Tuesday, April 7, 2026
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MLB Preview: Detroit Tigers (26-33) at Philadelphia Phillies (29-32)

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MLB Preview: Detroit Tigers (26-33) at Philadelphia Phillies (29-32)

DETROIT TIGERS NOTES:

TIGERS-PHILLIES POSTPONED ON WEDNESDAY: The Tigers-Phillies game on Wednesday night was postponed due to poor air quality. The game will be made up tonight. Last night marked the fifth postponement of the season for the Tigers.

MOVIN’ ON UP: Miguel Cabrera was on base twice on Tuesday, finishing the game 1×2 with a double and a RBI. Cabrera’s hit was the 3,108th of his Major League career, moving him two shy of tying Dave Winfield (3,110) for 22nd on the all-time hits list. The double was the 1,136th extra-base hit of his career. He is now two extra-base hits away from tying Ty Cobb (1,138) for 15th in big league history.

BULLPEN BITS: José Cisnero worked a scoreless inning with one strikeout on Tuesday. Dating back to April 24, Cisnero has not allowed an earned run in 14-of-17 appearances, posting a 1.80 ERA (15.0IP/3ER)…Will Vest pitched 2.0 perfect innings on Tuesday, striking out three. Vest has excelled in multi-inning relief outings in his career, compiling a 5-0 record with a 1.71 ERA (47.1IP/9ER) and 41 strikeouts in 28 games.

TIGERS AND PHILLIES: The Tigers and Phillies conclude their only series of the season tonight. The all-time series between the two teams is tied at 12 wins apiece. The Tigers and Phillies have split 10 meetings in Philadelphia.

INTERLEAGUE ACTION: The Tigers continue their interleague schedule tonight against the Phillies. Detroit is 11-7 against National League foes this season, including a 4-4 record against NL East teams. The Tigers have finished with a winning record against NL opponents in each of the last two seasons.

ON THE ROAD: The Tigers are 0-5 on their current six-game road trip, which includes three games at Chicago (AL) (0-3) and three games at Philadelphia (0-2). Detroit is 12-20 on the road this season. As a team, the Tigers are hitting .211/.285/.326 away from Comerica Park, while
the pitching staff has a 4.39 ERA (277.0IP/135ER).

ON DECK: The Tigers begin a six-game homestand tomorrow as they open a three-game series against the Diamondbacks. The two teams met last season in Arizona with the Tigers winning two-of-three games. Detroit trails the all-time series against the Diamondbacks, 20-17.

INJURY REHAB UPDATES: Beau Brieske began an injury rehab assignment with Single A West Michigan last night, starting and throwing a perfect inning with two strikeouts…Kerry Carpenter continued an injury rehab assignment with Triple A Toledo last night, starting in right
field and going 1×4 with a RBI.

TIGERS ON THE IL:

  • RHP Beau Brieske (right upper arm discomfort, 60-day IL on March 30, retroactive to March 27)
  • OF Kerry Carpenter (right shoulder sprain, 10-day IL on April 29, retroactive to April 28)
  • 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, 15-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

87 Tyler Holton • 0-0, 2.32 ERA (31.0IP/8ER)

  • Holton will make his 18th appearance of the season and the first start of his Major League career tonight in the series finale at Philadelphia.
  • Last pitched on Tuesday against the Phillies, throwing 2.0 scoreless innings with two hits allowed and two strikeouts…of his 17 relief outings this season, 13 have been multi-inning appearances
  • Among American League relievers with at least 25.0 innings pitched, he ranks sixth in WHIP (0.94).
  • Equaled the longest Major League outing of his career on May 23 at Kansas City, tossing 3.0 scoreless innings with three hits allowed, one
    walk and one strikeout…also threw 3.0 innings on April 15 vs. San Francisco.
  • Is in his first season with the Tigers after being claimed off waivers from Arizona on February 17, 2023.

PHILADELPHIA PHILLIES NOTES:

GAME #61 RECAP: The Philies defeated the Detroit Tigers, 1-0, at Citizens Bank Park in South Philly … Starter Taijuan Walker (W, 5-3) tossed 7.0 scoreless innings and allowed 2 hits with 3 walks and 8 strikeouts … The game’s only run came on a Kyle Schwarber leadoff home run … Seranthony Dominguez (hold) and Craig Kimbrel (save) made scoreless appearances in relief of Walker and combined to strike out five of the seven hitters they faced.

ABOUT TUESDAY NIGHT: Tuesday night marked only the 10th time in the Modern Era (since 1900) that the Phillies won a game of 9 or more innings despite their leadoff hitter having three plate appearances or fewer … Further, in the Expansion Era (since 1961) it has now happened only three times: 6/6/23 vs DET, 10/5/91 vs NYM and 6/22/78 vs STL … Tuesday night also marked only the third time in the Modern Era the Phillies won a game 1-0 with the only run being a leadoff home run: Schwarber 6/6/23 vs DET, Jimmy Rollins 8/14/12 at MIA and John Briggs, 6/12/69 at LAD – Schwarber is the only one of the three to do so at home in Philadelphia.

JUNE BLOOM: Over the last three seasons (2021-23), the Phillies are 35-22 in the month of June and their .614 winning percentage ranks 5th among all MLB clubs behind only BOS (.672), HOU (.650), ATL (.633) and NYY (.621) … 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 23-10 in June (.697 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 96.8 MPH in June and he has cut down on his swing and miss rate from 34.4% in April to 21.8% in June … He has also more than doubled his hard hit rate on balls in play from 30.8% in April to 68.4% in June … In the month of June, Turner ranks 4th in hard hit rate and 5th in average exit velocity among all qualified hitters in MLB.

THANK YOU FOR YOUR PATIENCE: Over his last two plus months and 244 plate appearances (since 4/4), Kyle Schwarber has posted a .797 OPS with 16 home runs and 44 walks to 70 strikeouts – in that span, Schwarber is running a .180 BABIP which ranks 123rd out of the 123 MLB players with 200 PA in that stretch … Out of those same 123 players, Schwarber ranks 3rd with an 18.0% 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 (17.1%), 92nd percentile in average exit velocity (92.7 MPH) & barrel rate (15.3%) and 86th percentile in hard hit rate (48.9%).

LET THE GOOD VIBES ROLL: Through 26 games at Citizens Bank Park, the Phillies are averaging 39,107 in attendance per game which ranks 5th among all clubs in MLB behind only the Dodgers (47,916), Cardinals (39,968), Yankees (39,803) and Padres (39,206) … Of Philadelphia’s first 26 games at home, 13 have been sellouts (50%) and 18 have been over 35,000 (69%) … Among all clubs in MLB, the Phillies have the largest year-to-year increase in attendance per game this season at +11,853 (up from 27,254 per game through 26 home games in 2022) … The Toronto Blue Jays rank 2nd behind the Phillies among all clubs in year-toyear attendance growth at +5,924 and the Pittsburgh Pirates rank 2nd among NL teams at +5,052 … The Phils have welcomed 1,016,792 fans to CBP so far this year – through 26 games last season, the Phillies had 708,608 in attendance (+308,184 in 2023).

THE AMERICAN DREAM: The Phillies have won nine of their last 12 games against the American League (since 4/26/23) and each of their last five (since 5/7/23) – Philadelphia’s current five-game winning streak against the AL ties a franchise record (2x: 9/1/97-6/6/98 and 6/21-29/03).

TONIGHT’S STARTER – ZACK WHEELER  RHP #45
2023: 4-4, 4.33 ERA Career: 78-61, 3.47 ERA

LAST START: 6/2 at WSH (ND, L, 8-7): 3.2 IP, 8 H, 7 R, 7 ER, HR, BB, 3 SO, 20 BF, 90 pitches, 58 strikes … Down 6-0 through two and 7-1 through four, the Phillies mounted a comeback and tied the game at 7-7 going into the eighth inning … Nick Castellanos went 4-for-5 with a 2B, 2 HR, 5 RBI and a SB … Kyle Schwarber and Bryson Stott combined to reach base five times atop the lineup … With two outs in the bottom of the eighth inning, Alex Call walked, stole second base and later scored on a single to center.

TONIGHT’S START: 10 years: Wheeler is at 9 years and 169 days of Major League service time today … He is scheduled to hit 10 years of service
on Sunday (6/11)a vs LAD

Luck Be A Ball In Play Tonight: Wheeler has a 2.85 FIP this season which is lower than his mark last year (2.89) when he posted a 2.82 ERA … This season, Wheeler has a 4.33 ERA and his 1.48 difference between ERA and FIP is the 2nd-largest of any pitcher in MLB (most: Graham Ashcraft, 1.61) … Wheeler’s 2.85 FIP ranks 4th among all qualified pitchers in the NL and trails only Zac Gallen (2.23), Spencer Strider (2.60) and Justin Steele (2.85)

Whiffs: Wheeler is running a whiff rate of 30% or greater on three different pitches this year: Sweeper (38.5%), 4-seam fastball (34.2%) and Slider (30.7%)

The Ace Club: Since 2018, Wheeler ranks 4th in MLB (Nola 5th) in fWAR among all pitchers at 24.3 – he trails only Jacob deGrom (27.1), Max Scherzer (26.4) and Gerrit Cole (24.7)

Statcast Rankings: 97th percentile in extension, 86th percentile in walk rate & average exit velocity, 85th percentile in fastball spin, 82nd percentile in fastball velocity and 81st percentile in barrel rate

HOME:
2023: 1-2, 3.53 ERA (14 ER, 35.2 IP) 37 SO, 11 BB in 6 starts

Career: 37-33, 3.37 ERA (241 ER, 643.1 IP) in 104 starts

CBP
Career with Phils: 18-10, 2.38 ERA (75 ER, 283.2 IP) in 44 starts

Career: 21-11, 2.50 ERA (91 ER, 327.2 IP) in 51 starts

2023 SEASON:
Recorded his 18th career double-digit strikeout game and 10th as a Phillie on 5/27 at ATL

Racked up a career-high 23 swings and misses on 4/23 vs COL

Made his 200th career start on 4/23 vs COL

On 4/12 vs MIA extended his streak of home starts without allowing a HR to 4 and his streak of 5 or fewer hits allowed at home to 9

Yankees roster moves

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Yankees roster moves

Prior to Game 1 of today’s doubleheader, the Yankees made the following roster moves:

  • Placed LHP Nestor Cortes on the 15-day injured list (retroactive to 6/5) with a left rotator cuff strain.
  • Recalled LHP Matt Krook (#92) from Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre.

MLB Preview: Chicago White Sox (27-35) at New York Yankees (36-26)- Double-Header

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MLB Preview: Chicago White Sox (27-35) at New York Yankees (36-26)- Double-Header

CHICAGO WHITE SOX NOTES:

WHITE SOX AT A GLANCE
The Chicago White Sox have won a season-high four straight games, five of their last six and 20 of 34 as they conclude a brief three-game series tonight at Yankee Stadium.

RHP Lance Lynn is scheduled to start for the White Sox, who are in fourth place in the American League Central but just 4.0 games behind first-place Minnesota, the closest they have been to the division lead since 4/22 (also 4.0).

Last night’s game was postponed due to hazardous air quality conditions … the Sox opened the trip on Tuesday with a 3-2 victory over the Yankees behind 6.0 hitless IP by Lucas Giolito and two home runs by Seby Zavala.

Following today’s game, the White Sox return home for three games vs. Miami (6/9-11) before taking a six-game trip to Los Angeles-NL (6/13-15) and Seattle (6/16-18).

The Sox went 4-2 on their last homestand vs. the Angels (1-2) and Detroit (3-0) from 5/29-6/4 and 3-4 on their last trip to Cleveland (2-1) and Detroit (1-3) from 5/22-28.

TODAY’S STORYLINES
The White Sox are 20-14 (.576) since 4/30, the fifth-best record in the American League and best in the AL Central.

The Sox are looking for their first five-game winning streak since 8/12-16/22 … they have allowed seven runs on 16 hits during their four-game winning streak.

The White Sox are 7-6 at Yankee Stadium since 2018 … they have won three straight games at Yankee Stadium (11-3 margin) for the first time since a four-game run from 6/15-18/00 l Sox pitchers have recorded a 2.97 ERA (65 ER/196.2 IP) in 22 games since 5/13, the best mark in MLB … the bullpen owns a 2.48 ERA (21 ER/76.1 IP) during that span, while the starting rotation is at 3.29 (44 ER/120.1 IP).

Mike Clevinger is 1-0 with a 1.46 ERA (2 ER/12.1 IP), 20 strikeouts and a .100 (4-40) opponents average in two career starts at Yankee Stadium.

LET’S PLAY TWO
The White Sox are playing their second doubleheader of the season after playing six in 2022 (1-4-1 record).

The Sox swept a doubleheader at Yankee Stadium on 5/22/22, allowing just one combined run … Johnny Cueto (6.0 IP) and Michael Kopech (7.0 IP) became the first starting pitchers in franchise history to each work 6.0-plus scoreless IP in a doubleheader at Yankee Stadium.

Below is additional White Sox doubleheader information:
Last Sox DH: 4/18/23 vs. Philadelphia (split)
Last Sox DH on road: 8/9/22 at Kansas City (split)
Last Sox DH vs. New York-AL: 5/22/22 at Yankee Stadium (sweep)
Last time Sox swept a DH: 5/22 at New York-AL
Last time Sox were swept in a DH: 4/20/22 at Cleveland

TUESDAY’S RECAP
Lucas Giolito threw 6.0 hitless IP, and Seby Zavala homered twice and drove in all three runs as the White Sox won their fourth straight game, 3-2, over the Yankees.

Giolito walked three batters and struck out seven as he finished with 6.0-plus hitless IP for the second time in 2023 (see note below) … Kendall Graveman posted his eighth hold, pitching a 1-2-3 eighth inning for 14th straight scoreless appearance, and Liam Hendriks earned his first save since returning from cancer despite allowing a leadoff homer to Josh Donaldson in the ninth.

Zavala hit a solo homer off Clarke Schmidt in the third and a two-run shot off Schmidt in the fifth for his second career multi-homer game … Zavala became the 10th catcher in White Sox history to record multiple multi-homer games.

WHITE SOX VS. NEW YORK YANKEES
The White Sox lead the season series, 1-0, after recording their third straight victory at Yankee Stadium on Tuesday.

The Sox went 3-4 in 2022, losing three of four games at home from 5/12-15 and splitting four at Yankee Stadium from 5/21-22 … they batted .255/.297/.382 (64-251) with a 5.81 ERA (40 ER/62.0 IP) and were outscored, 40-28.

The White Sox are 1-6-1 in the last eight season matchups (since 2014), going 21-33 during that span (10-16 on the road).

LOOKING FOR AN EDGE VS. THE EAST
The White Sox are 3-11 against the American League teams this season, going 2-5 at home and 1-6 on the road … they have been outscored, 96-52.

By comparison, the White Sox combined to go 34-31 vs. the AL East in 2021-22.

MIND THE GAP
The White Sox are 20-14 (.588) since 4/30, the best record in the American League Central and fifth-best overall in the AL.

A breakdown of the Sox first 28 games and last 34:

W-L AVG R R/G HR OBP SLG OPS ERA IP QS ER HR SO
20-14 .250 159 4.7 37 .304 .403 .707 3.75 305.0 16 127 42 305
7-21 .227 106 3.8 26 .288 .367 .655 5.88 243.1 8 159 44 272

ALRIGHTY THEN
Tonight will the 181st and 182nd consecutive games in which a right-handed pitcher has started for the White Sox … per Elias, it is longest active streak in baseball (Minnesota is second at 132), second-longest in franchise 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.

ROTATION SENSATION
White Sox starting pitchers own a 3.29 ERA (44 ER/120.1 IP) with a .206 (90-436) opponents average and 125 strikeouts in 22 games since 5/13 … they lead MLB in opponents average, rank third in WHIP (1.13) and OPS (.651) and fourth in ERA.

During that stretch, Sox starters have made six scoreless outings, have allowed one run twice and two runs six times … the rotation since 5/11:

W-L ERA WHIP QS IP H R ER HR BB SO SO/9.0 AVG OPS
10-5 3.29 1.13 12 120.1 90 48 44 15 46 125 9.3 .206 .651

BULLPEN RELIEF
The White Sox bullpen has posted a 2.48 ERA (21 ER/76.1 IP) with a .179 (48-268) opponents average and a 1.02 WHIP in 22 games since 5/13 … during that stretch, the pen ranks second in MLB in opponents average, third in WHIP and fourth in ERA.

The bullpen owns a 0.48 ERA (2 ER/37.2 IP) with a .128 (16- 125) opponents average in the last 13 victories (since 5/16) and a 0.63 mark (4 ER/57.0 IP) in the last 19 wins (since 5/2).

The White Sox bullpen since 5/13:
W-L ERA WHIP SV IP H R ER HR BB SO HR/9.0 AVG OPS
4-3 2.48 1.02 6 76.1 48 22 21 6 30 67 0.71 .179 .571

RISING TO THE TOP
The White Sox are in the beginning of a stretch from 6/6-29 where they play seven consecutive series (22 games) vs. teams at or above .500 (1-0 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.

ANDREW, ANDREW … HE’S OUR MAN!
Andrew Vaughn is slashing .383/.456/.872 (18-47) with nine doubles, four homers and 34 RBI with RISP this season and .471/.609/1.000 (8-17) with RISP/two outs.

Vaughn ranks among the American League leaders with RISP in slugging percentage (4th), OPS (5th, 1.328) and RBI (T6th).

He ranks fourth in MLB with 13 go-ahead RBI and tied for fifth with seven game-winning RBI.

STARTER – #33 LANCE LYNN RHP
LYNN AT A GLANCE
Is scheduled to make his 13th start of the season, seventh on the road and first against the New York Yankees.

Has earned the win in four of his last six starts after going 0-4 in his first six starts of the season … is 3-1 with a 4.70 ERA (12 ER/239.0 IP) in his last three starts.

Has surrendered 15 home runs this season … has allowed a homer in nine of his 12 starts, including seven on the road.

Ranks among MLB active pitchers in HR/9.0 IP (7th, 0.94), SO/9.0 IP (7th, 9.09), opponents average (9th, .242), wins (9th, 127), starts (9th, 297), opponents SLG (10th, .385), IP (10th, 1,772.2), strikeouts (11th, 1,791), opponents OPS (11th, .697), ERA (12th, 3.64), WHIP
(12th, 1.27) and opponents OBP (13th, .312).

Signed a two-year contract extension with a club option with the White Sox on 7/17/21 … the Sox hold an $18-million option for 2024 with a $1-million buyout.

Is a two-time All-Star (2012 and 2021) … has finished fifth in the AL Cy Young Award voting in 2019, sixth in 2020 and third in 2021 … was a member of the 2011 World Series Champion St. Louis Cardinals.

LAST START
Suffered the loss on 5/31 vs the Los Angeles Angels, allowed a season-high eight runs on eight hits (three home runs) with two walks and four strikeouts over 4.0 IP … it was his shortest outing of the year.

Left the game in the fifth with the Sox trailing 8-1 … threw 89 pitches (51 strikes).

Owned a 56.5 first-strike percentage and 10.1 swinging-strike percentage (11 swing and misses) vs. 23 batters … threw 37 four-seam fastballs (92.8 mph avg; 94.2 mph max), 19 cutters (89.4 avg; 92.0 max), 18 sinkers (91.4 avg; 93.0 max), 10 changeups (85.4 avg; 85.9 max) and five curveballs (79.9 avg; 81.8 max).

GRAB SOME BENCH
Recorded his 24th career double-digit strikeout performance and fifth with the Sox on 4/29 vs. Tampa Bay.

Ranks 12th in the majors with 711 strikeouts since 2019 … teammate Lucas Giolito (779) ranks fifth.

Has struck out at least five batters in 87 of his 106 starts since 2019, the 10th-highest total in the majors.

ROAD TRIPPIN’
Is 2-2 with a 5.50 ERA (20 ER/28.1 IP) and .261 (35- 134) opponents average in six road starts in 2023 … has allowed four runs or more in three of his six starts on the road and three or less in the other three.

Has gone 10-9 with a 3.88 ERA (71 ER/164.2 IP), .248 (161-648) opponents average and 168 strikeouts over 29 starts on the road since 2021 … has allowed two runs or less in 17 of those starts and one run or less in nine.

ORTHODOX HITTERS
Owns a career .228/.284/.351 (813-3,567) opponents slash line against right-handed hitters.

His .228 opponents average vs. right-handers is the ninth-lowest mark among active pitchers in the majors.

WORK HORSE
Ranks sixth in MLB with 1,772.2 IP since 2011 … is one of 10 active pitchers with 1,700.0-plus career IP.

Has thrown 100-plus pitches 69 times since 2019, the most in the majors during that span.

Has thrown 30,298 pitches since 2011, sixth-most during that span, and the most among MLB pitchers with less than 1,900.0 IP during that span.

AMERICA’S ACE
Pitched for Team USA in the 2023 World Baseball Classic … went 1-0 with a 3.00 ERA (3 ER/9.0 IP), .188 (6-32) opp. average and eight strikeouts in two starts.

Started on 3/13 against Canada in pool play, earning the win after allowing one run over 5.0 IP.

Was the starting pitcher for USA’s quarterfinal contest vs. Venezuela … received a no decision after allowing two runs in 4.0 IP … USA would go on to win, 9-7.

VS. NEW YORK YANKEES || A.L. EAST
Is scheduled to make his sixth career start against the New York Yankees and third at Yankee Stadium.

Has not faced the Yankees since 2021 … received a no decision in his last start on 8/12/21 at Guaranteed Rate Field (4 ER/5.0 IP) … last start at Yankee Stadium came on 9/4/19 with Texas (L; 3 ER/5.0 IP).

Struck out 10 Yankees on 9/29/19 in Texas, earning his last win against New York-AL (1 ER/7.1 IP).

Is 10-12 with a 3.62 ERA (101 ER/224.0 IP) and .231 (195-845) opponents average in 41 career games (36 starts) vs. the American League East.

52 STARTER MIKE CLEVINGER RHP

CLEVINGER AT A GLANCE
Is scheduled to make his 11th start of the season, sixth on the road and first vs. the New York Yankees in the second game of the doubleheader today.

Has limited opponents to three or less runs in seven of his first 10 starts with three scoreless efforts.

Has surrendered seven home runs across his last six starts after allowing no home runs over his first three.

Was on the 15-day injured list from 5/21-6/2 with right wrist inflammation, missing two starts.

Agreed to terms with Chicago on a one-year, $12-million deal in December (includes a mutual option for 2024).

Has appeared in just 41 games (40 starts) since the start of the 2020 season … missed the entire 2021 season to continue his recovery from his second Tommy John surgery … also underwent Tommy John surgery in 2012.

Was originally drafted by the Angels in the fourth round of the 2011 MLB Draft … was traded to Cleveland in August 2014 … made 101 major-league appearances (88 starts) with Cleveland from 2016-20 … was traded to San Diego in August 2020, appearing in just 27 games (16 starts) with Padres from 2020-22.

LAST START
Received a no decision on 6/2 vs. Detroit despite throwing 5.0 scoreless IP … allowed three hits with one walk and six strikeouts … retired the first 14 batters faced … marked his third scoreless start (last on 4/14 vs. Baltimore) and second straight without surrendering a homer.

Departed the game in the sixth with the game tied, 0-0 … the White Sox would go on to win, 3-0

Owned a 84.2 first-strike percentage and 14.9 swinging-strike percentage (15 swing and misses), both season highs, vs. 19 batters … threw 73 pitches (53 strikes) with the following pitch breakdown: 26 sliders (79.7 mph avg; 81.7 mph max), 25 four-seam fastballs (95.0 avg; 96.7 max), 11 cutters (85.2 avg; 86.6 max), seven changeups (86.5 avg; 87.6 max), three curveballs (74.1 avg; 74.6 max) and one sinker (92.8 max).

ROAD WOES
Is 2-2 with a 5.60 ERA (17 ER/27.1 IP) on the road this season, compared to a 1-1 record with a 2.52 ERA (7 ER/25.0 IP) at home.

Is 3-4 across his last 10 road starts (one quality) compiling a 6.98 ERA (38 ER/49.0 IP), .286 (57-199) opponents average and nine home runs allowed … has surrendered four or more runs in three of his last four road starts and six of his last 10.

Owns a 28-12 record, 4.00 ERA (155 ER/348.1 IP), .228 (293-1287) opponents average and 409 strikeouts over 68 career appearances (62 starts) on the road.

START STRONG
Is limiting opponents to a .194 (14-72) batting average across the first two innings this season compared to a .277 (25-90) average from the fourth-seventh inning.

Is holding opponents to a .188 (15-80) average with 23 strikeouts the first time through the lineup compared to a .333 (26-78) average the second time through.

Posted a 2.04 ERA (10 ER/44.0 IP) and .173 (27-156) opponents average across the first two innings in 2022, compared to a 5.76 ERA (45 ER/70.1 IP) and .267 (75- 281) mark from the third-seventh.

Limited opponents to a .196 (37-189) average the first time through the lineup in 2022, compared to a .244 (43- 176) mark the second time through the lineup and a .306 (22-72) average the third time through the order.

BEND DON’T BREAK
Is limiting opponents to a .200 (18-90) average with runners on base, .167 (9-54) average with RISP and .083 (2-24) average with RISP/two outs this season.

His opponents average with RISP/two outs is the lowest in MLB (min. 25 PA), his opponent average with RISP is fifth-lowest (min. 60 PA) and opponent average with runners on is ninth-lowest (min. 100 PA).

VS. NEW YORK YANKEES || A.L. EAST
Will make his fourth career start (fifth appearance) against the New York Yankees and third at Yankee Stadium.

Last faced the Yankees on 8/18/19 in New York with Cleveland … earned the win after throwing 5.0 scoreless IP with three hits allowed, two walks and 10 strikeouts.

Recorded 10 strikeouts in two of his three career starts vs. New York-AL … first on 5/6/18 and again on 8/18/19, both starts came at Yankee Stadium.

Is 0-1 with a 4.50 ERA (8 ER/16.0 IP), .246 (15-61) opponents average, nine walks and 16 strikeouts in three starts this season against the American League East … has gone 9-5 with a 4.32 ERA (55 ER/114.2 IP), .232 (98- 422) opponents average, 57 walks and 134 strikeouts in his career against the division.

NEW YORK YANKEES NOTES:

AT A GLANCE: The Yankees continue their six-game homestand today with a single-admission doubleheader vs. Chicago-AL…are 0-1 on the homestand after dropping their first game of the series on Tuesday…will also play a three-game set vs. Boston (Fri.-Sun.)…went 4-2 on their recent road trip after winning two-of-three at Seattle and Los Angeles-NL.

At 36-26 (.581), are tied for the fourth-best record in the AL and tied for the sixth-best record in the Majors.

Are 6-3 in their last nine games, 11-6 in their last 17 games, 13-7 in their last 20 games, 15-8 in their last 23 games and 18-9 in their last 27 games.

Are 21-11 (.656) in their last 32 games (since 5/2), the second-best record in the Majors in that span, trailing only Texas (23-10, .697).

Have won each of their last three completed series and five of their last six completed series…have won or split seven of their last eight completed series (since 5/8), eight of their last 10 completed series (since 5/1) and 14 of their 19 completed series this season (going 12-5-2).

WHERE WE LEFT OFF: The Yankees fell to the White Sox, 3-2, in their series opener on Tuesday at Yankee Stadium…Yankees batters were held to just three hits, matching their season low (fifth time)…CF Isiah Kiner-Falefa (1-for-4, 1 double, 1RBI) hit a two-out RBI double in the seventh inning, the Yankees’ first hit of the night…3B Josh Donaldson (1-for-3, 1R, 1HR, 1RBI, 1BB) hit a solo HR in the ninth inning…was the only Yankee to reach base twice…C Jose Trevino (1-for-3) was the only other Yankee to record a hit…RHP Tommy Kahnle (1.0IP, 1H, 1K),
RHP Jimmy Cordero (1.0IP, 1BB, 3K) and RHP Albert Abreu (1.0IP) combined to toss 3.0 scoreless innings of relief.

LET’S PLAY TWO: Today, the Yankees play their first doubleheader of the season…have won (six) or split (seven) 13 of their 17 doubleheaders since the start of 2020…marks the second straight season the Yankees will play a doubleheader against the White Sox (also 5/22/22 at Yankee Stadium).

BRONX BOMBERS: Yankees batters have hit 96HR this season, the second-most home runs in the AL and the fourth-most in the Majors…their 62HR since the beginning of May are the most in the Majors in that span.

Their 31 games with multiple home runs are tied for the second-most in the Majors this season (Tampa Bay-32G).

Have hit 9HR over their last four games and 18HR in their last nine games.

Have hit multiple HR in five of their last eight games, 11 of their last 17 games (since 5/18), 16 of their last 23 games (since 5/12), 20 of their last 28 games (since 5/7) and 22 of their last 32 games (since 5/2).

Since 5/1, rank third in runs scored per game (5.24), tied for third in runs scored (173) and rank fourth in SLG (.455).

NEW KID ON THE BLOCK: INF Anthony Volpe stole his 14th base of the season on Tuesday…according to Elias, is the first Yankee to steal his first 14 career bases without getting caught (since 1921 when caught stealing was first recorded in the American League)…the previous record was held by Joe DiMaggio (first 12SB with 0CS from 1936-38).

Joins Tampa Bay’s Taylor Walls (15-for-15) as the only two Major League players that are 14-for-14-or-better in stolen base attempts this season.

His 14SB are the most by a Yankee through the club’s first 62 games of a season since 2015 when Brett Gardner had 15SB and Jacoby Ellsbury had 14SB in the Yankees’ first 62 games.

His 14SB are the most by a Yankees rookie since Eduardo Nunez’s 22SB in 2011.

NOBODY BEATS THE RIZZ: INF Anthony Rizzo has reached base in 30 of his last 34 games and 49 of his 57 games this season.

Has reached base in 30-of-32 games at home this season, hitting .353/.422/.597 (42-for-119) with 20R, 5 doubles, 8HR, 21RBI, 12BB, 3HP and 1SF in those games…has hit safely in 27-of-32 home games…among Major League batters at home, ranks fifth in OBP (second in AL), sixth in BA (second in AL) and OPS (1.019, fourth in AL), tied for seventh in HR (tied for fourth in AL) and ninth in SLG (fifth in AL).

WHAT A RELIEF: Yankees relievers have posted a Major League-best 2.82 ERA (236.0IP, 74ER) and a .212 opponents’ BA…the Yankees are the only Major League bullpen that currently owns an ERA below 3.00 (next: Cleveland – 3.13).

Own a Major League-best 0.72 HR/9.0IP and .335 opponents’ SLG…rank second in the Majors in opponents’ OPS (.639) and third in WHIP (1.19).

Have posted a 1.26 ERA (28.2IP, 4ER) in their last nine games (since 5/27) and a 1.88 ERA (62.1IP, 13ER) in their last 17 games (since 5/18)…have held opponents to a .158 BA (34-for-215) over that 17-game stretch.

RHP Clay Holmes has not allowed a run in 14 of his last 15 appearances (since 5/6), going 4-0 with two saves and a 0.59 ERA (15.1IP, 1ER) and 20K in that span.

RHP Jimmy Cordero has not allowed a run in nine of his last 10 appearances (since 5/10).

RHP Albert Abreu has not allowed an earned run in his last eight games since 5/18 (9.2IP, 3H, 1R/0ER, 8K, 2BB).

RHP Ron Marinaccio has not allowed an earned run in six of his last seven games (since 5/18), holding opponents to a .115 BA (3-for-26) in that span.

LHP Wandy Peralta has not allowed a run in 16 of his last 19 appearances since 4/24, posting a 2.60 ERA (17.1IP, 5ER) in that span…has held opponents to a .172 BA (10-for-58) over that stretch.

RHP Michael King has not allowed a run in 16 of his last 18 appearances (since 4/4), going 1-0 with three saves and a 1.16 ERA (31.0IP, 4ER) and 35K in that span…his current 11.1 scoreless inning streak marks the longest such streak by a Yankees reliever this season and is the third-longest such streak of his career (trails a 13.2IP streak from 4/11-5/4/22 and a 12.2IP streak from 4/4-5/13/21)…marks his second double-digit scoreless inning streak this season (10.2 scoreless inning streak from 4/4-23).

GOT YOUR NUMBER: INF Anthony Rizzo has hit .324/.468/.622 (12-for-37) with 5 doubles, 2HR, 9RBI, 9BB and 1HP in his career off Chicago-AL’s Lance Lynn.

CENTRAL PERK: Since 2022, the Yankees are 32-15 (.681) vs. the AL Central…are 43-19 in their last 62 games vs. the division (since 6/23/21) and 56-25 in their last 81 games (since 9/12/19).

Have won or split 22 of their last 26 completed series vs. the AL Central (going 21-4-1 since 9/10/19), 25 of their last 29 completed series (going 22-4-3 since 6/13/19) and 28 of their last 33 completed series (going 25-5-3 since 4/18/19).

PITCH PERFECT: Yankees pitchers have allowed 3R-orfewer in each of their last three games, five of their last six games and seven of their last 11 games.

Have held opponents to a .226 BA, the third-lowest opponents’ BA in the Majors (Minnesota – .225; Tampa Bay – a lower .226)…also rank fifth in WHIP (1.22) and sixth in opponents’ OPS (.687).

OH MY JOSH: INF Josh Donaldson hit a solo HR in the ninth inning on Tuesday vs. the White Sox…has 3HR in his last three games and 4HR in eight games this season.

Has hit 23 career home runs off the White Sox, his most vs. any opponent…has 6HR in his last 15 games against the White Sox, 7HR in his last 18 games against Chicago-AL and 8HR in his last 22 games vs. the White Sox.

HAWAIIAN PUNCH: INF/OF Isiah Kiner-Falefa hit a two-out RBI double in the seventh inning on Tuesday…has 11RBI in his last 11 games (since 5/24).

MATCHING UP: The Yankees are 11-5 in their last 16 games vs. the White Sox (since 6/15/19).

INF/OF Isiah Kiner-Falefa has hit .359 (23-for-64) with 7R, 1 double, 7RBI, 3BB, 3HP and 7SB in 18 career games vs. the White Sox…his .359 BA is his highest against any opponent (min. 5G).

INF Gleyber Torres has hit .338/.441/.506 (26-for-77) with 15R, 1 double, 4HR, 15RBI, 15BB, 2SB and 1SF in 23 career games against Chicago-AL…his .338 BA is his highest against any opponent (min. 5G).

TODAY’S GAME 1 STARTING PITCHER: RHP LUIS SEVERINO (0-1, 5.28 ERA)
RHP Luis Severino will make his fourth start of the season in Game 1 of today’s doubleheader vs. Chicago-AL…the 29-year-old will make the start on extended five days’ rest due to Monday’s team off day…made his third start of the season on Friday at Los Angeles-NL and took the loss after allowing 7ER over 4.0IP (9H, 1BB, 2K, 3HR)… allowed a career-high-tying 3HR (fourth time in his career, first since 7/13/22 vs. CIN)…marked his most ER allowed in a game since he allowed a career-high 8ER on 8/12/17 vs. Boston…missed the first 48 games of the season with a right lat strain…went 7-3 with a 3.18 ERA (102.0IP, 72H, 37R/36ER, 30BB, 112K, 14HR) in 19 starts for the Yankees in 2022…allowed 3ER-or-fewer in 15 of his starts, 2ER-or-fewer in 12 of those starts and one-or-zero earned runs in nine of those games…missed 59 team games in 2022 with a low grade right lat strain (7/14-9/20)…the two-time AL All-Star (2017, ’18) ranked third in the Majors in 2018 with 19 wins (19-8), tied for second-most by a Yankee in the last 14 seasons (since 2009) behind CC Sabathia (21-7 in 2010)…has two of the top-eight single-season strikeout totals in Yankees history (230K in 2017, 220K in 2018)…is one of four pitchers in Yankees history with multiple 200-strikeout seasons (also Gerrit Cole from 2021-22, David Cone from 1997-98 and Ron Guidry from 1978-79)…finished third in 2017 AL Cy Young Award voting…was originally signed by the Yankees as a non-drafted free agent on 12/26/11…signed to a four-year contract extending through the 2022 season with a club option for the 2023 season on 2/15/19…the Yankees exercised his club option for the 2023 season on 11/7/22. 2023: Will make his fourth start of the season today…took the loss on Friday at Los Angeles-NL after allowing 7ER over 4.0IP (9H, 1BB, 2K, 3HR)…allowed a career-high-tying 3HR (fourth time in his career, first since 7/13/22 vs. CIN)…surrendered six of his seven ER in the first inning, allowing a solo HR to Mookie Betts, a two-run HR to Max Muncy, RBI singles to James Outman and Mookie Betts, and a sacrifice fly to Miguel Rojas…also allowed a solo HR to J.D. Martinez in the third inning…marked his most ER allowed in a game since he allowed a career-high 8ER on 8/12/17 vs. Boston.

Did not record a decision on 5/27 vs. San Diego despite allowing just 2R/1ER over 6.2IP (1H, 3BB, 5K, 1HR)…surrendered his only hit on a solo HR by Fernando Tatis Jr. in the fourth inning.

Did not record a decision in his first start of the season on 5/21 at Cincinnati (4.2IP, 4H, 1ER, 1BB, 5K, 0HR)…was returned from rehab and reinstated from the 15-day injured list on 5/21 prior to his start.

Allowed 1ER-or-fewer in three straight starts (10/3/22-5/27/23), tied for the second-longest such streak of his career (trails only a five-start streak from 7/15-8/6/17allowed 2ER-or-fewer in five straight starts from 9/21/22-5/27/23, tied for the second-longest such streak of his career (trails only a nine-start streak from 9/12/18-4/20/22)…has allowed 2ER-or-fewer in seven of his last nine starts (since 6/30/22).

Missed the first 48 games of the season with a right lat strain…combined to make two rehab starts with Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre and Double-A Somerset, posting a 4.05 ERA (6.2IP, 8H, 3ER, 2BB, 6K, 1HR).

VS. CHICAGO-AL: Is 2-2 with a 3.35 ERA (37.2IP, 14ER) and 39K in six career starts vs. the White Sox…five of his six starts have been quality starts.

Has tossed at least 7.0IP and allowed 3ER-or-fewer in each of his last four starts vs. Chicago-AL.

Along with his 7GS vs. Detroit, tonight’s start will match his most starts against a team outside of the AL East.

Last started against the White Sox in Game 2 of a doubleheader on 5/22/22 at Yankee Stadium and did not record a decision despite tossing 7.0 scoreless innings (8H, 0BB, 5K, 2HP).

Took the loss in the Yankees’ 4-1 defeat vs. Chicago-AL on 4/18/17 at Yankee Stadium (8.0IP, 3H, 4R/3ER, 0BB, 10K, 2HR)…retired 18 of his first 19 batters faced (allowing only a third-inning solo HR to Leury García)…was the youngest pitcher in franchise history to record at least 10K and 0BB in a game (23 years, 57 days).

On 6/27/17 at Chicago-AL, recorded a career-high 12 strikeouts and did not walk a batter over 7.0IP (6H, 1ER), but took a no-decision in the Yankees’ 4-3 loss…at 23 years, 127 days old, became the second-youngest Yankees pitcher to strike out 12-or-more batters in a game, behind only Al Downing, who did it six times at age-22 from 1963-64.

WELCOME TO MY HOUSE: Will make his second home start of the season tonight…allowed just 2R/1ER over 6.2IP (1H, 3BB, 5K) in his first home start of the season on 5/27 vs. San Diego…is 27-14 with a 3.42 ERA (324.0IP, 123ER) and 370K in 60 games (55 starts) in his career at Yankee Stadium…the Yankees are 35-9 in his home starts since the start of 2017…since 2018, has gone 15-3 with a 2.65 ERA (159.1IP, 47ER) and 191K in 28 home starts, with the Yankees going 24-4 in those games.

In 10 home starts in 2022, went 4-1 with a 3.14 ERA (51.2IP, 18ER) and 63K…allowed 3R-or-fewer in eight of the 10 starts, 2R-or-fewer in six of those starts and 1R-or-fewer in five of those starts.

Including the postseason, is 19-5 with a 3.00 ERA (201.0IP, 67ER) and 243K in his last 37 starts at home (32 regular season and five postseason), dating back to 9/3/17…has allowed more than 2R just 12 times in that stretch…the Yankees are 31-6 in those starts.

His 1.11 HR/9.0IP ratio (32HR/258.1IP) at Yankee Stadium is the lowest by a current Yankees pitcher since 2017 (min. 100.0IP).

START ME UP: The Yankees are 61-27 in his 88 starts since 2017…has allowed 1ER-or-fewer in 42-of-88 starts (47.8%) over that span.

From 7/8/17-7/12/18, the Yankees went 31-4 in his 35 starts, the first time the Yankees won at least 31 games in a pitcher’s 35-start span since going 31-4 over 35 Ron Guidry starts from 8/10/77-8/15/78 (Elias).

TODAY’S GAME 2 STARTING PITCHER: RHP RANDY VÁSQUEZ (0-1, 3.86 ERA)
RHP Randy Vásquez is expected to make his second career start in Game 2 of today’s doubleheader vs. Chicago-AL…the 24-year-old will pitch on extended five days’ rest…made his Major League debut on 5/26 vs. San Diego, taking the loss despite allowing just 2ER in 4.2IP (4H, 3BB, 6K, 1HR, 2HP)…last pitched for Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre on Friday at Lehigh Valley, taking the loss after allowing 4ER over 4.2IP (7H, 3BB, 5K, 1HR)…has made 10 starts for Scranton/Wilkes-Barre this season, going 1-6 with a 5.13 ERA (47.1IP, 51H, 31R/27ER, 26BB, 55K, 6HR)…became the second Yankees pitcher to make his Major League debut this season (also Jhony Brito on 4/2 vs. San Francisco)…spent the 2022 season with Double-A Somerset, going 2-7 with a 3.90 ERA (115.1IP, 106H, 56R/50ER, 41BB, 120K, 11HR) in 25 starts…following the season, was tabbed by Baseball America as the Yankees’ No. 9 prospect and labeled as having the “Best Curveball” among Yankees farmhands…was added to the Yankees 40-man roster on 3/22/22…was signed by the Yankees as a non-drafted free agent on 5/21/18.

WELCOME TO THE MAJORS: Made his Major League debut on 5/26 vs. San Diego, taking the loss despite allowing just 2ER in 4.2IP (4H, 3BB, 6K, 1HR, 2HP)…was scoreless through 4.2IP before surrendering a two-run HR to Juan Soto in the top of the fifth inning.

HOME SWEET HOME: Tonight will mark his second career home start for the Yankees.

In four home starts with Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre this season, has gone 0-3 with a 5.60 ERA (17.2IP, 15R/11ER) and 24K.

Made 13 home starts with Double-A Somerset in 2022, going 1-5 with a 3.36 ERA (59.0IP, 27R/22ER) and 61K. FOR STARTERS: Became just the 12th pitcher in the last 16 seasons (since 2008) to make his Major League debut as a starter for the Yankees after making his Major League debut on 5/26 vs. San Diego…joined RHP Jhony Brito (4/2/23 vs. San Francisco), RHP Luis Gil (8/3/21 vs. Baltimore), RHP Deivi García (8/30/20-G2 vs. New York-NL), RHP Chance Adams (8/4/18 at Boston), RHP Jonathan Loáisiga (6/15/18 vs. Tampa Bay), LHP Jordan Montgomery (4/12/17 vs. Tampa Bay), RHP Chad Green (5/16/16 at Arizona), RHP Luis Severino (8/5/15 vs. Boston), RHP Chase Whitley (5/15/14 at New York-NL), RHP Masahiro Tanaka (4/4/14 at Toronto) and RHP Adam Warren (6/29/12 vs. Chicago-AL)…along with RHP Jhony Brito, marked just the third time during that span the Yankees had two pitchers make their Major League debut as a starter in the same season (also 2014: RHP Chase Whitley and RHP Masahiro Tanaka; 2018: RHP Chance Adams and RHP Jonathan Loáisiga).

NATIONAL STAGE: Became the eighth Yankees pitcher all-time to start against a National League opponent in his Major League debut, joining RHP Jhony Brito (4/2/23 vs. San Francisco: W, 5.0IP, 0R), RHP Deivi García (8/30/20-G2 vs. New York-NL: ND, 6.0IP, 1R/0ER), RHP Chad Green (5/16/16 at Arizona: L, 4.0IP, 6R/4ER), RHP Chase Whitley (5/15/14 at New York-NL: ND, 4.2IP, 0ER), RHP Tyler Clippard (5/20/07 at New York-NL: W, 6.0IP, 1ER), LHP Brad Halsey (6/19/04 at Los Angeles-NL: W, 5.2IP, 2ER) and LHP Brandon Claussen (6/28/03- G2 at New York-NL: W, 6.1IP, 1ER).

Was the eighth Yankee to draw a start at the current Yankee Stadium in his Major League debut (second this season), joining RHP Jhony Brito (4/2/23 vs. San Francisco), RHP Luis Gil (8/3/21 vs. Baltimore), RHP Deivi García (8/30/20-G2 vs. New York-NL), RHP Jonathan Loáisiga (6/15/18 vs. Tampa Bay), LHP Jordan Montgomery (4/12/17 vs. Tampa Bay), RHP Luis Severino (8/5/15 vs. Boston) and RHP Adam Warren (6/29/12 vs. Chicago-AL).

MLB Preview: Baltimore Orioles (37-24) ta Milwaukee Brewers (34-28)

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MLB Preview: Baltimore Orioles (37-24) ta Milwaukee Brewers (34-28)

BALTIMORE ORIOLES NOTES:

YESTERDAY’S NEWS: The Orioles fell to the Brewers last night, 10-2, in game two of the three-game set at American Family Field…Looking to avoid being swept for the first time this year and first time in a series of at least two games since May 13-15,
2022 at Detroit (0-3).

O’s pitchers did not issue a walk in a game for the fourth time this season and first since May 16 vs. Los Angeles-AL.

Aaron Hicks has reached safely in each of his first six games with Baltimore and has hit safely in five of them, slashing .368/.455/.632 (7-for-19) with one triple, one home run, five runs scored, three RBI, and three walks with two multi-hit efforts.

Manager Brandon Hyde was ejected by home plate umpire Hunter Wendelstedt in the top of the fifth inning, his 11th career ejection and second this season (4/10 vs. OAK).

DAY MAN, FIGHTER OF THE NIGHT MAN: The O’s have gone 12-12 in day games this season, including 4-3 in their last seven…The Birds are averaging 5.42 runs per game (130 R/24 G) in day games compared to 4.51 (167 R/37 G) in night games…Baltimore is slashing .262/.340/.422 during the day compared to .237/.304/.406 at night…Of Baltimore’s 47 stolen bases this season, 31 have come in day games.

CLOSE ENCOUNTERS: Of Baltimore’s 61 games this season, 53 have been decided by four or fewer runs, second-most in MLB behind Los Angeles-AL with 55…The O’s have gone 33-20 in those games, the most wins and second-best winning percentage (.623) in the majors behind Tampa Bay (.644, 29-16)…The O’s are 24-14 in games decided by three or fewer runs, the best winning percentage (.632) and second-most wins in such games in MLB, behind Cleveland (25-23).

ON THE ROAD AGAIN: The O’s are wrapping up a six-game road trip, which began with three games in San Francisco (2-1) over the weekend…After an off day Monday, the Orioles have gone 0-2 in the first two games of a three-game set in Milwaukee… Baltimore is 20-12 (.625) away from Oriole Park, the second-best road record in MLB this season behind Atlanta (20-10, .667)…The Birds went 38-43 (.469) on the road last year, 14th-best in MLB, after going a combined 114-237 (.325) away from Camden Yards from 2017-21.

AGAINST THE BREWERS: The Orioles and Brewers are squaring off for the first and only time this season…The O’s hosted the Brewers at Oriole Park for their first home series of the 2022 campaign; the Birds won their Home Opener but dropped the next two games…The Orioles are playing in Milwaukee for the first time since 2017, when they were swept in three games from July 3-5…The O’s have lost seven straight games in Milwaukee and have not won there since May 26, 2014.

WHAT’S TRENDING: The O’s have won 28 of their last 45 games, 31 of 49, and 32 of 52… The 37-24 overall record is tied for the third-best in MLB to start the season (see box at right)…Entering today, the Orioles are one of 10 teams with at least 35 wins and one of four with less than 25 losses.

BIG TIME RUTSCH: Adley Rutschman leads the AL with 45 walks and 107 times on base (62 H, 45 BB)…He’s also fourth in the AL with a .399 on-base percentage…He ranks among MLB switch hitters in OBP (1st), OPS (2nd, .825), and batting average (3rd, .281), and among primary catchers in OBP (1st) and OPS (3rd).

HAYS OF OUR LIVES: Austin Hays was named the Fielding Bible Award Co-Defensive Player of the Month for May with Toronto’s Kevin Kiermaier by Sports Info Solutions after he led MLB with 10 Defensive Runs Saved…Hays has four outfield assists this season, tied for fourth in the AL…His 21 outfield assists since the start of 2021 are tied for the second-most in the AL and fifth-most in MLB during that time.

He ranks seventh in the AL with a .303 batting average.

His .397 (27-for-68) batting average in the seventh inning or later leads MLB and he’s the only qualified player currently over .390 in those spots this season.

Hays also leads MLB with a .424 (25-for-59) average with two outs; the next closest player is Los Angeles-NL’s Freddie Freeman, who is hitting .388 (26- for-67) with two outs.

TODAY’S STARTING PITCHER – #39 KYLE BRADISH RHP
QUICK HITS: Scheduled to make his 11th start of the season, seventh on the road, and first career start against the Brewers today…Made 23 starts in his rookie season with the Orioles in 2022…Went 4-7 with a 4.90 ERA (64 ER/117.2 IP) with 111 strikeouts to 46 walks…Was one of 13 O’s players (7 pitchers) to make their debut in 2022…Started on the bump for Adley Rutschman’s debut on May 21 vs. Tampa Bay…Tossed 16.0 consecutive scoreless innings across four starts from August 26 to September 6… Acquired by the Orioles along with RHP Kyle Brnovich, RHP Zach Peek, and RHP Isaac Mattson from Los Angeles-AL in exchange for RHP Dylan Bundy on December 4, 2019…Originally drafted by the Angels in the fourth round of the 2018 First-Year Player Draft out of New Mexico State…Teammates at NMSU with INF Joey Ortiz.

LAST TIME OUT: Dealt the loss in his last start on June 3 at San Francisco, his first career start against the Giants…Allowed three runs on seven hits with one walk, a wild pitch, and five strikeouts in 4.0 innings…Threw 79 pitches, 53 strikes.

CAREER AGAINST BREWERS/NL CENTRAL: Making his first career start against the Brewers and his fifth career start against the NL Central…Did not factor in the decision in his last start against the division on May 12 vs. Pittsburgh…Allowed one unearned run on three hits with one walk and six strikeouts in 6.0 innings…Threw 89 pitches, 61 pitches…Owns a 1-0 record with a 2.38 ERA (6 ER/ 22.2 IP) against the division.

INTERLEAGUE HERO: Will be his eighth career Interleague start; has pitched to a 2-1 record with a 2.87 ERA (12 ER/37.2 IP) and three quality starts in seven career outings against the National League…Held opposing hitters to a .232 (33-for-142) batting average in those games…Dealt his second loss of the season in his last start against the National League on June 3 at San Francisco…Earned his first career win and tallied a career-high 11 strikeouts on May 10, 2022 at St. Louis…Threw a career-high 105 pitches on June 7, 2022 vs. Chicago-NL…Has allowed three earned runs-or-fewer in each of his seven career Interleague outings.

BEAST OUTSIDE THE EAST: In 17 career starts against teams outside the AL East, Bradish owns a 6-1 record with a 2.28 ERA (24 ER/94.2 IP), 95 strikeouts, and eight quality starts…Has allowed three earned runs-orfewer in 15 of those 17 starts…Making his ninth such start this season today; owns a 2-1 record with a 2.43 ERA (11 ER/40.2 IP) and 37 strikeouts to eight walks through his first eight starts outside the division in 2023…His last start against San Francisco on June 3 marked his first loss outside of the AL East in his career.

LIFE ON THE ROAD: Making his seventh road start of the 2023 campaign… Has pitched to a 1-1 record with a 4.44 ERA (13 ER/26.1 IP) through his first six road assignments this season…Dealt his second loss of the season on June 3 at San Francisco…Sports a 4-3 record with a 4.67 ERA (42 ER/81.0 IP) in 17 career road outings.

SWING AND A MISS: Bradish registered 16 swings and misses on May 12 vs. Pittsburgh, his second-most in a game in his career behind the 17 he
recorded on August 26, 2022 at Houston.

MILWAUKEE BREWERS NOTES:

Why So Series?
The Brewers are assured of winning their second consecutive series…..the team had not won consecutive series since 4/13-4/19 at San Diego (3-1) and at Seattle (3-0).

Rare Birds
The Brewers are hosting the Orioles at American Family Field for just the fourth time (2008, ’14, ’17 and ’23)….. the team is 9-2 all-time here against Baltimore, winning the last 7 games.

Field of Wiems
Joey Wiemer enters this afternoon on a career-high 8-game hitting streak, batting .481 (13-for-27) with 3 HR and 9 RBI…..last night he recorded a career-high 4 hits and 5 RBI and had the first multi-homer game of his career…..his 11 total bases broke the franchise rookie record for a game.

Player/Date/Opponent TB
Joey Wiemer – 6/7/23 vs. BAL ………….11
Keston Hiura – 8/7/19 at PIT ………………. 10
Casey McGehee – 9/12/09 at ARI ……… 10
Greg Vaughn – 7/21/90 vs. SEA ………… 10
Bill Schroeder – 5/30/84 at CLE ……….. 10

Baseball Brothers
This series marks the first meeting between the Brewers’ Luis Urías and the Orioles’ Ramón Urías in the big leagues…..the brothers were slated to play against each other last season at Camden Yards, but that plan was foiled as Luis was on the injured list at that particular point in time…..Ramón (1994) and the younger Luis (1997) were both born on June 3 in Mexico.

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

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

One and Done
The Brewers are 10-3 (.769) in 1-run games…..the Marlins at 16-4 (.800) are the only team better in MLB.

Most HR as a Shortstop
MLB Since 2019
Player HR
Willy Adames, MIL ……………………….. 94
Francisco Lindor, NYM ………………….. 92
Xander Bogaerts, SD ……………………….87

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 3 (2-0) of a 6-game homestand against Baltimore (2-0) and Oakland (3g)…..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), LHP Eric Lauer (right shoulder), LHP Wade Miley (left lat), OF Garrett Mitchell (left shoulder), 1B Darin Ruf (right knee), 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, including this series.
Game 1: 9-11, Game 2: 13-7, Game 3: 10-9, 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 18-12 at home, going 6-4-0 in series play, including this series…..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.

LET’S GO TO THE VIDEO TAPE: The Brewers have made 12 replay challenges this season, going 6-6…..their last challenge (won) came on 6/7 vs. Baltimore as a safe call at first base involving Josh Lester was overturned.

TODAY’S STARTER: #48 – RHP COLIN REA (10g, 9gs, 3-3, 4.94)
REA AT A GLANCE: Colin Rea, 32, will be making his 11th appearance and 10h start of the season…..Rea last started last Saturday at Cincinnati and picked up a 10-8 victory (5ip, 6h, 3r, 3er, 3bb, 5k, 1hr, 93 pitches)…..the team is 6-3 in his starts…..he has 1 quality start…..opponents are batting .240 (42-for-175, 9hr)…..he has won each of his last 3 starts while posting a 3.86 ERA (16.1ip, 7er)…..Rea has also made 2 starts at Triple-A Nashville this season, going 0-0 with a 0.00 ERA (7ip, 6h, 2r, 0er, 0bb, 9k)…..after pitching in Japan in 2022, he re-signed with Milwaukee on January 27 (non-roster invitee)…..his only outing for the Brewers prior to this season came in relief on 10/2/21 at Los Angeles-NL…..his name is pronounced “RAY.”

LAST SEASON: Rea pitched in Japan, where he went 5-6 with a 3.96 ERA in 23 games/16 starts with the Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks.

CAREER: Is 11-11 with a 4.91 ERA in 46 games/36 starts (201.2ip, 110er)…..has pitched for San Diego (2015-16), Miami (2016), Chicago-NL (2020) and Milwaukee (2021, ‘23)….. is 10-11 with a 4.90 ERA as a starter (185.1ip, 101er) and 1-0 with a 4.96 ERA as a reliever (16.1ip, 9er)…..Rea was originally selected by San Diego in the 12th round of the 2011 First-Year Player Draft out of Indiana State University…..he underwent “Tommy John” surgery on 11/11/16, causing him to miss the entire 2017 season…..he was named 2019 Pacific Coast League Pitcher of the Year after going 14-4 with a 3.95 ERA in 26 starts at Triple-A Iowa (Cubs).

CAREER AT AMERICAN FAMILY FIELD: Is 2-2 with a 5.26 ERA in 6 games/5 starts, all coming this season (25.2ip, 15er).

CAREER ON THE ROAD: Is 4-5 with a 5.14 ERA in 20 games/13 starts (82.1ip, 47er)…..is 1-1 with a 4.57 ERA in 4 starts this season (21.2ip, 11er).

CAREER vs. ORIOLES: Rea has never faced the Baltimore, Maryland Orioles.

MLB Preview: Los Angeles Dodgers (35-27) at Cincinnati Reds (29-33)

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MLB Preview: Los Angeles Dodgers (35-27) at Cincinnati Reds (29-33)

LOS ANGELES DODGERS NOTES:

TODAY’S STARTER at REDS: LHP CLAYTON KERSHAW (7-4, 3.25 ERA in 12 GS)
2023 SEASON NOTES:

  • Over 11 starts, the Texas native owns a 7-4 record with a 3.25 ERA (25 ER/69.1 IP) with 75 strikeouts against 17 walks and has generated a 1.10 WHIP
  • Notched his 200th career win in his start on April 18 against the Mets, making him the only Los Angeles Dodger to win 200 games with the same franchise…joins Don Sutton (233) and Don Drysdale (209) on the Dodger all-time list…
  • Currently 21st all-time on the Major League strikeout list with 2,891…he needs 109 more to become the 20th player in Major League history
    with 3,000 strikeouts • Has fired 6.0+ strikeouts in 10 out of his 12 starts this season
  • He was named the National League Pitcher of the Month for April after posting a 5-1 record with a 1.89 ERA (8 ER/38.0 IP) and 41 strikeouts and a 0.76 WHIP

VS. REDS:

  • Will face Cincinnati for the 15th time in his career…is 6-2 with a 2.25 ERA (24 ER/96.0 IP) and 107 strikeouts against 24 walks
  • Last faced the club on June 23, 2022, tossing 6.0 innings of one-run ball while giving up seven hits, one walk and seven punchouts en route to the win

CINCINNATI REDS NOTES:

RED HOTS

  • This afternoon’s game is the 1,600th at Great American Ball Park (813- 785-1, .509)…the ballpark opened in 2003.
  • Reds baserunners in 55 attempts have scored 54 runs from second base on singles…both lead the Major Leagues.
  • Reds batters are tied for third in the Major Leagues with 62 stolen bases (TB 82, Pit 68, Ari 62), their highest total since 2019 (80sb)…recorded 58 stolen bases all last season…have been successful on 22 of their last 23 attempts, including an active streak of 4 straight successful steals.
  • The Reds rank 26th in the Major Leagues with 51 HR, their fewest in 62 games since 1989 (51hr)…from 4/18-4/25, this year’s team did not produce a home run in a season-high 8 consecutive games, their longest team homerless streak since 1992.

TODAY’S GAME

  • Is Game 3 (2-0) of a 3-game series vs Juan Dorado’s Dodgers and Game 7 (3-3) of a 7-game homestand that included a 3-1 series loss to the Brewers.
  • This afternoon the Reds are looking for their first series sweep of the Dodgers since a 4-game sweep in May 2018 at Dodger Stadium and their first series sweep here since 9/6-9/8, 2013 (3g).
  • Following this afternoon’s game, the Reds hit the road again for a 10-day, 9-game road trip to StL (3g), KC (3g) and Hou (off day, 3g).

SERIES NOTES

  • Tue’s dramatic 9-8 win snapped the Reds’ 9-game losing streak to the Dodgers at Great American Ball Park…the Reds last beat LAD here in a 3-1 win on 9/17/21.
  • The Dodgers’ .606 winning percentage at Great American Ball Park (40-26) is the second-best by any National League team (NYM, .619).
  • Last season’s 7-0 series win by the Dodgers was only the third season series sweep by either team, all won by LAD (6-0 in 2006, 6-0 in 2017).

CARDINALS UP NEXT…

  • This weekend the Reds and Cardinals will meet for the second time this season, including a 2-2 series split from 5/22-5/25 at GABP.
  • In 2022, the Cardinals won 12 of the 19 games and 5 of the 6 series.
  • From 7/15-7/24 and surrounding the 2022 All-Star break, the Reds and Cardinals played 5 straight games for the first time since 9/7-9/11, 1962.
  • From 9/15-9/18, 2022 at Busch Stadium, the Reds and Cardinals faced off in a 5-game series (3-2 Cardinals series win) for the first time since 7/25-7/27, 1958 (3-2 Reds series win).

…FOLLOWED BY THE ROYALS

  • The Redlegs are 14-18 all-time vs KC, including a 2-1 series win at KC in their most recent meeting (2021).
  • The Reds’ first appearance at Kauffman Stadium, a 3-game sweep here in June 1999, was their first appearance in Kansas City since the Red Stockings and Cowboys of the American Association met in 1889.
  • The first game of that June 1999 series was postponed because of a power failure…the Reds swept the next day’s doubleheader, 9-4 and 7-4 in 10 innings, before winning the series finale, 14-3…was the first doubleheader in interleague history.

INTERLEAGUE NOTES

  • Before the interleague schedule expanded this season to include games vs all 15 American League teams, from 1997-2022 the Redlegs went 188-
    247 vs the American League, at .432 the lowest interleague winning percentage of any Major League team…in 2022 the Reds went 12-8 vs AL teams (0-2 vs Cle, 2-0 at Cle, 1-2 at Tor, 1-1 at Bos, 3-0 vs TB, 2-1 at NYY, 2-1 vs Bal, 1-1 vs Bos)…last season’s was their first winning record vs the AL since 2013 (11-9)…in the 8 seasons between the 2013 & 2022 season series wins, the Reds went 61-99 vs AL teams (.381).

Today’s Pitcher – #51 Graham Ashcraft, RHP
This afternoon is making his first career appearance and start vs the Dodgers.

  • Produced 5 of the Reds’ 14 quality starts.
  • In his first 6 starts through 5/2 went 2-0, 2.00 (36ip, 8er, .202baa)…in his last 6 starts beginning went 1-4, 12.99 (26.1ip, 38er, .380baa).
  • In Sat’s 10-8 loss vs Mil allowed a career-high 10 runs…allowed 2 home runs, tying his career high.
  • Became the first Reds pitcher to begin a season with 6 starts without allowing more than 2 earned runs in any of those starts since Luis Castillo began the 2019 campaign by allowing 2 ER or fewer in each of his first 7 starts.
  • In his first 3 starts (19ip, 3er) became the eighth Reds pitcher, since 1901 and including Nick Lodolo in 2023, to begin a season with at least 17.0 innings while allowing 4 earned runs or fewer.
  • Between a solo HR by Pit’s Bryan Reynolds in his season debut and a 2-run HR by WSox’ Hanser Alberto’s on 5/7 in his seventh start, Ashcraft recorded a career-high homerless streak of 33.0 innings.
  • In the 17-4 loss on 5/7 vs WSox allowed a career-high 8 runs in 1.2 innings…was the shortest start of his career and the shortest start by a Reds pitcher to that point in the season…was charged with all 8 runs in the second inning after throwing a perfect first…entered that 5/7 start leading all National League pitchers in bWAR (2.1), the third-best bWAR among all players in the Major Leagues (Gerrit Cole 2.5, Ronald Acuña Jr. 2.2).

NHL Stanley Cup Finals Game 3 Preview: Vegas Golden Knights (2-0) at Florida Panthers (0-2)

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NHL Stanley Cup Finals Game 3 Preview: Vegas Golden Knights (2-0) at Florida Panthers (0-2)

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

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)
Date Location Result Goaltenders GWG
Jan. 12 Vegas Vegas 4, Florida 2 Adin Hill (VGK) // Sergei Bobrovsky (FLA) William Carrier (VGK)
March 7 Florida Vegas 1, Florida 2 Adin Hill (VGK) // Sergei Bobrovsky (FLA) Aleksander Barkov (FLA)

2022-23 VGK Regular Season Leaders Against FLA
Skater GP G A P +/-
Ivan Barbashev* 3 1 3 4 +1
Keegan Kolesar 2 0 2 2 +2
Jack Eichel 2 1 1 2 -1
William Carrier 1 1 0 1 +2
William Karlsson 2 1 0 1 0
Nicolas Roy 1 1 0 1 +2
Shea Theodore 1 1 0 1 -1
*Ivan Barbashev’s points include contests with St. Louis

Game 2 Recap
June 5 – Vegas Golden Knights 7, Florida Panthers 2
A seven-goal outburst carried the Vegas Golden Knights to a 7-2 win against the Florida Panthers in Game 2 of the Stanley Cup Final on Monday night at T-Mobile Arena. Vegas leads the series, 2-0. Jonathan Marchessault rocketed home the game’s first goal as he took advantage of an early power play to give Vegas a 1-0 lead. With two minutes to go in the first period, Alec Martinez lifted a shot past Sergei Bobrovsky to double the Golden Knights’ lead heading into the intermission. Early in the second, Nicolas Roy emerged from behind the net to bury his second goal of the playoffs and give Vegas a 3-0 edge. Five minutes later, Chandler Stephenson and Mark Stone combined to set up Brett Howden for the goal that gave the Golden Knights a 4-0 lead heading into the third. Anton Lundell got the Panthers on the board early in the final frame but Marchessault and Michael Amadio scored back-to-back goals to make it 6-1 Golden Knights. After Matthew Tkachuk got his first of the series, Howden scored the final goal as Vegas earned the 7-2 win in Game 2.

Making History
The Vegas Golden Knights’ Game 2 victory over the Florida Panthers marked the team’s 14th win this postseason, the most wins the club has ever had in the playoffs.

Cheaper by the Dozen
The Golden Knights have scored 12 goals through the first two games of the 2023 Stanley Cup Final, tied for the most by any team through Game 2 of the championship series. Vegas is the only team in the last 30 years to score 12 times. Michael Amadio’s goal in the second period of Game 2 made him the Golden Knights’ ninth different goal scorer of the 2023 Stanley Cup Final, which is the most by any team in NHL history through the opening two contests of a Final.

Lucky Seven
Vegas became the third team in the past decade to score seven goals in a Stanley Cup Final game, joining the 2022 Avalanche (Game 2) and Bruce Cassidy’s 2019 Bruins (Game 3). The Golden Knights are the first team in 15 years to score five or more goals in each of the first two games of the Final, following the 2006 Hurricanes.

A True Team Effort
The Golden Knights have seen 15 of their 18 skaters on the scoresheet after just two games of the Stanley Cup Final. Jonathan Marchessault and Jack Eichel lead the squad with four points each (Marchessault: 3-1—4, Eichel: 0-4—4). Vegas has seen scoring up and down the line-up with Shea Theodore and Alec Martinez each finding the back of the net for the first time this postseason to end significant scoring droughts. Vegas defensemen have combined for six goals during the postseason and as a group lead all NHL teams with 37 points.

Welcome to Las Vegas
The Golden Knights and Panthers met for the first time in the NHL’s postseason history on Saturday night in Las Vegas. In seven alltime meetings at T-Mobile Arena, Vegas is a perfect 7-0-0 when welcoming Florida to The Fortress. The Panthers are the only team remaining in the NHL to have not won a game at T-Mobile Arena. After Game 2, Vegas improved to 8-3 (.727) at home during the 2023 postseason, a new club benchmark for a single postseason and the best home winning percentage in the NHL.

Power Surge
Vegas has scored a power-play goal in three straight games for the first time since Dec. 21-27, 2022. The Golden Knights, who ranked 18th in the NHL on the power play in the regular season (20.3%), are 4-for-11 in the Stanley Cup Final (36.4%).

Changing of the Guard
Game 2 of the Stanley Cup Final was the fifth time in 12 games that the Golden Knights have chased their opponent’s starting goaltender to the bench. After Vegas netted their fourth tally from a breakaway by Brett Howden, Alex Lyon substituted for Sergei Brobovsky for the remainder of the contest. All opposing starting goaltenders who have faced the Golden Knights have been unable to maintain a save-percentage above .900 during the series. Vegas leads all playoffs teams with a 3.89 goals-against average and has scored five or more goals in their last three games.

FLORIDA PANTHERS NOTES:

BAPTIST HEALTH INJURY REPORT

  • F Patric Hornqvist | Games Missed: 18
  • F Eetu Luostarinen | Games Missed: 2
    Total Playoff Man Games Lost Due to Injury: 30
    Total Regular Season Man Games Lost Due to Injury: 239

LAST GAME
Panthers 2, Golden Knights 7 – June 5 – T-Mobile Arena
FLA Goals: Lundell (2), Tkachuk (10)
VGK Goals: Marchessault (11-PPG), Martinez (1), Roy (2), Howden (4), Marchessault (12), Amadio (4), Howden (5-PPG)
FLA Goalie: Bobrovsky (L) – 9 Saves, Lyon – 12 Saves
VGK Goalie: Hill (W) – 29 Saves
FLA Shots: 31
VGK Shots: 28
Notes: Matthew Tkachuk scored a goal to tie Dave Lowry (10, 1996) for the most single-season playoff goals in franchise history…Tkachuk’s 6 even-strength tallies this postseason are tied with Carter Verhaeghe for the team lead…Anton Lundell scored to extend his point streak to two games (1-1-2)…Anthony Duclair posted an assist, extending his point streak to three games (2-1-3)…All seven of Duclair’s helpers have been primary assists…Sam Bennett notched an assist for his fourth helper in his past six games (0-4- 4)…Bennett and Ryan Lomberg led Florida with six hits each…Josh Mahura notched an assist…Casey Fitzgerald skated in his first Stanley Cup Final game, and along with his father Tom (1996), became part of the fifth father-son duo in NHL history to skate in a Stanley Cup Final game with the same franchise…Florida out-hit Vegas 44-24…FLA PP: 0-4, FLA PK: 2-4

RECENT TRANSACTIONS:

  • May 8: F Mackie Samoskevich agreed to terms on a three-year, entry-level contract

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 (10)
Assists: Tkachuk (12)
Points: Tkachuk (22)
Shots: Montour (67)
Hits: Gudas (81)

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 (0) vs. VGK (2)
GAME 1 – FLA 2, VGK 5
GAME 2 – FLA 2, VGK 7

HOME SWEET HOME
The Panthers host the Stanley Cup Final at home for the first time since 1996. FLA Live Arena will play host to the NHL’s championship round for the first time in its history, as the Panthers played in Miami Arena during the 1995-96 campaign. The Cats have won four of their past five games at home this postseason, and they have scored on 34.8% [8/23] of their power-play opportunities on home ice in the 2023 playoffs. Matthew Tkachuk and Sam Reinhart have each scored a team-high five home goals this postseason, with Tkachuk pacing the club with nine home points (5-4-9). Three of Tkachuk’s five home goals have come on the power play. a 4-2 record at FLA Live Arena this postseason, and over his past four home contests, he has produced a combined Sergei Bobrovsky owns 3-1 record, .942 save percentage and 1.74 goals against average.

CATS AND KNIGHTS
While the Panthers have not won at T-Mobile Arena, Florida has come out victorious in four of its five matchups with Vegas all-time at FLA Live Arena (4-1-0), including their game March 7 of this season. In that game, Ryan Lomberg and Aleksander Barkov both scored and Sergei Bobrovsky posted a .957 save percentage to earn the win. Barkov has amassed eight points (4-4-8) over four total home-ice games against the Golden Knights in the regular season.

BACK TO THE FINAL
The Florida Panthers return to the Stanley Cup Final for the second time in franchise history and first since 1996. Four skaters on the Panthers roster have competed in a Stanley Cup Final previously – Eric Staal (2006 w/ CAR, 2021 w/ MTL), Marc Staal (2014 w/ NYR), Carter Verhaeghe (2020 w/ TBL) and Patric Hornqvist (2016 & 2017 w/ PIT). Eric Staal (’06), Verhaeghe and Hornqvist (’16 & ’17) captured the NHL’s championship. Panthers Head Coach Paul Maurice coached the 2002 Carolina Hurricanes to the Cup Final. Panthers Assistant Coach Jamie Kompon won the Cup as an assistant coach with LAK in 2012, and Sylvain Lefebvre captured it with COL as a player in 1996.

MLB Preview: Minnesota Twins (31-31) at Tampa Bay Rays (45-19)

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MLB Preview: Minnesota Twins (31-31) at Tampa Bay Rays (45-19)

MINNESOTA TWINS NOTES:

THE TWINS: Have gone 0-2 through two games on their current six-game road-trip after consecutive losses to the Rays the last two nights…this afternoon, they will play the three-game series finale at Tropicana Field before flying to Canada to begin a three-game weekend series at the Rogers Centre in Toronto against the Blue Jays…the Twins have gone 18-14 at home and 13-17 on the road.

Twins have lost a season-long four-straight games, their longest since October 1-4, 2022 (also 4)…they are looking to avoid losing their fifth-straight, which would mark their longest losing streak since dropping five-straight from September 19-23, 2022…the club’s last victory came on Friday night at Target Field, a 1-0 win over the Guardians.

Last night’s loss moved the Twins to their low-water mark of 31-31 and an even .500 for the first time this season…last time they had dipped below .500 was at the end of the 2022 season, when they were 78-84 (.481).

BATS OFF ON PABLO DAY: The Twins lost to the Rays last night at Tropicana Field by a score of 2-1, losing the series and making them 8-10-2 in series play (2-7-1 on the road)…the loss made them 1-5-1 in series play since May 15…Pablo López was the starter but did not factor into the decision, allowing one run (Paredes 2nd inning HR) on five hits in 7.0 innings pitched…Jhoan Duran (1-2) was issued the loss, allowing a walk-off home run to Randy Arozarena on his second pitch in the bottom of the ninth inning…the offense recorded just three hits and walked four times…Royce Lewis drove in the Twins’ only run, tying the game with a single in the top of the ninth inning.

X-RAYS: The Twins are playing the Rays for the third of six times in 2023…the next series between these two will come at Target Field for three games from September 11-13…the Twins have won four of their last seven against the Rays and 12 of their last 20, dating back to May of 2019.

Carlos Correa is hitting .289 (33-for-114) with eight doubles, five home runs, 14 RBI and an .833 OPS in 30 career regular season games against the Rays…he has hit safely in seven of his last eight against Tampa, batting .438 (14-for-32) with a 1.158 OPS in that span.

Jorge Polanco is hitting .299 (20-for-67) with nine doubles, two home runs and 14 RBI in 17 career games at Tropicana Field…he has 12 RBI in his last 11 games in this building.

STARTING OFF: Twins starters have averaged 5.7 innings-per-outing, up from 4.8 in 2022… they have also struck out 363 hitters and are on-pace to fan 964 batters, which would shatter the club record of 870, done in 1967…below are Twins starting pitching ranks in the AL:

INNINGS ERA BAA BB/9.0 FIP WHIP K’s OPS
TOR – 354.2 TB – 2.96 TB – .223 SEA – 1.99 TB – 3.45 MIN – 1.12 MIN – 369 TB – .641
TEX – 353.2 TEX – 3.13 MIN – .229 MIN – 2.33 MIN – 3.49 TB – 1.12 TOR – 359 MIN – .655
MIN – 352.0 HOU – 3.23 TEX – .231 TEX – 2.42 SEA – 3.52 TEX – 1.12 CWS – 354 TEX – .665
HOU – 350.2 MIN – 3.45 NYY – .236 CLE – 2.53 TEX – 3.77 SEA – 1.15 HOU – 352 SEA – .672
SEA – 338.2 TOR – 3.91 CWS – .239 HOU – 2.59 HOU – 3.93 HOU – 1.19 TEX – 324 HOU – .705

EXTRA STRENGTH: 183 of the Twins’ 478 hits have gone for extra bases, equaling 38.3% of their hits, third-highest percentage in the AL:

XBH HITS XBH%
Tampa Bay……………………………………….233 …………………………571 …………………………………40.8%
Boston……………………………………………..212 …………………………551 …………………………………38.5%
Minnesota………………………………………..183 …………………………478 …………………………………38.3%
Baltimore…………………………………………191 …………………………508 …………………………………37.4%
New York…………………………………………..181 …………………………480 …………………………………37.7%

DON’T TAKE OFFENSE: The Twins have scored five runs in their last five games…in those five games, they are hitting .170 (26-for-153) with eight doubles, two home runs (Polanco on Saturday and Castro on Sunday), 13 walks and a .510 OPS.

LEAVE THE BROOMS ALONE: Twins are looking to avoid being swept today for the first time this season…last time they were swept was in three games at Kansas City from September 20-22, 2022…last time they were swept by the Rays was in three games from April 20-22, 2018 at Tropicana Field…Minnesota was swept seven times in 2022.

Minnesota has faced a potential sweep three times this season, salvaging the series finale each time…the previous three were April 21-23 vs. Washington, May 2-4 at Chicago-AL and May 22-24 vs. San Francisco.

ROYCE ROLLS ON THE ROAD: Royce Lewis is hitting .350 (7-for-20) with three doubles, two home runs, six RBI, five runs scored, an .800 slugging percentage and a 1.181 OPS in five career road games at the major league level, hitting safely in all five.

THE ‘PEN IS MIGHTY: Twins relievers have combined to post a .218 opponent batting average, the fourth lowest in baseball, trailing New York-AL (.212), San Diego (.215) and Cleveland (.218)…they have allowed just 164 hits this season, the fewest in baseball.

THIEVERY CORPORATION: Twins have stolen 30 bases in 36 attempts this season, for a 83.3 success rate, tied for third best in the AL and tied for fifth best in baseball…since May 15, they have successfully stolen 20 consecutive bases, their last caught stealing being Ryan Jeffers on May 13 vs. Chicago-NL (Barnhart/Wesneski)…since May 10, their 20 stolen bases are fourth most in the AL.

ANALYST ANALYSIS: Tampa Bay related notes on Bally Sports North broadcasters Justin Morneau and Trevor Plouffe:

Morneau played in 58 career games against Tampa Bay, hitting .308 (68-for-221) with 15 doubles, two triples, 12 home runs, 40 RBI and a .908 OPS against them…he homered in his first game at Tropicana Field on May 25, 2004, a solo shot off Victor Zambrano (Rocco Baldelli went 2-for-4 in the game for Tampa)…additionally, Morneau’s second career four-hit game was on May 8, 2005 at the Trop, falling a homer short of the cycle.

Plouffe played his first career major league road game at Tropicana Field on August 3, 2010, going 0-for-3 (current Rays analyst Denard Span went 2-for-5 that day for the Twins)…Plouffe hit one career home run off Rays pitching in 101 plate appearances, a two-run shot off Alex Cobb on July 18, 2014 at Target Field.

STARTING PITCHER – BAILEY OBER 17
2023: 3-2, 2.33 ERA CAREER: 8-8, 3.47 ERA

Making his ninth start of the season and third road start…also his 40th career start and appearance.

Facing the Rays for the first time in his career…is 2-2, 4.15 ERA (66.2 IP, 4 ER) with three walks and 66 strikeouts when facing an opponent for the first time.

Began season with Triple-A St. Paul and was recalled when Kenta Maeda landed on the IL on April 29…since being inserted into the rotation, the Twins have gone 5-3 in his eights starts.

Selected by the Twins in the 12th round of the 2017 First-Year Player Draft out of the College of Charleston.

LAST START: Did not factor into the decision, despite recording a quality start, in a 1-0 Twins victory against the Cleveland Guardians at Target Field on June 2…tossed 6.0 scoreless innings and allowed four hits, no walks and three strikeouts, opposite Aaron Civale…pitched 3.2 hitless innings until first baseman Josh Naylor singled in the fourth inning…marked his second-lowest single-game strikeout total this season (2 K vs. San Francisco on May 22)…joined Detroit’s Eduardo Rodriguez as the only pitchers to record two starts against Cleveland this year with 6.0-or-more scoreless innings…relieved by Jovani Moran in the seventh inning as the bullpen combined to pitch 3.0 scoreless innings…the Twins scored their lone run on a Jorge Polanco RBI double in the seventh inning…marked the fourth shutout victory for the Twins this season (also, back-to-back shutouts on March 30 and April 1 at Kansas City, and May 5 at Cleveland).

TWO STARTS AGO: Took his second loss of the season in a 3-0 Twins defeat in the finale of the three-game series against the Toronto Blue Jays at Target Field on May 28; paired with his start on May 22 vs. San Francisco, marked the first time in his career he had lost consecutive starts… pitched 5.0 innings and allowed two runs on five hits, with one walk and seven strikeouts…tied his previous start on May 22 vs. San Francisco for his shortest outing of the year…his seven strikeouts marked a season high and the most strikeouts he has recorded since he struck out a career-high 10 batters on September 27, 2022 vs. Chicago-AL…allowed both runs in the second inning on a two-RBI single to catcher Alejandro Kirk…relieved by Griffin Jax in the sixth inning as the bullpen combined to pitch 4.0 innings, allowing one run (an RBI single by Bo Bichette off José De León in the eighth inning)…the Twins were shut out at Target Field for the first time this season and the fourth time overall (also, April 4 at Miami, April 16 at New York-AL and May 7 at Cleveland).

OBER VS. TAMPA BAY: Facing the Rays for the first time in his career…making his sixth career start against an American League East opponent, second this season…is 1-3, 2.49 ERA (25.1 IP, 7 ER) with five walks and 26 strikeouts in his five previous career starts vs. an AL East opponent… Tampa Bay will be the 16th team he has faced since his major league debut on May 18, 2021…in 15 career starts when facing a new opponent for the first time, Ober is 2-3, 4.14 ERA (71.2 IP, 33 ER) with 18 walks and 68 strikeouts…has never faced an current Rays batters.

ROAD WORK AHEAD: Ober is making his first road start since May 16, third this season and 19th of his career…in his two previous road starts this season, Ober is 2-0, 0.69 ERA (13.0 IP, 1 ER) with two walks and 12 strikeouts…is 3-5, 3.32 ERA (89.1 IP, 33 ER) with 15 walks and 82 strikeouts in 18 career road starts…Twins have gone 10-8 in his road starts.

Pitching at Tropicana Field for the first time in his career…the Trop will be 12th ballpark he has pitched in since his debut…in 11 career starts when pitching in a new ballpark for the first time, Ober is 2-2, 4.59 ERA (45.1 IP, 23 ER) with nine walks and 53 strikeouts.

EQUAL OPPORTUNIST: Right-handed hitters are batting .216 (16-for-74) with 20 strikeouts and two walks against Ober after eight starts this season…left-handed hitters are hitting .196 (18-for-92) also with 20 strikeouts and nine walks…in his career, right-handed hitters are batting .222/.243/.408 with 109 strikeouts against Ober…lefties are hitting ..255/.320/.416 with 78 off him.

Owns the 10th-lowest batting average against lefties in the American League (min. 45.0 IP).

ARSENAL: Ober has used a four-pitch mix in his eight starts of the 2023 season, per Baseball Savant…two out of the three strikeouts he recorded in his last start came from sliders…mostly uses his slider (134 pitches) against righties while relying on his changeup (137 pitches) and curveball (51 pitches) against lefties…here’s a look at his repertoire: PITCH (AVG. MPH) PCT. (#, vs. RHB/LHB) RESULTS

4-Seam Fastball (91.5).47.0% (336 pitches, 136/200)……… .222 (16-for-72), 5 2B, 2 HR, 18 K
Changeup (83.8)…………23.4% (167 pitches, 30/137)…………………… .190 (8-for-42), 2 2B, 8 K
Slider (81.7)……………….21.7% (155 pitches, 134/21)………… .205 (8-for-39), 3 2B, 1 HR, 12 K
Curveball (78.1)……………..8.0% (57 pitches, 6/51)………………………. .154 (2-for-13), 1 2B, 2 K

Owns the seventh-lowest opponent batting average against a curveball in the American League (min. 500 pitches)…also owns the 13th-best opponent batting average against a changeup (min. 40 PA).

CHASE U: According to Baseball Savant, Ober owns a 34.5 chase percentage this season, ranking in the 94th percentile in baseball…just passes his chase percentage last year at 34.4 for the highest rate of his career…ranks third on the Twin’s pitching staff, trailing Joe Ryan (36.8) and Pablo López (35.2).

GOOD MORNING STARSHINE: Ober is making his fifth day start of the season…is 1-1, 2.82 ERA (22.1 IP, 7 ER) with six walks and 23 strikeouts in his four previous day starts this season…is 3-3, 3.78 ERA (78.2 IP, 33 ER) with 20 walks and 71 strikeouts in 16 career day starts…tied with Sonny Gray for the second-most day starts on the Twins staff since 2021, trailing Joe Ryan (18).

ACROSS THE RIVER: In his four starts with Triple-A St. Paul this season, Ober went 2-1, 2.55 ERA (17.2 IP, 5 ER) with six walks and 22 strikeouts…in his last start with the Saints on April 18, earned the win in 6-0 St. Paul victory vs. Scranton/Wilkes-Barre…pitched 5.0 scoreless innings, allowed three hits, walked one batter and fanned six.

TURF’S UP: Making his second career start on artifical turf…last pitched in a ballpark with turf on September 18, 2021 against Toronto at Rogers Centre…took the loss after pitching 4.0 innings and allowing four runs on four hits (2 HR), with two walks and three strikeouts.

TAMPA BAY RAYS NOTES:

ANOTHER DAY IN RANDY LAND — The Rays won their fifth straight game in walk-off fashion, topping the visiting Twins, 2-1, on Wednesday night at Tropicana Field…3B Isaac Paredes (1-for-2, HR, RBI, R, BB) recorded his ninth homer of the season in the second frame, but Minnesota pushed across the tying run in the ninth frame…on the second pitch of the bottom of the ninth, LF Randy Arozarena (2-for-4, HR, RBI, R) tallied the game-winning homer, his 12th long ball of the season…it marked his second career walkoff plate appearance (also: RBI-single on 4/22/23 vs. CWS) and first walk-off homer.

The Rays pitching staff narrowly missed out on its 10th shutout of the season, led by starter RHP Shawn Armstrong (2.0IP, H, SO) and RHP Cooper Criswell (3.1IP, H, 2BB, 4SO)…over their last three games against the Twins dating back to 6/12/22, Rays pitchers have recorded a 0.33 ERA (27.0IP, 1ER), holding Minnesota batters to a .132/.240/.154 (12-for-91) clip, including 14.0 scoreless frames by Rays starters.

WALK-OFF MAGIC — Last night’s victory marked Tampa Bay’s fourth walk-off win of the season, tied for fourth most in the majors behind Cincinnati, Oakland and New York-AL (5 each)…the Rays are one of five clubs with multiple walk-off home runs this season (also: Brandon Lowe on 4/21 vs. CWS)…since 2018, Tampa Bay’s 36 walk-off wins are tied for fourth most in the AL.

HIGH FIVE — The Rays five-game winning streak is the second-longest active run in the majors, trailing Miami’s six-game streak…it marks their longest winning streak since 4/18-24 (6G)…during the streak, Tampa Bay is outscoring opponents, 23-6 (+17), while the pitching staff has turned in a 1.00 ERA (45.0IP, 5ER) and held the opposition to a .156 average (24-for-154)…the Rays are the only MLB club with three winning streaks of 5+ games (also 13G – 3/30-4/13; 6G – 4/18-24); five other teams have two such streaks.

WON BY ONE — Tampa Bay is 12-10 in one-run games, tied with Cleveland (12-17) for the second most one-run wins in the majors behind Miami (16-4)…this includes a 9-3 mark at Tropicana Field…after dropping nine of their 13 one-run contests from 5/6-30, the Rays have won back-to-back one-run games (also: 5/31 at CHC) for the first time since winning three straight from 4/28-5/5…the Rays have played 22 one-run games, third most in MLB, trailing Cleveland (29G) and Cincinnati (24G).

SERIES STUFF — With last night’s victory, the Rays improved to 14-5-1 in series play, including 10-1-0 at Tropicana Field…they have won six consecutive home series, posting a 14-4 record in that span…with a win today, the Rays will secure their seventh sweep of the season, including their first over Minnesota since 4/20-22, 2018…Tampa Bay is the only team in baseball that has not suffered a losing streak of 3+ games.

The Rays are 10-1-0 in home series, becoming the first team since the 2016 Texas Rangers (10-1-0) to win 10 of their first 11 home series in a season…Tampa Bay’s previous best start through 11 home series was 8-3-0, done in 2008 (Elias).

HISTORY AT HOME — Tampa Bay’s 28-6 record at Tropicana Field marks MLB’s best start at home since the 1998 New York Yankees (also 28-6)…the Rays are one of eight teams since 1901 to win at least 28 of their first 34 home games in a season…have won six of seven, 10 of 13, and 14 of their last 18 home games overall.

Tampa Bay hitters rank among MLB leaders at home in several categories, including stolen bases (1st, 43), homers (1st, 57), extra-base hits (2nd, 129), total bases (2nd, 538), runs per game (2nd, 5.85), OPS (2nd, .835) and SLG (2nd, .491).

TO BE THE BEST… — The Rays have gone 26-13 (.667) against teams that currently have a record of .500 or better, the best mark in the majors, ahead of Texas (14-10, .583)…since 5/2, nine of Tampa Bay’s 11 series have been against clubs that are currently .500 or better; the Rays are 21-13 in that span, including 7-4-0 in series play.

CENTRAL INTELLIGENCE — Tampa Bay is 11-1 (.917) against the AL Central, recording a +47 (84-37) run differential…it marks the best winning pct. against the division by any AL club, ahead of Texas (7-2, .778)…the Rays opened the year with a nine-game winning streak against the division, tying their longest streak against the AL Central in club history (also: 6/29-7/11, 2013)…dating back to 8/20/22, Tampa Bay has won 10 straight home games over AL Central foes, tying the longest such streak in club history (also: 6/29/13 – 4/22/14).

The Rays lead the AL in SLG (.543), OPS (.888) and run diff. (+47) vs. the AL Central.

PITCHING PROWESS — Rays starters have recorded a 1.81 ERA (44.2IP, 9ER) over the club’s last nine games, the best mark in MLB during that span (since 5/29), ahead of San Diego (1.94)…this season, Tampa Bay’s rotation paces the majors in ERA (2.96), opp. average (.223), opp. OBP (281), opp. SLG (.361) and opp. OPS (.641).

Tampa Bay’s bullpen has registered a 0.45 ERA (20.0IP, 1ER) over its last five games, limiting opposing hitters to a .078 average (5-for-64) and a .365 OPS in that span.

BAG BANDITS — The Rays have stolen 30 consecutive bases without being caught dating back to 5/22, the longest streak in club history…they had achieved the previous mark of 21 straight steals on two separate occasions (6/3-27, 2007 & 7/1-23, 2010)…according to Elias, the last major league club to steal 30 straight bases was Cleveland (36SB) from 8/11- 9/17, 2021…the Rays have been successful on 44 of their last 46 stolen base attempts (95.6%) overall since 5/14 after opening the season 38-for-52 (73.1%).

Tampa Bay’s 82 stolen bases are the most by any major league club through 64 games since the 2009 Rays (103SB).

WANDER STRUCK — Wander Franco has hit safely in a season-best 11 straight games, the second-longest streak of his career behind his 13-game run from 9/14-27, 2022…it marks the longest active streak in the majors, ahead of OAK Ramon Laureano (9G)… Franco is batting .452 (19-for-42) with 5 XBH, 6 RBI, 7 BB and 7 SB during the streak.

THE BAY BOMBERS — The Rays have hit a major league-best 107 home runs, tied for the seventh-most long balls through a club’s first 64 games in MLB history (since 1901)…they reached 100 homers in their 54th game of the season, becoming the fifth-fastest team to reach the milestone in MLB history (since 1901).

The Rays have 32 multi-HR games, most in the majors, ahead of New York-AL (31G); they are 27-5 in those contests…this includes 16 games with 3+ homers, most in the AL and trailing only Los Angeles-NL (19G) in all of MLB.

TWINNING — The Rays and Twins conclude the first half of their six-game season series today…the two clubs will meet again from 9/11-13 in Minnesota…the Rays hold a narrow lead in the all-time series, 89-87, but the Twins have had the upper hand in recent years, winning five of the last nine matchups and posting a 12-9 mark since 2019.

TODAYS STARTER: RHP YONNY CHIRINOS (2-1, 2.79)
YONNY ON THE HILL — RHP Yonny Chirinos is scheduled to make his eighth appearance of the season, including his second start…in his start on 5/5 vs. New York-AL, he did not factor into the decision after working a season-high 5.1 innings, allowing three runs on three hits and four walks with no strikeouts.

LAST TIME OUT — Chirinos earned the win on 5/16 at New York-NL after throwing 4.2 relief innings, allowing three runs on three hits with one walk and two strikeouts.

He allowed his first two home runs of the season after entering the start with 24.1 homerless innings across six appearances (one start).

TWIN CITIES — Chirinos has made two career starts against the Twins…in those outings, he is 0-1 with a 5.40 ERA (10.0IP, 6ER), striking out 13 batters against three walks.

In his last start opposite Minnesota on 6/1/19 at Tropicana Field, Chirinos took the loss after allowing four runs over 5.1 innings, surrendering a career-high tying nine hits with one walk and seven strikeouts.

LEFTY LOOSEY — Through his first seven appearances this season, Chirinos has allowed just seven hits to left-handed batters (7-for-46)…over his last 15 games in the majors since 8/4/19, lefties are slashing just .178/.245/.267 (16-for-90) against him with four extra-base hits (2 2B, 2HR)…in the same span, righties are .234/.305/.469 (30-for-128) with 16 extra-base hits, including seven homers.

THIS AND THAT — Chirinos has held opponents to a 5-for-33 (.152) clip with runners on base…opposing hitters are 6-for-48 (.125) following a first-pitch strike and 8-for-42 (.190) following a first-pitch ball

NHL Morning Skate: Stanley Cup Final Edition – June 8, 2023

NHL Editor
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NHL Morning Skate: Stanley Cup Final Edition – June 8, 2023

* Multiplatinum-selling rapper and Florida’s own Flo Rida will take the stage outside FLA Live Arena – and be followed later by a flyover from four F-16 jets – before the Panthers and Golden Knights clash in Game 3 of the Stanley Cup Final. Thursday marks the 27th anniversary of the first-ever Final game in the state.

* Jack Eichel returns to the building where he was selected with the No. 2 pick in the 2015 NHL Draft and eyes a first among U.S.-born players in League history when he skates in his 20th career postseason contest.

* Adin Hill has manned the crease for the Golden Knights since taking over in Game 3 of the Second Round and shined to date in the Stanley Cup Final, a stretch that includes a highlight-reel stick save and a pair of performances with a .930 save percentage or higher.

PANTHERS LOOK TO CELEBRATE ANNIVERSARY WITH FIRST WIN IN FINAL

On the 27th anniversary of the first-ever Stanley Cup Final game played in Florida (Game 3 of 1996 SCF), the Panthers return home to FLA Live Arena with hopes of clawing their way back against the Golden Knights as they seek the franchise’s first-ever win in the championship series.

* The Panthers rallied from a 3-1 series deficit en route to a Game 7 win against the 65-win Bruins in the First Round and now will try to become the fifth team in NHL history to win multiple best-of-seven series in one year after facing a multi-game deficit in each. The four clubs to do so are the 2022 Rangers (trailed 3-1 in R1 and 2-0 in R2), 2011 Bruins (trailed 2-0 in CQF and 2-0 in SCF), 2009 Penguins (trailed 2-0 in CSF and 2-0 in SCF) and 2003 Wild (trailed 3-1 in CQF and 3-1 in CSF). Boston and Pittsburgh both won the Cup.


* This is the fifth time Florida has faced a 2-0 deficit in a best-of-seven as the club eyes its first series victory in that scenario. The Panthers can look to three players on their current roster with experience winning a best-of-seven after losing the first two games: Brandon Montour (0-4—4 in 7 GP) helped the Ducks rally past the Oilers in the 2017 Second Round (4-3 W); Marc Staal skated in the first of four New York victories as the Rangers overcame the Capitals in the 2013 Conference Quarterfinals (4-3 W); and Eric Staal potted 2-6—8 in the 2006 Conference Quarterfinals against the Canadiens as the Hurricanes came from behind in the opening round of their eventual championship run (4-2 W).
 

EICHEL LEADS GOLDEN KNIGHTS TO FLORIDA IN SEARCH OF 3-0 SERIES LEAD

On June 26, 2015, Jack Eichel walked into FLA Live Arena (then called BB&T Center) ready to his hear his named called at the 2015 NHL Draft. Nearly eight years later, Eichel will return to the building where he was selected second overall by the Sabres, behind Connor McDavid, but this time as the playoff scoring leader for the Golden Knights and with a chance to move within one victory of lifting the Stanley Cup for the first time.

* Eichel is one of five players in the series who was drafted in Sunrise in 2015, along with his Golden Knights teammates Keegan Kolesar (No. 69 by CBJ), Adin Hill (No. 76 by ARI) and Nicolas Roy (No. 96 by CAR) and another first-round pick in Florida’s Colin White (No. 21 by OTT).

* Eichel (6-16—22 in 19 GP) leads Vegas and is tied with Florida’s Matthew Tkachuk (10-12—22 in 18 GP) for the second most points in the 2023 Stanley Cup Playoffs. He trails only Mark Recchi and Eric Staal for the most points by a player in their first trip to the postseason and can join Mikko Rantanen (3 GP in 2022) as the second player in the NHL’s modern era (since 1943-44) with multiple points in each of his first three career games in the Stanley Cup Final.

* Vegas can become the 12th different franchise in NHL history to take a 3-0 series lead in the Stanley Cup Final (with the 11 clubs combining for 28 total instances accompanied by a 27-1 series record). The only franchise that joined the NHL since the start of the 1980s that has done so is Tampa Bay (led 3-0 in 2021, won 4-1).


KING OF THE HILL: ADIN CONTINUES TO SHINE FOR GOLDEN KNIGHTS

Adin Hill (9-3, 2.06 GAA, .937 SV%, 2 SO in 13 GP) has risen to the occasion for the Golden Knights since entering the crease in Game 2 of the Second Round against the Oilers. Hill, with a save percentage of .943 and .935 in Games 1 and 2 of the Stanley Cup Final, respectively, leads all goaltenders in the category this postseason and sits third in goals-against average (min. 5 GP).

* Hill has guided the Golden Knights to within two wins of the franchise’s first Stanley Cup and has done so in his debut postseason. With a victory in Game 3, Hill (9-3 in 13 GP) can tie for the third-fewest games in NHL history to reach 10 playoff wins. The only goaltenders to achieve the feat in fewer than 14 games are a pair of Conn Smythe Trophy winners: Jean-Sebastien Giguere (12 GP in 2003 w/ ANA) and Patrick Roy (13 GP in 1986 w/ MTL).

WILL HIGH-SCORING TRENDS FIND THEIR WAY TO FLORIDA?

After 16 goals were scored in Vegas – the most through two games in the Final since 1982 – the Golden Knights (12 goals) will look to continue their scoring prowess against the Panthers (4 goals) in Game 3. In 2022, the Avalanche and Lightning combined for 22 goals through the first three contests – also the most since 1982 (24) – with Tampa Bay posting a 6-2 win in Game 3 on home ice (250 miles across the state) to cut its series deficit in half.

* Jonathan Marchessault (12 in 19 GP) needs one goal to tie Leon Draisaitl (13 in 12 GP) for the League lead this postseason. Marchessault, whose path to the 2023 Stanley Cup Final includes stops with both Florida teams, can become the 10th player in the past 50 years to score in each of the first three games of the Final – a feat only Jake Guentzel (2017) and Steve Yzerman (1997) have achieved in the past 35 years.


FINALISTS NAMED FOR 2022-23 KING CLANCY MEMORIAL TROPHY

Flames forward Mikael Backlund, Islanders forward Anders Lee and Oilers defenseman Darnell Nurse are the three finalists for the 2022‑23 King Clancy Memorial Trophy, presented “to the player who best exemplifies leadership qualities on and off the ice and has made a noteworthy humanitarian contribution in his community.” The winner will be revealed live during the 2023 NHL Awards at Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena on Monday, June 26 (8 p.m. ET, TNT, SN, TVAS).

NHL SCOUTING COMBINE CONTINUES IN BUFFALO
Over 100 of the top prospects for the 2023 Upper Deck NHL Draft are in Buffalo this week for the 2023 NHL Scouting Combine presented by adidas, which will conclude with fitness testing on Saturday. The event has returned to KeyBank Center and HarborCenter in Buffalo, N.Y., with the prospects taking part in team and media interviews, fitness testing and more.

* Adam Fantilli could return to Michigan for sophomore season

* Connor Bedard says he plans to work on net-front scoring this offseason
*Connor Bedard, likely No. 1 pick, joins ‘NHL Draft Class’ podcast from Combine

* Wild goalie Jesper Wallstedt leads AHL Top Prospects Team

* Final Rankings via NHL Central Scouting Bureau(includes four lists)
* #NHLStats: 10 Things to Know About Connor Bedard
* #NHLStats Prospect Profiles (Top 5 North American & International Skaters)
* NHL Draft on Records.NHL.com: No. 1 Picks | Year-by-Year Picks

QUICK CLICKS

* Brandon Montour flew home for son’s birth, was back for Game 2 with Panthers

* Golden Knights, Panthers owners have West Point immersed in Stanley Cup Final
* Bruce Cassidy ‘dialed in’ trying to win Stanley Cup with Golden Knights
* Breaking down how Panthers can rally against Golden Knights in Cup Final

* Panthers run to Stanley Cup Final evokes memories of 1996

NWSL Match Preview: San Diego Wave FC (6-3-1) at Racing Louisville FC (2-3-5)

NWSL Editor
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NWSL Match Preview: San Diego Wave FC (6-3-1) at Racing Louisville FC (2-3-5)

Lynn Family Stadium | Louisville, Kentucky – Friday, June 9 at 8:00 PM ET

Players to watch:

Racing Louisville midfielder NWSL Player of the Month for May Savannah DeMelo – who was named NWSL Player of the Month for May earlier this week – has continued her tear through recent games and has now contributed on six of Louisville last nine goals scored in all competitions. DeMelo’s four goals and two assists since May 17 lead the way in that time, with no other NWSL player having more than three goal contributions in all competitions in that time.

San Diego forward Makenzy Doniak scored the game-winning goal for the Wave in their 1-0 victory over Gotham FC on Sunday. Entering as a halftime substitute, Doniak then put the ball in the back of the net after just 44 seconds. The goal was the third-fastest by a substitute from entering a match in the league’s regular season history.

Match facts: Racing Louisville FC hosts San Diego Wave FC to begin a full slate of regular season games across the weekend in the league. Racing enters off a 1-1 draw at Washington last weekend and currently sits in 8th place in the league table with 11 points from 10 games. Meanwhile, San Diego comes in having beaten former league leaders Gotham FC, putting the Wave in 2nd place in the league with 19 points from 10 games. Top of the table Portland is level with San Diego on points but is currently besting them by +8 goal differential.

Louisville played to a 1-1 draw with Washington despite finishing the match a player down after Elli Pikkujämsä received a red card just 1 minute, 25 seconds after coming on as a substitute. It was the first straight red card in NWSL this season and the first ever shown to a Louisville player. The club has now collected seven points from its last four games (W2 D1 L1), tied for its best four-game stretch of the season.

On the other side, San Diego has won a club-record three straight away matches, keeping clean sheets in all three, including a 1-0 win at Gotham on Sunday. No team has ever recorded four straight shutout wins in NWSL history. On a four-game unbeaten run, San Diego has also won three out of its last four (D1).

Just one goal was scored in the two all-time games between Louisville and San Diego with Savannah DeMelo scoring in the first half of Racing’s 1-0 home win in May last season. Racing Louisville has never shut out a single opponent in three straight games.

Noted (via Jen Cooper, The Keeper):

  • San Diego forward Alex Morgan is two goals away from 60 career regular-season goals. Only 3 players have reached 60 (Sam Kerr 77, Lynn Williams 62, Christine Sinclair 61). Next assist for Morgan will be her 25th. Only 5 players have recorded at least 25 regular season assists.
  • Louisville midfielder Savannah DeMelo is one goal shy of the club record for all-time regular season goals. She has 8, and Nadia Nadim has 9.

CFL Preview: British Columbia Lions (0-0) at Calgary Stampeders (0-0)

CFL Editor
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CFL Preview: British Columbia Lions (0-0) at Calgary Stampeders (0-0)

CALGARY — The BC Lions and Calgary Stampeders are set to kick off the 2023 regular season in a rematch of last year’s Western Semi-Final on Thursday night at McMahon Stadium.

Both teams are coming off identical 12-6 campaigns but it was the Lions who came away with a 30-16 victory in that playoff showdown.

The season opener marks the beginning of the post-Nathan Rourke era in Vancouver as they’ll hand the reigns to quarterback Vernon Adams Jr. after the Most Outstanding Canadian inked a deal with the Jacksonville Jaguars in the off-season.

Luckily for the Leos, Adams Jr. is no stranger to the offence after coming over in a trade from the Montreal Alouettes last August.

In eight games he completed 118 passes for 1,504 yards and six touchdowns. More importantly he only turned the ball over in the air once.

If he isn’t throwing the football, look for Adams Jr. to use his legs after averaging 9.2 yards per carry a year ago.

When he lines up under centre, he’ll see a Stampeders defence that allowed the third most passing yards against with 270.8 a game.

Should Adams Jr. falter or head coach Rick Campbell want to give the Stamps a different look, they could turn to off-season signing and former Hamilton Tiger-Cats starter Dane Evans.

Campbell is looking forward to seeing what Adams Jr. can do full-time and with a complete off-season with the team under his belt.

“I think there’s a comfort level now he’s spent an off-season with our coaches and the playbook and knowing who our receivers are and what our football team is,” Campbell told BCLions.com.

“Going on the road in Calgary, it doesn’t get any tougher than that so I think we’re looking forward to seeing where we stand as a football team.”

Regardless of who’s in the pocket one thing’s for sure, they won’t be short on high-end receiving options as the Lions return one of the best wideout corps in the league.

Dominique Rhymes and Lucky Whitehead both cracked 1,000 receiving yards a year ago, with Rhymes finishing just behind Winnipeg Blue Bomber and Most Outstanding Rookie Dalton Schoen atop the leaderboard.

They will be without a key piece on Thursday night, however. Keon Hatcher didn’t participate in practice earlier in the week and Campbell confirmed he’s out against the Stamps, so more looks may go the way of Jevon Cottoy, an option the coaching staff should be fine with.

When the ball goes on the ground, it will be handed to rookie Taquan Mizzell or Adam Mackie after the departure of James Butler to Hamilton in the off-season.

Mizzell will be tested right away against Dave Dickenson’s club as the Stamps were second best against the run last season, holding opponents to 89.1 yards per game.

The Lions aren’t short on playmakers on the defensive side of the ball either as they return the defensive back trio of T.J. Lee, Garry Peters and Marcus Sayles who combined for 12 interceptions, led by Peters’ five.

With Stamps quarterback Jake Maier coming of a season where he turned the ball over just seven times, the Lions secondary will look to apply tight pressure downfield.

It’s more of the same up front for the Lions as they return defensive lineman David Menard who recorded nine sacks in 2022. Applying pressure on Maier and forcing him into bad decisions will go a long way in helping their talented defensive backs make plays.

Speaking of Maier, he’s coming off a stellar season after taking over for long-time starting quarterback and now Hamilton Tiger-Cat Bo Levi Mitchell. He completed 207 passes for 2,389 yards with 14 touchdowns.

Against the Lions in that Western Semi-Final, Maier completed just 54.5 per cent of his passes and failed to find the end zone, something he’s looking to correct in the rematch to open the season.

When he goes to the air, look for Maier to target favourites in Malik Henry and Reggie Begelton as both are coming off strong seasons that saw them finish with 1,023 and 957 yards, respectively.

Much like their opponent on Thursday, if the options aren’t there in the air, the Stamps will have no problem handing the ball to star running back Ka’Deem Carey.

And a star, he is.

Despite playing in just 14 games, Carey led the league with 1,088 yards. Facing a similarly tough Lions defensive front that held opposing runners to 94.1 yards on the ground per game, Carey will be put to the test to pick up where he left off.

While the Stamps may have struggled defensively at times in the air, the same can’t be said for their ability to stop the run game. Linebacker Cameron Judge, along with defensive linemen Julian Howsare and Isaac Adeyemi-Berglund lead a talented front.

The game could come down the the ability of the Stamps secondary, led by Jonathan Moxey, Natrell Jamerson and Branden Dozier, to keeping the high flying Lions receivers in check.

With the preseason in the rearview mirror and things set to begin for real, head coach Dave Dickenson is looking for his group to be accountable and ready to go.

“Every week you have to go out and do it, you have to represent and show what you got,” Dickenson told stampeders.com.

“This is our team and the best teams have ownership of the group. We have to represent and go get it done. We’ve made a living through the years working the line of scrimmage and trying to run the ball but BC has done a good job the last couple times we’ve played them clogging up the lanes. We have to make some plays in the pass game if we’re going to be successful.”

There’s nothing quite like a West Division showdown to lift the lid on the 2023 season and it all gets started Thursday night.

Kickoff is scheduled for 9:00 p.m. ET. The game can be seen on TSN, CFL+ (International) and CBS Sports in the U.S.

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