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MLB Preview: Seattle Mariners (30-31) at Los Angeles Angels (34-30)

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MLB Preview: Seattle Mariners (30-31) at Los Angeles Angels (34-30)

SEATTLE MARINERS NOTES:

TONIGHT’S TILT…the Mariners continue an 11-day, 8-game road trip with the first of 3 contests against the Los Angeles Angels…Seattle began the current road trip with a 3-game series at Texas (0-3) and a 2-game series at San Diego (1-1)…tonight’s game will be televised live on APPLE TV+ with Wayne Randazzo and Dontrelle Willis on the call, with Heidi Watney reporting from the field…the game will also be broadcast live on Seattle Sports (710 AM) and Mariners.com with Rick Rizzs and Gary Hill Jr.

ODDS AND ENDS…the Mariners dropped Wednesday’s finale to the Padres by a 10-3 score…the Mariners are 8-7 over their last 15 games (5/22-c)…Seattle is 22-11 when scoring at least 4 runs and 8-20 when scoring 3-or-fewer…the Mariners are 17-15 at T-Mobile Park and 13-16 on the road this season.

  • Programming Note – Tonight’s game will air live on Apple TV+.
  • Series Openers – The Mariners are 10-10 in series openers (6-4 on the road) this season.

ALL-STAR LUIS…tonight’s starting pitcher Luis Castillo has been one of the best pitchers in the American League this season…in 12 starts, he is 4-3 with a 2.55 ERA (20 ER, 70.2 IP) with 16 walks and 82 strikeouts…he’s held opponents to a .203 batting average (53×261) and has posted a miniscule 0.976 WHIP…among qualified AL starters this season, Castillo ranks T5th in fWAR (2.1), T9th in bWAR (1.9), 7th in ERA, T7th in WHIP, T7th in opponent batting average, 4th in strikeouts-per-9 innings (10.44), 6th in fewest home runs-per-9 innings (0.76), 5th in FIP (2.83) and 8th in strikeout-to-walk ratio (5.13).

ME AND JULIO DOWN BY THE BALLYARD…Julio Rodríguez over his last 15 games (5/22-c) is batting .365 (23×63) with 9 runs, 4 doubles, 4 home runs and 13 RBI, going 4-for-4 in stolen base attempts…he’s gotten on base at a .375 clip, slugging .619 with a .994 OPS during that span…since May 22, Julio has accumulated 1.0 fWAR, tied for 3rd-best player in the Majors over that stretch and trailing only Wander Franco-TB (1.1) and Matt McLain-CIN (1.1)…J-Rod’s 182 wRC+ during that span ranks 6th-highest in the AL during that stretch.

TEN OUT OF TEN…Julio Rodríguez (11 home runs, 12 stolen bases) is one of 5 Major League players with 10+ home runs and 10+ stolen bases this season, along with Ronald Acuña Jr.-ATL, Corbin CarrollARI, Josh Lowe-TB and Bobby Witt Jr.-KC…Julio reached 10/10 in 54 games this season, tied for 2ndfastest Mariners player to reach those feats in a season in franchise history with Alex Rodriguez (1998), trailing only Ruppert Jones (52 G, 1979)…in 1998, Alex Rodriguez finished with 42 home runs and 46 stolen bases, becoming the 3rd player in Major League history with a 40/40 season.

HOLD ME CLOSER, TINY FRANCER…Ty France over his last 14 games (5/22-c) is batting .333 (19×57) with 11 runs, 6 doubles, 3 home runs, 7 RBI, 3 walks and 2 hit-by-pitches, getting on base at a .387 clip, slugging .597 with a .984 OPS…France’s 178 wRC+ during that span ranks 7th-highest in the AL, right behind teammate Julio Rodríguez (182), who ranks 6th.

I’M ON A HIGHWAY TO KEL…Jarred Kelenic went 2-for-4 with a double in his last game…in 58 games this season, he is batting .269 (57×212) with 27 runs, 15 doubles, 1 triple, 10 home runs, 27 RBI, 7 stolen bases and 19 walks, getting on base at a .330 clip, slugging .491 with an .821 OPS…he leads the Mariners in extra-base hits (26), slugging percentage and OPS, ranking 2nd in total bases (104) to Julio Rodríguez (107)…in 59 plate appearances against left-handed pitchers this season, Jarred is batting .327 (18×55) with 3 doubles, 1 triple, 4 homers, 13 RBI and 4 walks with a 1.009 OPS.

AGAINST THE UNICORN…against Shohei Ohtani-LAA in his career, J.P. Crawford is batting .313 (5×16) with a home run and 3 RBI…Jarred Kelenic is batting .429 (3×7) with a home run against Ohtani…Eugenio Suárez is batting .500 (3×6) with an RBI.

GLOVE ME GLOVE ME, SAY THAT YOU GLOVE ME…the Mariners defense has a .989 fielding percentage this season, tied for 4th-highest in the Majors and tied for highest in the AL with Tampa Bay and Houston…the Mariners lead the AL in Outs Above Average (12), trailing only San Diego (20) for the Major League lead…Julio Rodríguez (5 OAA) ranks T3rd among MLB center fielders…Eugenio Suárez (5 OAA) ranks T5th among MLB third basemen.

THE PITCHING STAFF…in 61 games this season, the Mariners pitching staff has posted a 4.02 ERA (244 ER, 545.2 IP) with 157 walks and 549 strikeouts…Seattle pitchers lead the Majors in strikeout-to-walk ratio (3.50)…the Mariners have allowed 157 walks (fewest in MLB) and 54 home runs (fewest in MLB)…Seattle pitchers rank 1st in fWAR (10.2), 1st in FIP (3.51) and 1st in walk rate (6.9%)…Seattle starting pitchers are 20-21 with a 4.17 ERA (157 ER, 338.2 IP) with 75 walks and 314 strikeouts…Seattle relief pitchers are 10- 10 with a 3.78 ERA (87 ER, 207.0 IP) with 15 saves, 82 walks and 235 strikeouts.

PAULIN’ ALL OVER THE WORLD…in 26 games this season, Paul Sewald is 2-0 with 12 saves and a 2.84 ERA (8 ER, 25.1 IP) with 8 walks and 35 strikeouts…he is 12-for-13 in save opportunities…Sewald has a 0.950 WHIP and has held opponents to a .178 batting average (16×90).

YOU DON’T WANT TO BATT AGAINST MATT…in 30 games this season, Matt Brash is 3-3 with a 4.88 ERA (13 ER, 24.0 IP) with 10 walks and 46 strikeouts…opponents are batting .290 against him this season, with an expected batting average (based on quality of contact) of .225…the .065 disparity between his batting average allowed and xBA ranks 2nd-highest in the American League, trailing only Zach PlesacCLE (.077)…Brash’s 17.3 strikeouts-per-9 innings ranks 2nd-highest in the Majors (min. 20 IP), trailing only Félix Bautista-BAL (18.6).

AS YOU MAY KNOW…in 36 games this season, rookie José Caballero has gotten on-base at a .393 clip, batting .250 (21×84) with 15 runs, 4 doubles, 2 home runs, 13 RBI, 6 stolen bases, 14 walks and 7 hit-by-pitches, posting a 128 wRC+, but…DID YOU KNOW?…that despite having the 9th-most plate appearances among American League second basemen this season, Caballero has been the 3rd-most valuable?…by FanGraphs Wins Above Replacement, “Cabby” has posted 1.2 fWAR, ranking 3rd among AL third basemen behind Marcus Semien-TEX (3.1) and Zach McKinstry-DET (1.5)…Caballero ranks ahead of Whit Merrifield-TOR (1.1), Mauricio Dubón-HOU (1.0) and Brandon Drury-LAA (1.0).

MARINERS STARTER – RHP LUIS CASTILLO
2023 MLB Breakdown:
W-L ERA G/GS IP H R ER BB SO HR
Overall 4-3 2.55 12/12 70.2 53 22 20 16 82 6
Home 4-1 1.89 8/8 47.2 30 10 10 9 61 2
Road 0-2 3.91 4/4 23.0 23 12 10 7 21 4
vs. LAA 1-0 0.00 1/1 5.2 2 0 0 2 6 0

ABOUT CASTILLO…

  • The 30-year-old right-hander is set to make his 13th start of the season, 2nd against the Angels…he is also making his 161st Major League start and 4th career start against Texas.
  • Has been named an All-Star in 2019 and 2022.
  • Originally signed as an international free agent by the San Francisco Giants on 12/23/11.
  • Made MLB debut on 6/23/17 vs. Washington (w/ Cincinnati)
  • Signed a 5-year contract extension with the Seattle Mariners on Sept. 24, 2022 after being acquired in a trade with Cincinnati on July 30, 2022.

LAST TIME OUT…L#3 in last start on 6/2 at Texas…allowed just 1 run on 5 hits and 1 walk in 7.0 innings pitched while striking out 6.

INNINGS EATER…has made 7 starts this season where he has pitched at least 6.0 innings inlcuding his last 3 starts…in those 3 starts Castillo has a 0.47 ERA (1 ER, 19.0 IP) and has allowed only 10 hits and 5 walks while striking out 24…his career-high for games with at least 6.0 innings pitched in a season is 22 which he achieved in 2019.

SEASON-HIGH PUNCHIES…recorded a season-high 10 strikeouts in his start against the Pittsburgh Pirates on 5/27…he was only 3 strikeouts away from matching his career-high…this marked the 16th time in Castillo’s career that he has recorded 10+ strikeouts in a game (last: 8/27/22 vs. CLE).

1,000 AND COUNTING…recorded his 1,000th career strikeout in his outing on 5/22 against Oakland after striking out Shea Langeliers to begin the 5th inning…Castillo finished the night with 8 strikeouts.

STILL ROLLING…has only allowed 16 walks while striking out 82 batters in 12 starts this season…his 16 walks are tied for the 8th fewest in the Major Leagues with 5 other pitchers…his 82 strikeouts on the season ranks tied 13th in the Major Leagues with Logan Webb-SFG…Castillo’s 5.13 strikeout-to-walk ratio ranks 9th in the Major Leagues.

OFF TO A GOOD START…his 135 strikeouts through his first 20 Mariners starts are the 2nd most in Mariners history through a pitchers first 20 starts…he trails only Robbie Ray (136) and ranks ahead of Félix Hernández (124) and Michael Pineda (123).

MAKING THEM EARN IT…has only allowed 20 earned runs through 12 starts this season which is tied 5th in the Major Leagues…his 2.55 ERA (20 ER, 70.2 IP) ranks 7th in the Major Leagues behind Marcus Stroman-CHC (2.39).

KEEPING THE BASES CLEAN…has only allowed 72 runners to reach base safely through 12 starts this season which is the 4th fewest in the Major Leagues… he also ranks among Major League leaders in opponents average (T-8th, .203/53×261) and WHIP (5th, 0.976).

DOMINATE THE ZONE…had 38 strikeouts in both March/April and May…this was the first time in his career that he has recorded the same number of strikeouts in back-to-back months…his career-high in strikeouts in a single month is 50 which he achieved in 2019.

KEEPING THEM IN THE YARD…gave up his first home run of the season on 4/28, breaking a 5-game span of allowing no home runs…this was his longest span of games to start a season without giving up a home run in his career.

LOS ANGELES ANGELS NOTES:

LEADING OFF: Today, the Angels play the fourth (3-0) of six games on a homestand against the Chicago Cubs (3-0) and Seattle Mariners (June 9-11)…Halos went 3-4 on last road trip against the Chicago White Sox (2-1) and Houston Astros (1-3)…LAA was 5-4 on last homestand against the Minnesota Twins (2-1), Boston Red Sox (3-0) and Miami Marlins (0-3).

CURRENT TRENDS: Angels have won four straight games after losing the previous three…With a win today, Angels would match longest win streak of season (won five straight from April 30-May 5)…Over the last four games, Halos bullpen has worked 14.1 scoreless innings.

BRINGING THE HEAT: Ben Joyce had made four appearances for the Angels this season with 68 of his 80 pitches (85%) being thrown at 100+ MPH…In the Statcast era (since 2015), only Shohei Ohtani (70) has thrown more pitches at 100+ MPH for the Angels.

VS. SEATTLE: Angels lead the season series 2-1 after taking two of three games at T-Mobile Park from April 3-5…Mike Trout is a career .325 (210/647) hitter vs. Seattle and is the all-time leader in career home runs (54) against the Mariners…His 143 career runs scored vs. Seattle and 431 total bases rank second all-time.

MOST CAREER HOME RUNS vs. MARINERS

  1. Mike Trout – 54
  2. Rafael Palmeiro – 52
    MOST CAREER RUNS SCORED vs. MARINERS
  3. Rickey Henderson – 145
  4. Mike Trout – 143
    MOST CAREER TOTAL BASES vs. MARINERS
  5. Rafael Palmeiro – 435
  6. Mike Trout – 431

LEAGUE LEADER: Shohei Ohtani, leads the Majors in
opponent batting average (.175) and ranks third in
strikeouts (96).

RECENT ROSTER MOVES: Wednesday the Angels recalled OF Jo Adell from Triple-A Salt Lake…In a corresponding move, OF Hunter Renfroe was placed on the paternity list.

JUST MET A GUY NAMED BARRIA: Since April 8, Jaime Barria leads the Majors (min. 25 IP) with a 1.02 ERA (35.1 IP – 4 ER)…He has made three starts this season in addition to 11 appearances from Angels bullpen.

PLAY FROM AHEAD: Halos have held leads in 51 of 64 games played this year.

THE DRAGON: Over his last eight games, Chris Devenski has tossed 10.0 scoreless innings and has stranded all 14 of his inherited runners…In that span, he’s allowed one hit with no walks and 12 strikeouts.

I’M FEELING ‘22: The Angels active roster features their first two picks from the 2022 Draft: Zach Neto (first round) and Ben Joyce (third round)…The pair of 22-year-olds are the only two players from last year’s MLB Draft class to reach the Majors.

THE MICK: Mickey Moniak is one of three players in the Majors with at least three leadoff HR this year, along with Mookie Betts (6) and Christian Yelich (3)… Halos have won nine of his last 11 starts…On May 13 at Cleveland, became the first player in MLB history to
make his season debut on his birthday and hit a leadoff home run.

ESTÉVEZ ENDING: This season, Carlos Estévez is pitching to a 1.32 ERA (27.1 IP – 4 ER) and has converted all 16 of his save opportunities (the 16 saves are a new career high)…He is the first Angels pitcher to convert his first 16 save opportunities of a season since Troy Percival had 16 straight successful save opportunities to begin the 2001 season…Only streak longer in Halos history is the Club record 19 consecutive successful save chances by Lee Smith to start the 1995 campaign.

CATCHING ON: This season, Angels catchers are tied for fourth in the Majors with 10 home runs and rank fourth with a .771 OPS.

SINGLE HANDED: Gio Urshela has hit 52 singles this year plus 11 extra-base hits (eight doubles, one triple & two home runs)…Urshela ranks second, behind Toronto’s Bo Bichette (63), for the American League lead in singles…Since May 5, Urshela ranks third in the American League with a .333 (34/102) batting average in that span.

NET-OW: Zack Neto has been hit by 11 pitches this season, which is second-most in the Majors…Since 1901, he is tied for the fewest career games played (45) when reaching 11 career HBP (also, Tim Locastro for Dodgers/D-backs from 2017-19).

MY SACRIFICE: Angels have not recorded a sacrifice hit since the penultimate game of the 2022 season (Max Stassi – Oct. 4, 2022 at Oakland)…Current streak of 65 games without a sacrifice hit is the second-longest in franchise history (Angels had a 66-game streak from
May 30 – Aug. 13, 2019).

LATE COMEBACKS: Halos have three wins this season when trailing after eight innings, which matches the Angels total from each of the last two seasons…Last time LAA had more than three wins in a season when trailing after eight frames was 2017 (5).

TODAY’S STARTING PITCHER – RHP SHOHEI OHTANI
5-2, 3.30 ERA
In seven career pitching starts vs. Seattle, is 5-0 with a 1.64 ERA (44 IP – 8 ER)

  • SHO TIME: Making 13th pitching start of the year and seventh at home…Second start of 2022 vs. Seattle…Is in sixth Major League season with LAA.
  • LEAGUE LEADER: Enters today’s start leading the Majors in opponent batting average (.175) and ranks third in strikeouts (96).
  • LAST TIME ON THE MOUND: Took the loss in last start on Friday at Houston after tossing 6.0 innings and allowing five earned runs on nine hits with one walk and six strikeouts.
  • HEY BABE: Babe Ruth and Ohtani are the only players with 500+ pitching strikeouts and 100+ home runs in a career… (according to ELIAS, Ruth had 501 career pitching strikeouts).
  • 10 K: Since start of 2022 season, leads MLB with 14 games with 10+ strikeouts (has four this season – tied for second-most in MLB)…Recorded 10+ strikeouts in 10 starts last season, which was the most such games in the A.L.; joined Nolan Ryan as the only pitchers in franchise history with 10+ strikeouts in at least six consecutive games.
  • UNFAMILIAR: This season, is holding opponents to an .099 (9/91) average the first time through the order, a .272 (22/81) average the second time through the order and a .155 (11/71) average the third time through.
  • VS. SEATTLE: Is 5-0 with a 1.64 ERA (44 IP – 8 ER) in seven career pitching starts vs. Mariners…This season is 1-0 with a 1.50 ERA (6 IP – 1 ER) against the Mariners following start on April 5 at T-Mobile Park.
  • AT ANGEL STADIUM: In 39 career starts at The Big A, is 18-6 with a 2.07 ERA (235 IP – 54 ER) and 303 strikeouts… This season, is 3-1 with a 2.31 ERA (39 IP – 10 ER) and 51 strikeouts after six starts…In 14 starts last season, was 7-4 with a 1.82 ERA (89 IP – 18 ER)…In 2021, went 6-0 with a 1.95 ERA (78.1 IP – 17 ER) and 93 strikeouts after 13 home starts.
  • HOME SWEET HOME: Has a career 2.07 ERA (235 IP – 54 ER) in home games, which is the second lowest total of the last 100 years (min. 30 GS)…Only Miami’s José Fernández (1.49 ERA; 272.1 IP – 45 ER) has a lower home ERA.
  • 500K: Reached 500 total MLB strikeouts for career with a 13 strikeout performance on May 3 at St. Louis…Fourth game in MLB history where a pitcher recorded 13+ strikeouts in 5.0-or-fewer innings (also, Jacob deGrom in 2022, Alex Cobb in 2013 and Zack Greinke in 2012).
  • OFF THE BOARDS: Had franchise record streak of 12 straight pitching starts allowing two-or-fewer runs snapped on April 27 vs. Oakland (Nolan Ryan had previous record with nine game streak across the 1972-73 seasons)… Overall, has yielded two-or-fewer runs in 21 of last 26 starts and one-or-fewer runs in 18 of last 26 starts.
  • CAN’T HIT THIS: Had streak of 10 straight pitching starts allowing three-or-fewer hits from Sept. 17, 2022 – April 27, 2023…The streak was snapped May 3 at St. Louis and finished tied with Jacob deGrom (10 game streak for Mets in 2021) for the longest streak all-time (excluding Openers).
  • SCORELESS AT THE BIG A: Had streak of 35.0 consecutive scoreless innings pitched at Angel Stadium snapped April 27 by A’s…Finished as second longest streak in ballpark history, behind a 36.2 IP streak by Mark Clear in 1979.

MLB Preview: Boston Red Sox (31-32) at New York Yankees (37-27)

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MLB Preview: Boston Red Sox (31-32) at New York Yankees (37-27)

BOSTON RED SOX NOTES:

STATE OF THE SOX: The Red Sox have lost 5 of their last 6 games…They are 5-12 in their last 17 games, beginning 5/21. The Sox have lost each of their last 3 series (1-2 vs. CIN, 1-3 vs. TB, 1-2 at CLE)…Prior to this streak, they hadn’t lost back-to-back series all season. At 31-32 (.492), the Sox rank 5th in the AL East and are 5.0 games back from the AL’s 3rd Wild Card spot. BOS is below .500 for the 1st time since 4/28 (13-14).

SOX & YANKEES: Tonight marks the 1st of 13 games between the Red Sox and Yankees this season, and 1st of 6 in a 10-day span from 6/9-18. The Red Sox went 6-13 against the Yankees in 2022, including 2-8 at Yankee Stadium…15 of their 19 matchups were decided by 3 runs or fewer, including 14 by 2 runs or fewer and 10 by 1 run. According to Elias, it was just the 5th time there have as many as 10 one-run games between he Red Sox and Yankees in a season…The clubs also combined for 11 in 1914 and 10 in 1952, 1960, and 2001. The Red Sox and Yankees each earned 2 walk-off wins against each other in 2022…It was the 7th season that the clubs have combined for 4 walk-off wins in their season series, and the 1st time since 1976 (also 4).

EASTERN STANDARD: The Red Sox are 1-6 on the road against AL East teams, compared to 7-4 at home. The Sox are 2-3-0 in series against AL East teams…They have lost both of their intradivisional road series so far (0-4 at TB from 4/10-13; 1-2 at BAL from 4/24-26). In 2022, they didn’t win their 2nd series against an AL East opponent until 8/14 (began 1-11-1). From 6/3-18, 3 of the Sox’ 5 series (10 of 16 games)
are against AL East opponents (1-3 vs. TB, 3 games at NYY, 3 games vs. NYY)…Just 1 of their 9 series from 4/28-6/1 was within the division (5/1-4 vs. TOR).

SERIES BUSINESS: The Red Sox lost their 3-game series at CLE (1-2), falling to 11-8-1 in series play (5-4-1 on the road). The Sox have alternated series results on the road (W, L, W, L, W, T, W, L, W, L): 3-0 at DET, 0-4 at TB, 2-1 at MIL, 1-2 at BAL, 2-1 at PHI, 1-1 at ATL, 2-1 at SD, 0-3 at LAA, 2-1 at ARI, 1-2 at CLE. They are 1-4-0 in their last 5 series, beginning 5/22. The Sox have won Game 1 and gone on to lose each of their last 2 series (vs. TB, at CLE)…Boston entered that stretch 8-0-0 in series after winning Game 1.

GETTING BUSY: After their game scheduled for 6/2 vs. TB was postponed and made up on 6/5, the Red Sox are now in a span of 13 games in 12 days, from 6/3-14 (2-5 so far). The Sox are in a span of 26 games in 27 days, from 5/30-6/25, including 23 games in 23 days from 6/3-25.

TOUGH TEST: The Red Sox have played 36 games against teams with a current winning percentage of .500 or better (16-20 record), tied for 3rd most in MLB (OAK-42, STL-39). 6 of the Sox’ 10 series from 6/2-7/6 are against opponents who are currently above .500 (vs. TB, at NYY, vs. NYY, vs. MIA, at TOR, vs. TEX).

COMEBACK KIDS: Boston has 18 come-from-behind wins this season, tied for 4th most in MLB (BAL-21, LAA-20, CIN-19). They have trailed in each of their last 4 wins.

UPS AND DOWNS: The Red Sox are 9-16 in their last 25 games, since 5/12, after going 17-8 over their previous 25. The Red Sox have been held to 3 runs or fewer in 14 of their last 25 games, compared to just 5 times in their previous 25. In their last 19 games, beginning 5/19, the Sox rank 19th in MLB in AVG (.231) and OBP (.309)…They entered that span ranked 2nd in MLB in AVG (.272) and OBP (.342).

RED SOX OFFENSE
Dates Record AVG OPS Runs/Game
3/30-4/13 5-8 .235 .731 5.5
4/14-5/11 17-8 .286 .818 5.8
5/12-pres. 9-16 .246 .709 4.0

DEFENSIVE DROP: The Red Sox have made 20 errors in their last 25 games, beginning 5/12 (0.80 per game)…They are tied with NYY for most errors in MLB during that span. The Sox have made 11 errors in their last 10 games following a season-long 6-game errorless streak from 5/22-28.

SLUGGING SOX: The Red Sox are tied for the MLB lead in doubles (143), and rank top 5 in runs (5th, 316), OBP (5th, .332), and XBH (5th, 216). The Sox rank 3rd in the AL and 6th in MLB in SO% (20.8).

SELECTIVE SOX: Red Sox batters have drawn at least 4 walks in a season-high 8 consecutive games, the 3rd-longest streak by any team this season (DET and LAD-10 each). The last time the Sox had 4+ walks in as many as 8 consecutive games was 8/28-9/6/2004 (9 straight). The Sox have a 10.6 BB% in their last 15 games, after entering that span with an 8.3 BB%. The Red Sox have averaged 3.96 pitches per plate appearance, 2nd most in the AL and 6th most in MLB.

RUNNIN’ RED SOX: The Red Sox rank 3rd in the AL and 5th in MLB in SB% (83.7%, 36-for-43). The Sox ranked 22nd in MLB with a 72.2 SB% in 2022.
34% of the Red Sox’ baserunners have scored, tied for the 5th-highest percentage in MLB.

FOUR SCORE AND…: The Red Sox are 29-10 when they score 4 or more runs, compared to 2-22 when they don’t. The Sox’ 39 games with 4+ runs scored are tied for 3rd most in the AL behind TB (47) and TEX (43). They have scored 4+ runs just once in their last 6 games, after doing so in 4 straight from 5/30-6/3-G1.

CLOSE SHAVES: 8 of the Red Sox’ last 12 games have been decided by 3 runs or fewer, including 4 one-run games and 2 two-run games. The Sox have lost 4 of their 6 one-run games since 5/3. Boston’s 10 losses by 1 run are 5th most in the AL behind CLE (17), SEA (12), MIN (12), and OAK (11).

ON THE MEND: Yu Chang started at SS for Triple-A Worcester last night vs. Rochester and went 1-for-2. In his last 2 rehab games with the WooSox, Chang is 3-for-5 with a run scored, an RBI, and a stolen base

TONIGHT’S STARTER: 22 GARRETT WHITLOCK – RHP
W-L ERA G GS IP ER HR BB SO WHIP AVG
2023 2-2 5.14 4 4 21.0 12 5 3 15 1.19 .278
CAREER 14-8 3.02 81 13 172.2 58 21 35 178 1.08 .233

Allowed 4 runs over 4.2 IP in Game 1 on Saturday vs. TB (6 H, 2 BB, 5 SO). Is 3-1 with a 2.00 ERA (4 ER/18.0 IP) in 12 career outings (all in relief) vs. NYY. Has walked only 5 of his 106 batters faced (4.7%)…Ranks in MLB’s 91st percentile in BB%, as well as in the 99th percentile in extension. Opponents are 4-for-22 with 8 SO in at-bats ending with a sweeper. Among Red Sox pitchers in the Live Ball Era (min. 150.0 IP), ranks 18th in ERA (3.15) and 5th in SO/BB ratio (4.95) behind only Koji Uehara (7.86), Chris Sale (6.25), Pedro Martinez (5.45), and Curt Schilling (5.31). Owns a 2.86 ERA (24 ER/90.0 IP) in 43 career games (4 starts) following a team loss.

NEW YORK YANKEES NOTES:

AT A GLANCE: The Yankees continue their six-game homestand tonight with the first game of a three-game set vs. Boston (through Sunday)…began the homestand by dropping two-of-three games vs. Chicago-AL…after this homestand, will play a two-game Subway Series vs. the Mets at Citi Field (Tues.- Wed.) before traveling to Boston for a three-game set (6/16-18).

At 37-27 (.578), have the fourth-best record in the AL and the sixth-best record in the Majors.

Are 7-4 in their last 11 games, 12-7 in their last 19 games, 14-8 in their last 22 games, 16-9 in their last 25 games and 19-10 in their last 29 games.

Are 22-12 (.647) in their last 34 games (since 5/2), the second-best record in the Majors in that span, trailing only Texas (23-10, .697).

Have won three of their last four series and five of their last seven series…have won or split seven of their last nine series (since 5/8) and eight of their last 11 series (since 5/1).

YESTERDAY’S NEWS: The Yankees split their single-admission doubleheader on Thursday vs. the White Sox…fell to the White Sox, 6-5, in Game 1 before recording a 3-0 win in Game 2.

Yankees pitchers allowed a season-high-tying 4HR in Game 1…RHP Luis Severino (5.0IP, 6H, 4ER, 2BB, 6K, 3HR, 1HP) started and did not record a decision…RF Willie Calhoun (2-for-4, 1R, 1HR, 3RBI) drove in three of the Yankees’ five runs, hitting an RBI single in the second inning and a game-tying two-run home run in the fourth inning…C Kyle Higashioka (2-for-3, 2R, 1 double, 1RBI) hit an RBI double in the second inning…SS Oswaldo Cabrera (1-for-4, 1RBI) hit a go-ahead RBI single in the fifth inning…RHP Michael King (2.0IP, 2H, 2ER, 2K, 1HR) took the loss after allowing a go-ahead two-run HR to Eloy Jiménez in the seventh inning.

The Yankees recorded their fourth shutout of the season in Game 2…RHP Randy Vásquez (5.2IP, 2H, 0R, 1BB, 3K, 1HP) made his second career start and recorded his first career win after tossing 5.2 scoreless innings…2B Gleyber Torres (1-for-4, 1R, 1HR, 2RBI) hit a go-ahead two-run HR off Mike Clevinger in the fourth inning… LF Billy McKinney (1-for-2, 1R, 1HR, 1RBI) hit his first HR as a Yankee with a solo HR in the fifth inning…RHP Ron Marinaccio (2.1IP, 1BB, 4K) tossed a career-high 2.1 scoreless innings in relief…RHP Clay Holmes (1.0IP, 1BB) recorded his seventh save of the season after tossing a scoreless ninth inning.

BRONX BOMBERS: Yankees batters have hit 99HR this season, the second-most home runs in the AL and the fourth-most in the Majors…their 65HR since the beginning of May are the most in the Majors in that span.

The Yankees have had a Major League-leading 18 different players homer this season, matching their 2022 total.

Their 32 games with multiple home runs are tied with Tampa Bay for the most in the Majors this season.

Have hit 12HR over their last six games and 21HR in their last 11 games.

Have hit multiple HR in six of their last 10 games.

Since 5/1, rank fourth in runs scored (181), runs scored per game (5.17) and SLG (.456).

WHAT A RELIEF: Yankees relievers have posted a Major League-best 2.81 ERA (243.1IP, 76ER) and a .209 opponents’ BA…the Yankees are the only Major League bullpen that currently owns an ERA below 3.00 (next: Cleveland – 3.12).

Own a Major League-best 0.74 HR/9.0IP, .333 opponents’ SLG and .633 opponents’ OPS…rank second in the Majors in WHIP (1.18).

Have posted a 1.50 ERA (36.0IP, 6ER) in their last 11 games (since 5/27) and a 1.94 ERA (69.2IP, 15ER) in their last 19 games (since 5/18)…have held opponents to a .151 BA (36-for-239) over that 19-game stretch.

HOLMES SWEET HOLMES: RHP Clay Holmes has not allowed a run in 15 of his last 16 appearances (since 5/6), going 4-0 with three saves and a 0.55 ERA (16.1IP, 1ER) and 20K in that span.

CLOSE CALLS: Each of the Yankees’ last five games and six of their last seven games have been decided by 3R-or-fewer.

TONIGHT’S STARTING PITCHER: RHP GERRIT COLE (7-0, 2.82 ERA)
RHP Gerrit Cole will make his 14th start of the season in tonight’s series opener vs. Boston…the 32-year-old will pitch on extended five days’ rest…last started on Saturday at Los Angeles-NL and recorded the win in the Yankees’ 6-3 victory (6.0IP, 4H, 1ER, 2BB, 5K, 0HR, 1HP)…reached 10 years of Major League service last week (on 5/29)…recorded his 2,000th career strikeout on 5/23 vs. Baltimore (Jorge Mateo swinging), becoming the third-fastest pitcher in Major League history to reach the milestone (in terms of games and innings pitched)…is 7-0 with a 2.82 ERA (79.2IP, 25ER) and 84K in 13 starts this season…has allowed 2R-or-fewer in 10 of his first 13 starts, the third-most such starts in the Majors…the Yankees are 11-2 in his 13 starts this season…in his third year with the Yankees in 2022, went 13-8 with a 3.50 ERA (200.2IP, 154H, 81R/78ER, 50BB, 257K, 33HR) in 33 regular season starts…his Major League-leading 257K last season were the most by a Yankees pitcher in a single season in franchise history, surpassing Ron Guidry’s previous record of 248K in 1978…the five-time All-Star (2015, ’18-19, ’21-22) has finished in the top-five of Cy Young Award voting five times (second in 2021, fourth in 2020, second in 2019, fifth in 2018, fourth in 2015)…his career 10.48 K/9.0IP ratio (2,014K/1,729.2IP) is the eighth-highest in Major League history (min. 1,000.0IP)…in 88 starts with the Yankees, is 43-19 with a 3.22 ERA (534.2IP, 191ER) and 678K…since 2018, leads the Majors in wins (78) and strikeouts (1,280), ranks second in K/9.0IP (12.16) and innings pitched (947.1), third in opponents’ BA (.204) and winning percentage (.729, 78-29, min. 60 decisions), tied for third in WAR among pitchers (24.7 – FanGraphs), fourth in WHIP (1.01), fifth in K/BB (5.16) and sixth in ERA (2.98)…was originally selected by the Yankees in the first round (28th overall) of the 2008 MLB First-Year Player Draft but did not sign and went on to play at UCLA for three seasons (2009-11)…was the first overall pick of the 2011 First-Year Player Draft, the 15th pitcher (and 11th right-hander) to be chosen first…is the fifth player selected first overall to play for the Yankees, joining Alex Rodriguez, Darryl Strawberry, Tim Foli and Ron Blomberg…signed a nine-year contract extending through the 2028 season with a player opt-out following the 2024 season on 12/18/19.

LAST START: Earned his team-leading seventh win in the Yankees’ 6-3 victory at Los Angeles-AL on Saturday (6.0IP, 4H, 1ER, 2BB, 5K, 0HR, 1HP)…left the game with cramping… allowed his only run on an RBI single to David Peralta in the second inning.

MLB Preview: Los Angeles Dodgers (36-27) at Philadelphia Phillies (30-32)

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MLB Preview: Los Angeles Dodgers (36-27) at Philadelphia Phillies (30-32)

LOS ANGELES DODGERS NOTES:

TONIGHT’S STARTER at PHILLIES: RHP MICHAEL GROVE (0-2, 8.14 ERA in 5 GS)

2023 SEASON NOTES:

  • In his last start on June 3, he twirled 5.0 innings against the Yankees, allowing four hits, four runs and tied a career high with seven strikeouts while walking none…was his first start back since going on the IL April 21st with a right groin strain
  • Spun a career-high 5.2 innings on April 15th against the Cubs…allowed just one earned run on two hits with six strikeouts
  • Made his 2023 debut against the Rockies on April 3, where he hurled four innings, giving up three runs on two hits, two walks and punching out four
  • Allowed career-highs in runs (9) and hits (12) in his start against the D-Backs on April 9
  • Started six games during Spring Training, posting a 0-1 record with a 5.40 ERA (10 ER/16.2 IP) and 17 strikeouts against just three
    walks…produced a 1.03 WHIP
  • Named to his first Opening Day roster as a Major Leaguer after making his big league debut last season on May 15 against the Phillies

VS. PHILLIES:

  • Will face the The Fightin’ Phils the second time in his career…last faced the club on May 15, 2022 in his Major League debut, tossing 3.2 innings, allowing four hits, four unearned runs and three walks while striking out three
  • Holds a career record of 0-0 with a 0.00 ERA (0 ER/3.2 IP) in one career start against Philly

PHILADELPHIA PHILLIES NOTES:

GAME #62 RECAP: The Phillies defeated the Detroit Tigers, 3-2, in walk-off fashion at Citizens Bank Park … Starter Zack Wheeler carried a no-hitter into the 8th inning and was five outs away before Tyler Nevin singled to right to break up the no-hit bid … Down 2-1 in the 9th, Bryce Harper led off with a double, Trea Turner walked, Bryson Stott singled, Brandon Marsh scored Harper on a sacrifice fly and Kody Clemens doubled to right to score Turner and secure the three-game sweep for the Phils.

LET THE GOOD VIBES ROLL: The Phillies have won five straight (6/3-current) which ties their longest winning streak of the year (also: 5/7-13) – a win tonight would mark their first six-game winning streak since Aug. 22-27, 2022 … The Phils are 17-10 in 27 games at Citizens Bank Park this year and their .630 winning percentage at home ranks 2nd in the National League (LAD, .667) and 4th in MLB, trailing only TB (.829), TEX (.700) and LAD … Through 27 games at CBP, the Phillies are averaging 38,734 in attendance per game which ranks 5th among all clubs in MLB behind only the Dodgers (47,916), Cardinals (39,968), Yankees (39,829) and Padres (39,206) … Of Philadelphia’s first 27 games at home, 13 have been sellouts (48%) and 18 have been over 35,000 (67%).

STARTING TO FIND IT: In their just completed three-game sweep of the Tigers, the Phillies starting rotation tossed 21.1 innings and did not allow an ER – they struck out 28 of the 76 batters they faced (36.8%) … Dating back to their final game in D.C. on June 4, the Phils staff has tossed at least 7.0 innings in four straight games (1 ER, 28.1 IP, 0.32 ERA) which marks their longest streak of at least 7.0 innings pitched since July 9-12, 2014 (Roberto Hernandez, David Buchanan, A.J. Burnett, Cole Hamels) … If Ranger Suarez goes at least 7.0 tonight, it would be the first five-game streak for the Phillies since August 2-6, 2011 (Kyle Kendrick, Roy Halladay, Cliff Lee, Vance Worley, Hamels) … Additionally, in their three-game series against the Tigers, all three Phillies starting pitchers carried a no-hitter into the 5th inning (Nola, Walker, Wheeler) … The Phillies are just the seventh team in the Expansion Era (since 1961) to no-hit an opponent in the first four innings of three straight games within a single series, joining CLE (vs TB, 6/29-7/1/15), PIT (vs CHI, 6/7-9/13), LAD (vs ATL, 7/7-9/08), NYM (vs HOU, 4/28-30/92), NYM (vs SD, 7/19-21/79) and LAA (vs NYY, 4/30-5/2/63) … The Phillies starting rotation leads the National League with 6.2 fWAR this season which ranks 6th in MLB behind only MIN (7.4), SEA (7.2), TB (6.4), TEX (6.4) and HOU (6.2).

JUNE BLOOM: Over the last three seasons (2021-23), the Phillies are 36-22 in the month of June and their .621 winning percentage ranks 4th among all MLB clubs behind only BOS (.661), HOU (.639) and ATL (.639) … During that same time, the Phillies are 32-50 in the month of May and their .390 winning percentage during May ranks 27th out of 30 MLB clubs … Over the last two seasons (since 2022), the Phillies are 24-10 in June (.706 win %).

TURNING A CORNER: As laid out in the chart below, Trea Turner has seen most offensive metrics/stats improve from month to month this season – he has increased his average exit velocity on balls in play from 86.5 MPH in April to 96.0 MPH in June and he has cut down on his swing and miss rate from 34.4% in April to 24.2% in June … He has also more than doubled his hard-hit rate on balls in play from 30.8% in April to 63.6% in June … In the month of June, Turner ranks 6th in average exit velocity and 8th in hard hit rate among all qualified hitters in MLB.

THANK YOU FOR YOUR PATIENCE: Over his last two plus months and 248 plate appearances (since 4/4), Kyle Schwarber has posted a .789 OPS with 16 home runs and 45 walks to 71 strikeouts – in that span, Schwarber is running a .177 BABIP which ranks 128th out of the 128 MLB players with 200 PA in that stretch … Out of those same 128 players, Schwarber ranks 3rd with an 18.1% walk rate and T-3rd in home runs … Schwarber, who owns a career BABIP of .261, completed the month of May with the lowest BABIP recorded by a player with at least 100 plate appearances in a single month since at least 1901 (.065) – the only other MLB player since at least 1901 with a BABIP under .100 for a single month (min. 100 PA) was Gary Sheffield, who posted a .095 BABIP in September of 1999 for the Dodgers … Per Statcast, among all MLB players this year, Schwarber ranks in the 98th percentile in walk rate (17.0%), 91st percentile in barrel rate (15.1%), 90th percentile in average exit velocity (92.4 MPH) and 86th percentile in hard hit rate (48.9%).

TONIGHT’S STARTER – 98 RANGER SUÁREZ • LHP #55
2023: 1-2, 5.47 ERA Career: 26-17, 3.28 ERA

Williams … The Phils slugged their way to an 11-3 win over the Nationals on a beautiful day in the nation’s capital … J.T. Realmuto homered in the 2nd inning to put the Phils up 1-0 and Kyle Schwarber and Drew Ellis each had multi-homer games.

TONIGHT’S START:

  • Lucky 7’s: In his last start, Suarez tossed 7.0 innings for the first time since 8/17/22, in which he pitched 7.0 scoreless innings while only allowing 3 hits … He tossed 7.0 or more innings in 5 games last season and in those starts he posted a 2.04 ERA (8 ER, 35.1 IP) … All 5 of those starts came against NL teams and his first of the year came against the Dodgers on 5/14
  • Left In The Dust: Suarez has held the 21 LHH he has faced to a .158/.200/.263 slash line this season with 2 XBH (2 2B) … Among all left handed pitchers in the National League with at least 20 lefties faced, Suárez’s .158 OPP AVG ranks 11th (best: Gregory Soto, .065)
  • Trouble With the Curve: Suárez has thrown his curveball 82 times in 24.2 IP this season after only throwing it 198 times in 155.1 IP last year … He is holding batters to a .095 average (2-23) with his curveball and has struck out 9 batters with a whiff rate of 35%
  • Just Glovely: Ranger was selected as the 2022 Fielding Bible Award winner at pitcher … Suárez’s 9 defensive runs saved in 2022 were the most by any Phillies pitcher since 2002, when Fangraphs can track back to and most by any pitcher in MLB in 2022 by 3 (Taijuan Walker had 6) … He did not make an error in a career-high 44 chances over 155.1 IP and did not allow a stolen base
  • Start Your Engines: Since transitioning to a starter full-time on 8/2/21, Suárez is 14-11 with a 3.26 ERA (89 ER, 245.2 IP) in 46 regular season starts … His ERA in that span is T-10th-lowest among all NL starters with at least 230.0 IP (best: Max Fried, 2.18)

HOME:

  • 2023: 0-1, 11.57 ERA (9 ER, 7.0 IP) in 2 starts
  • Career: 14-7, 3.43 ERA (65 ER, 170.2 IP) in 57 games (25 starts)
  • 2022 Postseason: 1-0, SV, 1.59 ERA (1 ER, 5.2 IP) in 2 games (1 start)

CFL Preview: Hamilton Tiger-Cats (0-0) at Winnipeg Blue Bombers (0-0)

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CFL Preview: Hamilton Tiger-Cats (0-0) at Winnipeg Blue Bombers (0-0)

The Winnipeg Blue Bombers and Hamilton Tiger-Cats will write the next chapter in their growing rivalry on Friday night at IG Field to open their respective seasons.

The new campaign couldn’t come soon enough for the Blue Bombers as the 2022 season got off to a flying start and ended with a thud, at least by their own standards, with a loss in the Grey Cup to the Toronto Argonauts.

The Bombers will begin their trek back to the top against the team they beat to win the Grey Cup in 2019 and 2021.

Quarterback Zach Collaros is back for his fourth season in Winnipeg and is coming off career highs in completions (305), passing yards (4,183) and touchdowns (37). All of it led to him being named the league’s Most Outstanding Player for the second year in a row.

His obvious targets will be 2022 Most Outstanding Rookie Dalton Schoen, along with Nic Demski, Rasheed Bailey and Drew Wolitarsky. Schoen led the league in receiving yards with 1,441 and touchdowns with 16.

The offence doesn’t stop there as Brady Oliveira emerged as one of the league’s best running backs after posting 1,001 yards on the ground.

Finding holes and exposing the Ticats front won’t come easy if 2022 is any indication, as the Tabbies held opponents to a league-low 82.9 rushing yards per game and have added significantly to their defensive front.

Oliveira isn’t lacking confidence despite the stingy Ticats defence he’ll see on Friday night.

The Bombers defended the pass extremely well last season, as quarterbacks and receivers connected for an average of 253.6 yards against them. Forcing turnovers in the air largely came by committee as 11 players had an interception and no one had more than three.

New Ticats quarterback Bo Levi Mitchell, who threw six picks and completed 61.3 per cent of his passes as his playing time diminished in Calgary, will need to be cognizant of the whereabouts of defensive backs Deatrick Nichols and Demerio Houston but he won’t have to worry about Winston Rose, who’s sidelined for Friday’s matchup.

Veteran linebacker Adam Bighill and defensive end Jackson Jeffcoat will both be relied upon heavily to put pressure on Mitchell as he plays his first regular season game with his new team.

It was an off-season makeover in the Steel City as the Ticats brought in a significant number of new faces.

Mitchell’s departure from Calgary and arrival in Hamilton stole the headlines for much of the off-season.

Now he’s tasked with leading the offence and will be tested right off the hop against a stout Bombers defence that he became accustomed to facing during his time with the Stampeders.

When Mitchell drops back, he’ll look for receivers Tim White, Terry Godwin and newly-acquired Chris Osei-Kusi. White led all Ticats receivers last season with 1,265 receiving yards.

The Bombers will also need to be ready for the ball to be handed to James Butler. Butler finished just 28 yards behind rushing leader Ka’Deem Carey last season as a member of the BC Lions. Butler has plenty of experience rushing against the likes of Bighill, Jeffcoat and the rest of the Bombers front, which should be useful Friday night.

The additions of defensive lineman Ja’Gared Davis, Casey Sayles and linebacker Jameer Thurman, along with the return of fan favourite Simoni Lawrence will look to shut down the potent Bombers offence.

Already equipped with a strong game plan against the run that had considerable success in 2022, Davis, Sayles and Thurman’s ability to get to Collaros and keep the ball out of the hands of his talented receivers will be crucial to the outcome turning in the Ticats favour. The trio combined for 14 sacks last season.

In the secondary, Tunde Adeleke will try to get off to a strong start after a season in which he played 18 games for the first time in his career.

Davis, who returns to the Black and Gold after spending 2019 and 2021 in Hamilton, is excited to open the season against a familiar foe.

The Bombers and Ticats will both look to get off to a good start in their respective divisions as they renew their rivalry in Winnipeg.

Kickoff is scheduled for 8:30 p.m. ET. The game can be seen on TSN and CFL+ (International and U.S.).

MLB Preview: Houston Astros (36-27) at Cleveland Guardians (29-33)

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MLB Preview: Houston Astros (36-27) at Cleveland Guardians (29-33)

HOUSTON ASTROS NOTES:

TONIGHT’S GAME: The Astros continue their seven-game road trip tonight with the first of three against the Cleveland Guardians at Progressive Field in Cleveland, OH…RHP Cristian Javier (7-1) will take the mound for Houston opposite Cleveland’s rookie pitcher LHP Logan Allen (3-2)…Javier is in the midst of a five-game winning streak for the Astros, recording a 1.86 ERA (6ER/29IP) with 29 strikeouts during the streak.

GRINDERS: Tonight is the 15th day in a streak of 17 consecutive days with a game for the Astros, with Houston going 8-6 thus far in that stretch…prior to this streak, the most days the Astros had played in a row was seven, a streak that opened the season from March 30-April 5.

MR. CRISTIAN: RHP Cristian Javier has been on a role over his last nine outings, posting a 2.39 ERA (14ER/52.2IP), a .187 opponent average, a 0.93 WHIP and an 9.91 strikeouts per 9.0 ratio in those starts…on the season, Javier ranks ninth in in the AL in WHIP (0.99), ninth in opponent average (.209), 10th in strikeout to walk ratio (4.50) and 11th in ERA (2.84).

LAST NIGHT’S RECAP: The Astros were edged by the Blue Jays last night, 3-2…LHP Framber Valdez started the game for the Astros, but received the loss (5 IP, 4 H, 3 ER, 4 BB, 5 SO)…3B Alex Bregman (1×4, HR) continued his hot play over the last month…LF Chas McCormick (2×3) and 1B José Abreu (2×4) each had a multi-hit game for the Astros.

VS. THE GUARDIANS: The Astros won the season series against the Guardians in 2022, 4-3…Houston and Cleveland split the series at Progressive Field in 2022, 2-2.

HOT CORNER HEATER: Since May 13, 3B Alex Bregman is batting .326 (30×92) with three doubles, five home runs, 21 RBI, 15 runs and a .910 OPS…has raised his season batting average from .201 to .250 in that span…also recorded a 12-game hitting streak from May 24-June 5, batting .400 (18×45) with 2 HR, 13 RBI and 6 BB, while posting a 1.048 OPS (.471 OBP/.578 SLG).

MR. CLUTCH: LF Yordan Alvarez leads the Majors in RBI with 55 in just 57 games played…he has been at his best in the big moments in his career, especially this season…he’s hitting .413 (19×46) with RISP, .500 (10×20) with RISP and two outs, .600 (6×10) with the bases loaded, and .345 (10×29) in close and late situations.

MLB RBI Leaders

  1. Y. Alvarez – 55
  2. A. Garcia – 52
    T3. M. Semien – 50
    T3. R. Devers – 50

GOLD GLOVE: The 2022 AL Gold Glove winner at SS, Jeremy Peña has committed just 2 errors in 242 total chances this season…the 242 total chances are the most among all MLB shortstops…his .992 fielding percentage ranks 2nd among MLB shortstops.

TODAY’S ROSTER MOVE: The Astros have placed OF Yordan Alvarez on the 10-day IL (right oblique discomfort)…he will return to Houston for further evaluation.

ROAD WARRIORS: The Astros are 18-13 (.581) on the road this season, which ranks 4th in the AL behind BAL (21-12, .636) , TEX (19-12, .613) and NYY (17-12, .586)…since 2021, the Astros are a combined 113-80 (.585) on the road, which is tops in the AL.

PITCHING IN: The Astros have the lowest team ERA (3.25) and have allowed the fewest runs (224) in the Majors…the Astros starters rank third in Majors in ERA (3.26) and have allowed one-or-fewer earned runs in 11 of their last 20 games…also, the Astros bullpen ranks third in the AL in ERA (3.24).

Lowest Team ERA – MLB Runs Allowed – MLB

  1. Houston: 3.25 1. Houston: 224
  2. Minnesota: 3.46 2. Texas: 232
  3. Tampa Bay: 3.53 3. Minnesota: 235

ON THE LEADERBOARD: In addition to leading the Majors in RBI with 55, Yordan Alvarez also ranks second in the AL in HR (17) and SLG (.579), third in OPS (.964) and sixth in walks (32)…Alex Bregman ranks second in the AL in walk/strikeout ratio (1.10), fourth in PA/SO (8.81) and 4th in walks (34).

HOME-GROWN: The Astros currently have a six-man rotation, with all six pitchers coming from the Astros farm system (Valdez, Javier, Brown, France, Bielak, Blanco)…additionally, the Astros have three ML starters currently on the IL, with all three of them also coming from the farm system (Garcia, McCullers Jr., Urquidy).

HECTOR’S HOT STREAK: RHP Hector Neris allowed a single run in the 7th inning on Wed. night at TOR, snapping his career-best scoreless streak at 16.2 innings…the streak, which spanned 19 apps., also is the longest by an Astro this season.

TONIGHT’S ASTROS STARTER: RHP CRISTIAN JAVIER
W-L ERA G GS IP H R ER BB SO
2023: 7-1 2.84 12 12 69.2 53 23 22 16 72
CAREER: 27-13 3.01 90 56 374.0 245 129 125 139 450
vs. CLE W-L ERA G GS IP H R ER BB SO
2022: 1-1 0.77 2 2 11.2 9 1 1 1 13
CAREER: 1-1 0.63 4 2 14.1 11 1 1 2 27

LAST START – 6/3 VS. LAA: earned his 5th consecutive victory, allowed 1 run on 6 hits with no walks, 11 strikeouts in 6.0 innings…recorded his 7th quality start of the season…was also his 5th quality start in his last 6 starts…during that time span dating back to May 5, he’s recorded a 2.25 ERA (9ER/36IP) with a 0.86 WHIP, 37 strikeouts and a .176 opponent batting average with Houston going 6-0.

ABOUT JAVIER: dynamic starter is making his 13th start of the season…the Astros have gone 10-2 in Javier’s 12 starts this season and are 16-2 in Javier’s last 18 starts dating back to Aug. 31, 2022…in his those 18 starts, he’s recorded a 2.27 ERA (26ER/103IP) with 116 strikeouts, a 0.91 WHIP and a .184 opponent batting average.

  • has rounded into form over his last 9 outings, posting a 2.39 ERA (14ER/52.2IP), a .187 opponent average, a 0.93 WHIP.

INVISIBALL: has held opponents to a .184 average (245×1331) throughout his MLB career… it’s the lowest opponent’s batting average (min. 350 IP) of any MLB pitcher since entering the league in ‘20…the next-closest players are MIL Corbin Burnes (.196) and LAA Shohei Ohtani (.200).

LEAGUE LEADERBOARD: in the AL, he ranks ninth in in the AL in WHIP (0.99), ninth in opponent average (.209), 10th in strikeout to walk ratio (4.50) and 11th in ERA (2.84)

VS. THE LAND: will make his 5th appearance (3rd start) against the Guardians…has recorded a 0.63 ERA (1ER/14.1IP) with 17 strikeouts, 2 walks, a 0.91 WHIP and a .208 opponent batting average.

CLEVELAND GUARDIANS NOTES:

RAMÍREZ’S HISTORIC NIGHT LEADS GUARDS TO WIN
The Guardians closed out a series win over the Boston Red Sox with a cathartic 10-3 victory on Thursday night at Progressive Field that saw JOSÉ RAMÍREZ homer three times to give him 9 on the season…marked the club’s fourth consecutive victory in a series finale, as Cleveland has now either won or split four consecutive series overall (3 series wins, one split).

Ramírez went 3-for-5 with 5 RBI, collecting career home runs No. 199, 200 and 201 on his historic night…drilled a pair of round-trippers batting right-handed, tagging a solo shot off Matt Dermody (4.0IP, 4H, 3R-ER, BB, SO, 2HR, HBP, 76 pitches) in the 1st inning and another 2-run blast off the left-hander in the 3rd…Ramírez added another solo blast from the left-side off former Clevelander Corey Kluber (3.1IP, 11H, 7R-ER, BB, SO, 2HR, 73 pitches) in the 6th inning and then tacked on a run-scoring fielder’s choice in the 8th for his fifth RBI…WILL BRENNAN led off the 8th with a solo homer (4) off Kluber…Cleveland’s 5-run rally in the 6th also included a 2-run double from ANDRÉS GIMÉNEZ, an RBI-triple by MYLES STRAW and an RBI-single courtesy of Brennan…AARON CIVALE earned his second victory in his fourth start of 2023 (5.2IP, 4H, 2R-ER, 2BB, 3SO, HR, WP, 93 pitches)…gave up an RBI-single to Jarren Duran in the 5th ahead of surrendering a solo homer to
Triston Casas (7) in the 6th.

Cleveland (29-33) sits in 2nd place in AL Central standings, 1.5 games behind 1st-place Minnesota (31-32) & 1.5 games ahead of Chicago-AL (28-36) & Detroit (26-34), who are T3rd-place… Guardians have won 4 of 5 and 7 of last 11, though have also dropped 27 of last 47 overall since starting the year 9-6…club is 2-1 on this 6-game homestand against Boston & Houston (3 games).

CLEVELAND AGAINST ASTROWORLD
Tonight marks the first of 6 meetings between Houston and Cleveland this season…Houston narrowly won last year’s season series by a 4-3 margin after the Astros won 2 of 3 at home, then split 2 of 4 with the Guardians in Cleveland…since 2021, the Guards have a 4-10 (.286) record against the Astros, their lowest win percentage against any AL team during that span…Cleveland has dropped each of the last 4 season series against Houston, their last season series victory coming in 2017 when they won 5 of 6…since 2019, the Guards have lost 8 of their last 11 games at Progressive Field against the Astros, but won the last 2 home contests in last year’s series in Cleveland…under Terry Francona (since 2013), the Guardians are 34-31 against the Astros…Cleveland holds a 42-41 lead over Houston in the all-time series dating back to 1997, and a 21-19 record in all home games against the Astros, dating back to 1998.

JOSÉ! JOSÉ! JOSÉ! JOSÉ!
In last night’s contest vs. Boston, JOSÉ RAMÍREZ recorded the first 3-home run game of his career…he now has 201 career home runs, passing Travis Hafner for 9th-most in team history…he is now 14 home runs away from passing Andre Thornton for 8th-most in club history…he became the first Cleveland hitter with a 3-HR game since Edwin Encarnación on May 2, 2018 vs. Texas…he became the second player in club history to have a 3-HR game with at least one homer from each side of the plate, last done by Victor Martínez on July 16, 2004…with the 3-HR, 5-RBI performance, Ramírez leads all MLB hitters since 2017 in extra-base hits (444), multi-XBH games (82), 3+RBI games (69) and 4+RBI games (25), while ranking 2nd in 5+RBI games (9), only trailing Nelson Cruz (13)…Ramírez enters today’s game tied with Ken Keltner (306) for 6th-most doubles in franchise history and tied with Carlos Santana (172) for 9th-most go-ahead RBI…among MLB hitters since 2017, Ramírez ranks T1st with Nick Castellanos for most doubles (236) and 2nd in go-ahead RBI (144), behind Nolan Arenado (153).

CLEVELAND ROCKS
Since May 28, Cleveland’s offense leads MLB with 115 hits, ahead of Atlanta (112)…the Guards are also tied with Texas (7) for most double-digit hit games among MLB teams during that span… the club has double-digit hits in 3 straight contests and 7 of its last 11 games…the Guardians are hitting .294, 2nd in the AL behind Texas (.306) and 3rd in MLB since May 28…Cleveland has scored 57 runs since May 28, 3rd in the AL behind Texas and Houston (59) and 5th in MLB…the Guards 29 doubles rank T2nd in MLB/AL during the span…the club’s .344 BABIP during the span ranks 2nd in the AL and 4th in MLB…the Guardians 40 extra-base hits only trail Texas (42) for most in MLB since May 28…entering today, both Cleveland and Houston have been two of MLB’s most prolific hitting teams since May 28.

CLEVELAND VS. HOUSTON SINCE MAY 28 (MLB RANK)
TEAM AVG R H TB XBH
CLE .294 (3rd) 57 (5th) 115 (1st) 175 (4th) 40 (2nd)
HOU .255 (11th) 59 (T2nd) 102 (4th) 189 (2nd) 39 (T3rd)

Among MLB hitters since May 28, JOSH NAYLOR ranks 2nd in OPS (1.273), T2nd in batting average (.471), 3rd in OBP (.538) and doubles (6) and T5th in RBI (11)…he enters today’s game on a career-long 8-game hitting streak…WILL BRENNAN ranks T2nd in batting average (.471), 3rd in OPS (1.265), 4th in SLG (.765) and T4th in OBP (.500) over that same span…he enters today with a hit in 8 of his last 10 games, including 6 multi-hit efforts…since May 28, JOSÉ RAMÍREZ ranks T1st in extra-base hits (8) and doubles (5), and STEVEN KWAN ranks T1st in runs (12).

STANDING FOR THE LAND
At this point in 2022, Cleveland had 447,783 fans attend their first 29 home games, averaging approximately 15,441 fans per contest… in the first 29 home games of the 2023 season, Progressive Field has hosted 554,071 fans, an average of 19,106 fans per contest… from 2022 to 2023, Cleveland has seen 106,288 more fans to this point, resulting in a 24% increase in overall attendance and a 3,665-person increase per game.

TONIGHT’S STARTER – 41 LOGAN ALLEN LHP

ALLEN’S MLB CAREER
W-L ERA G GS IP H R ER BB SO
2023 3-2 2.76 8 8 45.2 48 15 14 13 47
Career 3-2 2.76 8 8 45.2 48 15 14 13 47

ALLEN AT HOME
W-L ERA G GS IP H R ER BB SO
2023 1-1 3.68 4 4 22.0 27 10 9 6 20
Career 1-1 3.68 4 4 22.0 27 10 9 6 20

TODAY’S START
The 24-year-old rookie southpaw is set to make his ninth career MLB start, fifth at home, in the opening contest of this 3-game set with the Houston Astros.

Has started his MLB career with 8 straight starts of 3-or-fewer runs allowed…the last Cleveland pitcher to accomplish that feat was AARON CIVALE, who did it in 9 straight starts from June 22-September 18, 2019…looking to make his 4th straight quality start and earn his 3rd consecutive win…he leads all rookie starters (min 35.0IP) with a 2.76 ERA (14ER/45.2IP).

Allen was originally selected by Cleveland in the 2nd Round (56th overall) of the 2020 MLB Draft out of Florida International University…entered the season as Cleveland’s #8 prospect according to MLB.com…he is starting on extended 5 days’ rest; owns a 2.38 ERA (6ER/22.2IP) across 4 starts on 5 days’ rest.

LAST TIME OUT
He collected his third career win on Saturday in a 4-2 victory over the Minnesota Twins after allowing 2R/ER over 6.0 innings with 4 strikeouts and 2 walks…Jorge Polanco led off the game for Minnesota with a solo shot to left-center field…the left-hander proceeded to work through the 4th inning unscathed following the HR before allowing Christian Vasquez to double with one out in the 5th frame…he scored on an RBI-double from Donovan Solano two batters later…back-to-back batters reached on singles to open up the 6th inning and advanced to second and third base on a sacrifice bunt…JOSÉ RAMÍREZ squashed the jam with an unassisted double play, finishing Allen’s outing…Allen now has back-to-back wins and 3 straight quality starts.

GETTING IN THE EARLY WORK
Despite allowing a leadoff home run in his last start, Allen has had success the first time through the lineup…the lefty is holding opposing hitters to a .149 (10-for-67) average the first time through the lineup compared to a .328 (22-for-67) mark the second time through the order and a .333 (16-for-48) average the third time through…across his first 8 starts, he’s allowed just 2 earned runs in the first 3 innings (0.75 ERA), including zero earned runs in the 2nd frame…conversely, he owns a 4.98 ERA (12ER/21.2IP) in the 4th through 7th innings.

THE ALLEN WRENCH
On May 29 at Baltimore, Allen became the 3rd pitcher in franchise history to begin a career with 43+ strikeouts in their first 7 career starts, joining Danny Salazar (45) and Herb Score (66)… he became the 3rd pitcher in club history to begin a career with 7 straight starts of 3-or-fewer earned runs, joining AARON CIVALE (9, 2019) and Cliff Lee (10, 2002-03)…with 10 strikeouts in his outing on May 29 at Baltimore, he became the 2nd Cleveland pitcher with three outings of 8+ strikeouts within the first 7 starts of a career, last done by Herb Score (5 times) in 1955…he is the 8th Cleveland pitcher to throw 10+ strikeouts in an outing within their first 7 career starts, last done by TRISTON MCKENZIE on 8/22/2020 vs. Detroit (10 SO).

On April 30 at Boston, he joined Score as the only two pitchers in club history to begin a career with back-to-back 8+ strikeout outings…in his first career start, a 7-4 victory against the Marlins on April 23, Allen’s 8 strikeouts were the 4th-most in Cleveland franchise history for a Major League debut…the left-hander also became the third pitcher in franchise history to throw 6.0+ innings, record 8+ strikeouts and hold an opponent to one-or-zero runs in an MLB debut, last done by TRISTON MCKENZIE on 8/22/2020… Luis Tiant first accomplished the feat on July 19, 1964, in a complete game shutout.

Twins place Caleb Theilbar on 15-day injured list

MLB Editor
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Twins place Caleb Theilbar on 15-day injured list

Josh Winder recalled from Triple-A St. Paul

TORONTO, CANADA – The Minnesota Twins announced today that they have placed left-handed pitcher Caleb Thielbar on the 15-day Injured List (retroactive to June 6) with a right oblique strain.

Thielbar, who was reinstated from the IL on June 4 after missing 29 games with the same injury, made one relief appearance for the Twins the day the was reinstated vs. Cleveland, pitching 0.1 inning with one hit allowed, while throwing 10 pitches.

To replace Thielbar on the 26-man roster, the Twins have recalled right-handed pitcher Josh Winder from Triple-A St. Paul. Winder recently appeared in nine games for the Saints from May 7-June 3, going 2-1 with a 6.60 ERA (15.0 IP, 11 ER), two saves, 11 walks and 16 strikeouts. He made one appearance for the Twins this season on April 30 vs. Kansas City, allowing two runs on three hits in 0.2 innings pitched, with one walk and one strikeout.

Red Sox announce roster moves

MLB Editor
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Red Sox announce roster moves

BOSTON, MA — The Boston Red Sox today announced the following roster moves:

  • Reinstated outfielder Adam Duvall from the 60-Day Injured List.
  • Selected left-handed pitcher Joe Jacques to the active Major League roster from Triple-A Worcester. He will wear number 78.
  • Transferred left-handed pitcher Chris Sale to the 60-Day Injured List.
  • Optioned infielder Enmanuel Valdez to Worcester following last night’s game against the Cleveland Guardians.
  • Designated left-handed pitcher Matt Dermody for assignment.

Chief Baseball Officer Chaim Bloom made the announcement.

Duvall, 34, was placed on the Injured List on April 10 due to a left distal radius fracture (wrist). In seven rehab games for Worcester, he went 5-for-24 (.208) with a double, two home runs, three RBI, and five walks. The right-handed hitter made his Red Sox debut this season and started in center field in eight of the club’s first nine games, batting .455 (15-for-33) with five doubles, one triple, four home runs, 11 runs scored, and 14 RBI. He was signed by Boston as a free agent on January 24, 2023.

Jacques, 28, has posted a 3.58 ERA (11 ER/27.2 IP) in 23 games (one start) for Worcester. The left-hander was selected by the Red Sox in the Triple-A phase of the 2022 Rule 5 Draft from the Pittsburgh Pirates. Originally selected by Pittsburgh in the 33rd round of the 2018 First-Year Player Draft out of Manhattan College, the New Jersey native owns a 3.69 ERA (86 ER/209.2 IP) in 146 career minor league appearances (four starts).

Sale, 34, was placed on the 15-Day Injured List on June 2 with left shoulder inflammation. The left-hander is 5-2 with a 4.58 ERA (30 ER/59.0 IP) in 11 starts for the Red Sox this season, including 4-0 with a 2.24 ERA (9 ER/36.0 IP) in his last six. Acquired by Boston from the Chicago White Sox on December 6, 2016, Sale is 119-77 with a 3.08 ERA (370 ER/1,737.0 IP) in 334 career games (254 starts) with the White Sox (2010-16) and Red Sox (2017-23).

Valdez, 24, has played in 33 games for the Red Sox this season, making 30 starts at second base and batting .234 (22-for-101) with four doubles, four home runs, and 11 RBI. The left-handed hitter has also played in 14 games for Worcester this season, going 9-for-49 (.184) with seven RBI. Valdez was acquired by Boston from the Houston Astros on August 1, 2022.

Dermody, 32, started last night’s game against Cleveland and allowed three runs over 4.0 innings. He has also posted a 4.50 ERA (22 ER/44.0 IP) in nine games (eight starts) for Worcester this season. The Iowa native was signed by the Red Sox as a minor league free agent on January 25, and has posted a 5.74 ERA (20 ER/31.1 IP) in 31 career Major League outings (one start).

Phillies reinstate Alvarado from 15-Day IL; option Brogdon to Lehigh Valley

MLB Editor
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Phillies reinstate Alvarado from 15-Day IL; option Brogdon to Lehigh Valley

Prior to tonight’s game against the Los Angeles Dodgers, the Phillies recalled left-handed pitcher José Alvarado from his rehab assignment with Double-A Reading and reinstated him from the 15-day injured list (left elbow inflammation). To make room for Alvarado on the 26-man roster, right-handed pitcher Connor Brogdon was optioned to triple-A Lehigh Valley.

Phillies President of Baseball Operations David Dombrowski made the announcement.

Alvarado, 28, made two rehab appearances (2.0 IP) between Lehigh Valley and Reading. Prior to his stint on the IL, he converted five of his seven save opportunities with Philadelphia, while 12 of his 14 appearances were scoreless. From Sept. 13, 2022-April 18, 2023, Alvarado struck out multiple batters in 14 straight games (34 SO total), a club record for most consecutive relief appearances with multiple strikeouts. Since his last walk on Sept. 21, 2022, he has faced 71 batters and has struck out 36 of them (50.7%).

Originally signed by the Tampa Bay Rays as an amateur free agent on March 13, 2012, Alvarado was acquired by the Phillies in a three-team trade with the Dodgers on Dec. 29, 2020.

This season, Brogdon’s 28.1 innings pitched ranked second among Phillies relievers (Andrew Vasquez, 28.2 IP) while his 27 total appearances (one start) were tied for second on the club. Eighteen of those appearances were scoreless.

Brogdon, 28, was selected by the Phillies in the 10th round of the 2017 MLB Draft.

NFL Transactions 6-9-23

NFL Editor
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NFL Transactions 6-9-23

​The following are the NFL transactions for Friday, June 9. Transactions will be published each day after they are circulated to NFL clubs. This public version will include waiver requests, assignments via waivers, terminations, free agent signings, reserve list and practice squad additions and deletions, and trades.

WAIVER SYSTEM TRANSACTIONS


TERMINATIONS OF VESTED VETERANS

DALLAS
    McKinley, TakkaristDEUCLA   

MINNESOTA
    Cook, DalvinRBFlorida State   


TERMINATION VIA WAIVER SYSTEM

ARIZONA
    Pierre, MarvinLBKent State   


ACTIVE LIST ADDITIONS


SELECTION LIST SIGNINGS

TAMPA BAY
    Dennis, SirVoceaLBPittsburgh(5-153)*  
    Durham, PayneTEPurdue(5-171)*  
    Hayes, JoshDBKansas State(6-181)*  
    Palmer, TreyWRNebraska(6-191)*  
    Ramirez, JoseLBEastern Michigan(6-196)*  


    *Round and Overall Selection Number in 2023 Draft.

MLB Preview: New York Mets (30-33) at Pittsburgh Pirates (32-29)

MLB Editor
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MLB Preview: New York Mets (30-33) at Pittsburgh Pirates (32-29)

NEW YORK METS NOTES:

METSCELLANEOUS: The Mets fell to the Braves, 13-10, in extra-innings last night…The Mets were swept for the fourth time this season…The Mets continue their six-game road trip (0-3) to Atlanta (0-3) and Pittsburgh (three games)…Following this series, the Mets are off on Monday before the start of a six-day, fivegame homestand against the Yankees (two games) and Cardinals (three games).

LET’S NOT GO STREAKING: New York has lost six straight games, which is the longest stretch of the season…The last time the Mets lost six in a row was from August 23-29, 2019…The last time the team had a longer losing streak was when they dropped a season-high seven straight in 2019, from June 23-29.

THEM’S THE PITTS: Tylor Megill will make his third career start against the Pirates…He has posted a 0.93 ERA (1 ER/9.2 IP) with three walks and nine strikeouts in his previous two starts…He has made one start at PNC Park…On July 17, he hurled 6.0 scoreless innings and allowed seven hits, struck out two and did not walk a batter…Overall, Megill is 5-3 with a 4.40 ERA (29 ER/59.1 IP) with 32 walks and 48 strikeouts in 12 starts in 2023.

TAKE IT TO THE BANK: The Mets play at PNC Park for the first time this year…New York went 2-1 at the yard in 2022…Eduardo Escobar has hit .488 (21-43) with 10 runs, five doubles, one triple, two home runs, 10 RBI and three walks in 12 career games a the ballpark…He has safely hit in nine of his 12 games in Pittsburgh…Omar Narvaez has hit .356 (26-73) with 14 runs, four doubles, three home runs, 14 RBI with 11 walks and a .440 OBP in 23 games in Pittsburgh.

A STARLING IS BORN: Over his last 28 games, Starling Marte is batting .299 (29-97) with 14 runs, one double, one triple, two home runs, 10 RBI, three walks with a .340 OBP…He has safely reached base in nine of his last 11 games…He has safely hit in five of his last six games…Marte has played 477 career games at the ballpark and is a .290/.348/.445 career hitter with 46 home runs and 204 RBI.

AW SNAP: Yesterday, the Mets lost their first game when leading after 8.0 innings…They had been 27-0 when leading after eight innings this season…Prior to last night, the last time the Mets lost a game when they were ahead after eight innings was on September 6, 2021 at Washington…The Mets were up 3-2 and lost 4-3 in the bottom of the ninth…The Mets won 122 straight games when ahead after eight…It was the longest streak in franchise history, surpassing the previous high of 117 consecutive games.

AIN’T IT GRAND?: Brandon Nimmo recorded his first grand slam of his career last night…He collected four RBI in the game, which matched his career-high…It was the third time in his career that he recorded four RBI in a game…He is batting .333 (47-141) with 21 runs, eight doubles, three triples, three home runs, 21 RBI, 20 walks with a .416 OBP and .496 SLG in 36 games on the road this season…His .333 road average ranks fifth in the majors…Nimmo owns a career .398 OBP on the road…That is the fourth-highest mark in the majors since the Wyoming native entered the league in 2016.

ON THE ROAD AGAIN: New York has played 36 games on the road this year, the most in the majors…New York is 15-21 with a 5.15 ERA away from Citi Field in 2023…The team’s 300 strikeouts on the road are the third-most in the majors.

BASEBALL IS THE BEST: Francisco Alvarez recorded his second multi-homer game of the season and his career last night… He became the fourth player in franchise history to record two or multi-home run games before the age of 22…He joins Darryl Strawberry (6), Ed Kranepool (3) and José Reyes (2)… According to Sarah Langs, at 21 years & 201 days old, Francisco Alvarez is the second-youngest player in Mets history with three home runs in a two-game span…He is older than only Darryl Strawberry (21-108 in 1983 as the second game of the span).

THE YOUNG AND THE RESTLESS: Alvarez as hit 11 home runs this season…That puts him tied for the second-most by a rookie in the majors and tied for the most in the National League…Only two rookie catchers in Mets history have had more homers in a season…Travis d’Arnaud (13) holds the club mark for home runs by a rookie catcher in 2014…Jason Phillips hit 11 as a rookie in 2003… Alvarez’s 12 career homers (one last year) before turning 22 years old are the most by a catcher since Iván Rodríguez had 21 from 1991-1993.

PHAM-TASTIC: Over his last 13 games, Tommy Pham is batting .344 (11-32) with five runs, three doubles, one triple, three home runs, 11 RBI, five walks with a .421 OBP, a .781 SLG and a 1.202 OPS.

COME AT THE KING, BEST NOT MISS: Omar Narváez has reached base safely in all seven games this season, batting .286 (6-21) with three runs, two RBI and two walks.

D-FENCE: The Mets have committed 23 errors in 63 games this year, tied for the second-fewest errors in the majors…New York owns a .990 fielding percentage…Their .990 fielding percentage, third in the major leagues.

FIRST IS THE WORST: The Mets have been outscored 49-14 in the first inning this year.

IF YOU START ME OFF: New York is 16-1 when their starter goes at least 6.0 innings…The Mets are still 6-0 when the starter goes at least 7.0 innings.

STEAL THIS BASE: The Mets are second in the major leagues with an 88.0% stolen base success rate this season…Starling Marte has swiped 17 bags this year, tied for sixth in the majors and tied for third in the National League…His 331 career stolen bases rank second among active players…Elvis Andrus is the active leader with 340 steals…Pete Alonso has stolen 12 bases in 13 tries in his career.

RISPY BUSINESS: The Mets are hitting .238 (114-479) with runners in scoring position, ranking 12th in the NL and 23rd in the majors this year…Last season, New York batted .269 (371-1,378), good for third in the NL and fourth in the majors.

STRATING PITCHER – TYLOR MEGILL RHP #38
2023 STATS: 5-3, 4.40 ERA

MEGILL’S PITCH ARSENAL
Pitch Type Usage Rate vs. LHB vs. RHB Avg. Velocity
Four-Seam Fastball 53% 58% 48% 94.4 mph
Slider 21% 10% 31% 83.4 mph
Changeup 18% 20% 16% 88.5 mph
Curveball 8% 12% 5% 76.9 mph

LAST TIME OUT: Pitched 5.1 innings in the Mets’ 2-1 defeat by the Toronto Blue Jays on June 3…Allowed one run on five hits, with a career-high five walks and five strikeouts…Did not factor into the decision.

A PIRATE’S LIFE FOR ME: Today, Megill will make his third career start against the Pirates…Made his first career start against Pittsburgh in the second game of a doubleheader at Citi Field on July 7, 2021…Allowed one run over 3.1 innings in the Mets victory…Made his second start against Pittsburgh on the road a week later (July 17, 2021)…Threw 6.0 scoreless innings in the Mets loss.

BIG DRIP VS NL CENTRAL: This season, Megill has faced one NL Central opponent…Pitched 3.2 innings against the Chicago Cubs on May 23 and allowed six runs on six hits….Over his career, Megill has a 6.46 ERA (22 ER/30.2 IP) over nine appearances (seven starts) against the NL Central, his highest mark against any division.

ON THE ROAD AGAIN: This season, Megill is 2-2 with a 6.08 ERA (18 ER/26.2 IP) in six road starts this season…In six home starts this season, Megill is 3-1 with a 3.03 ERA (11 ER/32.2 IP)…In 23 career road games (19 starts), Megill is 6-7 with a 5.23 ERA (54 ER/93.0 IP) and in 22 career home games (20 starts), Megill is 7-4 with a 4.09 ERA (47 ER/103.1 IP).

THE FRANCHISE HAS COMPANY: On April 7, the Mets home opener vs. Miami, Megill threw 6.0 scoreless innings and allowed three hits…Megill joined Tom Seaver (April 5, 1983) as the only other pitcher in franchise history to throw 6.0 shutout innings and allow three hits or fewer in a home opener.

PITTSBURGH PIRATES NOTES:

THE PIRATES: Have lost back-to-back games following their six-game winning streak from 5/30 to 6/5…Have had four separate winning streaks of at least four games this season, including a season-high seven-game winning streak from 4/17-23, their longest winning streak since 2018 (11 games)…Are 1.0 game behind the first place Brewers in the National League Central coming into today.

FROM 1 TO 1998: Andrew McCutchen comes into today just two hits shy of 2000 in his career (his first career hit came in his big league debut against Mike Pelfrey of the Mets on June 4, 2009)…McCutchen has recorded 1513 of his 1998 hits with the Pirates organization…McCutchen’s 1513 hits with Pittsburgh ranks 12th in team history…Hall-of-Famer Roberto Clemente is first with 3000 while Tommy Leach is 11th (1603).

A WALK IN THE PARK: Andrew McCutchen walked seven times in Pittsburgh’s last series against the A’s…Prior to McCutchen, Pedro Alvarez was the last Pirate to draw seven free passes in a three-game series when he did so from May 1-3, 2015, against St. Louis… McCutchen leads all of MLB with eight walks this month while his 15.5 percent walk rate ranks 10th in all of MLB.

ROSTER MOVE: Prior to tonight’s game the Pirates recalled outfielder Canaan SmithNjigba from Triple-A Indianapolis…Chase De Jong was designated for assignment to make room for Smith-Njigba on the 26-man active roster…This is Smith-Njigba’s second stint with the Pirates this season after making the team’s Opening Day roster before being optioned to Triple-A on April 26.

RICH ON THE HILL: Rich Hill gets the start tonight in the opener of this weekend series against the Mets…Hill allowed one run in a season-high 6.2 innings while helping the Pirates complete a three-game sweep of St. Louis in his last start Sunday afternoon… Hill has thrown his curveball 39.7 percent of the time this season according to Baseball Savant, which ranks fourth in all of MLB behind Drew Smyly (50.6%), Charlie Morton (46.4%) and Domingo German (41.2%).

THE BRIDGE TO BEDNAR: Colin Holderman has been scored upon in just three of his 24 appearances this season with the Pirates…He has also recorded 20 strikeouts in the eighth inning this year, which are the third-most in the National League behind Colorado’s Justin Lawrence (25) and Milwaukee’s Peter Strzelecki (22)…The 27-year-old Holderman ranks 36th among 192 qualified relievers in MLB with a 6.1 percent walk rate according to FanGraphs and 21st among 192 qualified relievers with an xFIP of 2.96.

CATCH THIS: On Tuesday the Pirates promoted 2021 No. 1 overall pick Henry Davis to Indianapolis, joining Endy Rodriguez, who began the season in Triple-A…Pittsburgh’s minor league system entered the 2023 campaign with two of MLB Pipeline’s top 100 prospects behind the plate…Endy Rodriguez was rated 55th among Pipeline’s top 100 prospects while Henry Davis was No. 57…The Pirates and Mets were one of two organizations with two catchers rated among Pipeline’s top seven prospects at that position.

THE HOT CORNER: Ke’Bryan Hayes has hit safely in each of his last seven games, going 14-for-29 with a double, two triples, two home runs and seven RBI (it’s his second seven-game hitting streak of the season)…Hayes ranks 18th in MLB in average exit velocity (92.7 miles per hour)…Hayes also ranks fifth among all National League third basemen in extra base hits (22).

LEGGING IT OUT: Ke’Bryan Hayes recorded his MLB-leading fifth triple of the season on Wednesday…Since the beginning of last year, Hayes’ eight triples are tied for the second-most in the National League along with Charlie Blackmon, JT Realmuto and TJ Friedl…New York’s Brandon Nimmo leads the way in that time with 11 triples…As a team, the Pirates are leading all of MLB with 15 triples this season.

RUDY ROLLING: Rodolfo Castro doubled and homered Wednesday and is now hitting .370 (10-for-27) in his last eight games…Castro has recorded a .712 slugging percentage against left-handed pitchers, which ranks fifth in all of MLB.

STARTING PITCHER – 44 – LHP RICH HILL
YEAR W-L ERA G GS CG SHO IP H R ER BB SO
2023 5-5 4.41 12 12 0 0 65.1 69 36 32 21 61

RICH HILL: The 43-year-old lefthander is making his 13th start of the season tonight…Allowed one run in a season-high 6.2 innings while winning a 2-1 decision in his last start Sunday vs. St. Louis.

vs. NEW YORK (NL): 2-2 with a 6.69 ERA (35.0ip/26er) in nine career appearances (seven starts)…Hasn’t faced the Mets since allowing two runs in 6.0 innings in a no-decision on 5/28/19 as a member of the Dodgers.

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