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Red Sox recall left-handed pitcher Chris Murphy from Triple-A Worcester

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Red Sox recall left-handed pitcher Chris Murphy from Triple-A Worcester

Club Options Right-Handed Pitcher Kaleb Ort to Worcester

BOSTON, MA—The Boston Red Sox today recalled left-handed pitcher Chris Murphy from Triple-A Worcester. To make room for Murphy on the active roster, the club optioned right-handed pitcher Kaleb Ort to Worcester following yesterday’s game against the Tampa Bay Rays. Murphy will wear number 72.

Chief Baseball Officer Chaim Bloom made the announcement.

Murphy, 25, is ranked among the Red Sox’ top 15 prospects by both Baseball America (No. 13) and MLB.com (No. 14). The left-hander has pitched in 10 games (nine starts) for Worcester this season, posting a 7.71 ERA (34 ER/39.2 IP). He last pitched Thursday in Louisville, allowing only one hit in 3.0 scoreless innings of relief with three strikeouts and no walks. The California native was selected by Boston in the sixth round of the 2019 First-Year Player Draft out of the University of San Diego. He has posted a 4.36 ERA (158 ER/326.1 IP) in 71 career minor league appearances (67 starts), holding opponents to a .236 batting average (289-for-1,222).

Ort, 31, pitched on Sunday and Monday against Tampa Bay, tossing 3.0 scoreless, hitless innings with one walk and four strikeouts. In 14 games for Boston this season, the right-hander has posted a 5.87 ERA (10 ER/15.1 IP) with 16 strikeouts. Selected by the Red Sox in the Triple-A phase of the 2020 Rule 5 Draft from the New York Yankees, Ort owns a 6.14 ERA (30 ER/44.0 IP) in 40 career Major League appearances, all with Boston (2021-23).

Dodgers select the contract of Nick Robertson

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Dodgers select the contract of Nick Robertson

LOS ANGELES – The Los Angeles Dodgers selected the contract of right-handed pitcher Nick Robertson and optioned right-handed pitcher Tayler Scott.

Robertson, 24, has appeared in 24 games with Oklahoma City, posting a 2-0 record with a 2.13 ERA (6 ER/25.1 IP) and 37 strikeouts. He has held the opposition to a .185 batting average, and he is 7-for-7 in save chances. He is in his fourth minor league season with the Dodgers, and he is a combined 5-7 with a 3.50 ERA (65 ER/167.1 IP) and 210 strikeouts in 132 games. He was originally a seventh-round selection in the 2019 First Year Player Draft out of James Madison University.

Scott, 30, pitched 1.2 scoreless innings on Saturday, striking out two. He was 3-0 with a 1.37 ERA (3 ER/19.2 IP) and 25 strikeouts against 10 walks in 19 games with Triple-A Oklahoma City. He has spent parts of three seasons in the Major Leagues with Seattle (2019), Baltimore (2019), San Diego (2022) and Los Angeles (2023) and he is a combined 0-1 with an 10.50 ERA (35 ER/30.0 IP) and 29 strikeouts in 22 games (two starts). He was signed by the Dodgers as a minor league free agent on January 3, 2023.

MLB Preview: New York Mets (30-30) at Atlanta Braves (35-24)

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MLB Preview: New York Mets (30-30) at Atlanta Braves (35-24)

NEW YORK METS NOTES:

METSCELLANEOUS: On Sunday, the Mets fell to the Blue Jays, 6-4, completing a three-game sweep at the hands of Toronto…New York is coming off a six-game homestand (3-3) against Philadelphia (3-0) and Toronto (0-3)…The team enjoyed an off day before the start of a six-game road trip to Atlanta (three games) and Pittsburgh (three games).

ROSTER MOVES: Yesterday, the Mets reinstated catcher Omar Narváez from the 60-Day IL… Narváez has been on the IL since early April with a left calf strain…In order to make room, catcher Tomás Nido was designated for assignment… Narváezwas 4-19 (.211) with one double, four RBI and five walks in six rehab games between Brooklyn (A+) and Syracuse (AAA).

C IS FOR COOKIE: Carlos Carrasco is set to make his seventh start of the season tonight…Over his last two starts, Carrasco is 2-0 with a 1.42 ERA (2 ER/12.2 IP) with three walks and eight strikeouts…In five career games (four starts) against Atalanta, Carrasco is 2-2 with a 4.30 ERA (11 ER/23.0 IP) with six walks and 19 strikeouts.

TURNED A CORNER: The Mets have received eight quality starts from their staff in the last 14 games…New York had eight quality starts through
the first 46 games of the season…Over the last 14 games, Mets starters have posted a 3.06 ERA (27 ER/79.1 IP) with 28 walks and 76 strikeouts.

A STARLING IS BORN: Over his last 25 games, Starling Marte is batting .298 (25-84) with 12 runs, one double, one triple, two home runs, nine RBI, three walks with a .344 OBP and a .405 SLG…He has safely reached base in seven of his last eight games, batting .346 (9-26) with six runs, one double, one triple, one home run, three RBI with a .414 OBP and a .577 SLG.

TO THINE OWN SELF BE TRUIST: The Mets are taking their first trip to Truist Park this season…New York is 22-30 all-time at the Ballpark…Mark Canha has hit .303 (10-33) with three runs, four doubles, two home runs, four RBI, three walks with a .378 OBP and a .606 SLG…Tommy Pham has batted .275 (11-40) with nine runs, one double, four home runs, eight RBI, 10 walks with a .423 OBP and a .600 SLG…Starling Marte has hit seven home runs in 25 career games at the yard.

HOTLANTA: Jeff McNeil has hit .395 (34-86) with 12 runs, nine doubles, two home runs, seven RBI, four walks with a .429 OBP and a .570 SLG…
In seven games at the ballpark in 2022, McNeil recorded a hit in six of those games, batting .517 (15-29) with five runs, three doubles, one
home run, two RBI with a 1.241 OPS.

PHAM-TASTIC: Tommy Pham went 2-4 with two runs, two home runs and two RBI on Sunday…Over his last 10 games, Pham is batting .360 (9-25) with four runs, two doubles, one triple, two home runs, seven RBI, four walks with a .448 OBP, a 760 SLG and a 1.208 OPS.

FOR PETE’S SAKE: Pete Alonso has hit 21 home runs this year, which leads the majors leagues…His 47 RBI are fifth in The Show and lead the National League…Alonso ranks 12th in franchise history with 427 career RBI…Next up is Kevin McReynolds (456) and Keith Hernandez (468)…
Alonso has appeared in all 57 of the Mets games this year.

THE EAST IS A BEAST: The Mets are 12-8 against the division this year… The team went 50-26 against the East in 2022…Their .658 winning percentage against the East was the best mark in club history.

CANHA GET AN AMEN?: Over the last 17 games, Mark Canha is 14-45 (.311) with seven runs, two doubles, two home runs, eight RBI, seven walks with a .426 OBP, .489 SLG and a .915 OPS…He has safely reached base in each of his last 12 games with a plate appearance, batting .313 (10-32) with five runs, two home runs, six RBI, seven walks with a .950 OPS in that span.

D-FENCE: The Mets have committed 20 errors in 60 games this year, the fewest errors in the majors…New York owns a .990 fielding percentage… Their .990 fielding percentage also leads the major leagues. FIRST IS THE WORST: The Mets have been outscored 46-13 in the first
inning this year.

ON THE ROAD AGAIN: New York has played 33 games on the road this year, tied for the third-most in the majors…New York is 15-18 with a 4.85
ERA away from Citi Field in 2023…The team’s 277 strikeouts on the road are the third-most in the majors.

ROAD WARRIOR: Brandon Nimmo is batting .354 (46-130) with 18 runs, eight doubles, three triples, two home runs, 17 RBI, 16 walks with a .424 OBP and .508 SLG in 34 games on the road this season…His .354 road average ranks second in the majors…Nimmo owns a career .399 OBP on the road…That is the fourth-highest mark in the majors since the Wyoming native entered the league in 2016.

BROOKS WAS HERE: Brooks Raley allowed four earned runs in one inning of work on April 4 in Milwaukee…Since then he has pitched to a 1.04 ERA (2 ER/17.1 IP) with six walks and 19 strikeouts…Since returning from the IL, the southpaw has not allowed a run in any of his last 10 games, striking out 11 over those 8.1 innings.

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

EIGHT IS GREAT: The Mets are 27-0 when leading after eight innings this season…The last time the Mets lost a game when they were ahead after eight innings was on September 6, 2021 at Washington…The Mets were up 3-2 and lost 4-3 in the bottom of the ninth…Since then the Mets have won their last 122 games when ahead after eight, the longest active streak in MLB…It’s the longest streak in franchise history, surpassing the previous high of 117 consecutive games.

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

STEAL THIS BASE: The Mets lead the major leagues with an 87.5% stolen base success rate this season…Starling Marte has swiped 17 bags this year, sixth in the majors and third in the National League…His 331 career stolen bases rank second among active players…Elvis Andrus is the active leader with 340 steals…Pete Alonso has stolen 12 bases in 13 tries in his career.

RISP: The Mets are hitting .237 (108-455) with runners in scoring position, ranking 11th in the NL and 23rd in the majors this year…Last
season, New York batted .269 (371-1,378), good for third in the NL and fourth in the majors.

LATELY: The Mets lead the majors with a 2.00 ERA (12 ER/54.0 IP) since May 29 (span of six games).

BULLISH PEN: New York has six blown saves this season, tied for the fifth fewest in the majors, one behind the league leaders.

CARLOS CARRASCO RHP #59
2023 STATS: 2-2, 5.74 E R A

CARRASCO’S PITCH ARSENAL
Pitch Type Usage Rate vs. LHB vs. RHB Avg. Velocity
Four-Seam Fastball 33.3% 40.2% 27.2% 92.0 mph
Changeup 27.4% 34.1% 21.6% 87.0 mph
Slider 16.8% 4.9% 27.2% 84.0 mph
Sinker 12.1% 8.2% 15.5% 91.1 mph
Curveball 10.4% 12.6% 8.5% 79.8 mph

LAST TIME OUT: Earned the win after tossing 6.0 innings at Citi Field against the Phillies on May 31…Allowed one earned run on six hits and one walk while fanning four Philadelphia batters…Pitched to his second quality start in a row, the first time he has accomplished the feat since September 10-15, 2022.

AT THE HOME OF THE BRAVES: Carrasco will face Atlanta for the sixth time in his career…In his last start against the Braves on August 15, 2022, he suffered the loss after allowing three earned runs in 2.0 innings on four hits and one walk… Throughout his career against the Braves, Carrasco has pitched to a 4.30 ERA (11 ER/23.0 IP) and holds a 2-2 record, with both wins coming when pitching at Citi Field…His last win against the Braves was on August 4, 2022, during which he threw 6.0 innings, allowing three earned runs on four hits and one walk while striking out six batters in a 6-4 Mets victory…Has a 1.93 ERA (3 ER/14.0 IP) when facing Atlanta at home compared to an 8.00 ERA (8 ER/9.0 IP) against Atlanta on the road.

COOKIE’S COMEBACK: In his last two starts, Carrasco has allowed just two runs over 12.2 innings compared to 18 runs allowed across the 18.2 innings he threw in his first four starts of the season…In those 12.2 innings, Carrasco has fanned eight batters, which equals the total strikeouts he tallied in his first three starts of the year.

WINNER, WINNER: Carrasco earned the 100th win of his career on July 30 last season at Miami after tossing 7.2 scoreless innings with four hits, two walks and seven strikeouts…His 15 wins were tied for the eighth-most in the majors…He was the first Met to have a 15-win season since Jacob deGrom in 2017…Joined Justin Verlander, Gerrit Cole, Max Scherzer and Zack Greinke as the only pitchers with three or more 15+ win seasons since 2017…Won six straight decisions from May 3 (G2)-June 6, matching his single-season career-high from the end of the 2017 season…Was the first Mets starter to win at least six straight decisions in a single season since Zack Wheeler won seven from July 14-August 25, 2017.

ATLANTA BRAVES NOTES:

TONIGHT’S GAME: The Braves and Mets tonight open a three-game series with what is the fourth of 13 games between the teams this season…The two will next meet from August 11-13, playing a four-game set at Citi Field in Queens.

  • Atlanta has won two of the first three games this season against New York, winning a series at Citi Field, April 28 to May 1.
  • The Braves went 10-9 against the Mets last season, taking the season set from their N.L. East rivals for the fifth consecutive season…They also went 10-9 in 2021, 7-3 in 2020, 11-8 in 2019 and 13-6 in 2018…Since the start of the 2018 season, Atlanta is 53-36 (.596) against New York overall.
  • The Braves have won eight of the last 10 games with New York dating to last season, outscoring the Mets 58-32 (+26) over the stretch…Atlanta is 6-1 against New York here at Truist Park in that span.
  • Atlanta and New York tied atop the N.L. East with identical 101-61 record last season, with the Braves winning the title based on the head-to-head tiebreaker…The Braves were a season-worst 10.5 games behind the first-place Mets on June 1…From that date through the end of the season, Atlanta played to a 78-34 (.696) record, the best mark in baseball…New York went 67-44 (.604), the sixth-best mark in the majors.
  • RH Bryce Elder has never started against New York, but did face the Mets in his only career relief appearance last season…The 6-foot-2, 225-pound right-hander went 2.1 innings out of the bullpen in that game, allowing five hits and three runs… Through 11 starts this season, Elder is 3-0 with a majors-best 1.92 ERA (14 ER/65.2 IP).
  • RH Carlos Carrasco has pitched in five games and made four starts against Atlanta in his career, going 2-2 with a 4.30 ERA (11 ER/23.0 IP)…Three of his four starts came last season, when he went 2-1 with a 3.38 ERA (6 ER/16.0 IP) versus the Braves…The 6-foot-3, 212-pound Venezuela native is 2-2 with a 5.74 ERA (20 ER/31.1 IP) in six starts this season.

WIN: Atlanta scored four ninth-inning runs to rally and defeat Arizona, 8-5, on Sunday afternoon…All four scored on a two-out grand slam from Eddie Rosario.

  • Rosario’s grand slam was the fifth in Atlanta history (since 1966) to come with two outs in the ninth inning and give the Braves the lead, and the first since Jeff Francoeur hit a walk-off grand slam off Washington’s Chad Cordero on May 13, 2006.
  • Rosario’s was the first such slam to come on the road…The other four all came in the bottom of the ninth and gave Atlanta a walk-off win.
  • Atlanta’s win on Sunday was its first of the season in which it entered the ninth inning trailing…The Braves were 0-19 when losing after eight innings prior to Sunday’s victory

STRENGTH OF SCHEDULE: Atlanta took twoof-three from Arizona over the weekend…The D-backs entered the series tied for the best record in the National League with Los Angeles.

  • With the wins, Atlanta improved to 16-14 in games against teams .500 or better this season…Per Codify, the Braves are the only N.L. team with a winning record against competition at or above .500.
  • New York enters tonight with a 30-30 (.500) record.

BULLPEN: Four Atlanta relievers combined to pitch 5.1 scoreless innings on Sunday and the Braves’ bullpen has not allowed a run since May 30 at Oakland, a scoreless streak of four games and 13.0 innings…The club is 3-1 in that span.

  • That scoreless stretch is the longest active in the majors by both games and innings, and the Braves’ longest this season in both regards.
  • The Braves’ bullpen last posted four straight scoreless games from October 1-4, 2022, in contests against the New York Mets (2 games) and Miami Marlins (2 games).
  • Every National League club, except for Atlanta, has allowed at least one run in relief this month…In June, Chicago is the only A.L. club with a scoreless bullpen.
  • The Atlanta bullpen pitched to a 4.11 ERA (90 ER/197.2 IP) prior to the start of its current streak, ranking 18th in the majors…Its current scoreless run has lowered the collective ERA to 3.86 (90 ER/213.2 IP) for the season, 12th best in baseball.

OFFENSE: Braves batters have combined for 13 runs and 25 hits in their last two games, both wins, after compiling just nine runs and 24 hits in the previous four games.

  • Atlanta is batting .342/.410/.534 and has seven extra-base hits in its last two games…In the previous four, the club hit .188/.246/.344 and went 1-3.
  • The Braves lead the National League with a .791 OPS on the season, and rank second in homers ( 97) and tied for second in total runs (297).
  • Atlanta’s offense has combined to produce a wRC+ of 112, the fourth-best mark in baseball and trailing just the Dodgers (115) for highest in the National League.

ROSTER MOVES: The Braves today recalled RHP Roddery Muñoz to Atlanta after optioning RHP Michael Soroka to Triple-A Gwinnett yesterday… Atlanta today also acquired RHP Ben Heller from the Tampa Bay Rays in exchange for international bonus pool money and optioned him to the Stripers.

  • Additionally, RHP Michael Tonkin tonight begins a rehabilitation assignment with the Stripers, LHP Lucas Luetge was outrighted to Gwinnett, and OF Nick Solak was designated for assignment

Tonight’s Starting Pitcher – #55 Bryce Elder RHP
2023 Record: 3-0, 1.92 ERA • 2022 Record: 2-4, 3.17 ERA
vs. RHB: .257 (36-140), 2 HR • vs. LHB: .206 (21-102), 2 HR
Home: 0-0, 2.06 ERA (8 ER/35.0 IP) • Away: 3-0, 1.76 ERA (6 ER/30.2 IP)

Tonight’s Game

  • Set to make his second appearance, first career start against New York (NL) and 12th on the season.
  • Enters play with 16 consecutive outings of at least 5.0 innings pitched.
  • Scattered five hits and three walks over 7.1 innings pitched of one-run ball with five strikeouts in his last start at Oakland.
  • With his last outing, Elder now has 15 games of at least 5.1 innings pitched in 20 career starts; tied for second most in Atlanta franchise history through as many games started…Tommy Hanson has the most with 16 through 20 career starts.
  • His 1.92 ERA on the season is the lowest in the lowest in the majors among qualified starters.
  • No Braves pitcher was won the ERA title since Greg Maddux (2.22) in 1998.
  • Elder’s 2.84 ERA with runners on base is the lowest in baseball among qualifiers.
  • Opponents are hitting .173 against him with runners on base, the second lowest rate it the NL and third in MLB (among QS).
  • His 57.7 LOB% is the third lowest in the majors (among QS).
  • His groundball rate of 57.5% of balls put in play is the fifth highest in the majors among qualified starters.
  • Has recorded an out on 65.9% of those grounders put in play, also the fifth highest rate in baseball among qualifiers.
  • Is 4-1 with a 1.83 ERA over his last 16 games started after being recalled from Triple-A Gwinnett for the second time, dating to August 14, 2022.
  • His 1.83 ERA is the lowest among pitchers with at least 15 starts during that span.
  • In that stretch, Elder is averaging 6.0 innings pitched per outing, the fourth highest rate in the National League (min. 15 starts).
  • He has five starts in his career of at least 6.0 innings without allowing a run, the most such games in Atlanta franchise history (since 1966) in a player’s first 15 starts…Larry McWilliams (’78) and Ian Anderson (’20-21) both had four such starts.

2023 Recap

  • Elder’s 2.30 ERA through 20 career starts is the lowest in Atlanta franchise history to begin a career.
  • His 117.1 innings pitched through his first 20 games started are the most by an Atlanta player to begin their career since Julio Teheran in 2011-13.
  • His 30 earned runs allwed are also the fewest during that span.
  • Elder has held opponents to one run or less in seven games this season while pitching at least 5.0 frames in every outing.
  • His 11 appearances of at least 5.0 innings pitched while holding opponents to one run or less are the most through a player’s first 21 outings in Atlanta franchise history.

MLB Preview: Houston Astros (36-24) at Toronto Blue Jays (33-28)

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MLB Preview: Houston Astros (36-24) at Toronto Blue Jays (33-28)

HOUSTON ASTROS NOTES:

TONIGHT’S GAME: The Astros continue their 4-game series here in Toronto tonight with RHP Hunter Brown (5-2) taking on Jays RHP Kevin Gausman (4-2)…tonight will be Brown’s 1st career app. vs. the Blue Jays…the Astros defeated Gausman earlier this season at Minute Maid Park by a 9-2 final on 4/17, tallying 7 runs off him in his 4.2 innings of work…both Corey Julks (solo) and Jake Meyers (3-run) homered off Gausman.

GRINDERS: Tonight is the 12th day in a streak of 17 consecutive days with a game for the Astros, with Houston going 8-3 thus far in that stretch…prior to this streak, the most days the Astros had played in a row was seven, a streak that opened the season from March 30-April 5.

BROTHER BROWN: Among MLB rookie pitchers, RHP Hunter Brown (5-2, 3.61) ranks 1st in ERA (3.61), strikeouts (74) and innings (62.1 IP) and T-1st in wins (5)…Brown has tallied 8-or-more K’s in each of his last 4 starts, becoming the 1st Astros rookie to do so since RHP Roy Oswalt did it in 6 cons. starts from 8/14-9/9 of 2001…First Impressions: Brown was stellar as a Sept. call-up in 2022, going 2-0 in 7 apps. (2 GS) with an 0.89 ERA…he also hurled 3.2 scoreless inn. in 3 postseason apps.

LAST NIGHT’S RECAP: The Astros tallied a season-high 19 hits en route to an 11-4 win over the Jays last night at Rogers Centre…RHP Brandon Bielak (3-2) earned the win, allowing 3 ER in 6.2 innings of work…HOU erupted for 6 runs in the 1st inning, with the key blow being the 1st career grand slam by Corey Julks…additionally, both Yainer Diaz (4×5) and Jake Meyers (4×5, HR) had 4-hit games…Yordan Alvarez (2×4, HR) and Kyle Tucker (3×5, HR) also contributed.

FOUR!: Last night, Yainer Diaz (4×5) and Jake Meyers (4×5) were the first set of Astros teammates to tally 4 hits in the same game since three Astros turned the trick in a 21-5 win over the White Sox on 8/18/22 in Chicago…Alex Bregman (4×4), Kyle Tucker (4×6) and Christian Vazquez (4×6) each had 4-hit games in that victory.

VS. THE JAYS: The Astros are 3-1 vs. the Blue Jays thus far this season, taking 2 of 3 in Houston in April…Familiar Faces: Two members on the Jays roster have ties to the Astros…OF George Springer played his first seven years (2014-20) in an Astros uniform while IF Cavan Biggio is the son of Astros Hall of Famer Craig Biggio.

HOT CORNER HEATER: 3B Alex Bregman has hit safely in 12 straight games at .400 (18×45) with 2 HR, 13 RBI and 6 BB, while posting a 1.048 OPS (.471 OBP/.578 SLG)…since 5/8, he is hitting .330 (33×100) in 26 games with 3 2B, 1 3B, 4 HR, 21 RBI and 11 BB, raising his avg. from .195 to .254 in that span.

MR. CLUTCH: LF Yordan Alvarez leads the Majors in RBI with 53 in just 54 games played…he has been at his best in the big moments in his career, especially this season…he’s hitting .422 (19×45) with RISP, .500 (10×20) with RISP and two outs, .600 (6×10) with the bases loaded, and .370 (10×27) in close and late situations.

MLB RBI Leaders

  1. Y. Alvarez – 53 3. R. Devers – 49
  2. A. Garcia – 51

TEXAS STRONG: Over the past month or so, the Astros and Rangers have been the two best teams in baseball…since May 9, the Astros are an MLB-best 19-6, while the Rangers are 2nd-best at 18-7…with an overall record of 36-24, the Astros would be in first place in four of the six MLB divisions.

Best Win Pct. Since May 9 – MLB

  1. Houston: 19-6 (.760)
  2. Texas: 18-7 (.720)
  3. NY Yankees: 17-8 (.680)

VS. THE BEST: The Astros are 19-13 (.594) vs. teams that are currently at .500 or above…the Astros have played 5 of the 6 clubs currently in first place in their respective divisions, going a combined 10-8 vs. those teams.

ROAD WARRIORS: The Astros are 18-10 (.643) on the road this season, which ranks 3rd in the Majors behind ATL and BAL, both of whom are 20-10 (.667)…since 2021, the Astros are a combined 113-77 (.595) on the road, which is tops in the AL.

PITCHING IN: The Astros have the lowest team ERA (3.23) and have allowed the fewest runs (213) in the Majors…the Astros starters rank third in Majors in ERA (3.22) and have allowed one-or-fewer earned runs in 11 of their last 17 games…also, the Astros bullpen ranks third in the Majors in ERA (3.26).

Lowest Team ERA – MLB Runs Allowed – MLB

  1. Houston: 3.23 1. Houston: 213
  2. Minnesota: 3.42 2. Minnesota: 222
  3. Texas: 3.62 3. Texas: 227

HECTOR’S HOT STREAK: RHP Hector Neris has not allowed a run in his last 16.2 innings of work, which is the longest scoreless streak of his career and is the 2nd-longest active streak in the Majors…the streak, which spans 19 apps., also is the longest by an Astro this season.

SECOND TO NONE:SS Jeremy Peña has hit second in 10 consecutive games, with the Astros going 7-3 in those games, and has hit second 15 times overall in 2023 (9-6)…over the last two years, including the postseason, the Astros are 62-15 when he hits second…Peña is hitting .328 (19×58) with five homers and a 1.064 OPS in his 15 games hitting second this season.

ON THE LEADERBOARD: In addition to leading the Majors in RBI with 53, Yordan Alvarez also ranks 2nd in the AL in HR (16) and SLG (.582) and 3rd in OPS (.973)…Alex Bregman ranks 2nd in the AL in walk/strikeout ratio (1.21), 3rd in PA/SO (9.46) and 4th in walks (34)…

TONIGHT’S ASTROS STARTER: RHP HUNTER BROWN
W-L ERA G GS IP H R ER BB SO
2023: 5-2 3.61 11 11 62.1 57 29 25 20 74
CAREER: 7-2 2.94 18 13 82.2 72 31 27 27 96
VS. TOR W-L ERA G GS IP H R ER BB SO

LAST START – 5/31 VS. MIN: struck out 8 batters through 4.2 IP but allowed a career-high 5 runs to go with 6 hits and 2 walks…was just the 2nd losing decision of his young career… his 102 pitches were the most in a start in his career and was the 1st start in his career he exceeded 100 pitches.

STREAKING: has 8+ K’s in each of his last 4 starts…the last Astros rookie to strike out 8+ batters in 4 consecutive starts was RHP Roy Oswalt, who did so in 6 straight games from Aug. 14-Sept. 9 in 2001…Brown owns 1 of 30 all-time streaks from Astros pitchers of 4+ starts with 8+ strikeouts, with LHP Framber Valdez the last to do so at 4 games from Aug. 4-Sept. 12 in 2002…the last Astros pitcher to strike out 8+ batters in 5 straight starts was a 6-game streak from RHP Lance McCullers Jr. (7/2/21-8/3/21).

LEAGUE LEADERBOARD: among MLB rookies, he ranks 1st in strikeouts (75), innings (62.1 IP), and ERA (3.64), and is T-1st in wins (5).

DIESEL: is averaging 92.0 mph with his slider, which is the hardest slider among all MLB pitchers, ahead of MIA RHP Sandy Alcantara (89.5 mph) and TOR LHP Yusei Kikuchi (89.5 mph).

HISTORIC START: his 2.94 career ERA is tied with RHP Jared Cosart for the lowest ERA through an Astros pitcher’s first 18 career apps. (min. 80 IP)…Cosart’s first 18 career appearances came during the 2002-03 seasons.

  • his 96 career strikeouts are the 3rd-most by an Astros pitcher through their first 18 career appearances, trailing RHP Tom Griffin (123 SO, 108.2 IP) and RHP Lance McCullers Jr. (102 SO, 101.2 IP).
  • started his career 5-0 through his first 12 games (7 starts)…per Elias, was 1st Astros pitcher to win their first 5 decisions since RHP Josh James won his first 7 decisions from 2018-19.

AMONG THE BEST: According to WAR produced by STATS, Brown has been the most valuable rookie in the AL this season with a 1.9 WAR…he edges out TEX 3B Josh Jung (1.8) and OAK 1B Ryan Noda (1.6) in that category…the Astros have had a top five finisher in AL Rookie of the Year voting in four straight seasons: SS Jeremy Peña (5th in 2022), RHP Luis Garcia (2nd in 2021), RHP Cristian Javier (3rd in 2020) and LF Yordan Alvarez (1st in 2019).

TROUBLE WITH THE CURVE: opponents are hitting .228 (15×73) against his curveball this season, which makes up 29% of his pitches this season.

SOLID STREAK: made back-to-back starts on April 9 and April 15 in which he recorded at least 7.0 IP without allowing an ER…the last Astros pitcher to do so was LHP Scott Kazmir, who made 2 such starts in a row in 2015 (7/24/15-7/30/15). VS. TOR: will face the Blue Jays for the 1st time in his career…will be the 6th time this season he’s pitched in an opposing ballpark for the 1st time in his career…has gone 3-0 with
4.08 ERA (13ER/28.2) in the previous 5 such starts this year.

ABOUT BROWN: rookie right-hander entered the season as the top prospect in the Astros system and one of the top pitching prospects in baseball…was ranked as the No. 28 prospect in baseball in Baseball America’s preseason top 100 rankings…was also rated as the No. 8 RHP prospect in MLB Pipeline’s preseason positional prospect rankings.

TORONTO BLUE JAYS NOTES:

THE LATEST: The Blue Jays allowed a season-high 19 hits as they took an 11-4 loss to the Astros last night…Have a -7 run differential on four occasions this season: once vs. Tampa Bay and now three times vs. Houston. Toronto had its four-game winning streak snapped…Has still won six of its last eight games and seven of its last 10 contests.

THE CAPTAIN CRANKS: Alejandro Kirk got Toronto on the board with a solo shot to center field in the 2nd inning last night…Marked his 3rd home run of the season, all coming at Rogers Centre…Over his last 16 games, has batted .333 (18- for-54) with two doubles, a homer, and five RBI (.783 OPS).

HITTING IT A DAUL-TON: Daulton Varsho reached double-digit home runs for the year as he homered to lead off the 8th last night… Also picked up a single in the 4th, part of a 2-for-4 night, his 13th multi-hit effort of the year…Extended his hitting streak career-high-tying nine games (3rd time), now 10-for-34 (.294) with a double, three homers, and five RBI over that span (.922 OPS).

VLAD TO THE BONE: Vladimir Guerrero Jr. picked up his 14th double while driving in his 38th RBI in the 7th inning last night…Has gone 9-for-28 (.321) with three extra-base hits, four RBI, and a 3BB/2K ratio across his last seven games (.887 OPS)…His 66 hits are tied for 5th most in the AL…Has now recorded an MLB-leading 110 hardhit balls (95+ MPH) this season, moving ahead of Ronald Acuña Jr. (109).

MULTI-TALENTED: Bo Bichette also singled twice and drove in a run as he finished 2-for-3 last night…Marked his MLB-best 26th multi-hit game 2nd: Luis Arraez/Freddie Freeman – 25)…Leads all MLB hitters with 87 hits (2nd: Arraez – 83). The 25-year-old also leads the Majors with 136 total bases, surpassing Freeman (135) for the most… His .333 batting average ranks 1st in the AL (trailing only Arraez’s .399 for the best in MLB) while he is currently 4th in OPS (.888), 5th in SLG (.521), T-8th in home runs (12), T-8th in RBI, and 11th in OBP (.367)… His 101 hard-hit balls (95+ MPH) trail only Vladimir Guerrero Jr.’s 110 for the most in the AL.

JUST GO WHIT IT: Whit Merrifield singled and was hit by a pitch as part of a 1-for-3 evening…Over his last 17 games, is hitting .383 (23-for-60) with three doubles, a homer, seven RBI, and four walks (.431 OBP, .914 OPS)…Now holds a .299 batting average for the season, good for 8th among AL hitters.

KK MAKES ANOTHER ELECTRIC PLAY: Kevin Kiermaier singled, doubled, and drew a walk while scoring twice last night…The double was his 10th of the season and 150th of his career…Has recorded 43 hits while batting 9th, the most in the Majors (2nd: Ezequiel Tovar – 35). Yesterday, MLB announced that the center fielder has claimed Play of the Week for his catch to take extra bases away from Andruw Monasterio on June 1 vs. MIL…Marked his 3rd career nod, all coming this season with the Blue Jays…Is the 4th player to win three Play of the Week Awards in a single season, joining Byron Buxton (2022), Lorenzo Cain (2019), and Riley Greene (2022)…Toronto players have now claimed eight such awards, the most by any team since the inception of the award in 2019 (2nd: MIL – 7).

HOME WORK: The Blue Jays are on a seven-day, seven-game homestand (0-1 so far)…Have gone 15-11 this season at Rogers Centre…The .577 win% at home is 5th best in the AL…After these four games with the Astros, will welcome in the Twins (31-29) for three contests over the weekend. Toronto batters rank 3rd in the AL in home AVG (.266), while also 4th in home OBP (.335), 7th in home OPS (.735), and 10th in home SLG (.400)…The pitching staff ranks 1st among AL teams a .214 home opponents’ average while sitting 2nd with a 3.40 home ERA and 5th with a 1.19 home WHIP.

KEEPING IT 100: Kevin Gausman gets the ball tonight, coming off 6.2 scoreless innings on June 1 vs. MIL in which he racked up 11 strikeouts…His five games with double-digit punchouts are the most in the Majors…Sits at an AL-best 100 strikeouts (2nd: Shohei Ohtani – 6)… Reached the century strikeout mark in just 12 games, the fastest in franchise history (2nd: Roger Clemens/A.J. Burnett/Robbie Ray – 14G)…Among AL pitchers, is also 1st in FIP (2.37), 4th in SO/BB (5.56), T-5th in innings (75.0), and 8th in ERA (2.76).

AVOIDING THE DONUTS: The Blue Jays have notched 567 hits this season, behind only Texas (574) for the most in the Majors… Are currently 2nd in the AL in team AVG (.266), 4th in OBP (.334), 4th in OPS (.757), 4th in extra-base hits (188), and 5th in SLG (.424). The Blue Jays are one of two MLB teams to have scored in every game this season (also: ARI)…Have gone 79 straight games without being shut out, the longest active streak in the Majors (2nd: ARI – 61G)…Is their longest such streak since scoring in 85 consecutive games from May 19-Aug. 23, 2000.

TOUGH SCHEDDING: The Blue Jays are in the midst of playing 30 games over the course of 31 days…All opponents during this stretch are currently at .500 or better…Are 12-12 through 24 contests

VS. THE ASTROS: All-Time: 30-39
2023: 1-3 Home: 18-15
Home: 0-1 Rogers Centre: 17-13
The Blue Jays lost two of three to the Astros when the teams met in Houston in April…Went 4-2 in their six meetings with the Astros last season, taking two of three games at each ballpark.

Matt Chapman went 3-for-11 (.273) with a double and two homers in Houston in April…In 76 career meetings, has gone 65-for-276 (.236) with 19 doubles, one triple, 16 homers, and 35 RBI (.787 OPS). Whit Merrifield had a pair of hits in each of his two games in Houston earlier this year…Is now batting .308 (45-for-146) with 10 doubles, three triples, three home runs, and 21 RBI for an .824 OPS across 35 career matchups.

George Springer played seven seasons for Houston and hit .270 with 137 doubles, 13 triples, 174 home runs and 458 RBI (.852 OPS)…In his nine games against them, has gone 5-for-33 (.152) with a double, three homers, three RBI, and three walks (.718 OPS)

STARTING PITCHER – Kevin Gausman, RHP #34
TODAY’S GAME:
Making his 13th start of the season and his 6th at Rogers Centre…Tossed 6.2 frames of shutout ball his last time out, on 6/1 vs. MIL, scattering 5 hits and a pair of walks with 11 strikeouts…Was his 5th start with double-digit punchouts this year, more than any other Major Leaguer. His 100 strikeouts are the most ever by a Blue Jay in their first 12 outings of a season (2nd: Robbie Ray – 92 in 2021), and are the most in the AL in 2023 (2nd: Shohei Ohtani – 96K). Owns a 2.73 FIP since the start of the 2020 season, the best mark among qualified hurlers (2nd: Corbin Burnes – 2.74).

2023 HIGHLIGHTS:
Improved to 3-3 on 5/26 at MIN, throwing 5.1 innings of one-run ball with 4 hits, a season-high 5 walks, and 8 strikeouts. Took a no-decision on 5/21 vs. BAL, tossing 8.0 frames of two-run ball on a season-high 115 pitches (6H, 2BB, 4K)…Matched his longest outing of the year (8.0IP on 4/12 vs. DET). Gave up 3R/2ER runs on 5/16 vs. NYY, surrendering 5 hits and 2 walks over 7.0 innings with 10 strikeouts on 102 pitches (63 strikes)…Marked his 7th quality start of the year, and his 4th with double-digit punchouts. Tossed 6.0 shutout innings on 5/10 at PHI, giving up 3 hits with no walks and 9 strikeouts…Was his 6th quality start of the year, and his 5th outing with no earned runs. Tossed 7.0 shutout innings on 4/29 vs. SEA, giving up 5 hits with a walk and a career-high 13 strikeouts…Threw a season-high 108 pitches (74 strikes) while inducing a career-high 28 swing-and-misses…Got 20 whiffs on his splitter alone, the most on a single pitch in the Majors this season, and the most on a splitter in the pitch-tracking era (since 2008). Earned his 2nd win of the year on 4/23 at NYY, hurling 7.0 shutout frames with 3 hits, no walks, and a season-high-tying 11 strikeouts. Took a no-decision on 4/12 vs. DET, giving up 3 runs on 5 hits over a season-high 8.0 innings with no walks and 11 strikeouts, his most as a Blue Jay…Surrendered a solo home run to Nick Maton with one out in the 4th inning, ending his streak of 15.1 innings without allowing an earned run, the longest stretch to begin a season in franchise history (2nd: Matt Shoemaker – 14.0 IP in 2019). Picked up his 1st win of the year on 4/6 at KC, throwing 6.0 shutout frames with 4 hits, 2 walks, and 7 strikeouts…Didn’t allowed an earned run for a 2nd straight outing to begin the season.

MLB Preview: Oakland Athletics (12-50) at Pittsburgh Pirates (32-27)

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MLB Preview: Oakland Athletics (12-50) at Pittsburgh Pirates (32-27)

OAKLAND ATHLETICS NOTES:

ABOUT THE A’S: Have lost five straight, 12 of the last 14 and 24 of the last 28 games…are 12-50 (.194) overall, which matches the 1932 Red Sox for the second worst record after 62 games by an AL, NL or FL team since 1900…the worst is the 1904 Senators (11-48/.186…had three games called with the score tied)… it is the worst over any 62-game stretch since the 2021 Diamondbacks went 12-50 from May 9-July 18…were swept in a three-game series at Miami over the weekend and have now been swept nine times…are 2-17-0 in series play.

HOME AND AWAY: The A’s have a 15-game road losing streak, which ties the Oakland record set from May 24-June 23, 1986…the last A’s team to lose more than 15 straight road games is the 1945 Philadelphia A’s, who lost 19 in a row from May 20- July 3, 1945…the A’s last road win came on May 6 at Kansas City…are 0-4 on this nine-game road trip to Miami (0-3), Pittsburgh (0-1) and Milwaukee (three games)…it is the first of two three-city road trips this year…went 0-7 on the last road trip to Houston (0-3) and Seattle (0-4)…it was the eighth time in Oakland history the A’s went winless on a road trip of seven or more games, the first time since Aug. 11-17, 2015 when they went 0-7 against Toronto (0-3) and Baltimore (0-4)…are 5-26 (.161) on the road, which is the worst road record in the majors…went 2-4 on the last homestand against Houston (0-3) and Atlanta (2-1) and are 7-24 (.226) at home, which is the lowest home winning percentage in the majors.

OFFENSE: The A’s have gone homerless in six consecutive games, which matches the longest such streak by an A’s team over the last 13 years (last: May 19- 24, 2023)…last went homerless in seven straight from Aug. 8-15, 2010…have 57 home runs overall, which is tied for seventh fewest in the majors…were hit by a pitch three times yesterday, their fourth game with three or more hit by pitches this year…lead the majors with 38 hit by pitches overall and are on pace for 99, which would break the Athletics record of 98 set in 2021…are batting .186 (99-for-531) with 37 runs scored over the last 17 games (2.18 runs per game)…have scored 210 runs for the season (3.39 per game), which matches the Tigers for the fewest in the majors…have the lowest OPS (.645) and batting average (.218) in the majors, the second lowest slugging percentage (.347) and third lowest on-base percentage (.298)…rank second in fewest extra base hits (145), third in most strikeouts (577) and fourth in fewest doubles (82)…have 12 sacrifice hits, which is tied for second most to the Pirates (14)…have been shut out eight times, which is tied for the most in the majors…A’s pinch hitters lead the majors in hits (15) and walks (10) and rank second in plate appearances (66).

PITCHING: The A’s have a 6.69 ERA, which is the highest in the majors…according to the Elias Sports Bureau, the highest ERA by an AL or NL team since the earned run became an official stat is 6.70 by the 1930 Philadelphia Phillies… also have the highest opponents OPS (.861), batting average (.279), on-base percentage (.371) and slugging percentage (.491) in the majors this year…lead the majors in most walks (285), home runs (101) and hit batters (42), have the second most wild pitches (31) and are tied for the fifth fewest strikeouts (467)…have surrendered six grand slams, which are the most in the majors and tied for fifth most in a season in Athletics history (8 in 1993 and 1999, 7 in 1954 and 1997)…also lead the majors with 12 walks with the bases loaded, which matches the most by an A’s team over the last 11 years.

STARTING PITCHING: A’s starting pitchers are 0-16 with a 6.10 ERA (84 er in 124.0 ip) in the 26 games since recording their only two wins of the season on May 5 and 6 at Kansas City…went 0-16 over the first 32 games and are 2-32 with a 7.10 ERA for the season…the ERA is the highest in the majors and no other team has fewer than nine wins from its starters…the fewest wins from a starting rotation in a full season in Major League history is 21 by the Pirates last year…the A’s have the second fewest innings pitched this year (286.1).

FOR OPENERS: The A’s have used an opener four times this year, all in the previous 12 games…A’s openers are 0-2 with a 11.25 ERA (4.0 ip, 8 h, 5 r, 5 er, 4 so) and the “main” pitchers in those games are 0-2 with a 6.00 ERA (18.0 ip, 21 h, 12 r, 12 er, 7 bb, 22 so)…have lost all four games…used an opener nine times in 2018 (all in September) and three times in 2019 (none after June 5).

THE BULLPEN: The A’s bullpen is 0-for-2 in save opportunities over the last 28 games…the streak of 28 consecutive games without a save matches the second longest single-season streak in A’s history since the save became an official stat in 1969 (May 14-Aug. 10, 1981)…the longest single-season streak is a 30- game streak from June 1-July 2, 1980…the A’s last save was on May 6 at Kansas City…the pen is 4-for-15 (26.7%) in save opportunities for the season…has the lowest save percentage and fewest saves in the majors and the 11 blown saves are tied for ninth most…has the highest ERA in the majors (6.22) and the second most innings pitched (254.2)…has allowed 50-of-117 (42.77%) inherited runners to score, which is the third highest percentage…has the second most inherited runners.

ON THE BASES: The A’s are 58-for-73 (79.5%) in stolen base attempts…are tied for third in the majors in stolen bases and rank fourth in attempts…opponents are 47-for-65 (72.3%), which is the sixth lowest success rate in the majors… the 18 caught stealings are second most…A’s pitchers are tied for second in the majors in pickoffs (6).

WINNING LATE: The A’s have scored the winning run in their final at bat in eight of their 12 wins…have five walk-off wins, which is tied with the White Sox and Yankees for the most in the majors…have six wins when tied after seven innings, three when trailing after seven innings and three when leading after seven innings…are tied for the third most wins in the majors when tied after seven innings and are tied for ninth in wins when trailing after seven innings… however, no other team has fewer than 14 wins when leading after seven innings…are 3-4 (.429) in extra inning games…are tied for third in the majors in extra inning losses and tied for seventh in wins and games (7).

RUN DIFFERENTIAL: The A’s are 8-11 (.421) in one-run games…are tied for fifth in the majors in one-run losses and tied for eighth in games (19)…are 4-39 (.093) in games decided by two or more runs, including 0-14 in games decided by six or more runs…have a run differential of -213, which is the lowest in the majors…had a run differential of -202 all last year, which was second lowest in Oakland history (-287 in 1979).

A’s IN MAY: The A’s went 6-23 (.207) in May after going 5-23 (.179) in April…both records were the worst in the majors…set an Athletics record for losses in May after matched the A’s total from April this year for second most in any month in Oakland history (24 in June, 1979)…it is the 16th 20-loss month in Oakland history, the fourth in the last two years…it is the second time since 1954 the A’s had back-to-back 20-loss months…the other time was in May and June last year when they had 21 each month…the May winning percentage was second lowest in May in Athletics history (4-17, .190 in 1919)…compiled a 5.54 ERA in May after posting a 7.97 ERA in April, both of which were the highest in the majors…surrendered 49 home runs, which is second most in May in Athletics history (57 in 1964) and second most in any month in Oakland history (50 in April, 2023)…batted .208, which was the lowest mark in the majors and second lowest for any month in Athletics history (.207 in Aug. 1906)…struck out 264 times, which is the most in May in Athletics history…scored 87 runs, which was second fewest in the majors and third fewest in May in Oakland history…it was the fewest since 1978 (79).

THIS AND THAT: The A’s have an eight-game errorless streak, which is their longest over the last two years…however, have 35 errors for the season, which is tied for eighth most in the majors…had their 13th outfield assist last night, which is the most in the majors…are 11-25 (.306) in night games, 1-25 (.038) in day games…have employed 45 players, which is the most in the majors (Brewers, 44)…have used 29 pitchers, which is second most (Rays, 30)…have an average time of game of 2:45, which is the longest in the majors…however, have not averaged under 2:53 per game since 2010 (2:43).

A’S VS. PIRATES

  • The A’s and Pirates meet for the first time since 2019 when Oakland lost two of three at Pittsburgh.
  • Have lost three straight and seven of the last eight games after winning each of the first 11.
  • Have dropped four of the last five games in Pittsburgh.

Year Home Road Totals
2023 0-0 0-1 0-1
2019 0-0 1-2 1-2
Oakland History: 12-7
at the Coliseum: 6-3
PNC Park: 6-4

TODAY’S TIDBITS
Ryan Noda leads Major League rookies in on-base percentage (.403) and walks (39), ranks fifth in OPS (.829), tied for fifth in runs (29), seventh in doubles (12) and slugging (.446), eighth in extra base hits (19) and tied for ninth in home runs (6)…Esteury Ruiz leads ML rookies in stolen bases (29) and hit by pitches (12), ranks second in hits (64), tied for fourth in doubles (14), seventh in batting (.267), tied for seventh in RBI (25), 10th in on-base percentage (.328) and tied for 10th in extra base hits (16).

TODAY’S STARTING PITCHER: James Kaprielian (0-6, 8.12 ERA)
FOR STARTERS: Was recalled from Triple-A Las Vegas May 20 for his third stint with the A’s this year…is 0-4 with a 4.57 ERA (21.2 ip, 22 h, 12 r, 11 er, 8 bb, 20 so) in four starts over his last two stints after going 0-2 with a 12.94 ERA in six games, including three starts, over his first stint…was on the A’s Opening Day roster and went 0-2 with a 12.15 ERA in three starts before moving to the bullpen…posted a 16.88 ERA in three relief appearances before he was optioned to Las Vegas on April 25…returned on May 13, started at lost to Texas that day and was optioned back to Triple-A the next day…did not pitch with the Aviators before he was recalled by Oakland on May 20.

0-6: Has started the season 0-6 after beginning the year 0-5 last season… is the first A’s pitcher to start the season 0-6 since Mike Mohler lost each of his first eight decisions in 1997…besides Mohler, the only other pitcher in Oakland history to start his season with a losing streak of more than six games is Matt Keough, who went 0-14 in 1979…the six-game losing streak is a career high…his six losses are tied for sixth most in the majors…went 0-5 with a 5.98 ERA and .853 opponents OPS over his first 10 starts last year from May 1-June 21…then went 5-4 with a 3.30 ERA and .669 OPS over his final 16 starts.

SEVEN INNINGS OR FEWER: Has tossed 7.0 innings or fewer in each of his seven starts this year and has now pitched seven innings or fewer in all 54 of his career starts…that is the longest streak of consecutive starts of seven innings or fewer in Athletics history (previous: 47, Montas, Sept. 25, 2019-April 18, 2022).

OPPONENTS BATTING: Has allowed six of his seven home runs to left-handed hitters and has a 1.104 OPS against left-handed hitters compared to .775 against right-handers…opponents are 15-for-45 (.333) with runners in scoring position, including 4-for-5 (.800) with two walks, a double and two grand slams with the bases loaded…as a starter, he has a .315 (17-for-54) opponents batting average the first time through the order, .296 (16-for-54) the second time and .233 (7-for-30) after that…opponents are 8-for-13 (.615) with a double and three home runs when putting the first pitch in play.

THIS AND THAT: Has a 6.43 ERA (15 er in 21.0 ip) over innings 1-3, a 10.26 ERA (19 er in 16.2 ip) from the fourth inning on…the A’s are 0-7 in his starting assignments and have been shut out three times in his seven starts…left with an 8-5 lead in his first start but the bullpen allowed seven runs for the blown save…left with the lead in five of his starts last year only to have the bullpen blow the save…now has 21 career no decisions as a starter and has left with the lead and was the pitcher of record in 10 of those no decisions.

2023 DAY-BY-DAY: Had a no decision in his first start on April 3 against Cleveland, a 12-11 A’s loss in 10 innings…left with an 8-5 lead but the bullpen blew the save…allowed a season-high seven runs in an 11-0 loss at Tampa Bay on April 9…surrendered a career-high tying three home runs and logged a career-high 106 pitches…walked a career-high seven batters in a 17-6 loss to New York (NL) on April 14…the walks were the most by an A’s pitcher since Sonny Gray also walked seven on May 3, 2015…tossed 3.2 innings, which is a season-low as a starter…was 0-2 with a 12.15 ERA in three starts when he was moved to the bullpen following the start against the Mets…allowed at least five runs in each of those starts to join Todd Van Poppel (1994) as the only pitchers on an Opening Day roster in Oakland history to allow five or more runs in each of their first three starts…tossed a scoreless inning of relief on April 18 against Chicago (AL), but then allowed three runs in 1.0 inning on April 22 at Texas and two in 0.2 innings on April 24 at Los Angeles (AL) and was optioned to Las Vegas on April 25…was recalled on May 13 and struck out a season-high seven in a career-high tying 7.0 innings that day against Texas…allowed three runs and took the loss in a 5-0 decision and was optioned back to Las Vegas the next day…was recalled on May 20 and started and lost in the A’s 2-0 decison the next day at Houston, despite allowing just one run in 5.0 innings…allowed a season-high eight hits in 5.0 innings in a 5-2 loss to Houston May 26 in Oakland.

LAST START: He was the losing pitcher in the A’s 4-2 loss to Atlanta last Wednesday in Oakland…retired 13 of the first 14 batters, allowing just a one out single to Arcia in the third…then allowed three runs in the fifth inning on a two-run home run to Albies and a bases loaded hit by pitch by Riley… was relieved by Lovelady with two outs in the fifth and the A’s trailing 3-0

PITTSBURGH PIRATES NOTES:

THE PIRATES: Have won six straight games since falling under .500 (26-27) following their loss on 5/29 (the first time the team was under .500 since 4/2)…Have four separate winning streaks of at least four games this season, including a season-high seven-game winning streak from 4/17-23, their longest winning streak since 2018 (11 games)…Are 0.5 game ahead of the second place Brewers in the National League Central coming into today…Are in sole possession of first place for the first time since 5/11.

RAISE IT: The Pirates bring a six-game winning streak into today (the longest active win streak in MLB)…Pittsburgh’s pitching staff has recorded a 2.83 ERA (54.0ip/17er) during this six game stretch, highlighted by a 1.13 ERA (24.0ip/3er) by the bullpen…The Pirates won a season-high seven straight games earlier this year from April 17-23…The Pirates have not had two winning streaks of at least six games since 2016…A victory tonight would give the team two winning streaks of at least seven games for the first time since 2015.

K IS FOR KELLER: Mitch Keller has struck eight-plus batters in seven consecutive outings, which is the longest streak by a Pirate in the modern era (since 1901)…Prior to Keller, the longest streak had been five by Oliver Perez from June 10-July 2, 2004…The only other pitcher in MLB this season to accomplish at least eight strikeouts in seven or more consecutive games is Atlanta’s Spencer Strider (eight straight from April 1 to May 12).

MITCH AND A.J.: Mitch Keller comes into today ranked second in the National League with 93 strikeouts…He is the first pitcher in club history to amass 90-plus strikeouts prior to June 1…Prior to Keller, the previous high was 89, done by A.J. Burnett in 2013 (89).

SEVEN!, SEVEN!, SEVEN!: Mitch Keller earned his seventh win in his last start Wednesday afternoon against the Giants at Oracle Park (he comes into today tied for the National League lead in that department)…Keller became the first Pirate since Gerrit Cole in 2015 to accumulate seven wins before June 1.

I WANT TO RUN: The Pirates stole three bases last night and have now swiped nine bags in their last five games…Pittsburgh is 21-13 in games when the team records at least one stolen base this season.

WORKING THE COUNT: Last night the Pirates walked a season-high 10 times, which was the most in a game since being issued 11 free passes on September 26, 2021, at Philadelphia…The Bucs are fourth in all of MLB with a 9.5 percent walk rate according to FanGraphs…In addition, Pittsburgh’s 24 percent chase rate is the second-best in all of MLB behind the Dodgers (23.5 percent)…According to TruMedia the league average chase rate is 28 percent.

CLOSING IN ON 2000 HITS: Andrew McCutchen comes into today just three hits shy of 2000 in his career…McCutchen has recorded 1512 of his 1997 hits with the Pirates organization…McCutchen’s 1512 hits with Pittsburgh ranks 12th in team history…Hall-of-Famer Roberto Clemente is first with 3000 while Tommy Leach is 11th (1603).

KEEPING UP WITH CUTCH’S MILESTONES: Andrew McCutchen is just one double shy of 400 in his career (his next double will also be his 300th as a Pirate)…McCutchen ranks seventh all-time in Pirates history in doubles (Hall-of-Famer Pie Traynor is sixth with 371).

BAE, BAE, BAE: Ji Hwan Bae is hitting at a .370 clip (17-for-46) in his last 15 games… Bae’s .370 average since May 19 ranks fifth in all of MLB behind Luis Arraez (.450), Josh Jung (.403), Whit Merrifield (.383) and Freddie Freeman (.381).

THE HOT CORNER: Ke’Bryan Hayes has hit safely in each of his last five games, going 10-for-20 with a double, triple, home run and seven RBI…Hayes ranks fifth among all National League third basemen in total bases (86) behind Austin Riley (103), Jeimer Candelario (98), Max Muncy (96) and and Nolan Arenado (88).

STARTING PITCHER – 23 – RHP MITCH KELLER
YEAR W-L ERA G GS CG SHO IP H R ER BB SO
2023 7-1 3.25 12 12 1 1 74.2 64 31 27 17 93

MITCH KELLER: The 27-year-old righthander will make his 13th start of the season this evening…He won his fourth straight decision in his last start, allowing four runs in 6.0 innings while also striking out eight batters Wednesday at San Francisco.

VS. OAKLAND: Has never faced the A’s in his career.

MLB Preview: Detroit Tigers (26-32) at Philadelphia Phillies (28-32)

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MLB Preview: Detroit Tigers (26-32) at Philadelphia Phillies (28-32)

DETROIT TIGERS NOTES:

TIGERS DROP OPENER TO PHILLIES: The Tigers lost the series opener to the Phillies, 8-3, last night. Nick Maton drove in all three runs for Detroit, hitting a three-run homer in the seventh inning. Zach McKinstry and Zack Short each added a hit in the game. Joey Wentz started for the Tigers and took the loss, allowing five runs on seven hits with five walks and four strikeouts in 4.2 innings. Chasen Shreve pitched 1.1 scoreless innings in relief, striking out two.

WELCOME BACK WOLFIE: Playing in his first regular season game against the Phillies since being traded last January, Nick Maton went 1×2 with a three-run homer, his sixth of the season, and a walk in last night’s game. Maton, who was drafted by the Phillies in the seventh round of the 2017 MLB Draft, appeared in 86 games with Philadelphia over the last two seasons, hitting .254/.330/.434 with nine doubles, two triples, seven home runs and 31 RBI.

ZACH ATTACK: Zach McKinstry reached base twice in last night’s game, going 1×3 with a walk. Dating back to May 8, he has reached base safely in 20 of his last 24 games, slashing .308/.433/.436 with two doubles, a triple, two home runs and five RBI. McKinstry ranks fourth in the American League and sixth in the Majors with a .433 on-base percentage in that span.

TIGERS AND PHILLIES: The Tigers and Phillies continue their only series of the season tonight. The two teams last met in 2019 with Philadelphia winning three-of-four games. Detroit has a 12-11 advantage in the all-time series, including a 5-4 edge in games played in Philadelphia.

INTERLEAGUE ACTION: The Tigers continue their interleague schedule tonight against the Phillies. Detroit is 11-6 against National League foes this season, including a 4-3 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 0-4 on their current six-game road trip, which includes three games at Chicago (AL) (0-3) and three games at Philadelphia (0-1). Detroit is 12-19 on the road this season. As a team, the Tigers are hitting .214/.288/.332 away from Comerica Park, while the pitching staff has a 4.48 ERA (269.0IP/134ER).

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 – #70 Tyler Alexander • 1-0, 6.38 ERA (24.0IP/17ER)

  • Alexander will make his 17th appearance and first start of the season tonight at Philadelphia.
  • Last pitched on May 29 against Texas, throwing a scoreless inning with one hit allowed and one strikeout.
  • Will be making his first career appearance against the Phillies and at Citizens Bank Park tonight.
  • Struck out a career-high seven batters and allowed only one run on six hits in 5.2 innings on April 14 vs. San Francisco.
  • Has started 42 games in his career, posting a 4-19 record with a 4.73 ERA (196.0IP/103ER) and 145 strikeouts…in 69 relief appearances, he is 6-3 with a 4.16 ERA (125.1IP/58ER) and 107 strikeouts.
  • Has issued just two walks in 24.0 innings this season…for his career, has walked 71 batters in 321.1 innings…since making his debut on July 3, 2019, he leads all active American League pitchers (min. 300 innings) in fewest walks allowed, while ranking fourth in walk rate (5.2%).

PHILADELPHIA PHILLIES NOTES:

GAME #60 RECAP: With Rhys Hoskins in the dugout, the Phillies defeated the Detroit Tigers, 8-3, at an electric Citizens Bank Park … Starter Aaron Nola (W, 5-4) carried a no-hitter into the 7th inning – he went 7.0 innings and allowed 3 R (0 ER) on 1 hit with 3 walks and 12 strikeouts … Trea Turner homered twice and went 4-for-5 at the plate with 3 runs and 3 RBI … Bryce Harper and Nick Castellanos each added 2 hits.

SEE THE BALL, HIT THE BALL, HARD: The Phillies enter play tonight having out-hit the opposition in six consecutive games (since 5/31) … Over the last three games, the Phillies have scored 23 runs and are batting .330 (35-106) with 6 doubles, 8 home runs and 16 walks to 24 strikeouts … Per Statcast, over the last three games, the Phillies have put 48 hard hit balls (95+ MPH) into play (14 on 6/3 at WSH, 18 on 6/4 at WSH & 16 last night vs DET) … It marks Philadelphia’s most hard hit balls in play over a three-game span in the Statcast era (since 2015) … The previous high for a three-game span was 47, done twice (both last season): July 29-31, 2022 (16 at PIT, 12 at PIT, 19 at PIT) and April 19-22, 2022 (12 at COL, 20 at COL, 15 vs MIL) … In June, the Phillies rank 1st in MLB in barrels with 17, 2nd in hard hit balls in play with 65 (best: TOR, 71) & hard hit rate at 48.5% (best: TOR, 54.6 %) and 4th in average exit velocity at 91.5 MPH (best: TOR, 92.1 MPH) … Eight of Philadelphia’s 11 best games for average exit velocity this season have come in the past 22 days (since 5/15).

TREA DAY: Last night, Trea Turner went 4-for-5 with 3 R, 2 HR and 3 RBI in an 8-3 Phils win … For Turner it was his 12th career multi-homer game (last: 7/16/22 at LAA) and first with the Phillies … Since first hitting in the cleanup spot on Saturday, Turner is 5-for-13 with 2 HR, 4 RBI and 1 BB to 1 SO … As laid out in the chart below, 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 96.1 MPH in June and he has cut down on his swing and miss rate from 34.4% in April to 20.8% in June.

SCHWARBERFEST IS BACK: In the modern era (since 1900), 1,896 major league players have made at least 500 plate appearances in the month of June … Out of those 1,896, 10 players have a career SLG of .600 or greater in the month, and of those 10, eight players are enshrined in Cooperstown with the other two being Mike Trout and Kyle Schwarber … Lou Gehrig ranks 1st (.739 SLG), Babe Ruth 2nd (.710), Larry Walker 3rd (.641), Ted Williams 4th (.635), Hank Greenberg 5th (.621), Jim Thome 6th (.616), Jimmie Foxx 7th (.615), Mike Trout 8th (.606), Kyle Schwarber 9th (.605) and Rogers Hornsby 10th (.603) … Schwarber has 49 home runs in 479 career at bats during June and his 9.78 AB/HR average ranks 1st among all players in MLB since at least 1900 (min. 500 PA) – Babe Ruth ranks 2nd at 10.63 … Last June, Schwarber hit 12 home runs in 27 games and slashed .372/.385/.680 with a 1.065 OPS in 122 plate appearances as he was named National League Player of the Month, his second consecutive POM Award in June (also 2021 with WSH) … Over the last three months of June combined, Schwarber has 30 home runs (61 total hits, 49.1%) and is slashing .272/.373/.705 in 59 games (263 PA).

THANK YOU FOR YOUR PATIENCE: Over his last two plus months and 241 plate appearances (since 4/4), Kyle Schwarber has posted a .784 OPS with 15 home runs and 44 walks to 69 strikeouts – in that span, Schwarber is running a .182 BABIP which ranks 106th out of the 106 MLB players with 200 PA in that stretch (Max Muncy ranks 105th with a .194 BABIP, 12 points higher than Schwarber) … Out of those same 106 players, Schwarber ranks 3rd with an 18.3% walk rate and T-5th in home runs (15) … 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 (92.6 MPH), 90th percentile in barrel rate (14.8%) and 86th percentile in hard hit rate (48.9%).

LET THE GOOD VIBES ROLL: Through 25 games at Citizens Bank Park, the Phillies are averaging 39,205 in attendance per game which ranks 5th among all clubs in MLB behind only the Dodgers (47,916), Cardinals (39,968), Yankees (39,858) and Padres (39,288) … Of Philadelphia’s first 25 games at home, 13 have been sellouts (52%) and 17 have been over 35,000 (68%) … Among all clubs in MLB, the Phillies have the largest year-to-year increase in attendance per game this season at +11,698 (up from 27,507 per game through 25 home games in 2022) … The Toronto Blue Jays rank 2nd behind the Phillies among all clubs in year-to-year attendance growth at +6,417 and the Pittsburgh Pirates rank 2nd among NL teams at +5,158 … The Phils have welcomed 980,128 fans to CBP so far this year – through 25 games last season, the Phillies had 687,681 in attendance (+292,447 in 2023).

BULLISH ON THE PEN: Since April 16, the Phillies bullpen has the lowest ERA in MLB at 2.79 (50 ER, 161.1 IP) … Philadelphia’s bullpen has faced 680 batters during this stretch and limited them to a .225/.297/.339 slash line with a .636 OPS that ranks 2nd in MLB behind only SD (.594) … Per Statcast, since April 16, the Phillies bullpen is running the lowest hard-hit rate of any bullpen in MLB (31.4%) with the lowest average exit velocity on balls in play (86.9 MPH) … This season, the Phils are 20-3 when leading after 6 (.870 win %), 22-3 when leading after 7 (.880 win %) and 25-1 (.962 win %) when leading after 8.

TONIGHT’S STARTER – TAIJUAN WALKER • RHP #99
2023: 4-3, 5.65 ERA Career: 58-53, 3.99 ERA

LAST START: 6/1 at NYM: L, 4.0 IP, 2 H, 3 ER, 1 HR, 3 BB, 2 SO …
Walker vs Scherzer … The Phillies fell to the New York Mets, 4-2, and were swept in a three-game series at Citi Field … Philadelphia jumped in front early with 2 runs in the 1st but failed to score again … The Phillies’ six hits were all singles, 3 of which came off the bat of Nick Castellanos.

TONIGHT’S START:

  • Doing the Splits: Walker has used his splitter 34.8% of the time in 2023, the highest rate of his career (previous: 27.6% in 2022) … He has thrown it more often than any other pitch (341 times, next: sinker, 224 times) and has surrendered just 3 XBH (2B, 3B, HR) on it. Walker threw his splitter for 46 of 85 pitches on 5/7 and 46 of 105 pitches on 4/9, the most he has ever thrown the pitch in a game in his career (previous: 43 times, 6/2/22 & 8/8/16). 20 of his 45 strikeouts have come via the splitter and his 20.7 strikeout percentage and 24.3 whiff percentage with the pitch are the 5th-best and 7th-best marks in the NL (min. 25 PA), respectively.
  • Limiting Lefties: This season, Walker has held lefties to a .232 (23-99) AVG, compared to a .288 AVG (34-118) against righties … Since his debut year, 2013, Walker has limited left-handed batters to a .232 AVG (395-1702), 13th-best among active righthanded arms during that span (min. 1,500 LHB faced).
  • Pick ‘em Off: Walker’s 20 successful pickoff attempts since the start of the 2015 season are tied for the 5th-most among active major league pitchers in that span and tied for 2nd-most among active righties. Is one of 7 right-handed hurlers with multiple successful pickoffs this season.
  • From the Ground Up: Walker’s 50.6% ground ball rate is the 8th-highest among all NL pitchers (min. 40.0 IP).
  • vs AL Central: 10-4, 3.38 ERA (40 ER, 106.2 IP) in 18 games.

HOME:

  • 2023: 1-0, 3.60 ERA (8 ER, 20.0 IP) in 4 starts.
  • Career: 25-21, 3.80 ERA (195 ER, 461.1 IP) in 84 games (82
    starts).
  • CBP: 2-1, 4.50 ERA (22 ER, 44.0 IP) in 9 starts.

2023 SEASON:

  • On 5/21 vs CHI, Walker made his 1st career start on 3 days rest and notched his 1st scoreless appearance of at least 5.0 innings since 7/10/22 vs MIA (7.0 IP)
  • Made his Phillies debut on 4/3 at NYY after signing a 4-year contract with the club in December.
  • Pitched for Team Mexico in the 2023 World Baseball Classic, making 1 start in Pool Play against Great Britain … He threw 4.0 scoreless IP with 2 baserunners allowed and recorded 8 of his 12 outs via strikeout.

MLB Preview: Los Angeles Dodgers (35-25) at Cincinnati Reds (27-33)

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LOS ANGELES DODGERS NOTES

TONIGHT’S STARTER at REDS: RHP TONY GONSOLIN (3-1, 1.77 ERA in 7 GS)
2023 SEASON NOTES:

  • Got his third win of the season in his start against Washington May 30th, tossing six innings of one-run ball on three hits, two walks and punching out two…had wins in back-to-back starts (5/14 and 5/19)
  • 2022 All-Star tossed his first win of the season on May 8th against San Diego after firing five scoreless innings and giving up two hits, one walk, and tying a season-high six strikeouts
  • In his rehab start with Triple-A Oklahoma City on April 20th, he hurled three innings, allowing one hit, two earned runs, two walks while sitting down seven
  • Made one Spring Training start, tossing 2.1 innings, allowing no runs on three hits, while walking two and striking out two

VS. REDS:

  • Has pitched in three games against Cincinnati (two starts) in his career…had produced a 1-0 record with a 3.97 ERA (5 ER/11.1 IP) and eight
    strikeouts against six walks
  • In his last appearance against the club on June 21, 2022, he fired 5.0 innings while giving up three hits, two runs, two home runs and one walk while striking out four en route to the win

CINCINNATI REDS NOTES:
TRANSACTIONS

  • Today the Reds recalled from Louisville IF Elly De La Cruz (#44); placed on the 10-day injured list, retroactive to Sunday, 3B/OF Nick Senzel (right knee); sent to Louisville on a rehabilitation assignment RHP Casey Legumina (right ankle contusion); RHP Frank German (HER-mahn), designated for assignment yesterday to make room on the roster for LHP Andrew Abbott, cleared waivers and was outrighted to Louisville.

RED HOTS

  • LHP Andrew Abbott last night become the only Reds pitcher since 1893, when the mound was moved to its current distance, to record in his Major League debut at least 6.0 scoreless innings while allowing no more than 1 hit…allowed only a double to Joey Wiemer with 1 out in the top of the fifth inning.
  • Reds relievers didn’t allow a run in any of the last 3 games (10ip, 5h, 0bb, 7k, .156baa).
  • Reds batters are tied for third in the Major Leagues with 58 stolen bases (TB 82, Pit 67, Oak 58), matching last season’s total…haven’t recorded more than 58 steals in a season since 2019 (80sb).
  • Matt McLain’s caught stealing last night snapped a streak in which Reds base runners had been successful on 18 consecutive stolen base attempts, their longest streak since 7/20-8/6, 2016, when they stole 23 straight bases without getting caught…courtesy @EliasSports.
  • The Reds are tied for 28th in the Major Leagues with 48 HR (Cle 35, Wsh 46, Det 48), their fewest in 60 games since the 1974 team produced 48 HR through its first 60 games…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.

TONIGHT’S GAME

  • Is Game 1 of a 3-game series vs Juan Dorado’s Dodgers and Game 5 (1-3) of a 7-game homestand that included a 3-1 series loss to the Brewers.
  • Following this homestand, 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

  • The Dodgers’ .625 winning percentage at Great American Ball Park (40-24) is the best by any National League team.
  • Dating back to a 3-1 win on 9/17/21 at Great American Ball Park, the Reds have lost the last 9 games vs LAD.
  • 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).

@REDSONTHE RISE

  • 1B Spencer Steer was May’s National League Rookie of the Month… in August 2022 was acquired from the Twins in the Tyler Mahle trade.
  • Rookie SS Matt McLain was last week’s National League Player of the Week…he was the Reds’ first-round pick in 2021 (17th overall).
  • LHP Andrew Abbott last night vs the Brewers made his Major League debut after just 41 minor league apps…when promoted, he led all minor league pitchers in strikeouts…was the Reds’ second-round pick in 2021.
  • Class AA Chattanooga IF Noelvi Marte was MiLB’s Southern League Player of the Month…in July 2022 was acquired from the Mariners in the Luis Castillo trade.
  • Class A Dayton RHP Julian Aguiar was MiLB’s Midwest League Player of the Month…he was the Reds’ 12th-round pick in 2021.
  • Class A Daytona OF Hector Rodríguez was MiLB’s Florida State League Player of the Month…in July 2022 was acquired from the Mets in the Tyler Naquin trade.

Tonight’s Pitcher – #34 Luke Weaver, RHP
Tonight is making his ninth career appearance and sixth start vs the Dodgers.

  • In the 4-3 loss on 4/20 at Pit, came off the 15-day injured list to make his 2023 season and Reds debuts…in the first inning allowed all 4 runs on 3 hits, including 2-out, back-to-back home runs by Connor Joe (3-run) and Jack Suwinski (solo)…in his last 5.0 innings faced only 16 batters and retired his last 10 batters…Joe’s 3-run HR snapped Weaver’s career-high 29.0-inning homerless streak (24g) dating back to his only start of 2022 (6/18/22 vs Min, Gary Sánchez).
  • On 3/8, left his third spring training appearance with right forearm tightness…didn’t pitch in another Cactus League “A” game for the Reds.
  • On Opening Day went on the 15-day injured list with a right elbow flexor strain, snapping his 5-season streak on an active Opening Day roster (Cardinals 2018, Diamondbacks 2019-2022).
  • On 4/9 and 4/14 made 2 rehabilitation apps with Louisville (0-0, 3.00, 9ip, 3h, 3er, 4bb, 9k, 1hr, 0.78whip, .107baa).
  • On 1/13/23 was signed to a 1-year contract through the 2023 season

MLB Preview: Chicago White Sox (26-35) at New York Yankees (36-25)

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MLB Preview: Chicago White Sox (26-35) at New York Yankees (36-25)

HICAGO WHITE SOX NOTES:

WHITE SOX AT A GLANCE
The Chicago White Sox have won three straight games, four of their last five and 19 of 33 as they open a brief three-game series tonight at Yankee Stadium.

RHP Lucas Giolito is scheduled to start the series opener for the White Sox, who are in fourth place in the American League Central, 2.0 games behind second-place Cleveland and 5.5 behind first-place Minnesota.

The Sox are coming off a 4-2 homestand vs. the Angels (1-2) and Detroit (3-0), which ended on Sunday with a 6-2 victory over the Tigers on Jake Burger’s ninth-inning grand slam.

Following this series, the 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 3-4 on their last trip to Cleveland (2-1) and Detroit (1-3) from 5/22-28.

TONIGHT’S STORYLINES
The White Sox are 19-14 (.576) since 4/30, the sixth-best record in the American League and best in the AL Central.

Sox pitchers have recorded a 3.02 ERA (63 ER/187.2 IP) in 21 games since 5/13, the best mark in MLB … the bullpen owns a 2.33 ERA (19 ER/73.1 IP) during that span, while the starting rotation is at 3.46 (44 ER/114.1 IP).

Eloy Jiménez is hitting .385/.421/.615 (20-52) with three home runs, 15 RBI and 10 runs scored over his last 13 games.

Jiménez is a 389/.439/.806 (14-36) hitter with five homers and 14 RBI in 10 career games against the Yankees.

The White Sox are 6-6 at Yankee Stadium since 2018, including a doubleheader sweep on 5/22/22 (8-1 margin).

HAMILTON ON ASSIGNMENT
The White Sox have sent OF Billy Hamilton to Class AAA Charlotte on an injury rehab assignment.

Hamilton, 32, has been on the injured list since 5/10 (retro to 5/4) with a left hamstring strain.

SUNDAY’S RECAP
Jake Burger hit a game-ending grand slam off Alex Lange with one out in the ninth inning as the White Sox completed a three-game sweep of Detroit with a 6-2 victory.

Pinch-hitter Andrew Benintendi led off the ninth with a single off Lange … Yoán Moncada and Tim Anderson drew one-out walks to set up Burger’s first career walkoff homer and the ninth walkoff grand slam in White Sox history and first since José Abreu on 4/25/14 vs. Tampa Bay off Grant Balfour (Elias).

Michael Kopech posted a ND despite allowing just two runs on three hits with one walk and nine strikeouts over 7.0 IP … Joe Kelly pitched a scoreless eighth, and Liam Hendriks threw a 1-2-3 ninth with two strikeouts to earn the victory on National Cancer Survivors Day.

Anderson, Luis Robert Jr. and Eloy Jiménez collected two hits apiece for the Sox.

RISING TO THE TOP
Beginning tonight, the White Sox will play seven consecutive series (22 games) from 6/6-29 vs. teams at or above .500.

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

The Sox are 11-21 this season vs. teams with a record at or above .500 at the time of the game.

ALRIGHTY THEN
Tonight marks the 180th consecutive game 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 130), 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.

MIND THE GAP
The White Sox have gone 19-14 (.576) since 4/30, the best record in the American League Central and sixth-best overall in the AL.

A breakdown of the Sox first 28 games and last 33:
W-L AVG R R/G HR OBP SLG OPS ERA IP QS ER HR SO
19-14 .251 156 4.7 35 .305 .402 .707 3.80 296.0 15 125 41 295
7-21 .227 106 3.8 26 .288 .367 .655 5.88 243.1 8 159 44 272

WHITE SOX VS. NEW YORK YANKEES
The White Sox and Yankees play six times this season, including another three-game series in Chicago from 8/7-9.

The Sox went 3-4 in 2022, losing three of four games at home from 5/12-15 and winning two of three 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 20-33 during that span (9-16 on the road).

LOOKING FOR AN EDGE VS. THE EAST
The White Sox are 2-11 against American League East teams this season, going 2-5 at home and 0-6 on the road … they have been outscored, 94-49.

The Sox suffered back-to-back three-game sweeps at Tampa Bay (4/21-23) and Toronto (4/24-26).

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

ROTATION SENSATION
White Sox starting pitchers own a 3.46 ERA (44 ER/114.1 IP) with a .208 (94-453) opponents average and 118 strikeouts in 21 games since 5/13 … they lead MLB in opponents average, ranks third in WHIP (1.16) and fourth in ERA and OPS (.674).

During that stretch, Sox starters have made five 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
9-5 3.46 1.16 11 114.1 90 48 44 15 43 118 6.3 .215 .674

BULLPEN RELIEF
The White Sox bullpen has posted a 2.33 ERA (19 ER/73.1 IP) with a .176 (45-256) opponents average and a 1.01 WHIP in 21 games since 5/13 … during that stretch, the pen leads MLB in opponents average, ranks third in WHIP and fourth in ERA

The bullpen owns a 0.00 ERA (34.2 IP) with a .115 (13-113) opponents average in the last 12 victories (since 5/16) a 0.33 mark (2 ER/54.0 IP) in the last 18 wins (since 5/2).

The bullpen since 5/13:
W-L ERA WHIP SV IP H R ER HR BB SO HR/9.0 AVG OPS
4-3 2.33 1.01 5 73.1 45 20 19 15 29 64 0.61 .176 .556

HOME BODY
Jake Burger is hitting .346/.395/.846 (27-78) with 11 home runs, 26 RBI and a 1.242 OPS over 26 games at home this season.

Burger leads MLB in home runs at home and ranks among the leaders in RBI (T3rd), total bases (T6th, 66) and extra-base hits (T9th, 16) … among players with at least 85 plate appearances, he leads MLB in slugging percentage and OPS at home.

Burger has recorded 19 of his 21 career home runs and 31 of his 43 extra-base hits at Guaranteed Rate Field.

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 is tied for third in MLB with 13 go-ahead RBI and tied for fifth with seven game-winning RBI.

POSTING PUNCHOUTS
White Sox pitchers rank fifth in MLB with 567 strikeouts, including 28 games with 10 or more … Sox starters rank second in MLB with 347 strikeouts, 11 behind Minnesota (358).

SOUTHPAW SUCCESS
The White Sox are batting .273/.338/.443 vs. left-handed pitching since the start of the 2019 season … during that span, the Sox lead MLB in average, rank second in on-base percentage, third in OPS (.781) and fifth in slugging percentage.

Tim Anderson leads MLB with a .353 (152-431) average vs. left-handers since 2019.

STARTING PITCHER – #27 LUCAS GIOLITO RHP
GIOLITO AT A GLANCE
Is scheduled to make his 13th start of the season, seventh on the road and first vs. the New York Yankees.

Has gone 4-4 with a 3.34 ERA (22 ER/59.1 IP), .220 (48-218) opponents average and 60 strikeouts over his last 10 starts … has tossed 6.0-plus IP in eight of the 10 starts and has allowed two runs or less in six.

Opponents are hitting .234 (15-64) against him with RISP and .269 (7-26) with RISP/two outs in 2023.

Is 69 strikeouts away from becoming the 12th pitcher in White Sox history with 1,000 (58 strikeouts away from 1,000 in his career).

Finished sixth in the AL Cy Young Award voting in 2019, seventh in 2020 and tied for 11th in 2021.

Threw the 19th no-hitter in White Sox history on 8/25/20 vs. Pittsburgh, walking one with 13 strikeouts.

Was a finalist for a Rawlings(R) Gold Glove and Comeback Player of the Year Awards and was a 2019 AL All-Star.

Won AL Pitcher of the Month honors in May 2019 and AL Player of Week for 8/24-30/20 and 5/27-6/2/19.

LAST START
Earned his fourth win of the season on 5/30 vs. the Los Angeles Angels, allowing three runs on four hits (season-high tying two home runs) with two walks and five strikeouts … allowed a leadoff home run to Taylor Ward and solo shot to Shohei Ohtani in the fourth inning.

Departed the game in the sixth with the White Sox leading, 6-3 … threw 97 pitches (64 strikes).

Owned a 61.6 first-strike percentage and 12.3 swinging-strike percentage (17 swing and misses) vs. 21 batters … threw 40 sliders (94.3 mph avg; 86.3 mph max), 32 four-seam fastballs (93.2 avg; 94.5 max) and 25 changeups (81.6 avg; 83.8 max).

ROAD WOES
Owns a 1-3 record with a 5.68 ERA (20 ER/31.2 IP) and .292 (38-130) opponents average in six road starts this year, compared to a 3-1 record with a 2.70 ERA (11 ER/36.2 IP) and .205 (27-132) opponents average in six home starts.

His .292 opponents average on the road is the fourth-highest among American League pitchers (min. 130 PA).

POSTING PUNCHOUTS
Has recorded 14 career starts with 10-plus strikeouts, tied with teammate Dylan Cease for fourth-most in White Sox history … needs one double-digit strikeout game to tie Juan Pizarro for third place.

Recorded consecutive 10-plus strikeout games twice in his career from 8/20-25/20 (two) and 8/16-27/19 (three).

His last double-digit strikeout game came on 5/4/22 at the Cubs (10 SO).

THE QUALITY KID
Is tied for the team lead and is tied for 12th in the American League with six quality starts this season.

Has tossed 77 quality starts in his career, fifth-most in the American League since 2017.

EFFICIENCY IS KEY
Is averaging 95 pitches per start, 16.7 pitches per inning and 3.94 pitches per batter faced this season … his pitches per start and pitches per inning are the lowest by a White Sox pitcher in 2023 while his pitches per batter faced are the second-lowest.

BITTEN BY THE LONG BALL
Has allowed 62 home runs since the start of the 2021 season, tied for the eighth-most in baseball … is averaging 1.37 HR/9.0 IP during that span.

Has surrendered 11 home runs over his 12 starts this season, allowing one three-run homer, one two-run and nine solo shots … has allowed six homers on the road, three at home, five vs. left-handed hitters and four vs. righties.

VS. NEW YORK YANKEES || A.L. EAST
Is scheduled to make his fifth career start against the Yankees and second at Yankee Stadium.

Owns a 2.70 ERA (3 ER/10.0 IP) over his last two starts, compared to a 11.70 ERA (13 ER/10.0 IP) in his first two.

Last faced New York-AL on 8/15/21 at Guaranteed Rate Field, suffering the loss after allowing three runs (two earned) on six hits (one home run) with three walks and eight strikeouts over 4.0 IP.

Has gone 10-8 with a 4.69 ERA (81 ER/155.1 IP) and .259 (157-607) opponents average in 28 career starts (14 quality) against the American League East.

Is 0-1 with a 3.95 ERA (6 ER/13.2 IP) in two starts against the AL East in 2023.

NEW YORK YANKEES NOTES:

AT A GLANCE: The Yankees begin a six-game homestand tonight with the first game of a three-game set vs. Chicago-AL (through Thurs.)…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 36-25 (.590), have the fifth-best record in the AL and sixth-best record in the Majors.

Have won six of their last eight games, 11 of their last 16 games, 13 of their last 19 games, 15 of their last 22 games and 18 of their last 26 games.

Are 21-10 (.677) in their last 31 games (since 5/2), the second-best record in the Majors in that span, trailing only Texas (22-9, .710).

Are a season-high-tying 11G over .500 (also 11G on 5/30 at 34-23).

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

WHERE WE LEFT OFF: The Yankees clinched a series win over the Dodgers with a 4-1 victory at Dodger Stadium on Sunday…RHP Domingo Germán (6.2IP, 4H, 1ER, 1BB, 6K, 1HR) did not record a decision despite allowing just 1ER in 6.2IP…C Kyle Higashioka (0-for-4, 1RBI) drove in the Yankees’ first run with an RBI groundout in the seventh…LF Oswaldo Cabrera (0-for-1, 1RBI) gave the Yankees the lead in the eighth with an RBI groundout…SS Anthony Volpe (2-for-4, 1R, 1HR, 2RBI) recorded the Yankees’ only multi-hit game and hit a two-run HR in the ninth inning…CF Isiah Kiner-Falefa (1-for-3, 1R, 1BB) reached base twice…RHP Clay Holmes (1.0IP, 1BB, 2K) tossed a scoreless inning of relief and earned his fourth win of the year…LHP Wandy Peralta (1.1IP, 1BB) tossed 1.1 scoreless innings to record his fourth save of the season.

BRONX BOMBERS: Yankees batters have hit 95HR this season, the second-most home runs in the AL and the fourth-most in the Majors…their 61HR since the beginning of May are the most in the Majors in that span (next: Atlanta with 56HR).

Their 31 games with multiple home runs are the most in the Majors this season.

Have hit 8HR over their last three games.

Have hit multiple HR in five of their last seven games, 11 of their last 16 games (since 5/18), 16 of their last 22 games (since 5/12), 20 of their last 27 games (since 5/7) and 22 of their last 31 games (since 5/2).

Since 5/1, rank third in runs scored (171) and runs scored per game (5.34), fourth in SLG (.461) and OPS (.772), and tied for fourth in extra-base hits (108).

NEW KID ON THE BLOCK: INF Anthony Volpe hit a two-run HR in the ninth inning on Sunday at Los Angeles-NL… his 9HR are tied for third-most among Major League rookies this season, trailing only Texas’ Josh Jung (12HR) and Arizona’s Corbin Carroll (10HR)…also ranks fourth among
Major League rookies in stolen bases (13) and tied for fifth in RBI (26).

NOBODY BEATS THE RIZZ: INF Anthony Rizzo is batting .307/.351/.511 (27-for-88) with 15R, 3 doubles, 5HR, 17RBI, 5BB and 1HP in his last 22 games (since 5/8).

Has reached base in 29 of his last 33 games and 48 of his 56 games this season.

Has reached base in 29-of-31 games at home this season, hitting .362/.427/.612 (42-for-116) with 20R, 5 doubles, 8HR, 21RBI, 11BB, 3HP and 1SF in those games…has hit safely in 27-of-31 home games…among Major League batters at home, ranks fourth in BA (first in AL) and OBP (second in AL), sixth in OPS (1.040, third in AL), tied for seventh in HR (tied for fourth in AL) and eighth in SLG (fourth in AL).

FOR STARTERS: Yankees starters have allowed 1ER-orfewer in three of their last four starts…have allowed 2ERor-fewer in four of their last five starts and seven of their last
10 starts.

JAKE RAKES: INF/OF Jake Bauers is hitting .412/.500/1.059 (7-for-17) with 4R, 2 doubles, 3HR, 7RBI, 4BB and 1SF in his last six games (since 5/29).

WHAT A RELIEF: Yankees relievers have posted a Major League-best 2.86 ERA (233.0IP, 74ER) and .214 opponents’ BA this season…the Yankees are the only Major League bullpen that currently owns an ERA below 3.00 (next: Cleveland – 3.06).

Have posted a 1.40 ERA (25.2IP, 4ER) in their last eight games (since 5/27)…have held opponents to a .167 BA (15-for-90) in that span.

ON A ROLL: RHP Clarke Schmidt has posted a 1.72 ERA (15.2IP, 3ER) and 17K over his last three starts (since 5/19)… has allowed 2ER-or-fewer in each of his last three starts, five of his last six starts (since 5/3) and six of his last eight starts (since 4/23)…has posted a 3.70 ERA (41.1IP, 17ER) and 49K over his last eight starts (since 4/23).

CENTRAL PERK: Since 2022, the Yankees are 32-14 (.696) vs. the AL Central…are 43-18 in their last 61 games vs. the division (since 6/23/21) and 56-24 in their last 80G (since 9/12/19).

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

PEN PAL: 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.

PITCH PERFECT: Yankees pitchers have held opponents to a .226 BA, the second-lowest opponents’ BA in the Majors (Minnesota – .225)…also rank sixth in WHIP (1.23) and opponents’ OPS (.687).

FOUR SCORE: The Yankees are 31-7 (.816) when scoring at least 4R this season…are 30-8 when holding opponents to 4R-or-fewer.

MATCHING UP: The Yankees are 11-4 in their last 15 games vs. the White Sox (since 6/15/19).

INF/OF Isiah Kiner-Falefa has hit .367 (22-for-60) with 7R, 6RBI, 3BB, 3HP and 7SB in 17 career games vs. the White Sox.

INF Gleyber Torres has hit .356/.461/.534 (26-for-73) with 15R, 1 double, 4HR, 15RBI, 15BB and 2SB in 22 career games against Chicago-AL…his .356 BA is his highest against any opponent (min. 5G).

OF Aaron Judge has hit .382/.515/.816 (29-for-76) with 25R, 3 doubles, 10HR, 26RBI, 23BB, 1HP, 3SF and 1SB in 23 career games vs. the White Sox…his .382 BA is his highest vs. a single opponent (min. 10G).

DH Giancarlo Stanton has batted .296/.383/.620 (21-for71) with 11R, 2 doubles, 7HR, 20RBI and 10BB/1IBB in 18 career games vs. the White Sox.

KING OF THE HILL: 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.

Has not allowed a run in seven consecutive outings, the second-longest such streak of his career (trails only an eight-game streak from 6/4-22/22).

Has not allowed a run over his last 11.1IP…marks the longest scoreless inning 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).

TONIGHT’S STARTING PITCHER: RHP CLARKE SCHMIDT (2-5, 5.01 ERA)
RHP Clarke Schmidt will make his 13th start of the season in tonight’s series opener vs. Chicago-AL…the 27-year-old will make the start on extended five days’ rest…last pitched on Wednesday at Seattle, tossing 5.2 scoreless innings without recording a decision (3H, 1BB, 7K)…marked his first career scoreless start of at least 5.0IP…has tossed at least 5.0 innings in six of his last eight starts after not doing so in his first four starts this season…struck out Ezequiel Durán (swinging) in the fifth inning on 4/28 at Texas for his 100th career strikeout…made his second career Opening Day roster in 2023 (also 2022)… in 2022, went 5-5 with two saves and a 3.12 ERA (57.2IP, 46H, 23R/20ER, 23BB, 56K, 5HR) in 29 appearances (three starts) over four stints with the Yankees… in three starts, went 0-2 with a 4.63 ERA (11.2IP, 13H, 6ER, 2BB, 14K, 0HR)…as a reliever, went 5-3 with two saves and a 2.74 ERA (46.0IP, 33H, 17R/14ER, 21BB, 42K, 5HR) in 26 games…tossed at least 2.0 innings in 13 of his relief appearances and at least 3.0 innings in five of those relief appearances…was selected by the Yankees in the first round (16th overall) of the 2017 First-Year Player Draft out of the University of South Carolina.

LAST TIME OUT: Made his 12th start of the season on Wednesday at Seattle, tossing 5.2 scoreless innings without recording a decision (3H, 1BB, 7K)…marked his first career scoreless start of at least 5.0IP…allowed just four baserunners (3 singles, 1BB), his lowest total in a start of at least 5.0IP in his career (previous: five baserunners in 5.2IP on 4/23/23 vs. Toronto)…his 3H allowed matched his season low (also 3H on 4/23 vs. Toronto)…was the first time he allowed 1BBor-fewer since 4/28 at Texas after allowing two-or-more walks over his previous five starts from 5/3-25.

VS. CHICAGO-AL: Has made one career appearance vs. the White Sox, tossing 2.2 scoreless innings of relief on 5/14/22 at Guaranteed Rate Field (2H, 1K).

Is 2-0 with one save and a 3.46 ERA (26.0IP, 29H, 13R/10ER, 11BB, 29K, 1HR, 1HP) in 10 career appearances (two starts) vs. AL Central opponents…has made two starts vs. AL Central opponents (both against the Guardians), posting a 3.24 ERA (8.1IP, 3ER) and 7K.

HOME SWEET HOME: Is 1-4 with a 4.68 ERA (32.2IP, 17ER) and 38K in seven starts at home this season (4/1 vs. San Francisco, 4/18 vs. Los Angeles-AL, 4/23 vs. Toronto, 5/3 vs. Cleveland, 5/9 vs. Oakland, 5/14 vs. Tampa Bay and 5/25 vs. Baltimore)…has allowed 3R-or-fewer in five of those starts.

Has made 22 appearances (nine starts) in his career at Yankee Stadium, going 3-6 with one save and a 4.08 ERA (64.0IP, 60H, 36R/29ER, 27BB, 68K, 9HR) in those games.

In 13 games (one start) at home in 2022, went 2-1 with one save and a 2.49 ERA (25.1IP, 16H, 8R/7ER, 12BB, 22K, 3HR)…allowed 1R-or-fewer in 12 of those appearances…tossed at least 2.0 innings in eight appearances and 3.0 innings in four of those games (all of which were scoreless).

2023: Has made 12 starts this season, going 2-5 with a 5.01 ERA (55.2IP, 65H, 36R/31ER, 19BB, 65K, 8HR)…has tossed at least 5.0 innings in six of his last eight starts after not doing so in his first four starts this season.

Has allowed 2R-or-fewer in each of his last three starts (since 5/19) and in five of his last six starts (since 5/3)…is 2-2 with a 3.52 ERA (30.2IP, 12ER) and 33K over his last six starts after going 0-3 with a 6.84 ERA (25.0IP, 19ER) and 32K in his first six starts of the season.

Has not allowed a HR in each of his last four starts, marking the longest homerless stretch of his career as a starter (previous: three straight starts from 6/16-9/3/22)…has surrendered just 1HR over his last six starts (since 5/3) after allowing at least 1HR in five of his first six starts of the season (7HR total)…is one of seven pitchers in the Majors since the start of May to allow 1HR-or-fewer total in that span (min. 25.0IP).

In his eighth start of the season on 5/9 vs. Oakland, earned his first win of the season after allowing just 2ER over a career-high 6.0IP (5H, 2BB, 7K, 1HR, 1WP)…marked his first career win as a starter…reached 100.0 career innings in the first inning.

Recorded a career-high-tying 8K in back-to-back starts on 4/23 vs. Toronto and 4/28 at Texas.

Made his second career Opening Day roster.

FOR STARTERS: Will be making his 18th career start…over his first 17 career Major League starts (12 in 2023, three in 2022, one in 2021, one in 2020), is 2-8 with a 5.00 ERA (75.2IP, 89H, 50R/42ER, 26BB, 85K, 9HR)…has tossed at least 5.0IP in six of his last eight starts after not doing so in his first nine career starts. Is 2-5 with a 5.01 ERA (55.2IP, 31ER) and 65K in 12 starts in 2023…tossed a career-high 6.0IP on 5/9 vs. Oakland…recorded a career-high-tying 8K on 4/23 vs. Toronto and 4/28 at Texas.

Went 0-2 with a 4.63 ERA (11.2IP, 6ER) and 14K in his three starts in 2022 (6/16 vs. Tampa Bay, 8/28 at Oakland, 9/3 at Tampa Bay).

MMA Preview: UFC 298 – Amanda Nunes (22-5-0) vs Irene Aldana (14-6-0)

Fight Editor
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MMA Preview: UFC 298 – Amanda Nunes (22-5-0) vs Irene Aldana (14-6-0)

Amanda Nunes is a double champion who was supposed to defend her UFC Women’s Bantamweight title against her archnemesis Juliana Pena, but “The Venezuelan Vixen” had to pull out because of an injury. Irene Aldana stepped in as her replacement and is determined to cause a sensation on Saturday.

Amanda Nunes vs. Irene Aldana Odds
Moneyline Odds
Amanda Nunes -320
Irene Aldana +240
Odds Courtesy of Sports Odds Direct as of Tuesday, June 6, 2023

Amanda Nunes is arguably the best female fighter in history. She’s a double champ who lost just one fight in the last nine years. The loss happened to Juliana Pena two years ago, but “The Lioness” managed to get her revenge last year.

Obviously, the No. 1 fighter in the UFC women’s pound-for-pound rankings is going to be the favorite against any opponent. However, we did witness her odds move against her. When the betting markets opened, Nunes was a -600 favorite, but now, just a few days before UFC 289, she’s a -320 favorite. Is this a red flag?

Perhaps, and it’s not because Nunes’ ability to fight has diminished; it’s because she’s fighting a very tough opponent on Saturday.

Can the +240 Underdog Stage an Upset at UFC 289?
Irene Aldana is big and strong and just loves fighting. She’s not afraid to throw all she has at her opponents, even if it means getting hit hard. So far, she’s been KO-ed only twice, and the last time it happened was in 2015 when she was still fighting under the banner of Invicta.

In the UFC, she’s without a single win inside the distance and she’s even fought one 5-round bout. It happened in 2020 when we saw Holly Holm beat her by a decision. Holm, who’s a fantastic boxer, got the win after taking the fight to the ground. She basically surprised Aldana by switching to wrestling and making a total of five takedowns in that fight. That’s more TDs than in any other fight Aldana’s fought so far.

But she’s learned her lesson. In the following fight, she allowed no TDs to Yana Santos. In her most recent fight, Aldana got taken down three times by Macy Chiasson but managed to do very well on the floor, even making two submission attempts along the way. In the end, she beat Chiasson by knockout.

Nunes is better than Aldana in pretty much every aspect of fighting except striking. But that might be crucial in Saturday’s fight. Aldana seems powerful enough to cause some serious problems to Nunes.

WNBA Preview: Los Angeles Sparks (3-2) at Seattle Storm (0-4)

WNBA Editor
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WNBA Preview: Los Angeles Sparks (3-2) at Seattle Storm (0-4)

The Seattle Storm will look to avoid setting the mark for the worst start in franchise history when they host the Los Angeles Sparks on Tuesday night to complete a home-and-home matchup.

Seattle (0-4) also opened with four setbacks in its expansion season of 2000 and is threatening to reach a new low after the retirement of Sue Bird and the offseason departure of fellow star Breanna Stewart through free agency.

The Storm have quickly gone from one of the best teams in the WNBA to one of the worst, even with four-time All-Star Jewell Loyd leading the WNBA in scoring (28.8 points per game) and tied for the lead in 3-pointers with 16.

Loyd’s 115 points through four games are the third most in WNBA history behind Maya Moore (135 in 2014 for the Minnesota Lynx) and Elena Delle Donne (122 in 2015 for the Chicago Sky).

Loyd scored 37 points, one off her career best, in Saturday’s 92-85 loss at Los Angeles. She tied her career high of eight 3-pointers.

Loyd is 17 points away from becoming the third player in Storm history to reach 4,000 career points. The others are Bird (6,803) and Lauren Jackson (6,007).

The Sparks (3-2) will be hunting for their third consecutive victory Tuesday.

Sparks star Nneka Ogwumike will aim for another strong performance after producing 27 points and 14 rebounds in Saturday’s win. She has posted back-to-back double doubles.

Los Angeles coach Curt Miller said the inside game was a key ingredient for his club. The Sparks outscored Seattle 44-20 in the paint.

Layshia Clarendon added 16 points and six assists while Chiney Ogwumike, Nneka’s younger sister, had 15 points and three steals.

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