in Oakland history (24 in June, 1979)…the May winning percentage was second lowest in May in Athletics history (4-17, .190 in 1919)…compiled a 5.54 ERA in May after posting a 7.97 ERA in April, both of which were the highest in the majors…surrendered 49 home runs, which are second most in any month in Oakland history (50 in April, 2023)…batted .208, which was the lowest mark in the majors and second lowest for any month in Athletics history (.207 in Aug. 1906).

THE INJURED LIST: The A’s have used the injured list 13 times, including nine times for pitchers…currently have seven players on the IL,
including six pitchers…have added eight players to the IL since the start of the season after beginning the year with five players…used the IL 31 times last year, which broke the Oakland record of 27 set in 2016 and matched in 2021.

A’S VS. BREWERS

  • The A’s travel to Milwaukee for the first time since 2016 when they were swept in a two-game series…the only other time the two clubs played in this ballpark was in 2013 when Oakland won two of three.
  • Last met in 2019 when the A’s won two of three in Oakland.
  • Are 8-5 in four seasons series since the Brewers moved to the National League.

Year Home Road Totals
2023 0-0 0-0 1-0
2019 2-1 0-0 2-1
A’s vs. Brewers: 182-159
at the Coliseum (since 1970): 106-66
at American Family Field: 3-3
A’s vs. Brewers/Pilots: 195-164

TODAY’S TIDBITS
Ramón Laureano has hit safely in each of his last 10 games (12-for-34, .352)…Ryan Noda leads Major League rookies in on-base percentage (.410)
and walks (43), ranks second in OPS (.872) and fifth in runs (33)…Esteury Ruiz leads ML rookies in stolen bases (30) and hit by pitches (12), is third in hits (66) and tied for fifth in doubles (14).

TODAY’S STARTING PITCHER: Paul Blackburn (0-0, 6.00 ERA)
FOR STARTERS: Was reinstated from the injured list May 29 and is scheduled to make his third start of the season…began the year on the 15-day IL with a right middle fingernail avulsion…made three rehab starts with Single-A Stockton and Triple-A Las Vegas from April 7-16 before his rehab assignment was halted…resumed on May 14 and made three more starts with the Aviators…had no decisions, a 7.50 ERA and 1.012 OPS in six rehab starts overall.

LAST START: He had his second consecutive no decision in the A’s 7-5 loss at Miami on Sunday…allowed a RBI double to Gurriel in the second inning but the A’s came back with five runs in the third…he yielded a sacrifice fly to Stallings in the fourth to make the score 5-2 and then surrendered a game-tying three home run to Cooper in the fifth…was relieved by Waldichuk to start the fifth with the scored tied 5-5.

HOME AND AWAY: Was 6-1 with a 2.12 ERA and .611 OPS in 13 starts on the road compared to 1-5 with an 8.31 ERA and .975 OPS in eight starts at
home…had the highest home ERA in Oakland history among pitchers with 30 or more innings at home…the previous high was 7.46 by Mark Redman in
76.0 innings in 2004…using the same minimum, he had the highest home ERA in the majors in 2022…his road ERA was fourth lowest in the AL among pitchers with at least 70.0 road innings…yielded nine home runs in 39.0 innings in Oakland, six in 72.1 innings on the road…is now 9-8 with a 4.07 ERA and .747 OPS in 29 career games on the road, 4-9 with a 6.53 ERA and .846 OPS in 24 games at home.

OPPONENTS BATTING: Had a .255 opponents batting average, which broke down to .250 (52-for-208) with a .739 OPS against right-handed hitters compared to .260 (21-for-223) with a .764 OPS against left-handers…allowed a .302 average with runners on base, but that dropped to .242 with runners in scoring position…had a .328 career opponents average with RISP entering the season…had a .297 opponents batting average and .880 OPS against the opponents’ one through four hitters, a .216 average and .631 OPS against the five through nine hitters…his career splits are .308 with an .875 OPS against 1-4, .257 with a .710 OPS against 5-9…had a .238 opponents average the first time through the order, .254 the second time and .293 after that… held the opposition to a .134 batting average with two strikes.

MILWAUKEE BREWERS NOTES:

It’s Been A-ges
The Brewers are hosting the Athletics at American Family Field for just the third time (2013, ’16 and ’23)…..the Brewers are 3-3 all-time here against Oakland…..Milwaukee swept a 2-game series from the A’s at home in 2016.

Field of Wiems
Joey Wiemer had his career-high 9-game hitting streak snapped last night, but he extended his on-base streak to a career-best 10 games by
drawing a walk…..during the on-base streak, Wiemer is batting .412 (14-for34) with 3 HR and 9 RBI.

The Joey Show
Among players with at least 30 plate appearances in June, Joey Wiemer ranks among Major League leaders in the following categories:

Category MLB Rank
OPS (1.333)…………………………………….2nd
SLG (.833)………………………………………2nd
OBP (.500)…………………………………… T3rd
2B (4)……………………………………………. T3rd
Hits (12)………………………………………….T5th
AVG (.400)………………………………………6th
HR (3)……………………………………………. T6th
Runs (6)……………………………………….. T6th
RBI (9)…………………………………………… T6th

Four Goodness Sake!
The Brewers are a Major League-best 30-4 (.882) when scoring at least 4 runs in a game.

One and Done
The Brewers are 10-3 (.769) in 1-run games, the best winning percentage in the Majors.

Sealing The Deal
The Brewers are 34-0 when leading (28-0) or tied (6-0) after 8 innings.

Devinly Body
Devin Williams has gone 10-for-10 in save opportunities…..he is unscored upon in 19 of his 20 outings, posting a 0.44 ERA…..opponents are batting just .114 (8-for-70, 1hr) and he has a 0.82 WHIP with 28 K in 20.2 innings

TODAY’S GAME: Is game 5 (2-2) of a 6-game homestand against Baltimore (2-1) and Oakland (0-1)…..following this homestand and an off day on Monday, the team takes a 2-game trip to Minnesota…..their next homestand covers 6 games from June 16-21 against Pittsburgh (3g) and Arizona (3g).

IN THE TRAINER’S ROOM: RHP Jason Alexander (right rotator cuff), LHP Aaron Ashby (left labrum), RHP JB Bukauskas (neck), RHP Matt Bush (right rotator cuff), RHP Jake Cousins (right shoulder), LHP Eric Lauer (right shoulder), LHP Wade Miley (left lat), OF Garrett Mitchell (left shoulder), 1B Darin Ruf (right knee), LHP Bennett Sousa (left shoulder), OF Tyrone Taylor (right elbow), LHP Justin Wilson (left elbow), OF Jesse Winker (neck) and RHP Brandon Woodruff (right shoulder) are on the injured list….. Alexander, Ashby, Mitchell, Ruf, Wilson and Woodruff are on the 60-day IL.

SERIES-LY SPEAKING: The Brewers are 10-10-0 in series play
Game 1: 9-12, Game 2: 13-7, Game 3: 10-10, Game 4: 2-1
Sweep Wins (3): vs. NYM (3g, 4/3-4/5), at SEA (3g, 4/17-4/19), vs. KC (3g, 5/12-5/14)
Sweep Losses (1): at COL (3g, 5/2-5/4)

AT HOME: The Brewers are 18-14 at home, going 6-4-0 in series play…..the team went 46-35 at home last season, going 15-8-4 in series play.

ON THE ROAD: The Brewers are 16-16 on the road, going 4-6-0 in series play…..the team went 40-41 on the road last season, going 9-12-5 in series play.

TODAY’S STARTER: #49 – RHP JULIO TEHERAN (3gs, 1-2, 1.56)

TEHERAN AT A GLANCE: Julio Teheran, 32, will be making his fourth start…..he last started on Monday at Cincinnati in a 2-0 loss (6.1ip, 6h, 2r, 2er, 1bb, 5k, 2hr, 86 pitches)…..he has 2 quality starts…..opponents are batting .222 (14-for-63, 2hr)…..he signed with Milwaukee as a free agent on May 25 after opting out of his contract with San Diego on May 22…..after pitching in the Atlantic League and Mexican League last season, he signed with San Diego in December as a non-roster invitee…..Teheran went 4-2 with a 5.63 ERA in 8 starts at Triple-A El Paso this season (40ip, 51h, 26r, 25er, 16bb, 45k, 7hr)…..he was born and resides in Cartagena, Colombia…..name is pronounced “teh-RON.”

WELCOME BACK: Prior to his Brewers debut on 5/25 vs. San Francisco, Teheran had not pitched in the majors since a start and win with Detroit on 4/3/21 vs. Cleveland.

LAST SEASON: Teheran began his 2022 season with the Staten Island FerryHawks of the independent Atlantic League and went 1-1 with a 1.60 ERA in 6 starts…..he held opponents to a .198 batting average with 35 strikeouts in 33.2 innings…..he then pitched in the Mexican League for Toros de Tijuana (6gs) and Sultanes de Monterrey (1gs), going a combined 4-2 with a 4.41 ERA in 7 starts…..he had 35 strikeouts in 32.2 innings in the Mexican League.

CAREER: Is 79-79 with a 3.78 ERA in 243 games/239 starts (1413.2ip, 593er)…..is in his 12th Major League season with Atlanta (2011-19), Los Angeles-AL (2020), Detroit (2021) and Milwaukee (2023)…..the two-time All-Star (2014 and 2016) made 30+ starts in seven consecutive seasons from 2013-19…..he was the Braves’ Opening Day starter in six straight seasons from 2014-19.

CAREER AT AMERICAN FAMILY FIELD: Is 0-3 with a 2.96 ERA in 4 starts (24.1ip, 8er)…..is 0-1 with a 1.80 ERA in 1 start this season (5ip, 1er).

CAREER ON THE ROAD: Is 41-42 with a 3.90 ERA in 116 games/114 starts (677.2ip, 294er)…..is 1-1 with a 1.46 ERA in 2 starts this season (12.1ip, 2er).

CAREER vs. ATHLETICS: Is 1-0 with a 5.65 ERA in 3 starts (14.1ip, 12h, 9r, 9er, 9bb, 10k, 4hr), coming in 2014, 2017 with the Braves and 2020 with the Angels.

MLB Preview: Minnesota Twins (32-32) at Toronto Blue Jays (36-29)

MLB Editor
-
0
MLB Preview: Minnesota Twins (32-32) at Toronto Blue Jays (36-29)

MINNESOTA TWINS NOTES:

THE TWINS: Have gone 1-3 through four games on their current six-game roadtrip, getting swept in three games by the Rays this week, followed by a win in Toronto last night…today, the Twins will continue the trip with the second of three at Rogers Centre against the Blue Jays…after tomorrow afternoon’s series finale, the Twins will travel home to enjoy an off-day on Monday before beginning a 10-game homestand with two against the Brewers (June 13-14), four against the Tigers (June 15-18) and four against the Red Sox (June 19-22)…the Twins have gone 18-14 at home and 14-18 on the road.

EXCITING FINISH IN THE SIX: The Twins beat the Blue Jays last night at Rogers Centre by a score of 3-2 in 10 innings, making them 6-3 in extras this season…Sonny Gray was the starter but did not factor into the decision, allowing one run on five hits in 5.0 innings pitched…Jhoan Duran (2-2) pitched 2.0 scoreless innings of relief and earned the win…Duran stranded six runners in the outing, leaving the bases full of Jays in the ninth inning and leaving two men on in the 10th inning, all while throwing a season-high 38 pitches (2 short of his career-high of 40, done July 16, 2022 vs. CWS)…the offense recorded seven hits, four from Royce Lewis (all singles)…Michael A. Taylor added his ninth home run of the season and drove in all three of Minnesota’s runs.

TWINS GET CANADIAN: The Twins have placed infielder Jorge Polanco on the 10-day Injured List with a left hamstring strain…Polanco, who was reinstated from the IL on June 1 after missing 12 games with the same in-jury, recently appeared in seven games for the Twins, going 3-for-25 with two doubles, one home run, two RBI, one walk and one run scored…to replace Polanco on the 26-man roster, the Twins have recalled infielder Edouard Julien from Triple-A St. Paul…during his most recent stint with the Saints, Julien hit .320 (8-for-25) with three doubles, one home run, 11 RBI, five walks, a .406 on-base percentage and a .966 OPS in seven games from June 2-8…the Québec City, Canada native has played in 19 games over two stints with the Twins earlier this season, combining to hit .226 (14-for-62) with two doubles, four home runs, eight RBI, seven walks, eight runs scored and a .310 on-base percentage.

TWINS-JAYS: The Twins and Blue Jays are playing each other for the fourth of six scheduled meetings this season…Twins are 2-2 vs. the Jays this season…entering this season, the Twins have won the season series over Toronto four-straight seasons (4-3 in 2017, 4-2 in 2018, 4-3 in 2019 and 4-3 in 2022)…Minnesota will have to win the final two games to keep the streak alive.

The Twins have gone just 35-51 vs. the Jays since 2010…from 2010-16 they were 14-34, but have gone 21-17 since 2017.

Carlos Correa is hitting .309 (30-for-97) with four doubles, six home runs, 19 RBI and a .927 OPS in 25 career regular season games vs. the Jays…has reached safely in 10 straight vs. Toronto and in 23 of his 25 career games.

O CANADA: Twins are 53-79 all-time at Rogers Centre…they have won 11 of their last 14 games in Toronto…Minnesota is 7-3 at Rogers under Rocco Baldelli.

Carlos Correa is hitting .389 (14-for-36) with two doubles, three home runs, 12 RBI, a .463 on-base percentage, a .694 slugging percentage and a 1.158 OPS in nine career regular season games at Rogers Centre…his OPS and average are his most in any AL ballpark…he has reached base in all nine games here.

ADID YOU KNOW?: Manager Rocco Baldelli homered in his first career game at Rogers Centre on May 13, 2003, a solo shot off Trever Miller, while playing for the Devil Rays…he hit safely in each of his first 11 games at the Rogers Centre from May 13, 2003-June 22, 2004.

POUTINE POP: The Twins have homered in 15-straight games at Rogers Centre, hitting 32 total homers in those 15…below are the longest home run streaks in an opposing park in Twins history (since 1961):

BALLPARK DATES STREAK
Kauffman Stadium………………………July 30, 1998-August 25, 2001………………………………………….21
Rogers Centre ……………………………….August 26, 2017-present ……………………………………………..15
Progressive Field ……………………….. August 26, 2020-June 29, 2022 …………………………………………15
Guaranteed Rate Field……………………April 8, 2017-June 26, 2018 ……………………………………………14

LAND OF 10,000 RAKES: The Twins have homered 81 times this season, fifth most in the AL, trailing Tampa Bay (110), New York (100), Los Angeles (88) and Texas (82)…Twins are 26-18 when they homer at least once in a game and 18-6 when they homer at least twice.

Speaking of 10,000 rakes, did you know that Bally Sports North analyst Trevor Plouffe hit the 10,000th home run in Twins/Senators franchise history (since 1901)…Plouffe hit a solo shot off Miguel Gonzalez on August 29, 2014 at Oriole Park in a Twins 9-1 defeat…two days later, Plouffe hit the 1,001st homer in franchise history, a two-run shot off Wei-Yin Chen.

ROYCE MAKING NOISE: After going 4-for-4 last night, Royce Lewis is now hitting .393 (11-for- 28) with three doubles, two home runs, six RBI, six runs scored, a .714 slugging percentage and a 1.128 OPS in six career road games at the major league level, hitting safely in all six.

Last night, Lewis joined Matt Wallner (5/27 vs. TOR) as the second Twins rookie with a four-hit game this season…they join Cincinnati’s Matt McLain and Spencer Steer, and Los Angeles-NL’s James Outman and Miguel Vargas as the only pair of rookies from one team with a four-hit game this season.

I’LL TAKE OBP FOR 400, ALEX: Alex Kirilloff has reached base safely in 24 of his last 47 plate appearances since May 27, posting an on-base percentage of .511 in that span…since that date, he has 12 hits, 10 walks and two hit-by-pitch…in 30 games for the Twins, he has posted a .432 on-base percentage, which leads the AL among players with a minimum of 100 plate appearances.

TAYLOR MADE: Michael A. Taylor is hitting .333 (8-for-24) with three doubles, three home runs, six RBI, six runs scored, two walks, four stolen bases, a .370 on-base percentage, an .833 slugging percentage and a 1.204 OPS in his last nine games.

Taylor’s nine home runs lead all active players on the Twins, with Joey Gallo (11) and Byron Buxton (10) both on the 10-day Injured List.

Taylor has played in 58 of 64 games for the Twins this season, leading the club in games played, ahead of Carlos Correa’s 54…Taylor ranks tied for fifth in the AL in games played (57) in centerfield and tied for seventh-most in baseball.

STARTING PITCHER – JOE RYAN #41
2023: 7-3, 2.76 ERA CAREER: 22-12, 3.38 ERA

Making his 13th start and appearance of 2023 and his eighth road start of the year…also his 45th career start and appearance.

Facing Toronto for the first time in his career; Blue Jays will become 18th different team he has faced in the majors…is 5-7, 5.04 ERA (85.2 IP, 48 ER) in 17 career starts against new opponents.

Owns most strikeouts (261) and second-most wins (22) through a pitcher’s first 44 career games in Twins history (since 1961).

LAST TIME OUT: Lost his second-straight start on June 4 vs. Cleveland at Target Field in a 2-1 Twins defeat; went 6.2 innings, allowing two runs on two hits, with one walk and four strikeouts…retired 19 of the first 20 batters he faced, allowing only an infield single to rightfielder Will Brennan in the top of the third inning and facing the minimum through 6.2 innings…issued a two-out walk to third baseman José Ramírez in the top of the seventh inning, then allowed an RBI double to designated hitter Josh Naylor to end his outing…was relieved by Caleb Thielbar, who allowed one inherited runner to score…Minnesota fell in the series finale despite outhitting the Guardians five to three and split the four-game series two games to two.

Marked just the second time in his career in which he lost back-to-back starts, also taking the loss in consecutive outings on August 31, 2022 vs. Boston and September 7, 2022 at New York-AL; is now 8-2, 1.94 ERA (65.0 IP, 14 ER) with 14 walks and 72 strikeouts in 11 career starts following a loss.

Snapped his career-long five-game home winning streak…Twins had won his previous six starts at Target Field from September 13, 2022 to May 24, 2023, with Ryan going 5-0, 2.31 ERA (35.0 IP, 9 ER) with nine walks and 45 strikeouts in that span.

TWO STARTS AGO: Took the loss on May 30 at Houston as the Twins fell 5-1 in the middle game of the series; threw a season-low 4.0 innings, allowing a season-high five runs on four hits while issuing a season-high three walks and striking out six batters…allowed two home runs in the second inning, a solo homer to third baseman Alex Bregman and a two-run homer to centerfielder Chas McCormick; snapped a six-start streak without allowing a home run and marked his first time allowing multiple homers in a start this year…allowed two runs in the third inning on two hits, two walks and a sacrifice fly from first baseman José Abreu…was relieved by Cole Sands to start the bottom of the fifth.

Marked his shortest start since also throwing 4.0 innings on September 24, 2022 vs. Los Angeles-AL…allowed five-or-more earned runs and multiple home runs for the first time since August 31, 2022 vs. Boston (also 5 ER, 2 HR).

NEW OPPONENT, EH?: Facing the Blue Jays for the first time in his career; Toronto will become the 18th different team he has faced…in 17 previous starts against a new opponent, Ryan is 5-7, 5.04 ERA (85.2 IP, 48 ER) with 35 walks and 76 strikeouts…infielder Whit Merrifield is the only current Blue Jay hitter to have faced Ryan previously, going 1-for-5 against him with two strikeouts in two games last season as a member of the Kansas City Royals…making his ninth career start against an American League East division opponent; in eight previous starts vs. the AL East (NYY – 3, BOS – 3, BAL – 2), he is 4-2, 3.47 ERA (46.2 IP, 18 ER) with eight walks and 48 strikeouts.

JOE ON THE ROAD: Making his team-leading eighth road start today…has recorded six quality starts in his seven road outings this year, going 3-2, 3.07 ERA (41.0 IP, 14 ER) with nine walks and 45 strikeouts…Twins have lost his last four road starts after winning his first three…looking for his first road win since earning the victory on April 19 against the Boston Red Sox at Fenway Park in a 10-4 Twins triumph (6.0 IP, 3 R/ER, 6 H, 1 BB, 3 K)…in five home starts this year, he is 4-1, 2.35 ERA (30.2 IP, 8 ER) with five walks and 35 strikeouts.

Ryan has gone 11-6 with a 3.54 ERA (117.0 IP, 46 ER), 28 walks and 121 strikeouts in 21 career road starts…has similar numbers in 23 career home starts, going 11-6 with a 3.23 ERA (128.1 IP, 46 ER), 38 walks and 140 strikeouts.

Pitching at the Rogers Centre for the first time in his career; will become the 15th ballpark he has started at since debuting in 2021…is 5-6, 5.15 ERA (71.2 IP, 41 ER) with 18 walks and 77 strikeouts in 14 previous starts when pitching at a new ballpark.

LEFT/RIGHT: Left-handed hitters are batting just .195 (26-for-133) with a .525 OPS and 32 strikeouts against Ryan this year…his .525 opponent OPS against lefties ranks 16th in the American League this season…right-handed hitters are hitting .211 (28-for-133) with a .579 OPS and 48 strikeouts… his .203 (54-for-266) overall opponent batting average in 2023 ranks sixth in the American League and 10th in baseball, among qualified pitchers.

Over his career, Ryan has slightly better splits against left-handed hitters than righties, with lefties batting just .195 (87-for-447) with a .599 OPS since his debut in 2021…right-handed hitters are hitting .213 (98-for-460) with a .641 OPS off Ryan.

TORONTO BLUE JAYS NOTES:

THE LATEST: The Blue Jays left the bases loaded in the 9th inning before stranding a pair in the 10th last night, losing the opener of their weekend series with the Twins by a 3-2 final in 10 innings…Moved to 4-5 in extra-inning games and 10-6 in one-run contests…Their .625 win% in one-run games is still the 2nd-best mark among AL teams (BAL – .632). Toronto has still won seven of its last nine games, nine of its last 12, and 10 of its last 14 contests…Needs a win today to avoid slipping to 13-8-0 in series play this year (7-3-0 at home)…Has won each of its last four series, tied for its longest such streak this season (four series from April 3-16).

SPRINGING INTO ACTION: George Springer tied last night’s game at 2’s in the bottom of the 6th inning with a pinch-hit RBI double to center field…Was his 3rd career knock and 3rd career RBI as a pinch hitter…Notched another double in the 9th inning, finishing the game 2-for-2 for his 16th multi-hit effort of the year…Marked his 2nd game this season with multiple doubles, both coming against Minnesota (also: May 26 at MIN)…Has gone 37-for130 (.285) with six doubles, a triple, six home runs, 16 RBI, and 15 walks during his last 34 contests (.363
OBP, .848 OPS).

BO KNOWS BASE HITS: Bo Bichette got Toronto on the board last night with an RBI single to right in the 5th inning, his team-leading 43rd RBI of the season…Leads all MLB hitters with 90 hits (2nd: Luis Arraez – 88)…Also ranks 2nd in the Majors with 145 total bases (1st: Freddie Freeman – 148)…His .324 batting average ranks 1st in the AL (4th in MLB) while he is currently 5th in SLG (.522), T-5th in home runs (14), 6th in OPS (.878), T-9th in RBI (43), and 15th in OBP (.356).

CHAP’S STICK: Matt Chapman picked up a double in the 4th inning on Friday, part of a 1-for-5 night…Marked his AL-leading 23rd double (2nd in MLB) and his 31st extra-base hit, good for T-2nd in the junior circuit (T-5th in MLB). The third baseman currently sits 2nd among MLB hitters with a 60.1 hard-hit percentage (1st: Aaron Judge – 62.6) while ranking 4th in barrel rate (12.0%), 4th in hard-hit balls (101), and 8th in average exit velocity (93.8 MPH).

A BAG OF TRICKS: Tyler Heineman hit safely in both of his plate appearances last night, laying down a bunt single in the 3rd inning before singling again in the 5th…Was his 1st multi-hit effort of the season, and his 1st since Sept. 2, 2022 vs. TOR as a member of the Pittsburgh
Pirates. The Blue Jays have recorded eight bunt hits this season, trailing only the Athletics (10) for the most among American League teams…The eight bunts are twice as many as last season’s total (4).

TREVOR TIME: Trevor Richards takes the hill today for his 1st start of the season, and the 57th of his career…Has gone 8-22 in his career as a starter, posting a 4.42 ERA (133 ER/270.2 IP) with 267 strikeouts.

HOME WORK: The Blue Jays are on a seven-day, seven-game homestand (3-2 so far)…Have gone 18-12 this season at Rogers Centre…The .600 win% at home is tied for 3rd best in the AL…After this weekend series with the Twins, will head out for a nine-game road trip, making stops for three contests in each of Baltimore (39-24), Texas (40-22), and Miami (35-29). Toronto batters rank 4th in the AL in home AVG (.259), 4th in home OBP (.334), 6th in home OPS (.736), and 10th in home SLG (.401)…The pitching staff ranks 1st among AL teams with a 3.17 home ERA (2nd:
HOU – 3.22) and a .209 home opponents’ average (2nd: TB – .215)…Are sitting 3rd among AL clubs with a 1.12 home WHIP.

NASTY NATE: Nate Pearson tossed 2.0 frames of shutout relief last night, working around a pair of hits with a strikeout… Eclipsed 101 mph on the gun three times, including firing a 101.6 mph fourseamer past Michael A. Taylor, the 2nd-fastest pitch by a Blue Jay hurler in the Statcast Era (since 2008)…Now owns the four fastest pitches by a Blue Jay since tracking began in 2008.

LAYING OFF THE DONUTS: The Blue Jays have notched 590 hits this season, behind only Texas (593) for the most in the Majors… Are currently 3rd in the AL in team AVG (.262), 3rd in OBP (.333), T-4th in extra-base hits (200), 5th in SLG (.421), 5th in OPS (.754). The Blue Jays are one of two MLB teams to have scored in every game this season (also: ARI)…Have gone 83 straight games without being shut out, the longest active streak in the Majors (2nd: ARI – 64G)…Is their longest such streak since scoring in 85 consecutive games from May 19-Aug. 23, 2000.

TOUGH SCHEDDING: The Blue Jays are in the midst of playing 30 games over the course of 31 days…All opponents during this stretch until last night had been over .500 at game time…Are 15-13 through 28 contests.

VS. THE TWINS: All-Time: 232-182
2023: 2-2 Home: 119-83
Home: 0-1 Rogers Centre: 79-53
The Blue Jays took two of three games when the teams met last month at Target Field…Went 3-4 last season vs. MIN, dropping two of three here at Rogers Centre.

Bo Bichette had multiple hits in all three games vs. the Twins last month, going 7-for-13 (.538) with a triple, two homers, and six RBI…Is a career 26-for-78 (.333) with five doubles, one triple, five homers, and 16 RBI over 18 games (.957 OPS).

George Springer also had hits in all three games in that prior Twins series, combining to hit .417 (5-for-12) with three doubles and a walk…Is a career .307 (55- for-179) batter across 46 career meetings, including 14 doubles, 12 home runs, and 35 RBI (.992 OPS).

Whit Merrifield leads all current Blue Jays with 108 career games played against his former division rivals…Has batted .296 (131-for-442) with 34 doubles, three triples, five home runs, and 47 RBI along the way (.767 OPS).

MLB Preview: Miami Marlins (35-29) at Chicago White Sox (29-36)

MLB Editor
-
0
MLB Preview: Miami Marlins (35-29) at Chicago White Sox (29-36)

MIAMI MARLINS NOTES:

MARLINS MINUTE
The Marlins continue a 3-city, 9-game, 11-day road trip today with the second of a three-game set at the Chicago White Sox. Miami is coming off a nine-game homestand – tied for its longest ‘stand of the year (also Sept. 15-24) – that saw the club drop 2 of 3 to San Diego and then sweep Oakland and Kansas City in back-to-back 3-game sets. Following this series, Miami heads to Seattle (June 12-14), and Washington (June 16-18).

FISH BYTES

  • Miami is 14-16 on the road, winning 4 of 9 road series; swept the Angels in 3 games to conclude most recent road trip.
  • The Marlins are 5-7 all-time at Guaranteed Rate Field, having last played here in 2019 when Miami took 2 of 3.
  • Miami owns a 14-6 record this season in the second game of a series.
  • Are 13-3 (.813) in Interleague play this year, the highest winning pct. among MLB teams in such games this year. The Marlins headed into 2023 with a 103-148 record in Interleague play dating back to 2010; marked the worst in MLB.
  • The Marlins have won 11 of their last 13 games at loanDepot park; lead the NL with 21 home wins this season.

UP THE RANKS
At 35-29, Miami is tied for the second-best start to a season through the club’s first 64 games in club history. See chart to right for the top starts in Marlins history.

  • Is their most games over .500 since July 31, 2016 (9 over).
  • Miami currently has the 4th-best record in the NL, behind only ATL, ARI, and LAD.

YESTERDAY’S RECAP
Miami dropped the series opener, 2-1, against the White Sox at Chicago in walk-off fashion. Miami erased a 1-0 deficit on a solo home run by SS Joey Wendle in the fifth inning, but that is the only offense the Marlins could muster. RHP Eury Perez held the White Sox to one run, a solo home run by C Yasmani Grandal in the second inning, in 5.0 innings of work. RHP Dylan Floro suffered his fourth loss of the season, allowing one run on two hits and a walk in the ninth inning. 2B Luis Arraez went 1×4 to keep his batting average at .400 for the season.

CLOSE CALLS
The Marlins are 16-5 (.762) in games decided by one run, the most one-run victories in baseball and the second-best winning percentage in such games. Milwaukee (10-3) leads MLB with a .769 winning percentage in one-run games.

  • Miami started the year with a 12-0 record in one-run games, surpassing the 1972 New York Mets 11-0 stretch of one-run games to mark the most in MLB history.

HE’S HERE AND HE’S PERFECT
RHP Eury Perez held the White Sox to 1 run across 5.0 innings pitch in last night’s game. In his first 6 career start, Perez has limited opponents to 3 or fewer earned runs, becoming the eighth pitcher in club history to do so. The last pitcher to do so in club history was Zach Thompson from June 7 – August 4, 2021, when he set the mark with 9 consecutive starts of 3 earned runs or fewer.

FIRST THINGS FIRST
Marlins starters lead MLB by holding opponents to just 16 runs in the first inning this season, ahead of Houston (17), Tampa Bay (18), Atlanta (20), and Texas (21). Miami has allowed just 2 runs in the 1st inning this month, both coming on June 5 vs. Kansas City.

INTER SANDMAN
RHP Sandy Alcantara has made 2 starts against AL opponents this season, going 2-0 with 2.81 ERA, including a complete-game shutout vs. the Minnesota Twins on April 4 at loanDepot park. Over his career, Alcantara owns a 5-7 record with 3.26 ERA in 18 starts in Interleague Play, with two shutouts and two complete games.

LA REGADERA
2B Luis Arraez leads MLB with his .400 AVG (88×220) and .449 OBP, and ranks 2nd with 88 hits. Tied for MLB-lead with 27 2-hit games and is tied for 3rd with 8 games of 3+ hits. Has struck out just 11 times in 243 PA (.045 K/PA), the lowest mark in MLB among qualifiers.

  • Arraez is 1 of 7 non-U.S.-born MLB players all-time to post a batting average of .400 or higher through 59 games (in which the player registered at least 1 AB) of a season, joining Larry Walker (.422, 1997), Tony Fernandez (.405, 1999), Roberto Alomar (.404, 1996), Andres Galarraga (.404, 1993), Rod Carew (.403, 1983) and Rico Carty (.401, 1970).
  • His .400 AVG marks the highest through a player’s first 59 games in Marlins history. The second-highest mark was set by Luis Castillo (.357) in 2000.
  • Arraez has recorded 151 multi-hit games in his career and 142 strikeouts in 448 career games since his debut in 2019. There have been only five players to debut since 1980 to strike out fewer than 150 times within their first 450 career games – see chart to right.

GETTING OFFENSIVE
The Marlins’ offense has posted an NL-best .291 AVG (179×615) since May 21 at SF. Their 179 hits rank 3rd among MLB teams and the club’s 96 runs rank 4th in MLB. In this same span, Miami also leads all MLB teams with 25 GIDP.

  • Miami’s 7-8-9 hitters in the batting order have combined to hit .322 in the same span (since May 21), marking the best AVG among the bottom third of the order among all MLB teams. The second-best mark is owned by Toronto (.32).
  • Overall, Miami ranks 4th in the NL with 558 H, 4th with .259 AVG, and 6th with 11 3B.

HEATING UP
SS Joey Wendle is batting .450 (10×23) with 4 doubles, 1 home run and 3 multi-hit games during a 6-game hitting streak. He had not recorded a multi-hit game this season until June 3; had 26 multi-hit efforts in 101 games in 2022.

LEFTY LOVE

  • LHP Andrew Nardi has not allowed an earned run in his last 18 outings (May 2 to present), the longest such active streak in MLB. He owns a 0.84 WHIP and 25 strikeouts in this span. His 32 relief appearances on the year are tied with two others for most in the Majors.
  • LHP Tanner Scott ranks 2nd among NL relievers with 44 strikeouts. Led the Marlins ‘pen with 90 strikeouts in 2022. Has held opponents scoreless in last 14 apps. (13.2 innings). Marks his longest career scoreless innings streak (previously, 9.1 IP from 8/26-9/18/20).
  • LHP A.J. Puk was returned from rehab and reinstated from the IL on Tuesday. Missed 21 games with left elbow nerve irritation. Prior to his injury, Puk had 19 strikeouts in 14.2 innings and 6 saves for Miami.

TODAY’S STARTER – #22 SANDY ALCANTARA

  • The reigning NL Cy Young Sandy Alcantara will make his first career start against the Chicago White Sox today. The White Sox will be the 26th different team Alcantara has faced. Will mark his 13th start of the season.
  • In career, Alcantara has pitched in 5 outings vs. AL Central teams, going 2-2, with a 3.27 ERA (33.0/12) and 21 SO.
  • In his most recent start on Sunday, June 4 vs. OAK, tossed 7.0 innings, allowing 5 runs on 6 hits with 7 strikeouts. Marked his fourth 7+ inning start of the season.
  • Through 12 starts in 2022 pitched to a 6-2 record, with a 1.61 ERA (83.2/15), 77 SO, and 4 HR. Through 12 starts in 2023 has a 2-5 record, with a 5.07 ERA (76.1/43), 67 SO, and 6 HR.
  • Since the start of the 2022 season, has gone 6-7 with a 3.60 ERA (137.1 IP/55 ER) and 125 strikeouts in 21 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 currently has 122 starts with the Marlins; now ranks 8th on Marlins all-time GS list behind A.J. Burnett – 131.
  • 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).
  • Alcantara finished his historic 2022 season with 32 starts going 14-9 with a 2.28 ERA and 207 strikeouts in 228.2 innings, along with 6 complete games, a 0.98 WHIP, and a .212 opponents’ batting average in 32 starts. He led Major League Baseball in innings pitched and complete games and led all NL pitchers with an 8.1 WAR (Baseball Reference). During Alcantara’s entire life (born Sept. 1995) only two pitchers reached the same statistical totals since the 1996 season: Felix Hernandez, SEA (2010) and Pedro Martinez, MON (1997). Became the first Cy Young winner in Club history.

CHICAGO WHITE SOX NOTES:

WHITE SOX AT A GLANCE
The Chicago White Sox have won six of their last seven games and 22 of 37 as they continue a brief three-game homestand this afternoon against the Miami Marlins.

RHP Michael Kopech is scheduled to start for the White Sox, who are in sole possession of third place in the American League Central for the first time since 4/15, 2.0 games behind Cleveland and 3.5 behind division-leading Minnesota.

The Sox opened the homestand last night with 2-1 victory over the Marlins on Luis Robert Jr.’s walkoff single off Dylan Floro.

Following this series and a day off on Monday, the White Sox take a six-game trip to Los Angeles-NL (6/13-15) and Seattle (6/16-18).

The Sox went 2-1 on their last trip to New York-AL from 6/6-8 and 4-2 on their last homestand vs. the Angels (1-2) and Detroit (3-0) from 5/29-6/4.

TODAY’S STORYLINES
The White Sox are 22-15 (.589) since 4/30, tied with Houston and the Yankees for the third-best record in the American League and the best in the AL Central.

The Sox are 8-2 (.800) at home since 5/19 and 14-6 (.700) since 4/30, the fourth-best mark in the AL.

The White Sox lead MLB with a 2.00 ERA (14 ER/63.0 IP) in June and are tied with Atlanta for the second-best record at 6-1.

Sox pitchers have recorded a 2.99 ERA (74 ER/222.2 IP) in 25 games since 5/13, the best mark in MLB (see box at right) … the bullpen owns a 2.21 ERA (21 ER/85.1 IP) during that span, while the starting rotation is at 3.48 (53 ER/137.0 IP).

Luis Robert is hitting .444/.500/.844 (20-45) with six doubles, four home runs, 16 RBI and 14 runs scored in 12 games vs. the National League this season.

LAST NIGHT’S RECAP
Luis Robert Jr. hit a game-ending, RBI single off Dylan Floro with one out in the ninth inning as the White Sox won for the sixth time in seven games, 2-1, vs. Miami.

Elvis Andrus led off the ninth with a single and advanced to second on a wild pitch … after Tim Anderson struck out, Andrew Benintendi was intentionally walked to set up Robert Jr.’s third career walkoff hit and the third straight at home for the Sox.

Dylan Cease posted a ND despite allowing one run on four hits with two walks and seven strikeouts over 6.0 IP to lower his ERA to 2.94 (11 ER/33.2 IP) over his last six starts.

Keynan Middleton, Kendall Graveman and Liam Hendriks each pitched a 1-2-3 inning in relief … Middleton made his 14th consecutive scoreless appearance (14.1 IP), Graveman made his 16th straight scoreless outing (16.1 IP), and Hendriks earned his second win.

Yasmani Grandal matched his season high with three hits, going 3-4 with a solo home run (No. 5), Tim Anderson went 2-5 with a double, and Andrus was 2-3 with a walk and run scored.

SOX SURPRISE MILITARY HOMECOMING
The White Sox will assist today with a surprise military homecoming during third-inning Hero of the Game recognition, when U.S. Army Major Karen Hernandez from Chicago returns from her deployment in Iraq to surprise her son, Jayden.

A Meritorious Service Medal recipient, Major Hernandez enlisted in 2008 and has served in Guatemala, Iraq, Kuwait, Syria, Saudi Arabia, among other overseas deployments.

WALK IT OFF
The White Sox have recorded three consecutive walkoff victories at home, their longest streak since 7/23-25/16 (Elias).

Yoán Moncada scored on a wild pitch on 6/3 vs. Detroit, Jake Burger hit a grand slam on 6/4 vs. the Tigers and Luis Robert Jr. hit a single last night vs. Miami.

RISING TO THE TOP
The White Sox are in the midst of a stretch from 6/6-29 where they play seven consecutive series (22 games) vs. teams at or above .500 (3-1 so far).

The stretch includes 13 games on the road against the Yankees, Dodgers, Seattle and Angels and nine at home vs. Miami, Texas and Boston.

SEARCHING FOR HOME-FIELD ADVANTAGE
The White Sox have won eight of their last 10 home games and are 14-6 since 4/30 following a 3-9 start to the season to improve to 17-15 overall.

During the 20-game stretch, the Sox are hitting .270/.324/.421 (182-674) with a 2.97 ERA (61 ER/185.0 IP) … they have allowed three runs or less in 11 of their last 13 home games

WHITE SOX VS. MIAMI MARLINS
The White Sox lead the all-time series, 11-8, including a 8-5 record at home … the Marlins won two of three games in the last meeting from 7/22-24/19.

Including manager Pedro Grifol, four members of the White Sox coaching staff are Cuban-Americans raised in Miami … other Miamians on staff are hitting coach José Castro, third base coach Eddie Rodríguez and field coordinator Mike Tosar.

Grifol, a catcher, and Tosar, a second baseman, were teammates at Christopher Columbus High School … Rodríguez, an infielder, played for Miami High School, and Castro, also an infielder, competed against him at Jackson High.

INTERLEAGUE INSIGHT
The White Sox are 259-237 (.522) all-time in interleague play (133-114 at home), the sixth-best winning percentage in MLB.

The Sox are 6-7 this season after going 11-9 in 2022 and 14-6 in 2021 … they are 27-19 since 7/25/21.

The White Sox rank third all-time with 620 home runs, trailing only Toronto (661) and the Yankees (633).

ALL-RIGHTY THEN
Today marks the 184th consecutive game in which a RHP has started for the White Sox … per Elias, it is longest active streak in baseball, second-longest in Sox history (194 from 9/7/33-5/19/35) and longest in MLB since Cleveland (417) from 2017-21.

Dallas Keuchel (5/26/22 vs. Boston) was the last left-hander to start a game for the Sox … by comparison, from the beginning of the 2007 season until Keuchel’s start on 5/26/22, 1,021 of the White Sox 2,372 games (43.0 percent) were started by lefties.

STARTING PITCHER – #34 MICHAEL KOPECH RHP
KOPECH AT A GLANCE
Is scheduled to make his 13th start of the season, eighth at home and first against the Miami Marlins.

Owns a 2-1 record, 2.05 ERA (6 ER/26.1 IP), 0.57 WHIP, .124 (11-89) opponents average and 38 strikeouts in his last four starts, including two 10-strikeout performances.

Has recorded 5.0-plus IP in nine of his 12 starts this season and 6.0-plus IP six times, allowing just one run in four of those outings.

Went 3-2 with a 2.75 ERA (11 ER/36.0 IP), 43 strikeouts and .148 (18-122) opponents average in six starts in May, compared to 0-3 with a 7.01 ERA (20 ER/25.2 IP), 1.71 WHIP and .280 (28-100) opponents average in five starts in April … ranked first in opponents batting average, second in strikeouts, tied-eighth in IP (36.0) and 14th in ERA during May in the American League.

Is limiting left-handed hitters to a .174 (19-109) batting average this season, the second-best among American League right-handed starters with at least 10 starts.

Has received zero runs of support in four of his 11 starts this season and three or more just twice.

Has gone 10-15 with 3.79 ERA (91 ER/216.1 IP), .205 (161-784) opponents average and 222 strikeouts in 45 career starts … is 3-3 with 3.90 ERA (24 ER/55.1 IP), .225 (47-209) opponents average and 80 strikeouts in 40 career relief appearances.

Has recorded 100-plus strikeouts in each of his last two seasons (2021-22).

Spent his first full season in the major leagues in 2021, pitching out of the bullpen (40 games) while making four starts … opted out of the 2020 season for personal reasons … missed the entire 2019 season recovering from Tommy John surgery (performed on 9/18/18).

Was acquired by the White Sox from Boston with OF Luis Basabe, RHP Víctor Díaz and INF Yoán Moncada in exchange for LHP Chris Sale on 12/6/16.

LAST START
Received a no decision on 6/4 vs. the Detroit Tigers, allowing two runs on three runs with one walk and nine strikeouts over 7.0 IP … threw 92 pitches (60 strikes).

Retired the first 11 batters he faced, punching out five before allowing Akil Baddoo to reach base with an infield single in the fourth inning … surrendered a two-run homer to Spencer Torkelson later in the inning.

Departed the game score tied, 2-2 … the Sox would go on to win on a walkoff grand slam from Jake Burger in the ninth.

Owned a 60.0 first-strike percentage and 10.9 swinging-strike percentage (11 swing and misses) vs. 25 batters … threw 53 four-seam fastballs (95.5 mph avg; 98.2 mph max), 33 sliders (85.0 avg; 88.0 max) and six changeups (90.0 mph avg; 91.0 max).

AN OUTING TO REMEMBER
On 5/19 against Kansas City, Kopech became the third pitcher in franchise history to work 8.0-plus IP and allow one or zero hits with 10-plus strikeouts and zero walks (Baseball Reference/Stathead).

The other two Sox to accomplish the feat are Floyd Bannister (9/13/87 at Seattle) and Gary Peters (7/15/63 vs. Baltimore).

The last MLB pitcher to record those numbers in a start was Toronto’s Alek Manoah on 9/13/21 vs. Tampa Bay.

DAMAGE CONTROL AT RISK
Has limited the opposition to a career .199 (37-186) battings average with RISP and .218 (22-101) mark with RISP/ two outs.

Opponents are batting a career-high .235 (12-52) with RISP and .344 (11-32) with RISP/two outs against him this season … in 2022, opponents hit .149 (10-67) with RISP and .125 (5-40) with RISP/two outs.

HEATER ON AND RELIABLE
His four-seam fastball has held the opposition to a .195 (75-384) batting average, the fourth-lowest in Major League Baseball among starting pitchers since 2022 (min. 1,500 fastballs thrown) … opponents own a .206 (29-141) average on his fastball this season, also the fourth-lowest in MLB (min. 500 fastballs thrown).

Has the highest four-seam fastball usage (62.9%) among MLB starting pitchers this season (min. 500 fastballs thrown) … led MLB starters with at least 2,000 pitches thrown in four-seam fastball usage (61.6%) last season.

Owns a 30.3 swing-and-miss percentage with his four-seam fastball, the seventh-highest percentage in the majors this season among starting pitcher with at least 200 fastballs thrown.

His 46 strikeouts via the four-seamer are the seventh-most in baseball this year.

VS. MIAMI MARLINS || INTERLEAGUE
Is scheduled to make his first career start against the Miami Marlins.

Has gone 5-2 with a 2.55 ERA (14 ER/49.1 IP), 1.26 WHIP, 47 strikeouts and a .214 (39-182) opponents average over 16 career games (seven starts) against the National League.

MLB Preview: Arizona Diamondbacks (38-25) at Detroit Tigers (26-35)

MLB Editor
-
0
MLB Preview: Arizona Diamondbacks (38-25) at Detroit Tigers (26-35)

ARIZONA DIAMONDBACKS NOTES:

BEST IN THE WEST
♦ The D-backs are first place in the NL West and carry the NL’s second-best record, behind the Braves (39-24), as well as MLB’s fifth-best record, behind the Rays (47-19), Rangers (40-22), Orioles (39-24) and Braves (39-24).

  • Arizona has spent 32 days in/tied for first place this season.

♦ The last time Arizona was 2.5+ games up in the NL Westwas July 1, 2018.

♦ The D-backs are 13 games above .500 for the first time since Aug. 31, 2018.

SERIES-LY SPEAKING
♦ With a win today, the D-backs will claim their second consecutive series vs. Tigers @ Comerica Park (last: 2-0 from June 13-14, 2017) and fi rst 3-game series win since May 16-18, 2008 @ Chase Field (2-1)… the last time Arizona won a 3-game series @ Detroit was May 20-22, 2005 (2-1).

CORBIN BARRELS (AGAIN)
♦ Last night, Corbin Carroll collected his first-career grand slam (Top 7, 2-2 count), multi-homer game (first and seventh innings) and first 5 RBI and 3 extra-base hit performance.

♦ In his last 15 games, he is batting .390 (23-for-59)/1.243 OPS with 6 doubles, 6 homers, 16 RBI, 5 walks and 5 stolen bases…no other player has a higher OPS in the span.

♦ His 13 homers, .575 SLG, .966 OPS, 45 runs, 122 total bases and 30 extra-base hits lead all MLB qualified rookies while he ranks in doubles (T-2nd, 16), AVG (3rd, .307), stolen bases (3rd, 18), RBI (T-3rd, 32), OBP (3rd, .391), hits (T-4th, 65) and walks (T-5th, 26).

♦ On Wednesday, he collected his first career 4-hit performance (4-for-5, HR, SB). ♦Carroll is just the second rookie (also: Joey Wiemer/MIL)
and 10th player in MLB this season with 3 extra-base hits in a game and 1 of 3 MLB rookies this season to have a multi-homer game (also: Francisco Alvarez/NYM and Joey Wiemer/MIL).

♦ Carroll is the youngest D-back rookie ever to have 10+ homers and first aged 23 or younger to have 13+ homers since Brandon Drury in 2016 (16).

RUN SUPPORT
♦ The D-backs 7 runs in the seventh inning last night tied a season high (also: April 21 vs. Padres).

♦ The D-backs 6 games with 10+ runs are tied for third most in the NL (also: Braves, Rockies, Nationals and Giants), behind the Cubs (8), Dodgers (7) and Pirates (7).

SCORING EARLY & OFTEN
♦ Since May 25, the D-backs’ offense in the first and second innings ranks among the Majors in average (1st, .353), fewest strikeouts (1st, 15), runs (2nd, 27), hits (2nd, 41), OPS (2nd, .995), stolen bases (T-3rd, 6) and home runs (T-3rd, 7).

SNAKES AMONG THE BEST
♦ The D-backs are the only team in the Majors to feature multiple players in the top 10 in both average (hitting) and wins (pitching):

Lourdes Gurriel Jr. – 7th in MLB with .310 AVG

Corbin Carroll – 9th in MLB with .307 AVG

Merrill Kelly – T-2nd in MLB with 8 wins

Zac Gallen – T-6th in MLB with 7 wins

INTERLEAGUE IMPRESSIONS
♦ The D-backs are 7-5 (.583) in Interleague Play this season (Tigers, Royals, Rangers, Athletics and Red Sox).

♦ Corbin Carroll ranks among MLB leaders in interleague \play in SLG (1st, .865), OBP (4th, .478) and AVG (4th, .378) and has 4 homers in his last 5 AL matchups.

♦ Christian Walker has 5 homers in his last 8 games vs. AL opponents.

ROAD WARRIORS
♦ The D-backs’ 18-11 (.621) road record through their fi rst 29 road games is the second best in franchise history, 1 win less than the 2001 World Series Champion D-backs at this point (19-10; .655).

RHP RYNE NELSON ♦ #19
WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW: Is 1-1 with a 3.86 ERA (9 ER in 21.0 IP) in his last 4 starts.

  • Is 2-1 with a 4.88 ERA (17 ER in 31.1 IP) in 6 day games.
  • In 3 starts against an AL opponent (all in 2023), is 0-1 with a 3.48 ERA (4 ER in 10.1 IP).
  • The D-backs are 4-1 in his last 5 bids.
  • Has exited 8 of his 12 starts with the lead or tied.
  • Looking for his first road win of 2023 and first since his MLB debut on Sept. 5, 2022 @ Padres (0 ER in 7.0 IP).

LAST START: Took the loss on June 3 vs. Braves (3 ER in 4.2 IP).

VS. TIGERS: Making his fi rst career start.

PITCH TRACKING: Opposing batters are hitting .216 (8-for-37) with 6 strikeouts off his slider, .209 (9-for-43) with 7 strikeouts off his cutter and .238 (5-for-21) with 3 strikeouts off his changeup.

FIRST PITCH SUCCESS: His first-pitch swing (23.2 to 31.6) and first-pitch strike (53.6 to 57.9) percentages are up from 2022.

VS. RIGHTIES: In his last 5 games, limiting right-handed hitters to a .226 average (12-for-53) with 4 walks and 10 strikeouts.

BATTED BALL STATS: His ground ball percentage is up to 41.3 from 25.5 while his fl y ball percentage is down to 24.8 from 44.7.

LUCKY NO. 7: Is holding No. 7 hitters in the lineup to a .200 average (5-for-25) with 1 walk and 5 strikeouts.

THIRD TIME THROUGH: In his third time thru the lineup, is limiting batters to a .227 average (8-for-40) with 3 walks and 4 strikeouts.
0-2, GOT YOU: Opponents are 1-for-24 (.042) with 8 strikeouts on an 0-2 count.

DETROIT TIGERS NOTES:

TIGERS LOSE SERIES OPENER TO ARIZONA: The Tigers dropped their seventh straight game last night, losing to the Diamondbacks, 11-6. Jake Rogers had three hits, including a pair of solo home runs, while Javier Baez went 2×5 with a solo homer. Kerry Carpenter and Spencer Torkelson each added two hits. Michael Lorenzen started for Detroit and took the loss, giving up six runs on seven hits with a walk and three strikeouts in 6.2 innings.

ROSTER MOVES: The Tigers have announced the following roster moves:
*Placed OF Akil Baddoo on the 10-day injured list with a right quad strain
*Recalled INF/OF Nick Solak from Triple A Toledo

RAKE ROGERS: Jake Rogers belted a pair of home runs in last night’s game, hitting solo shots in the seventh and ninth innings. The performance marked Rogers’ first career multi-homer game. He now has eight home runs on the season, which ranks tied for second among American League catchers.

GET SHORTY: Zack Short went 1×3 with two RBI last night against Arizona. Short has now recorded a hit in four straight games and has hit safely in 11 of his last 14 contests, over which he is batting .324/.409/.514 with a double, two home runs and 11 RBI.

MOVIN’ ON UP: Miguel Cabrera enters today’s game within striking distance of Dave Winfield on the MLB all-time hits list. Cabrera begins tonight’s contest with 3,108 hits in his big league career, two away from tying Winfield for 22nd in MLB history. Additionally, Cabrera has 1,136 extra-base hits in his career, two shy of tying Ty Cobb (1,138) for 15th in big league history.

TIGERS AND DIAMONDBACKS: The Tigers and Diamondbacks continue their only series of the season today. The two teams met last season in Arizona with Detroit winning two-of-three games. The Diamondbacks lead the all-time series 21-17, including a 10-8 edge at Comerica Park.

INTERLEAGUE ACTION: The Tigers continue their interleague schedule today against the Diamondbacks. Detroit is 11-9 against National League foes this season, including a 2-1 record against NL West teams. The Tigers have finished with a winning record against NL opponents in
each of the last two seasons.

AT COMERICA PARK: The Tigers are 0-1 on their current six-game homestand, which includes three games vs. Arizona (0-1) and three games vs. Atlanta (June 12-14). Detroit is 14-14 at home this season. As a team, the Tigers are hitting .238/.315/.375 at Comerica Park, while the
pitching staff has a 4.62 ERA (257.0IP/132ER).

INJURY REHAB UPDATES: Matt Vierling started a rehab assignment with Triple A Toledo last night, starting in right field and going 1×3 with a RBI…Tarik Skubal made his second injury rehab start with Single A West Michigan, throwing 3.0 innings and allowing an unearned run on two hits with no walks and six strikeouts.

TIGERS ON THE IL:

  • OF Akil Baddoo (right quad strain, 10-day IL on June 10)
  • RHP Beau Brieske (right upper arm discomfort, 60-day IL on March 30, retroactive to March 27)
  • RHP Alex Faedo (right middle finger discomfort, 15-day IL on June 3, retroactive to May 31)
  • OF Riley Greene (left fibula stress reaction, 10-day IL on May 31)
  • RHP Matt Manning (right foot fracture, 60-day IL on April 12)
  • OF Austin Meadows (anxiety, 60-day IL on April 8, retroactive to April 7)
  • RHP Casey Mize (right elbow sprain, 60-day IL on February 17)
  • RHP Freddy Pacheco (right elbow sprain, 60-day IL on March 27)
  • LHP Eduardo Rodriguez (left index finger pulley rupture, 15-day IL on May 30, retroactive to May 29)
  • LHP Tarik Skubal (left elbow strain, 60-day IL on March 14)
  • RHP Spencer Turnbull (neck discomfort, 60-day IL on May 12, retroactive to May 7)
  • OF Matt Vierling (low back soreness, 10-day IL on May 30, retroactive to May 29)
  • RHP Trey Wingenter (right biceps tendinitis, 60-day IL on April 22, retroactive to April 19)

TONIGHT’S TIGERS STARTING PITCHER

48 Matthew Boyd • 3-4, 5.23 ERA (53.1IP/31ER)

2023 Last Five Regular Season Outings
Date Opp. Result IP H R ER SO BB Pit.-Str.
5/12 SEA L, L, 9-2 1.1 5 6 5 1 4 55-28
5/19 @WSH W, W, 8-6 5.2 4 3 3 4 1 91-57
5/24 @KC ND, W, 6-4 4.2 3 1 1 6 2 86-52
5/29 TEX L, L, 5-0 6.0 5 5 5 5 4 87-50
6/4 @CWS ND, L, 6-2 5.0 3 1 1 9 0 82-56
TOTAL 5 Gms. 1-2 (2-3) 22.2 20 16 15 25 11 401-243

2023 Regular Season L/R Splits
Split PA K% BB% HR% OPS WHIP FIP
vs. LHH 49 18.4 10.2 2.0 .604 1.14 3.92
vs. RHH 182 24.2 9.3 3.3 .741 1.41 4.26
Lg. Avg. — 22.7 8.7 3.0 .727 1.32 4.11

  • Boyd will make his 12th start of the season today vs. Arizona.
  • Did not factor into the decision in his last start on Sunday at Chicago (AL), allowing a run on three hits with no walks a season-high nine strikeouts in 5.0 innings.
  • Has faced the Diamondbacks just once in his career, taking the loss on May 10, 2017 after giving up four runs, three earned, on eight hits with three walks and six strikeouts in 6.0 innings…in 77 career appearances, including 74 starts, at Comerica Park, he has a 22-28 record with a 4.31 ERA (413.1IP/198ER) and 359 strikeouts.
  • Missed most of the 2022 season while rehabbing from an injury, but returned in September to pitch in 10 games and help Seattle to the playoffs…went 2-0 with a 1.35 ERA (13.1IP/2ER) and 13 strikeouts in his 10 outings with the Mariners.
  • Is in his second stint with the Tigers…was with the organization from 2015-21, appearing in 147 games, including 143 starts, and compiling
    a 37-60 record with a 4.87 ERA (777.2IP/421ER) and 752 strikeouts.

CFL Preview: Ottawa Redblacks (0-0) at Montreal Alouettes (0-0)

CFL Editor
-
0
CFL Preview: Ottawa Redblacks (0-0) at Montreal Alouettes (0-0)

MONTREAL — The Ottawa REDBLACKS won’t have to travel far to open their season as they make the short trip east to take on the Montreal Alouettes on Saturday night at Percival Molson Memorial Stadium.

The two teams split their four meetings a year ago.

With starting quarterback Jeremiah Masoli scheduled to miss the first game of the regular season, the pivot duties will fall on veteran Nick Arbuckle in the opener.

He’ll look to rekindle his performance from the last time the teams met in Week 19 of 2022 when he threw for 271 yards and two touchdowns in a 34-30 loss.

Wide receiver Jaelon Acklin, who amassed 1,169 receiving yards on 75 receptions a year ago, will lead the receiving unit alongside Nate Behar. Unfortunately for the REDBLACKS, newly acquired Shaq Evans will be out with a hand issue.

For a team that averaged under 20 points per game, they’ll need their two top receivers to be impact players beginning Saturday against an Alouettes defence that was second best at limiting yards through the air at 262.2 per game.

When the ball isn’t in the air, it’ll be handed to one of Jackson Bennett or Devonte Williams to try and gain yardage on the ground.

The REDBLACKS defence ranked sixth against the pass and seventh against the run last season when it came to yardage allowed, totals they’ll need to improve on if they hope to get out of the East Division basement.

Without Monshadrik Hunter who’s out with a pectoral injury, the secondary of Hakeem Bailey, Justin Howell and Abdul Kanneh will be tested right from the start as they’re tasked with keeping the likes of receivers Hergy Mayala and Kaion Julien-Grant in check.

They won’t have to worry about the Als newest weapon, Greg Ellingson, as he’s out for Saturdays matchup with a knee injury.

Sacks leader Lorenzo Mauldin IV returns and provides a steady presence up front and will hope to make quarterback Cody Fajardo uncomfortable in the pocket.

The injuries continue on the defensive front as linebacker Jovan Santos-Knox is sidelined while dealing with a hamstring issue.

Fajardo makes his way to Montreal after spending the previous three seasons in Saskatchewan. He completed 17 passes for 231 yards and two touchdowns in his lone appearance against the REDBLACKS in 2022.

Being under centre for a new team is something Fajardo is looking forward to but he understands keeping his emotions in check will be important to leading his team to victory.

Look for rookies Austin Mack and Keshunn Abram to be targeted in the Als new look receiving game as both stood out in training camp.

As his quarterback continues to get comfortable with the offence in Week 1, new head coach Jason Maas will turn to his talented rushing duo of William Stanback and Jeshrun Antwi early and often.

Antwi carried the bulk of the load for the Als last season rushing for 600 yards, but if Stanback can stay healthy after playing in just five games last year due to a leg injury, he could take considerable pressure off his new quarterback.

Stanback is confident in the team’s younger receivers and knows if the Als stick to their game plan they’ll find success against their divisional rivals.

On the defensive side of the ball, Marc-Antoine Dequoy and Wesley Sutton lead the secondary in trying close time and space and force Arbuckle, who has thrown more interceptions than touchdowns in his career, into poor decisions downfield.

Defensive lineman Almondo Sewell will attempt to make his way through to Arbuckle and provide Duquoy, Sutton and the rest of the secondary with more opportunities to make big plays.

Divisional matchups are crucial given their ability to create a four point swing in the standings and both the REDBLACKS and the Alouettes will attempt to get off on the right foot.

Cleveland Minor Leaguer Arias suspended

MLB Editor
-
0
Cleveland Minor Leaguer Arias suspended

The Office of the Commissioner of Baseball announced today that Cleveland Guardians Minor League pitcher Jaime Arias, who is currently on the roster of the Double-A Akron RubberDucks of the Eastern League, has received an 80-game suspension after testing positive for GW1516, a performance-enhancing substance in violation of Major League Baseball’s Joint Minor League Drug Prevention and Treatment Program.

NHL Stanley Cup Finals Game 4 Preview: Vegas Golden Knights (2-1) at Florida Panthers (1-2)

NHL Editor
-
0
NHL Stanley Cup Finals Game 4 Preview: Vegas Golden Knights (2-1) at Florida Panthers (1-2)

VEGAS GOLDEN KNIGHTS NOTES:

2023 STANLEY CUP PLAYOFFS – STANLEY CUP FINAL – VEGAS GOLDEN KNIGHTS VS. FLORIDA PANTHERS
Golden Knights 2022-23 Regular Season Record: 51-22-9, 111 points (25-15-1 at Home, 26-7-8 on Road)

DATE RESULT VGK GOALS VGK GOALIE FLA GOALIE
June 3 Vegas 5, Florida 2 81, 27, 2, 61, 19 Hill Bobrovsky
June 5 Vegas 7, Florida 2 81(2), 23, 10, 21(2), 22 Hill Bobrovsky/Lyon
June 8 Vegas 2, Florida 3 OT 61, 81 Hill Brobovsky

DATE OPPONENT TIME (PT) TELEVISION RADIO SPANISH RADIO
June 8 at Florida Panthers 5 p.m. TNT Fox Sports 98.9 FM/1340 AM Deportes 1460 AM
June 10 at Florida Panthers 5 p.m. TNT Fox Sports 98.9 FM/1340 AM Deportes 1460 AM
June 13 vs. Florida Panthers 5 p.m. TNT Fox Sports 98.9 FM/1340 AM Deportes 1460 AM
*June 16 at Florida Panthers 5 p.m. TNT Fox Sports 98.9 FM/1340 AM Deportes 1460 AM
*June 19 vs. Florida Panthers 5 p.m. TNT Fox Sports 98.9 FM/1340 AM Deportes 1460 AM
*If Necessary

VGK/FLA – Regular Season Recap
The Vegas Golden Knights split the regular season series with the Florida Panthers 1-1-0. Vegas and Florida first met in January at TMobile Arena where the Golden Knights erased a 2-1 deficit in the third period to claim a 4-2 win. Nick Cousins and Nicolas Roy each scored to keep the game level but Sam Reinhart scored in the second to give Florida a 2-1 lead heading into the third period. In the final frame, it was all Vegas as Jack Eichel, William Carrier and William Karlsson sealed the 4-2 victory for the Golden Knights. In their second meeting Florida came out on top and pounced out to a 1-0 lead on a Ryan Lomberg goal less than five minutes into the contest. Florida added to the lead four minutes into the middle frame as Aleksandr Barkov made it a 2-0 game. Shea Theodore got the Golden Knights on the board with a power-play goal at 13:23 of the period and Vegas went into the third period trailing by a goal. The third period passed without a goal as the Panthers captured the 2-1 win.

2022-23 Season FLA Series: 1-1-0 (Home: 1-0-0, Road: 0-1-0)

Game 3 Recap
June 8 – Vegas Golden Knights 2, Florida Panthers 3 OT
The Vegas Golden Knights came up a goal short in a 3-2 overtime loss to the Florida Panthers in Game 3 of the Stanley Cup Final on Thursday night at FLA Live Arena. Vegas leads the series, 2-1. For the second time in the series, the Panthers found the back of the net first as Brandon Montour snuck a shot through to give Florida a 1-0 lead. With less than four minutes to play in the frame, Mark Stone redirected a Jonathan Marchessault shot past Sergei Bobrovsky to tie the game at 1-1. Late in the second, Jack Eichel threaded the puck through traffic to a waiting Marchessault who snapped it under the crossbar to give the Golden Knights a 2-1 edge. Vegas held thr lead until Matthew Tkachuk’s game-tying goal with Bobrovsky pulled with 2:13 to go in the final frame. Early in overtime, Carter Verhaeghe scored from the high slot to give the Panthers their first in a Stanley Cup Final game in franchise history.

FLORIDA PANTHERS NOTES:

BAPTIST HEALTH INJURY REPORT

  • F Patric Hornqvist | Games Missed: 19
  • F Eetu Luostarinen | Games Missed: 3
    Total Playoff Man Games Lost Due to Injury: 32
    Total Regular Season Man Games Lost Due to Injury: 239

LAST GAME
Panthers 3, Golden Knights 2 [OT] – June 8 – FLA Live Arena
FLA Goals: Montour (7), Tkachuk (11), Verhaeghe (7)
VGK Goals: Stone (8-PPG), Marchessault (13-PPG)
FLA Goalie: Bobrovsky (W) – 25 Saves
VGK Goalie: Hill (L) – 20 Saves
FLA Shots: 23
VGK Shots: 27
Notes: Carter Verhaeghe tallied his franchise-record fourth playoff OT goal, and second this postseason, to give the Panthers their first Stanley Cup Final win in club history…Verhaeghe (1-1-2) posted his club-record ninth career postseason multi-point game…Verhaeghe became only player in NHL history to score multiple OT goals in consecutive postseasons and one of three players to have two in multiple playoff years at any point in his career…Matthew Tkachuk (1-1-2) tallied a goal for the second consecutive game, surpassing Dave Lowry (10, 1996) for the most goals in one playoff year in club history…Tkachuk’s 24 points (11-13-24) are tied for the league lead this postseason…Tkachuk joined Rick Tocchet (1987) as the only two players in NHL history with at least 11 goals and 60 PIMs in one playoff year…Brandon Montour scored for his 10th point (7-3-10) of the postseason, surpassing Ed Jovanovski (1-8-9, 1996) for the most by a defenseman in one playoff year in club history…Sam Bennett notched an assist for the second consecutive game…Sergei Bobrovsky stopped all 20 shots he faced at even strength…Florida extended their home win streak to three games…The Panthers are now 7-0 in overtime games in the 2023 postseason and have won each of their past 10 dating to Round 1, Game 3 at TBL in 2021…FLA PP: 0-5, FLA PK: 4-6

PANTHERS vs. GOLDEN KNIGHTS
ALL-TIME vs. VGK: 4-5-1
ALL-TIME ROAD vs. VGK: 4-1-0
2022-23 vs. VGK: 1-1-0

PANTHERS PLAYOFF LEADERS
Goals: Tkachuk (11)
Assists: Tkachuk (13)
Points: Tkachuk (24)
Shots: Montour (70)
Hits: Gudas (83)

ROUND 1 – FLA (4) vs. BOS (3)
GAME 1 – FLA 1, BOS 3
GAME 2 – FLA 6, BOS 3
GAME 3 – BOS 4, FLA 2
GAME 4 – BOS 6, FLA 2
GAME 5 – FLA 4, BOS 3 [OT]
GAME 6 – BOS 5, FLA 7
GAME 7 – FLA 4, BOS 3 [OT]

ROUND 2 – FLA (4) vs. TOR (1)
GAME 1 – FLA 4, TOR 2
GAME 2 – FLA 3, TOR 2
GAME 3 – TOR 2, FLA 3 [OT]
GAME 4 – TOR 2, FLA 1
GAME 5 – FLA 3, TOR 2 [OT]

ECF – FLA (4) vs. CAR (0)
GAME 1 – FLA 3, CAR 2 [4OT]
GAME 2 – FLA 2, CAR 1 [OT]
GAME 3 – CAR 0, FLA 1
GAME 4 – CAR 3, FLA 4

SCF – FLA (1) vs. VGK (2)
GAME 1 – FLA 2, VGK 5
GAME 2 – FLA 2, VGK 7
GAME 3 – VGK 2, FLA 3 [OT]

CLOCKING OVERTIME
Securing their seventh overtime win of the 2023 postseason (7-0) in Game 3 vs. VGK, the Panthers became the third team to claim at least seven consecutive overtime wins in a postseason, following the 1993 Canadiens (10-0) and 2003 Ducks (7-0). Florida and Anaheim are the only clubs to win each of their first seven OT games in one postseason. The Cats have now won 10 consecutive playoff overtime games dating to Round 1, Game 3 at TBL in 2021, the second-longest multi-season OT win streak in NHL history behind only MTL (14) from 1993-1998. Matthew Tkachuk (3) and Carter Verhaeghe (2) have each produced multiple OT winners this postseason. Verhaeghe is the only player in NHL history to score multiple OT goals in consecutive postseasons and one of three players to have two in multiple playoff years at any point in his career, following Joe Sakic (2 in 1996, 2004) and Esa Tikkanen (2 in 1991, 1997). Sergei Bobrovsky has been in net for all 10 of Florida’s previous OT contests – his 11-game personal postseason overtime win streak is second only to Patrick Roy (12 from 1993-1996) for the longest in NHL history. Head Coach Paul Maurice (23-7, .767) has the highest playoff overtime winning percentage in NHL history among head coaches (min. 10 OT GC).

HOME SWEET HOME
The Panthers have won each of their past three games at FLA Live Arena. Each of their past five outings in Sunrise have been one-goal games, and the Cats have come away victorious in five of their past six postseason home games. Matthew Tkachuk (6-5-11) leads Florida in goals, assists and points at home this postseason. Sergei Bobrovsky owns a 5-2 home record in the 2023 playoffs in addition to a .936 even-strength save percentage at home.

CATS AND KNIGHTS
Including their 3-2 overtime win in Game 3, Florida has come out victorious in five of its six matchups with Vegas all-time at FLA Live Arena (5-1-0), including their game March 7 of this season. Aleksander Barkov has amassed eight points (4-4-8) over four total home ice games against the Golden Knights in the regular season.

NHL Morning Skate: Stanley Cup Final Edition – June 10, 2023

NHL Editor
-
0
NHL Morning Skate: Stanley Cup Final Edition – June 10, 2023

* The Panthers have built a reputation of clawing back over the last few seasons and after doing so to claim their first-ever Stanley Cup Final victory, Florida now eyes a Game 4 win to draw even before the series shifts back to Las Vegas.

* In addition to Matthew Tkachuk and Carter Verhaeghe, Sergei Bobrovsky and Sam Bennett have been key contributors for the Panthers in overtime this postseason and can etch their name in Stanley Cup Playoffs history if the Panthers compete in another game beyond regulation.

* The usual suspects have helped the Golden Knights bounce back throughout the 2023 Stanley Cup Playoffs and now Adin Hill, Jonathan Marchessault and Jack Eichel will look to set up the second potential Cup-clinching game ever played on The Las Vegas Strip – this time in favor of the hosts.


‘COMEBACK CATS’ CONTINUING TO LIVE UP TO THEIR REPUTATION

The Panthers have officially entered the 2023 Stanley Cup Final after late-game heroics from Matthew Tkachuk tied Game 3 with 2:13 remaining in regulation and Carter Verhaeghe scored 4:27 into overtime. Florida and come-from-behind wins have gone hand-in-hand through the past four seasons, helping the franchise establish its alter ego: “The Comeback Cats.”

* The Panthers have collected an NHL-leading 79 regular-season comeback wins dating to 2019-20, a stretch that includes four instances of the team overcoming a four-goal deficit to win. Those instances were coupled together and each happened within a span of nine days or fewer – in November 2019, the club staged four-goal comeback wins nine days apart (Nov. 12 and Nov. 21) and one-upped themselves 17 months later by needing only three days from one four-goal comeback to the next (April 2 and April 5).


* All four of Verhaeghe’s overtime goals in the Stanley Cup Playoffs have sealed a comeback win for the Panthers (also Game 4 of 2022 R1, Game 6 of 2022 R1 & Game 7 of 2023 R1). In fact, his nine total game-winning goals in comeback wins (regular season & playoffs combined) are the most among all Florida skaters since joining the club in 2020-21.


* Tkachuk enters Game 4 with six total game-winning goals in comeback wins during the 2022-23 regular season and playoffs combined. Only five active players have had more in a single year: Joe Pavelski (8 in 2015-16 w/ SJS), Steven Stamkos (7 in 2021-22 & 2011-12 w/ TBL), Chris Kreider (7 in 2021-22 w/ NYR), Jason Robertson (7 in 2021-22 w/ DAL) and Sean Monahan (7 in 2017-18 w/ CGY).
 

* The first-year Panthers forward has continued to produce a flair for the dramatic during the 2023 Stanley Cup Playoffs following his winning goal with 13 seconds remaining in the fourth overtime period in Game 1 of the Conference Finals and his series-clinching goal with less than five seconds left in regulation six days later in Game 4.

WILL FLORIDA DRAW EVEN ON HOME ICE?

The Panthers and Golden Knights will take to the ice at FLA Live Arena again Saturday for Game 4, with the former looking to guarantee a Game 6 and another outing back in Sunrise, Florida this postseason. The 2017 Predators (vs. PIT), 2011 Bruins (vs. VAN), 2010 Flyers (vs. CHI), 2009 Penguins (vs. DET) and 2003 Ducks (vs. NJD) are the only teams in the past 30 years to even the Stanley Cup Final at two games apiece after dropping the first two contests of the series on the road.

2017 Stanley Cup Final
* The Predators returned to the home confines of Bridgestone Arena for Games 3 and 4 after winning seven of their first eight games there leading up to the Stanley Cup Final, with their only loss coming in overtime during Game 4 of the Conference Finals versus Anaheim.

* In Game 3, Roman Josi (1-2—3) factored on three of five unanswered goals en route to matching a franchise playoff record for points in a game by a defenseman – a mark P.K. Subban (1-2—3 in Game 1 of R2) established earlier that year. In Game 4, Frederick Gaudreau netted the winner for the second time in as many outings and became the 12th player in the expansion era (since 1967-68) to register the winning goal in consecutive contests during the Final; while Jake Guentzel achieved the feat for Pittsburgh during Games 1 and 2, the last player to do so before 2017 was Daniel Paille in 2013 (Games 2 & 3 w/ BOS).


BOBROVSKY, BENNETT CONTINUE TO HELP FLORIDA’S OVERTIME FORTUNES

Aside from Matthew Tkachuk and Carter Verhaeghe, Sergei Bobrovsky and Sam Bennett have also played pivotal roles throughout Florida’s overtime success during the 2023 Stanley Cup Playoffs: 

* Bobrovsky finished Game 3 with 25 saves, including two in the extra frame, as he earned his 11th consecutive playoff overtime win dating to Game 2 of the 2019 Second Round with Columbus and his seventh straight in the 2023 Stanley Cup Playoffs. He became the third goaltender in NHL history with at least seven consecutive overtime wins in a single postseason, joining Patrick Roy (10 in 1993 w/ MTL) and Jean-Sebastien Giguere (7 in 2003 w/ ANA) – each of whom went on to win the Conn Smythe Trophy that year.



* Bennett (4-9—13 in 18 GP) collected a primary assist on Verhaeghe’s overtime goal in Game 3 and now has 1-4—5 at FLA Live Arena this postseason. Bennett, competing in the Stanley Cup Playoffs for the seventh time in his career and fifth consecutive season, has assisted on four of Florida’s seven overtime goals during this championship chase and sits tied with Tkachuk and three others for the most overtime points in a single postseason in NHL history. 


 

GOLDEN KNIGHTS LOOK TO BOUNCE BACK IN GAME 4

The Golden Knights led for much of Game 3 but fell victim to a late Panthers rally. They now have their sights set on Game 4 as they look to take a 3-1 series lead.

* As a team, the Golden Knights are averaging 4.40 goals per game in contests immediately following a loss in 2023 – the highest among all teams (next closest: EDM, BOS & SEA, 4.00 GF/GP). Their 2.00 goals against per game in contests immediately following a loss is tied with the Avalanche and Maple Leafs for the second fewest among all teams and trailing only the Hurricanes (1.83 GA/GP).

* Adin Hill has tended the crease three times after losing this postseason and has rebounded with a victory twice (2-1, 2.38 GAA, .924 SV%, 1 SO). Following a defeat in Game 5 of the Conference Finals, he joined New Jersey’s Akira Schmid (Game 7 of R1) as the second goaltender this postseason to rebound from a loss with a shutout.

* Vegas is 4-1 in games following a loss this postseason, thanks in part to the play of Jonathan Marchessault (3-5—8 in 5 GP) and Jack Eichel (3-5—8 in 5 GP). Their 1.60 points per game in that scenario is tied for the fourth highest in the 2023 Stanley Cup Playoffs (min. 5 GP) behind only Connor McDavid (2.00 P/GP; 3-7—10 in 5 GP), Leon Draisaitl (1.80 P/GP; 5-4—9 in 5 GP) and Roope Hintz (1.63 P/GP; 5-8—13 in 8 GP).
 


NHL SCOUTING COMBINE CONCLUDES SATURDAY IN BUFFALO

The 2023 NHL Scouting Combine presented by adidas will conclude Saturday in Buffalo with fitness testing. On Friday, Connor Bedard(No. 1 ranked NA Skater), Adam Fantilli (No. 2 ranked NA Skater) and Leo Carlsson (No. 1 ranked International Skater) each spoke to the media about their time at Combine.


NHL PODCAST WEEKLY ROUNDUP
 

* NHL Backstory (June 3): Audio Trailer (*Episode 1: Quack, Quack, Quack – available June 11)

* NHL @ The Rink (June 7): Brett Howden joins; Stanley Cup Final storylines
* NHL Draft Class (June 7):NHL Scouting Combine – PART I: Connor Bedard & Mike Doneghey
* NHL Draft Class (June 8):NHL Scouting Combine – PART II: Adam Fantilli & Will Smith

QUICK CLICKS

* Panthers, Golden Knights face final test in ‘Quest For The Stanley Cup’

* Golden Knights take ‘reset day’ during Final to deal with grind, OT loss

* Stanley Cup Final blog: Carter Verhaeghe

* Shane Doan hired by Maple Leafs as adviser to GM
* Damon Severson traded to Blue Jackets after signing 8-year contract with Devils

MLS Preview: Columbus Crew SC (7-6-3) at Chicago Fire (3-5-8)

MLS Editor
-
0
MLS Preview: Columbus Crew SC (7-6-3) at Chicago Fire (3-5-8)

The Columbus Crew SC came from a 2-0 deficit to beat the Chicago Fire, 3-2, at Solider Field last July for the Columbus Crew SC’s second win in their last 25 visits to Chicago in all competitions (D10 L13) dating back to 2007. The Columbus Crew SC have won consecutive matches at the Chicago Fire only once before, recording victories in May and October 2004.

The Chicago Fire are unbeaten in nine straight home MLS matches, though seven of those matches have ended in draws (W2). This is the Chicago Fire’s longest home unbeaten run in since a 14-match streak from September 2016 to August 17.

After their 3-2 win at the Chicago Fire last July, the Columbus Crew SC have won just one of their last 14 regular season way matches (D6, L7), including losing the last three in a row away from home. Over the same period, Columbus Crew SC have played 18 regular-season home matches, losing only two (W10 D6).

The Chicago Fire failed to hit the target with any of their six shots in their defeat at FC Cincinnati on Saturday, with three of those attempts coming from outside the box. The Chicago Fire have hit the target with just seven of the 53 shots they have attempted from outside the box with the resulting 13.2% accuracy as the lowest in MLS this year.

Cucho Hernandez has contributed to a goal in seven straight matches, the longest single-season streak by a Columbus Crew SC player since Edson Buddle in 2003. Hernandez can tie the club record of eight straight home matches in a single season with a goal contribution, set by Jeff Cunningham in July-August 2001.

MLS Preview: Nashville SC (9-3-4) at Toronto FC (3-5-9)

MLS Editor
-
0
MLS Preview: Nashville SC (9-3-4) at Toronto FC (3-5-9)

Toronto FC is unbeaten in its last four meetings with Nashville SC (W2 D2), including a scoreless draw at GEODIS Park on April 8. Toronto FC is the only team to go four straight regular season matches against Nashville SC without defeat.

Toronto FC has lost only one of its nine home matches this regular season (W3 D5), a 2-0 defeat to the New England Revolution on May 6. So far this season, Canadian teams have lost only three of 22 regular season home matches against American opposition (W11 D8).

Nashville SC is unbeaten in eight straight MLS matches (W6 D2), winning six of the last seven and four in a row. The four-match winning run equals the longest in club history for Nashville SC along with a four-match run in August-September 2022.

Lorenzo Insigne has been directly involved in Toronto FC’s last three MLS goals (1 goal, 2 assists), including scoring the lone goal in a 1-1 draw with Minnesota United FC on Saturday. Insigne had been involved in just one of Toronto FC’s first 13 goals of the season.

Hany Mukhtar scored the wining goal for Nashville SC in a 2-1 victory over FC Dallas on Saturday, his third straight match with a goal. Mukhtar has been involved in 79 goals since the start of the 2021 season (49 goals, 30 assists), 23 more than any other player in that time.

1...2,6232,6242,625...3,998Page 2,624 of 3,998

Contact us: info@sportsgamingjournal.com

* PLEASE NOTE: THE INFORMATION CONTAINED AT THIS SITE IS FOR NEWS AND ENTERTAINMENT PURPOSES ONLY. ANY USE OF THIS INFORMATION IN VIOLATION OF ANY FEDERAL, STATE OR LOCAL LAWS IS PROHIBITED.

FOLLOW US

TODAY"S TOP CATEGORIES

© Copyright 2024, Sports Gaming Journal. All rights reserved.