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MLB Preview: San Francisco Giants (25-25) at Milwaukee Brewers (27-23)

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MLB Preview: San Francisco Giants (25-25) at Milwaukee Brewers (27-23)

SAN FRANCISCO GIANTS NOTES:

TONIGHT’S GAME: The Giants pitched their way back to .500 with their shutout of the Brewers last night and face off for game two of this four-game set tonight…SF has won of eight of its last 10 games and is 3-1 in this seven-game road trip so far after taking two of three games in Minnesota earlier this week.

APRIL SHOWERS BRING MAY FLOWERS: After going 11- 15 (.423) in April, the Giants have gone 14-9 (.609) over 23 games in May, which is the third-best winning percentage in the National League behind the Dodgers (15-7, .682) and Diamondbacks (13-8, .619).

KEEP RUNNING: The Giants have not been shutout by the Brewers in their last 72 meetings, their longest active such streak against any opponent…the last time San Francisco went 70 straight games or longer without getting shutout against a single opponent was against the Diamondbacks between 2010 and 2014 (74 games straight) (Stats, LLC).

BE LIKE MIKE: OF Michael Conforto sluggled his 11th homer of the year last night and his third in four games this road trip…he became one of four Giants players in the modern era (since 1901) to have at least 10 HR and 20 walks in his first 44 games with the team joining Moises Alou (11 HR, 28 BB in 2005), Barry Bonds (11 HR, 39 BB in 1993) and Willie Mays (10 HR, 24 BB in 1951) (Stats, LLC)…Conforto has homered seven times over his last 14 games, tied for the third-most homers in MLB since May 10 behind NYY’s Aaron Judge (8) and CHC’s Christopher Morel (8)…in this run, Conforto is slashing .370/.417/.796 (1.213 OPS) with 15 RBI. .

FEW RUNS ALLOWED: Following yesterday’s shutout of the Brewers, San Francisco’s pitching staff has allowed four earned runs or fewer in 11 straight games entering today, the longest active streak in MLB (see chart below)…during that 11-game stretch the Giants have posted a 8-3 record with the starting staff posting a 3.94 ERA…the 11 games match the Giants’ longest such streak since May 6-19, 2016, when SF had 13 straight contests (Stats, LLC).

MLB, Longest Streaks w/ 4 ER Allowed or Fewer, 2023
Team Games Date
Giants 11 5/14 – 5/24*
White Sox 11 5/13 – 5/24
Pirates 11 4/13 – 4/23
*indicates active streak
Team Games Date
Marlins 10 4/11 – 4/22
Twins 10 4/9 – 4/19

BULLIES: The Giants have won eight of their last 10 games, a stretch that comes after dropping six of their previous eight contests…this excellent stretch is in part due to SF’s bullpen, who’s sporting a 0.94 ERA, the best figure in the Majors, and holding opposing teams to a .175 average during the run… since May 15, the ‘pens 64 strikeouts are most of any bullpen in the Majors, while their 48.0 innings pitched are second-most behind the Dodgers (49.1ip).

IT’S ALL ABOUT BALANCE: Overall, SF’s pitching staff has posted a 2.53 ERA since May 15, the second-best figure in the Majors behind the White Sox (2.15)…the Giants’ offense averaged 4.2 runs-per-game despite homering just six times (four of which came from Conforto) over the 10-game span… after slugging an NL-leading 46 home runs in April, SF hitters have just 22 homers this month, tied for 20th in MLB.

DAYLIGHT ROBBERY: OF Mike Yastrzemski robbed a home run from former teammate Darin Ruf in the first inning yesterday…according to Sports Info Solutions, the robbery was the fourth of Yaz’ career (see chart below).

OUT WITH THE OLD: The new pitch clock hasn’t quite benefitted the Giants early this year…yesterday’s batter violation from MIL’s Willy Adames’ was just the 10th pitch timer violation favoring SF this season, tied with the Rays for the fewest in MLB…in contrast, the Giants themselves have committed 22 pitch timer violations this year, tied with the Mets for third-most in MLB behind Tampa Bay and Miami (both at 24)…SF, however, has committed just seven total violations this month following 15 violations in March/April, and have currently gone eight games without being flagged for one.

ALL ABOUT THAIRO: IF Thairo Estrada swiped another base last night to collect his 13th stolen base of the season…he became the first Giant since Barry Bonds (1995) to have at least 55 hits, 30 runs scored and 10 stolen bases in the team’s first 50 games of a season…Bobby Bonds and Willie Mays are the only other Giants to do so over the past 100 years (Stats, LLC)…overall, Estrada’s 13 steals are sixth-most in the NL and most by a Giant in the team’s first 50 games since Mays also stole 13 in 1960.

FIFTY-FIFTY: The Giants are 25-25 through 50 games this season…the team looks eerily similar to last year’s club, who finished at a perfect .500 for the first time in franchise history, through their first 50 games.

TODAY’S STARTER – ALEX WOOD LHP #57
2023 RECORD: 0-0, 4.05 ERA

WITH THE GIANTS: In his third year with SF…signed a two-year, $25 million contract with San Francisco in the 2021-2022 offseason after a strong performance on a one-year deal in 2021.

LAST START: Allowed four runs on six hits to the Marlins, two being home runs to OF Jorge Soler and C Nick Fortes, as he struck out five in 4.1 innings…threw 74 pitches, his most since returning from the IL (left hamstring strain).

VS. BREWERS: Wood has strong numbers against the Brewers in his career…his 1.29 ERA (3er, 21.0ip) being his best against any team he’s faced at least three times…his one start with the Giants was on July 15, 2022 at Oracle Park, where he allowed three unearned runs over 4.2 innings while striking out seven in an 8-5 SF win…Wood has allowed just three runs in 15.0 frames at Milwaukee, with his last appearance being a 6.0- inning win in 2018…former Giants IF/OF Darin Ruf is 8-for-17 (.471) with a home run and four RBI vs. Wood…OF Christian Yelich also has a history of success, going 15-for-36 (.417), yet he has just one extra-base hit.

FAVORABLE MATCHUP: Right-handers are batting .302 (19×63) with an .895 OPS against Wood this season…all three of Wood’s ome runs surrendered have come vs. righties…the Brewers have struggled mightily against left-handed pitching this season, with their .620 OPS and .209 batting average both ranking last in the Majors…dating back to last season, Milwaukee has the worst batting average, .219, and 27th-ranked OPS, .662…Milwaukee currently has the second-highest ground ball rate in the Majors, 46.1%… Wood has a 45.0% ground ball rate this year.

MAY FLOWERS OR SHOWERS?: May has historically been Wood’s best month in terms of run prevention…his 3.38 career May ERA and 4.13 SO/BB are both monthly-bests…in his three May outings this season, Wood has allowed seven runs on 13 hits (three being home runs) in 10.0 innings (6.30 ERA).

WHERE’S THE DAMAGE COMING FROM?: Wood has been stingy at limiting the heart of opposing lineups this season…batters 3-6 are hitting .147 (5×34) with a .599 OPS against Wood this season… the top two and final three hitters in the lineup, however, are posting strong numbers…batters 1-2 are hitting .381 (8×21) with a .981 OPS while batters 7-9 are hitting .308 (8×26) with an .879 OPS.

CLOSER LOOK: Opponents are hitting .176 (3×17) with zero extra-base hits against Wood’s changeup this year, but the XBA (expected batting average) is .310…last year, they hit .277 (31×112) vs. his changeup…Wood’s sinker is his most commonly used pitch (45.5%) this year, and has a .267 opposing batting average (8×30), but the XBA is .191…his slider, his second-most used pitch (34.3%), also has a significant drop-off when comparing the .294 opposing batting average (10×34) to the .244 XBA.

PACING: Averaged 15.1 seconds between pitches when the bases were empty during the 2022 season, 25th-quickest in the Majors last year (league average is 18.1 seconds)…with runners on however, Wood slowed it down a bit, averaging 21.3 seconds between pitches…that rate was still well under league average (23.3 seconds).

MILWAUKEE BREWERS NOTES:

TONIGHT’S GAME: Is game 5 (2-2) of a 7-game homestand against Houston (2-1) and San Francisco (0-1)…..following this homestand and an off day on Monday, the team takes a 7-game road trip to Toronto (3g) and Cincinnati (4g)…..their next homestand will cover 6 games vs. Baltimore (3g) and Oakland (3g) from June 6-11.

IN THE TRAINER’S ROOM: RHP Jason Alexander (right rotator cuff), LHP Aaron Ashby (left labrum), RHP JB Bukauskas (neck), RHP Matt Bush (right rotator cuff), LHP Eric Lauer (right shoulder), LHP Wade Miley (left lat), OF Garrett Mitchell (left shoulder), INF Luis Urías (left hamstring), 1B Luke Voit (neck), LHP Justin Wilson (left elbow) and RHP Brandon Woodruff (right shoulder) are on the injured list…..Alexander, Ashby, Mitchell, Urías, Wilson and Woodruff are on the 60-day IL.

IN THE STANDINGS (57 days): The Brewers have spent the following number of days alone or tied at each position in the NL Central standings: FIRST: 36, SECOND: 19, THIRD: 2, FOURTH: 0, FIFTH: 0…..the team is currently in first place, leading the second-place Pirates by 1.5 games.

SERIES-LY SPEAKING: The Brewers are 8-8-0 in series play.
Game 1: 7-10, Game 2: 10-6, Game 3: 9-7, Game 4: 1-0
Sweep Wins (3): vs. NYM (3g, 4/3-4/5), at SEA (3g, 4/17-4/19), vs. KC (3g, 5/12-5/14)
Sweep Losses (1): at COL (3g, 5/2-5/4)

AT HOME: The Brewers are 15-10 at home, going 5-3-0 in series play…..the team went 46-35 at home last season, going 15-8-4 in series play.

ON THE ROAD: The Brewers are 12-13 on the road, going 3-5-0 in series play…..are 3-9 over their last 12 games and have dropped their last 4 series…..the team went 40-41 on the road last season, going 9-12-5 in series play.

LET’S GO TO THE VIDEO TAPE: The Brewers have made 10 replay challenges this season, going 5-5…..their last challenge (lost) came on May 25 vs. San Francisco as a foul tip (Joey Wiemer) stood

TONIGHT’S STARTER: #51 – RHP FREDDY PERALTA (9gs, 5-3, 4.15)
PERALTA AT A GLANCE: Freddy Peralta, 26, will make his 10th start of the season and first against the Giants…..Peralta last started last Sunday at Tampa Bay and earned a 6-4 win (6ip, 5h, 3r, 3er, 3bb, 4k, 1hr, 95 pitches)…..the team is 5-4 in his starts…..he has 6 quality starts…..opponents are batting .235 (46-for-196, 6hr)…..Peralta was acquired from Seattle, along with RHP Carlos Herrera and RHP Daniel Missaki, in exchange for 1B Adam Lind on 12/9/15…..on 2/28/20, he signed a 5-year contract through the 2024 season with club options for 2025 and 2026.

LAST SEASON: Peralta went 4-4 with a 3.58 ERA in 18 games/17 starts…..he held opponents to a .190 batting average with 86 strikeouts in 78.0 innings…..the team went 8-9 in his starts…..he produced 4 quality starts…..he was on the injured list twice last season: 5/23-8/2 (right posterior shoulder strain) and 9/9-9/24 (right shoulder inflammation).

CAREER: Is 35-20 with a 3.85 ERA in 125 games/76 starts (467ip, 200er)…..is in his sixth Major League season, all with the Brewers (2018-23)…..is 27-18 with a 3.85 ERA as a starter (383ip, 164er) and 8-2 with a 3.86 ERA in relief (84ip, 36er)…..was an All-Star in 2021.

CAREER AT AMERICAN FAMILY FIELD: Is 22-11 with a 3.23 ERA in 67 games/39 starts (253.1ip, 91er)…..is 4-1 with a 2.43 ERA in 5 starts this season (29.2ip, 8er).

CAREER ON THE ROAD: Is 13-9 with a 4.59 ERA in 58 games/37 starts (213.2ip, 109er)…..is 1-2 with a 6.45 ERA in 4 starts this season (22.1ip, 16er).

CAREER vs. GIANTS: Is 0-0 with a 0.00 ERA in 2 games/1 start (3ip, 0er)…..both outings came in Milwaukee in team wins…..pitched in relief on 7/13/19 (1ip, 2bb, 3k) and started on 9/8/22 (2ip, 2bb, 3k)…..he left the start with a right shoulder injury.

MLB Preview: Philadelphia Phillies (23-27) Atlanta Braves (31-19)

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MLB Preview: Philadelphia Phillies (23-27) Atlanta Braves (31-19)

PHILADELPHIA PHILLIES NOTES:

GAME #50 RECAP: The Phillies fell to the Atlanta Braves, 8-5, at Truist Park … Starter Aaron Nola (ND) went 6.0 innings and allowed 5 runs on 8 hits with 2 walks and 7 strikeouts … The teams traded blows for most of the night in a back and forth NL East showdown … Alec Bohm hit a 2-run homer in the 2nd inning and Bryce Harper homered and went 3-for-4 … The game was tied at 5-5 in the 8th before Atlanta scored 3 runs in the frame and held on for an 8-5 win.

ON THE DOORSTEP OF HISTORY: Right-hander Craig Kimbrel picked up his 399th career save in Sunday’s 2-1 Phils win … Kimbrel is one save away from becoming only the eighth player in the history of Major League Baseball to reach 400 saves … His next appearance will be the 730th of his career – of the seven previous pitchers to reach 400 saves, only three did so in under 800 career appearances: Mariano Rivera (697 G), Trevor Hoffman (706 G) and Kenley Jansen (778 G) … Billy Wagner reached #400 in his 813th career game, John Franco in his 837th, Lee Smith in his 847th and Francisco Rodriguez in his 878th.

TAKE A TRIP DOWN MEMORY LANE: Craig Kimbrel’s first ever major league appearance came at Citizens Bank Park on 5/7/10 with ATL against the Phillies – the first batter he faced was Jayson Werth, who doubled … Kimbrel would then strike out Raul Ibanez (1st career strikeout) and Carlos Ruiz before getting Wilson Valdez to ground out to end the inning … Kimbrel’s 1st career save came on 9/19/10 at NYM – he struck out the side (Carlos Beltran, David Wright & Chris Carter) … Kimbrel’s 100th career save came on 5/9/13 at SF … His 200th career save came on 6/8/15 at ATL (with SD) … His 300th career save came on 5/5/18 at TEX (with BOS).

IN COMPANY WITH COOPERSTOWN: One save away from #400, Craig Kimbrel also ranks 11th since at least 1893 with 1,128 strikeouts as a reliever … He trails Hall-of-Famers Trevor Hoffman (1,133) for 10th place and Mariano Rivera (1,135) for 9th place … Additionally, in the 399 instances when he has converted a save, Kimbrel has a 0.64 ERA (28 ER, 396.2 IP) – here are the ERA’s (in saves) for the seven current members of the 400-save club when they reached #400: Rivera (0.67), Billy Wagner (0.75), Lee Smith (0.83), Hoffman (0.84), John Franco (0.88), Kenley Jansen (0.94) and Francisco Rodriguez (1.05).

HARP ON IT: Last night, Bryce Harper went 3-for-4 with a home run in four plate appearances against left-handers … It was Harper’s first regular season home run off a lefty in over a year (last: 5/14/22 at LAD off Julio Urias) … Last night’s home run (off Dylan Dodd) traveled 445 feet which is tied for the fourth-longest homer Harper has hit off a left-hander in the Statcast era (since 2015) – four of his five longest home runs off left-handers since 2015 have come against Atlanta: 470 feet on 8/22/20 (Robbie Erlin), 460 feet on 3/30/19 (Jesse Biddle) and 445 feet on 8/10/20 (Sean Newcomb).

THEY DON’T BOO NOBODIES: Phils designated hitter Bryce Harper reached 5,000 career at bats last night … When he reached 5,000, Harper had 614 extra-base hits and 891 walks and he became only the 13th player in the modern era (since 1900) with as many walks and extra-base hits through the first 5,000 at bats of a career … Harper is joined by Babe Ruth (1928), Ted Williams (1951), Mike Schmidt (1982), Barry Bonds (1995), Mark McGwire (1998), Frank Thomas (2000), Jeff Bagwell (2000), Jim Thome (2003), Brian Giles (2006), Lance Berkman (2009), Adam Dunn (2011) and Mike Trout (2022).

ANGEL IN THE OUTFIELD: Center fielder Brandon Marsh currently ranks T-6th among all MLB outfielders with 4 outs above average (OAA) per Statcast … Marsh is one of three NL outfielders with at least 4 OAA and is joined by MIL’s Joey Wiemer (5 OAA) and SD’s Fernando Tatis Jr. (4 OAA) … Additionally per Statcast, Marsh has more than doubled his walk rate from last year (6.1 % to 14.6%) and his 8.5% spike is the largest of any player in MLB this year … Finally, at 92.5 MPH on balls in play, Marsh has gained 3.3 MPH on his average exit velocity this season which is the 9th-largest spike of any player in baseball (up from 89.2 MPH in 2022) … In 2022, Marsh hit .188 with a .260 SLG against LHP in 105 PA – his .260 SLG ranked 50th out of 53 left-handed hitters against LHP … This season, Marsh is hitting .270 with a .541 SLG against LHP in 42 PA – his .541 SLG ranks 8th out of 43 left-handed hitters against LHP (min. 40 PA).

ON THE WAY TO CAPE MAY: This Monday on Memorial Day, the Phillies will spend an off day in New York City before opening a three-game set against the Mets at Citi Field on Tuesday … This will mark the third consecutive summer holiday the Phils have been off … Last year, the Phillies had off on Labor Day for the first time in 24 years (last: 1998) and they were off on July 4th for only the sixth time in franchise history and for the first time since 1916 (not counting 2020 pandemic season or 1981 strike season) … It marked the first time since Labor Day became a federal holiday in 1894 that a team did not play on either July 4th or Labor Day during one season (excluding 1994 strike and 2020 pandemic).

TONIGHT’S STARTER – TAIJUAN WALKER • RHP #99
2023: 3-2, 5.79 ERA Career: 57-52, 3.98 ERA

LAST START: 5/21 vs CHI: ND, 5.1 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 3 SO … Walker vs Steele … The Phillies defeated the Chicago Cubs, 2-1, and took another series win in front of a sold out crowd at Citizens Bank Park … Walker made his first career start on three days rest and notched his first scoreless appearance of at least 5.0 innings since 7/10/22 vs MIA (7.0 IP) … With the game scoreless in the 7th, Bryson Stott belted his first career pinch-hit home run to give the Phillies a 2-0 lead … Craig Kimbrel picked up career save #399.

TONIGHT’S START:

  • Doing the Splits: Walker has used his splitter 36.3% 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 (298 times, next: 4-seam, 185 times) and has surrendered just 2 XBH (2B, 3B) 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). 19 of his 42 strikeouts have come via the splitter and his 23.5 strikeout percentage and 25.2 whiff percentage with the pitch are the 9th-best and 10th-best marks in the NL, respectively (min. 10 PA).
  • Limiting Lefties: This season, Walker has held lefties to a .235 (19-81) average, compared to a .271 average (26-96) against righties … Since his debut year, 2013, Walker has limited lefthanded batters to a .232 average (391-1684), 14th-best among right-handed 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 6 right-handed hurlers with multiple successful pickoffs this season.
  • From the Ground Up: Walker’s 51.5% ground ball rate is the 11th -highest among all NL pitchers (min. 30.0 IP).
  • Free Passes?: Walker did not issue a walk in 2 straight starts (5/7 & 5/12) and averaged 13.2 pitches per inning across those starts after averaging more than 18.6 pitches per inning in his first 6 starts of the year. He last went 2 straight games without walking a batter from 9/11-16/22 while with the Mets. Has issued 2+ walks in each of his other 8 starts this year.
  • vs NL East: 9-8, 3.70 ERA (76 ER, 185.0 IP) in 36 games (35 starts).

ROAD:

  • 2023: 2-2, 7.43 ERA (22 ER, 26.2 IP) in 6 starts.
  • Career: 32-31, 4.15 ERA (223 ER, 483.1 IP) in 93 games (91 starts).

2023 SEASON:

  • 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.

ATLANTA BRAVES NOTES:

vs. N.L. East

Atlanta tonight continues its series with Philadelphia, and improved to 11-3 (.786) against divisional opponents this season with last night’s win. That stands as the best intra-division record in baseball this year. Dating to 2018, Atlanta is 223-135 (.623) against the N.L. East, 88 games over .500. Just two teams in baseball, the Dodgers (239-125, .657) and Astros (228-128, .640), have been better against their own divisions in that span.

TONIGHT’S GAME: The Braves and Phillies tonight continue a four-game series in what is the second of 13 scheduled meetings between the clubs this season…Atlanta and Philadelphia next meet from June 20-22 in a three-game set at Citizens Bank Park.

  • The Braves beat the Phillies, 8-5, last night to win the opener.
  • Atlanta went 11-8 against Philadelphia last season to win the season set, and has won the season series with the Phillies in each of the last two years…The Braves went 10-9 against the Phillies in 2021, and have now won the season set with Philadelphia in consecutive years for the first time since a five-year run, 2012-2016.
  • The Braves and Phillies met in the 2022 postseason, with Philadelphia winning the NLDS, three-games-to-one, to eliminate the defending World Series champions…Philadelphia outscored Atlanta, 24-13, in the series.
  • Atlanta and Philadelphia have played 50 games here at Truist Park since the facility opened in 2017, and the Braves are 33-17 (.660) here at home versus the Phillies…Atlanta went 6-3 against Philadelphia here last season, and has won 12 of the last 15 with the Phillies here dating to 2021.
  • LH Jared Shuster is set to make the fifth start of his major league career tonight, and his first against the Phillies…The 6-foot-3, 210-pound left-hander earned his first major league win in his last turn, and is 1-2 with a 5.49 ERA (12 ER/19.2 IP) over his first four career starts.
  • RH Taijuan Walker tonight makes his eighth career start against Atlanta, and is 1-2 with a 5.14 ERA (16 ER/28.0 IP) over his first seven starts versus the Braves…Eight of the 16 earned runs came in just two starts last season, when he went 0-1 with a 24.00 ERA (8 ER/3.0 IP) against Atlanta…In 10 starts for the Phillies this year, the 6-foot-4, 235- pound native of Shreveport, LA, is 3-2 with a 5.79 ERA (30 ER/46.2 IP).

WIN: Atlanta last night plated three runs in the bottom of the eighth inning to take an 8-5 lead that would stand as the final score over Philadelphia…The win was the Braves’ 11th this season in their final at-bat, including their second consecutive.

  • Travis d’Arnaud delivered a pinch-hit, go-ahead, two-run single in the eighth inning, the 12th go-ahead hit of his career in the eighth inning-or-later…He had just one such hit as a pinch hitter before in his career, August 20 vs. Houston last season.
  • Atlanta improved to 31-19 (.620) with the win, just the ninth time in the modern era (since 1900) that the franchise has won at least 31 of its first 50 games…The Braves currently have the best record in the National League and the fourth best in baseball.
  • Last night’s crowd of 43,216 was the third-largest in Truist Park history, including the postseason.

JARED SHUSTER: Earned the first win of his major league career in his last start, allowing just one hit and one run over 6.0 innings against Seattle, May 21…The Braves beat the Mariners, 3-2.

  • The outing was just the sixth in franchise history in which a pitcher went at least 6.0 innings and allowed no more than one hit within his first four career games, and the first since Ian Anderson did so twice in his first four games in 2020.
  • Steve Shields was the first to do so in 1985, while Randall Delgado (2011) and Michael Soroka (2018) have also done so for the Braves.
  • Shuster is ranked as Atlanta’s top overall prospect by MLB.com.

AUSTIN RILEY: Collected the fifth multi-homer game of his career last night, going 2-for-5 with three RBI…He has hit in a season high-tying eight straight games, going 12-for-30 (.400) with five doubles and two homers in that span.

  • Fourteen of the 23 balls he has put in play during his streak have been over 100.0 mph (61%), including all three of his balls in play last night.
  • He has at least one extra-base hit in four straight games, his longest streak of the season and tied for the longest active run in the majors…He last had a five-game run from August 30 to September 3 of last season.
  • In the 15 games prior to his current run, Riley batted just .219/.275/.328 with one double and two homers.
  • Since the start of his streak, he has raised his batting average by 25 points (.239 to .264) and his OPS by 72 points (.722 to .794)
  • Riley’s first-inning home run last night gave him 301RBI for his career, and he collcted his 500th hit and 100th homer earlier this season…Last night was his 500th major league game.
  • Per the Elias Sports Bureau, just three players in franchise history have reached 500/100/300 in fewer games than Riley…Fred McGriff did so in 412 games after making his Braves debut, Bob Horner needed 429, and Eddie Mathews did it in 456 games.

MARCELL OZUNA: Went 2-for-3 with a double, homer and three runs scored last night, and is batting .343/.421/.746 with a 1.167 OPS during the month of May.

  • His 1.167 OPS is third highest in the majors for the month, trailing just Arizona’s Lourdes Gurriel Jr. (1.256) and St. Louis’ Nolan Gorman (1.173).
  • Ozuna has compiled a wRC+ of 206 during the month, seventh highest in the majors…The league-average mark is 100, meaning Ozuna has been 106 percent above league average in May.
  • He has 23 total hits this month, after collecting just five over 18 games in March and April.

Tonight’s Starting Pitcher – #45 Jared Shuster LHP
2023 Record: 1-2, 5.49 ERA • 2023 MiLB Record: 2-0, 3.28 ERA
vs. RHB: .222 (12-54), 1 HR • vs. LHB: .235 (4-17), 1 HR
Home: 1-0, 4.50 ERA (4/4.0) • Away: 0-2, 6.52 ERA (7/9.2)

Tonight’s Game

  • Set to make his fifth career start.
  • Held Seattle to one hit, a solo home run, with seven strikeouts over 6.0 innings of one-run ball in his last start.
  • Became just the second pitcher in Braves franchise history (dating to 1901) to hold an opponent to one hit or less while pitching at least 6.0 innings and recording seven or more strikeouts in one of his first five career starts…Ian Anderson became the first pitcher in the organization to do so on September 9, 2020.
  • Is 2-0 with a 3.28 ERA and 23 strikeouts in five starts with the Stripers.
  • Averaging 8.39 strikeouts per nine innings with Gwinnett while having a 6.86 rate with Atlanta.

2023 Recap

  • Recalled to Atlanta on May 16.
  • Was optioned to Triple-A Gwinnett after last start against San Diego on April 7.
  • Made his major league debut against Washington on April 2.
  • Allowed six hits, four runs and five walks through 4.2 innings pitched.
  • Was the third player from the Braves’ 2020 First-Year Player Draft to debut with the club.
  • Joined Spencer Strider and Bryce Elder as the other hurlers from the ‘20 draft class to play for Atlanta.
  • Became the eighth Braves pitcher to debut with a start against the Nationals/Expos.
  • Pitched to a 1.74 ERA in six appearances, four starts, with 19 strikeouts through 20.2 innings pitched in Spring Training.
  • Began the Spring without allowing a run in his first four outings (12.2 IP).

MLB Preview: St. Louis Cardinals (23-29) at Cleveland Guardians (21-28)

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MLB Preview: St. Louis Cardinals (23-29) at Cleveland Guardians (21-28)

ST. LOUIS CARDINALS NOTES:

RECENT REDBIRDS: The St. Louis Cardinals continue their 7-game tour of the Buckeye State tonight (2-2 at CIN, 3 at CLE) as they open up the Memorial Day weekend with a 3-game series at Cleveland’s Progressive Field…the Cardinals gained a split of their 4-game series in Cincinnati with a 2-1 win yesterday afternoon, improving to a Major League best 13-5 since May 7…St. Louis began the season 10-24 before going on their current run.

ERIE(LY) INFREQUENT: Cleveland is among the ballparks/cities the Cardinals have visited the least among the current MLB cities, playing just 13 games at Progessive Field (1998, 2001, 2009, 2015 & 2021)…other infrequent stops for the Redbirds include NY Yankees (6 total: 3 at original Yankee Stadium & 3 at current Yankee Stadium); 8 at Oakland Coliseum; 9 at Baltimore’s Camden Yards, 11 at St. Petersburg’s Tropicana Field & Toronto’s Rogers Centre, 12 at Seattle’s T-Moblie Park & in Minneapolis (6 at Target Field & 6 at Metrodome).

ROAD TRIPPING REDBIRDS: This week’s roadtrip began a stretch in which the Cardinals will be playing 13 of 15 games on the road (May 22-June 7)…their only two home games over that time span are with cross-state rival Kansas City on Memorial Day, May 29, and next Tuesday, May 30.

FLIGHT PATTERN: Winners of 13 of their last 18 games (May 7-present), the Cardinals enter today in 4th place in the NL Central, 5.0 games behind first place Milwaukee…St. Louis had drawn to within 5.0 games of the division lead, gaining 5.0 games in the division since May 7… The Cardinals were in last place for 24 straight days (April 25-May 20) … Tonight’s game is the 15th game of a season-high stretch of 19 consecutive without an off-day (10-4 record).

REDBIRD RESURGENCE: Since May 7, the Cardinals are 1st in MLB in win pct. (.722, 13-5), 1st in runs scored (119), 1st in runs per game (6.6),
1st in slugging (.491), 1st in OPS (.836), 1st in RBI (114), 1st in total bases (306), 1st in MLB in wins (13) and hey rank 2nd in stolen bases (22) & homers (34).

REDBIRD RUNNERS TAKE 1st PLACE: Congratulations to the Cardinals Front Office & their Coach Carol Lueke for winning 1st place in yesterday’s St. Louis Biz Dash 5K sponsored by Bally Sports Midwest…it was the Cardinals sixth Gold Medal effort in their eight years of competing in the Sports, Fitness & Recreation sectional.

“GO-AHEAD” GORMAN STILL STREAKING: Nolan Gorman’s 8th inning RBI-double helped the Cardinals to a 2-1 win yesterday in Cincinnai and extended his career, and Cardinals season-best, hitting streak to 15 games…for Gorman, the late inning heroics have become frequent, as he’ collected 19 of his team-high 40 RBI in the 7th inning or later and has posted a .409 BA (9-22) with 4 HR & 11 RBI in close & late situations…Gorman leads the team with 10 go-ahead RBI and is the National League co-leader with his 7 game-winning RBI.

BURGER PHONE HOTLINE: The Cardinals are 5th in MLB in home runs this season (72) this season while ranking 3rd in the month of May (40) to the Yankees (44) & Braves (42)… The Redbirds sport a 19-15 record in games when they go yard this season, but are 4-14 in homerless games. REDBIRD RIBEYES: The Cardinals have had six players enjoy 4+ RBI games in their last 12 games, as Andrew Knizner (4), Nolan Gorman (5), Nolan Arenado (4), Willson Contreras (6), Paul DeJong (4, twice) and Óscar Mercado (5) all had games with 4 or more RBI in that span.

GOLDY’S POWER PAIRINGS: For the third time this season, Paul Goldschmidt packed multiple HR’s into his game, hitting a pair of round-trippers Tue. night in his 1st two at-bats…Goldy has had three consecutive multiple homer games when he has gone deep…he’s had two games when he’s homered just once in a game (last 4/18 vs. ARI) and has combined to hit his 9 HR’s in just 5 games, with 7 of the 9 longballs coming in his three multi-HR contests. SOLO ARTIST: Eight of Goldschmidt’s 9 HR’s this season have been solo shots.

PLUS/MINUS: The Cardinals (+14) are one of just six NL teams with a plus run differential, joining the Braves (+58), Dodgers (+56), Cubs (+19), Diamondbacks (+15) and Pirates (+13)…the Cardinals & Cubs are the only MLB teams with a plus rating & yet a sub-.500 W-L mark.

TONIGHT’S STARTING PITCHER: LHP MATTHEW LIBERATORE (1-0, 3.00)
TONIGHT’S GAME

  • Making his 2nd start of the season and 9th career start (12th app.). This will be his first career start and appearance against Cleveland, his first American League opponent.
  • Enters on a career-high 5.0 scoreless inning streak as a starting pitcher (allowed two runs in his last appearance in relief vs. LAD on Sunday).
  • Was 4-1 with a 3.13 ERA and 56 strikeouts over 46.0 innings pitched covering eight starts at Memphis (AAA) this season. Posted a 10-strikeout game at Gwinnett (4/12).
  • Named Cardinals Minor League Pitcher of the Month for April and International League Pitcher of the Month for April with a 3-0 mark and 2.14 ERA over 33.2 innings pitched with 45 strikeouts covering six starts in March/April.
  • Wa leading all Minor League pitchers at any level with 46.0 innings pitched and all Triple-A pitchers with 56 strikeouts (3rd in MiLB) at the time of his recall.
  • The Cardinals are 6-2 in his eight career starts last season and 9-2 overall in his 11 total appearances.
  • 2021 Cardinals Minor League Pitcher of the Year.
  • Acquired in trade with Tampa Bay Rays on January 9, 2020 in a deal that sent OF Jose Martinez and OF Randy Arozarena to Tampa.
  • Originally selected by the Tampa Bay Rays in the first round (16th player overall) of the June, 2018 First-Year Player Draft, making him the highest drafted high school player in Rays franchise history.
  • Started for the National League in the 2021 SirusXM All-Star Futures Game at Coors Field in Denver and worked a perfect 1st inning retiring a trio of then-top 10 prospects in Bobby Witt, Jr., Jarred Kelenic, and Julio Rodriguez on just 13 pitches.

LAST TIME OUT

  • Came on in relief. for an inning after Jack Flaherty started and Drew VerHagen made a relief appearance. Allowed two runs on a hit and a walk with a strikeout. Was four days after his last start vs. MIL (5/17) in which he fired 5.0 scoreless innings in his 2023 debut.

DATE vs. RESULT DEC IP H R ER BB SO HR NP-S
5/21 LAD W 10-5 — 1.0 1 2 2 1 1 0 24-14
2023 SEASON

  • Began the season with Memphis (AAA) and made eight starts before getting recalled to St. Louis for a May 17 start vs. Milwaukee.
  • Made his 2023 debut and threw 5.0 scoreless innings of three-hit ball with three walks and six strikeouts. Posted the exact same line in each of his first two starts vs. the Brewers (5 IP, 3 H, 0 R, 3 BB, 6 SO).
  • Named Cardinals Minor League Pitcher of the Month and International League Pitcher of the Month for April with a 3-0 mark and 2.14 ERA over 33.2 innings pitched with 45 strikeouts covering six starts in March/April.
  • Was leading all Minor League pitchers at any level with 46.0 innings pitched and all Triple-A pitchers with 56 strikeouts (3rd in MiLB) at the time of his recall.

CLEVELAND GUARDIANS NOTES:

GUARDS FALL IN RUBBERMATCH TO SOX
The Guardians dropped Wednesday’s rubber match to the White Sox, getting shut out for the sixth time this season in the wake of a 6-0 final at Progressive Field…the club is 1-2 halfway through this 6-game homestand against Chicago-AL (1-2) and St. Louis (3 games)…Cleveland has still won 3 of 5 and 6 of last 11 home games (10-14 at home overall) entering tonight’s opener.

The ChiSox hung the game’s first tally in the 3rd inning and then jumped on starter CAL QUANTRILL for 5 more runs in the 4th (4.0IP, 4H, 6R-ER, 3BB, 2SO, WP, 64 pitches)…on an afternoon that saw Chicago’s offense win with the benefit of just 4 hits, 3 of those came in that pivotal 4th-inning; the Sox loaded the bases twice, inflicting damage with a 2-run double, a pair of sac flies and a run-scoring wild pitch by Quantrilld…Michael Kopech piled up 9 strikeouts across 7.0 scoreless frames to notch his third win (7.0IP, 2H, 0R, BB, 9SO, 92 pitches)…Cleveland’s offense struck out 12 times overall and was held to 4 singles, 2 of those coming off the bat of ANDRÉS GIMÉNEZ…though the final outcome was unimpacted, Cleveland’s bullpen went into lockdown mode, as four relievers combined for 5.0 scoreless/hitless frames with 6 K’s to close out the contest.

Guardians have dropped 22 of last 34 overall since starting year 9-6…Guardians (21-28) sit in 3rd place in AL Central standings, 4.5 games behind 1st-place Minnesota (26-24) and 2.5 games behind 2nd-place Detroit (-2.0G, 23-25)…last season, club went 9-12 in April & 12-12 in May (21-24), though Cleveland is 7G below .500 for the first time since Aug. 25, 2015 (59-66).

REDBIRDS ON THE RADAR
This marks the 13th all-time series between Cleveland and St. Louis…the last time the clubs met was from July 27-28, 2021 at Progressive Field with the series resulting in a 1-1 split…Cleveland owns the all-time series 20-13 with a +56 run differential…since the start of 2018, the series is a 5-5 split with St. Louis winning 3 of the last 5 contests.

This series signifies the Cardinals sixth trip to Progressive Field…the Guardians are 8-5 on their home field against St. Louis with a +33 run differential…prior to the 2-game series in 2021, the last time the Redbirds traveled to Cleveland was May 12-14, 2015, taking 2 of 3 from the Guards…during the Terry Francona era (since 2013), the Clevelanders are 6-7 against the Cardinals.

Following a 3-game sweep by New York-NL from May 19-21, Cleveland is now 4-8 in Interleague play this season with a 1-3 series record…since 2013, the club is 109-103 in Interleague play.

PERFECT PEN | BULLPEN SPOTLIGHT
The Guardians bullpen combined to throw 5.0 perfect innings of relief on Wednesday afternoon against the White Sox…marks the 5th instance in franchise history that Cleveland’s bullpen has thrown 5.0+ perfect innings of relief and first since September 15, 2010 (6.0IP)…the last MLB club to accomplish the feat was Baltimore on June 24, 2022, twirling 6.0 perfect innings…since 2008, the Guardians have finished three games with 5.0+ innings of perfect relief, the most in MLB during that span.

ELI MORGAN provided 2.0 perfect innings, including striking out the side in order in the 6th inning…marks the 6th time a Cleveland reliever has struck out the side in an inning this season…owns a 0.87 ERA (1ER/10.1IP) at home this season, the lowest among Guardians relievers at home (min 8.0IP)…his 0.48 WHIP at home ranks 4th among MLB relievers with 10.0-or-more innings pitched at home…through 21.0IP this season, he is inducing a 50% groundball rate, his career average is 33%.

ENYEL DE LOS SANTOS boasts a 2.08 ERA (4ER/17.1IP) in 18 appearances this season…opposing hitters own a .162 (6-for-37) average against his 4-seam fastball compared to a .229 (25-for109) mark in 2022…in 7 appearances in one-run games, he has a 1.42 ERA (1ER/6.1IP) and has allowed 1 of 9 inherited runners to score (11.1%)…recorded 3 straight strikeouts after entering the game with bases loaded and no outs on Tuesday.

RAMÍREZ RE-WRITING RECORD BOOKS
As Cleveland’s longest-tenured player on its roster, JOSÉ RAMÍREZ ranks near the top of several categories in the franchise’s record book…Ramírez (534) needs just two extra-base hits to pass Nap Lajoie (535) for 6th-most extra-base hits in club history…he has 198 career home runs as a Clevelander, and is 3 homers away from passing Travis Hafner (200) for 9th-most in franchise history.

PATIENCE AT THE PLATE
The Guardians have struck out an MLB-low 351 times, ahead of Washington (357), and own a 21.7% strikeout rate…Cleveland is 1st in the AL and 3rd in MLB, behind Arizona (22.2%) and Washington (21.7%), with a 23.0% swing and miss rate…the Guards are the only club to have 3 players ranking in the top-20 for lowest swing and miss rate with STEVEN KWAN (3rd, 10.8%), MYLES STRAW (4th, 12.2%) and JOSÉ RAMÍREZ (16th, 15.6%)…Kwan is also 2nd in MLB behind BAL’s Adley Rutschman (6.3%) with a 7.3% first-pitch swing rate…since debuting last season he leads MLB with an 8.5% first-pitch swing rate ahead of Rutschman (11.9%)…Cleveland swings at the first pitch at a 27.1% rate, 2nd-lowest in MLB behind Milwaukee (26.5%).

TONIGHT’S STARTER – 57 SHANE BIEBER RHP

BIEBER AT HOME
W-L ERA G GS IP H R ER BB SO
2023 2-1 2.41 3 3 18.2 16 5 5 8 17
Career 22-16 2.84 69 68 444.1 367 150 140 89 506

BIEBER’S MLB CAREER
W-L ERA G GS IP H R ER BB SO
2023 3-3 3.08 10 10 64.1 63 23 22 15 47
Career 57-29 3.17 123 121 767.1 681 290 270 168 878

TONIGHT’S START
The 2020 Cy Young winner is scheduled to make his 11th start of the season, fourth at home, in the series opener of a 3-game set with St. Louis…the 27-year-old right-hander is making his 3rd career start against the Cardinals…is making this appearance on 4 days rest after his last outing on Sunday at New York-NL; is 30-13 with a 3.28 ERA (142ER/390.0IP) in his career on 4 days rest… Cleveland has a 78-43 record in Bieber’s 121 career starts but is 3-7 in 2023.

LAST TIME OUT
Bieber suffered the loss on Sunday in a 2-1 defeat against the Mets, allowing 2R/ER on 7 hits with 2 walks and 4 strikeouts across 8.0 innings…the 8.0 inning start tied for his longest outing of the 2023 season and gave Bieber his 5th career complete game…this was Bieber’s first career loss in a complete game…he allowed a single in each of the first 4.0 innings and pitched a 1-2-3 5th inning to be scoreless through 5.0 innings of work…to lead off the 6th, former teammate Francisco Lindor hit a solo home run to tie the game at 1-1…after a 1-2-3 7th inning, the Mets tallied their first and only multi-hit inning against Bieber in the 8th…after singles from Francisco Álvarez and Lindor, Jeff McNeil hit a sacrifice fly to give New York-NL a 2-1 advantage…after retiring the final Mets batter, Cleveland did not score in the 9th, giving him a complete game… Bieber’s record is now 47-8 all-time when allowing 2-earned runs-or-fewer.

CENTRAL INTELLIGENCE
This is Bieber’s third career start against the Cardinals and his first time facing St. Louis at Progressive Field…his most recent start came on June 8, 2021, earning the victory by going 6.0 innings and allowing 1 run (earned) on 5 hits with 2 walks and 5 strikeouts in 98 pitches…Bieber’s 1.50 ERA (2ER/12.0IP) is his 2nd-lowest against any opponent in his career (min. 2GS), behind Baltimore (1.45ERA/5ER/31.0IP).

In his 11 career starts against the NL Central, he owns an 8-1 record with a 3.48 ERA (25ER/64.2IP)…his last appearance against an NL East opponent was April 12, 2022 at Cincinnati… he did not factor into the decision, throwing 5.1 innings with 3 runs (earned) on 2 hits with 3 walks and 5 strikeouts…Bieber’s .889 winning percentage against the NL Central is the highest among any MLB pitcher since 2018 (min. 10 GS).

Tonight marks his 21st career Interleague start and fourth this season…owns a 10-5 record with a 3.71 ERA (49ER/119.0IP)… from September 20, 2019 to June 8, 2021, Bieber rattled off 7 consecutive Interleague wins, the longest such streak in franchise history and T3rd longest in MLB history…Corey Kluber and Cliff Lee both had streaks of 6.

MLB Preview: Texas Rangers (31-18) at Baltimore Orioles (33-17)

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MLB Preview: Texas Rangers (31-18) at Baltimore Orioles (33-17)

TEXAS RANGERS NOTES:

WINS AND LOSSES: Texas enjoyed an off day yesterday after beating the Pirates on Wednesday, 3-2, and have a 2-1 record to open this 9-G, 10-day road trip to PIT (2-1), BAL (3 G) and DET (3 G)…TEX has won 2 straight and is 4-1 in their last 5 G…TEX has won 6 of 8, 8 of 11 and 10 of 14 and 13 of last 18 G…TEX is an A.L.-best 17-7 (.708) in last 24 G beg. 4/28, 2nd-highest win pct. in MLB in that span (LAD is 18-7, .720)…TEX is 17-11 in last 28 G, but still 24-13 in last 37 G and 27-14 in last 41 G beg. 4/9.

  • At 31-18 (.633), TEX owns the 3rd-best record in the A.L. and MLB (see chart below)…club’s 31 wins rank 3rd in A.L. and T3rd in MLB (37-TB, 33-BAL, 31-ATL/NYY/TEX).
  • The 31-18 start marks Rangers’ best 49-G start to a season since 2013 (32-17), and is T2nd-best start in club history.
  • Club would have a 32-18 record with a win tonight, which would be tied for the best 50-G start in team history (also ’13).
  • TEX is a season high 13 G above .500…it is the 1st time since the end of 2016 (95-67) that the team is over 13 G… from 2020-22, TEX spent a total of one day above .500 (10-9 on 8/15/20)…club did not reach 31 wins in 2022 until 6/17.

BEST RECORDS IN MLB, 2023
Win Pct. Team W-L
.712 Tampa Bay 37-15
.660 Baltimore 33-17
.633 Texas 31-18
.620 Atlanta 31-19

STANDINGS: Rangers hold a 3.0-game lead in the A.L. West over 2nd-place HOU for the 1st time since 5/16…3-G lead in A.L. West is now tied for largest division lead in A.L. (also TB, +3.0 GA of BAL) and T2nd in MLB (ATL, +5.5 GA of NYM)… team has managed to gain 2 G on HOU in past 3 days…club held a lead of 2+ G in the division for 14-straight days (5/7- 21), which was snapped after Mon. loss at PIT.

  • TEX has had sole possession of 1st place in the West for 20 straight, 27 of 28, and 40 of the last 42 days beg. 4/14… season-best +4.0-G lead on 5/14 was largest since end of 2016 (+9.0 GA), just 6th season in TEX history to have a lead of 4.0+ G in the West as early as 5/14…TEX has been alone or tied atop the division for 55 of the season’s first 56 days (exception: 4/8).

SERIES STUFF: Club has gone 6-1-1 in last 8 series and 10-2-1 in last 13…team is 11-4-1 overall in series this year, going 6-2-1 at home 5-2-0 on the road…club did not win an 11th series in 2022 until 7/11-13 vs. OAK…TEX won 4 straight series 4/10-23, longest such span since going 5-0-0 from 6/15-7/1/18…team has won all games of a series 3 times during this campaign (3-0, 3/30-4/2 vs. PHI; 3-0, 4/17-19 at KC; 3-0, 5/19-21 vs. COL)…club is 6-2-0 in last 8 series on the road.

LONG ROAD: TEX is 2-1 in the 1st 3 games of a 9-G, 10-day road trip that takes the team thru the end of May…marks the Rangers’ 2nd-consecutive 3-city road trip (7-3 from 5/5-14 at LAA/SEA/OAK), and the 2nd of a trio of 3-city trips in 2023 (also 8/21-30 at ARI/MIN/NYM)…team has won 6 of 8 and 9 of 12 on road after a season-long 4-G away losing skid…club is 15-10 (.600) on road, 2nd-best away win pct. in A.L., 3rd in MLB…TEX’s lone time being swept in ’23 came on a 3-day trip to CIN from 4/24-26.

  • Club has won 4 straight road series for 1st time since 9/9/16-4/13/17 at LAA/HOU/OAK/LAA…last time that TEX won 5-consecutive road series? 5/20-6/19/16 at HOU/CLE/ SEA/OAK/STL.

VS. BALTIMORE: Rangers start their 2nd series of ’23 against the Orioles tonight…club is 1-2 against BAL after the Orioles took 2 of 3 in Arlington from 4/3-5…TEX has lost 8 of 9 against the O’s dating back to the start of ’22, including an 0-6 showing last season, which was the first winless campaign against an A.L. opponent in WAS/TEX franchise history…TEX is 4-12 vs. BAL since start of ’21…BAL leads at Camden Yards (71-63-1) and all-time series (273-219-1).

  • Elias Sports Bureau confirms that tonight marks the 2nd time in Rangers/Orioles history that both teams face off while holding season records of 13-or-more games above .500… last time it happened? Aug. 2016…both teams played a 3 G series with BAL entering the series at 59-45 and TEX 62-44.
  • The last time that both teams held top 3 records in MLB entering a matchup between them? May 8, 2012…both held a 3-way tie with LAD for best record at 19-10.

FIRST THINGS FIRST: In the 3-2 win on Wed. at PIT, TEX scored each of its 3 runs in the 1st inning…it was just the 16th win in club history in which the Rangers scored all of club’s 3+ R in a game in the 1st inning (last 5-2 win on 7/13/22 vs. OAK)…it was just the 5th such road win in Rangers history, 1st in 20 years…the other 4 away instances: 8/12/75 at DET (4-3 win), 5/28/76 at MIN (4-0), 8/20/95 at CWS (6-4), and 8/8/03 at TOR (5-3)…it was 17th time this season in which the Rangers have scored in the 1st inning of a game.

CENTURY MARK: Will Smith recorded a 5-out save on Wed. against the Pirates, securing his 100th career save in the process…he is now the 17th active ML pitcher with 100-or-more career saves…Smith has converted saves in each of last 5 G, retiring all 15 BF w/ 9 SO (5.0 SHO IP), and is 9-for-10 in save tries in ‘23…his team-high 9 saves rank T7th in the A.L.

PLAYERS TO NOTCH 100TH CAREER SAVE W/ TEX
DATE PLAYER OPP.
7/8/77 Darold Knowles CAL
6/15/92 Jeff Russell CAL
7/30/05 Francisco Cordero TOR
5/24/23 Will Smith PIT

BATTER UP: TEX leads MLB w/ 6.33 R/G and is T1st w/ 310 R (also TB)…club has 4+ R in 35 G this season, T2nd in MLB (37-TB, 35-ATL/BAL/TEX)…TEX leads MLB w/ a .284 BA in May, and A.L.-high .799 OPS is tops in the A.L…club’s +112 run differential is 2nd in MLB (TB, +114), and marks a franchise record (previously +99, 2023).

  • The 310 runs scored by TEX in ’23 are the 2nd-most over the first 49 G of a season in franchise history (314-1998)… club leads MLB with 12 G Of 10+ R and 14 innings of 5+ R.
  • Club has a homer in 8 straight road games, the longest away run in ’23.

COUNT ON SEMIEN: Marcus Semien on Wednesday extended his hitting streak to a season high 14 games, which is currently tops in the A.L. for active hitting streak, T3rd in MLB…his 14-G hitting streak is tied for the longest season hit streak by a Ranger in ’23 (also Grossman 4/16-5/6 and Heim 4/30-5/16)…club now owns an MLB-best 4 of the 16 individual hit streaks of 13+ games in Majors in 2023: 4-TEX, 2-HOU.

  • His 1st-inning solo-HR was his 16th-career leadoff HR and 2nd this season (also 4/1 vs. PHI)…4 of his 16 leadoff blasts have come as a member of TEX, as he ranks T2nd in club history in leadoff HR as a 2B: 27-Kinsler, 4-Semien/M.Young.
  • Tied with TB’s Wander Franco for the MLB lead in bWAR (3.0), Semien has hits in 20 of 21 G in May at .337/.406/.406/.957, along with a 22-G on-base streak…he has also reached base via H/BB in 24-straight road games.

STREAK NOTES: Josh Jung is riding an 8-G hitting streak, T2nd-longest in A.L….Martín Pérez notched his 5th-straight win after an ultra quality start on Wed…Nathaniel Lowe owns a 6-G hitting streak, his 3rd this season of 6+ G…Jon Gray puts his 4-G winning streak on the line tonight

TONIGHT’S STARTING PITCHER – #22 Jon Gray, RHP
(4-1, 3.02)

TONIGHT: The 31-year-old right-hander is set to make his 10th start and appearance of the season in tonight’s series opener in Baltimore…Gray over his last 3 starts: 3-0, 0.90 ERA (2 ER/20.0 IP), 4 BB/19 SO, .171 opp. BA to drop season ERA from season-high 4.40 to 3.02, 10th in the A.L. and lowest since 4/9 (3.00)…his .227 opp. BA ranks 15th in the A.L…produced 17.0 consecutive scoreless innings from 5/8-Sat., longest span of his career and 2nd-longest by a Ranger in ‘23 (Eovaldi-29.2 SHO IP)…has logged at least 5.0 innings in 8 of 9 starts, as 50.2 IP are 3rd-most on club (69.1-Eovaldi, 56.1-Pérez)…6 of Gray’s 7 HR allowed in ‘23 have been solo shots…this is Gray’s 2nd season with Texas after signing a 4-year free agent contract with the club on 12/1/21…was hindered by several injuries last season, but still managed to post a 7-7 record, 3.96 ERA (56 ER/127.1 IP), and 134 strikeouts over 24 starts…prior to joining the Rangers, the right-hander had spent his entire pro career with Colorado, ranking 3rd in Rockies history with 849 strikeouts while also placing among the all-time team leaders with 151 starts, 829.1 innings, and 53 wins from 2015-21…was the 3rd overall selection by Colorado in the 2013 MLB Draft after pitching 2 seasons at the U. of Oklahoma…is a native of the Oklahoma City area, growing up in nearby Chandler…Texas is 5-4 in Gray’s 9 starts in 2023.

SCORELESS STREAK / RECENT RUN: Gray enters tonight having won 3 consecutive starts to match a career high (7th time), his 3rd instance as a Ranger (also 6/17-28/22 and 7/8-21/22)…joins Eovaldi (3, 4/29-5/11) as the only TEX pitchers to win 3 straight starts in ’23, and is seeking to become just 2nd Ranger since start of 2020 to win 4 consecutive starts (Taylor Hearn, 4-0 from 8/24-9/12/21)…quality starts in 3 of last 5 outings, and is 3-0, 2.13 (6 ER/25.1 IP) in May, ranking among A.L. leaders this month (min. 25.0 IP) in wins (T2nd, 3), ERA (7th, 2.13), and opp. BA (11th, .215)…produced a career-best scoreless streak of 17.0 SHO IP from 5/8 (2nd inn.)-Sat. (3rd inn.), the 7th-longest scoreless span in the A.L. this season and 2nd-longest by a Ranger (29.2 IP by Eovaldi, 4/24-5/27).

LAST START: Will pitch on extra 5 days’ rest after earning win in Rangers’ 11-5 victory on Sat. vs. COL (5.0 IP, 5 H, 1 R-ER, 2 BB, 6 SO, 0 HR, 93 pitches/63 strikes)…it was Gray’s 1st career meeting against the team that drafted him and served as his home for 1st 7 MLB seasons…escaped a 27-pitch 1st inning in which the Rox loaded the bases with no outs and did not score…Texas scored 4 times in both the 1st and 2nd innings en route to an easy victory…Rox were last of the 30 active franchises that Gray had yet to face…lone run allowed was Harold Castro RBI single in 4th that snapped his career-best scoreless streak at 17.0 IP.

VS. BALTIMORE: Gray is 1-2, 3.68 (6 ER/14.2 IP) over 3 G/GS vs. BAL in his career, posting pair of quality starts…made 2023 season debut in series opener vs. O’s on 4/3 at Globe Life Field (L, 6.1 IP, 4 H, 2 R-ER), game in which Texas was shut out despite O’s starter Kyle Bradish (1.2 IP) exiting due to injury…has one other start w/ TEX against the O’s (8/1/22 vs. BAL, 1.1 IP, 4 R-3 ER), taking loss in Rangers’ 7-2 defeat…exited that start and was on 15-day IL from 8/2-9/11 with left oblique strain…only career outing here at Camden Yards was 7/27/16 at BAL (W, 7.0 IP, 5 H, 1 R-ER) while with the Rockies…his lone run allowed in that start was a solo HR to Manny Machado in the 6th inning, a ball that likely would be in-play with current LF dimensions here, and Rox would go on to win 3-1.

ON THE ROAD: Gray ranks among A.L. road leaders in ERA (4th, 2.20), opp. OPS (4th, .548), wins (T5th, 3), and opp. BA (6th, .186)…has seen far more success in 5 starts on the road (3-0, 2.20 ERA) than in his 4 starts in Arlington (1-1, 4.09 ERA) this season…opponents have batted .186/.259/.289/.548 (18-97) w/ 2 HR in his away outings vs. .274/.354/.464/.818 (23-84) at Globe Life Field…he still owns a lower home ERA (3.60) than road ERA (3.74) in his 2 seasons with the Rangers (beg. 2022), though a majority (21 of 33) of his starts in that span have come on the road…21 road starts over the last 2 seasons are T8th-most in A.L. and rank 2nd among Texas pitchers behind only Martín Pérez (23).

  • Despite calling hitter-friendly Coors Field home for the first 7 years of his MLB career (2015-21), Gray still owns better lifetime marks at home (36-20, 4.41 ERA) than on the road (28-37, 4.45 ERA). 1,000 K’S: Gray recorded a pair of strikeouts at CIN on 4/26 to reach 1,000 career strikeouts and become one of 46 active Major League pitchers with 1,000+ career strikeouts…he joined fellow Ranger teammates Jacob deGrom (1,652), Jake Odorizzi (1,172), and Nathan Eovaldi (1,126) as one of 4 pitchers on the Rangers’ 40-man roster with 1,000+ career strikeouts.
  • Danny Duffy, who is on Triple-A Round Rock’s Injured List while rehabbing from a left elbow injury, ranks 39th among active ML hurlers with 1,048 career SO’s. 2023: Has allowed 3-or-fewer runs in 7 of his 9 starts…has issued 18 walks, 2nd on club (20-Heaney)…opponents are batting .227/.304/.370/.674 (41-181)…11 of 18 BB have been issued to LHB (7 BB/20 SO vs. RHB)…opp. BA by time thru the lineup: 1st (.216, 16-74), 2nd (.274, 17-62), 3rd (.182, 8-44), 4th (0-1)…Jonah Heim caught 1st 6 starts, Sandy León caught last 3 starts…made early exit in start on 4/15 at HOU (ND, 2.0 IP, 1 R-ER) after he took a liner off his right forearm during Yainer Diaz at-bat to lead off 3rd inning…was removed from the game after attempting warm-up throws…X-rays were negative and was diagnosed with a right forearm bruise…earned 1st win on 4/9 at CHC (5.2 IP, 2 R-ER), when Will Smith stranded bases loaded in the 6th inning…began start 5/13 at OAK w/ 6.2 hitless innings before a Jace Peterson 2-out single to RF in the 7th…it was the longest no-hit bid by a TEX starter since 4/15/18 at HOU, when Bartolo Colon retired the first 21 Astros…Gray surpassed 1000.0 career innings during the start (on 2nd out in 6th inn.)…in starts on last road trip 5/8 at SEA (73 game score) and 5/13 at OAK (79 game score), produced 2 of the 5 highest games scores of his Rangers career.

BALTIMORE ORIOLES NOTES:

YESTERDAY’S NEWS: The Orioles defeated the Yankees last night, 3-1, in the rubber match of the three-game set in the Bronx…Are 3-3 in six games against the Yankees this season and 6-5 in their last 11 games against them.

Kyle Gibson earned his sixth win of the year after allowing two hits with a season-high four walks and three strikeouts in 7.0 scoreless innings; marked his first scoreless start this season, first scoreless start of at least 7.0 innings since August 27, 2022 vs. Pittsburgh with Philadelphia, and the first scoreless start of at least 7.0 innings against the Yankees by an O’s pitcher since Kevin Gausman did so on August 28, 2016 at Yankee Stadium (7.0 IP).

SERIES-LY: The Orioles have won each of their last four series against AL East opponents: April 24-26 vs. Boston (2-1), May 8-10 vs. Tampa Bay (2-1), May 19-21 at Toronto (3-0), and May 23-25 at New York (2-1); according to the Elias Sports Bureau, marks the first time the Orioles have won four straight series against AL East opponents since 2016: June 14-16 at Boston (2-1), June 17-19 vs. Toronto (2-1), June 24-26 vs. Tampa Bay (4-0), and July 15-17 at Tampa Bay (2-1)…The Orioles have won each of their last two series at Yankee Stadium after also going 2-1 in three games from September 30 to October 2, 2022…According to the Elias Sports Bureau, marks the first time the Orioles have defeated the Yankees in back-to-back series at Yankee Stadium since 2014: April 7-9 (2-1) and June 20-22 (2-1).

CLOSE CALL: Of Baltimore’s 50 games this season, 46 have been decided by four or fewer runs, the most in MLB…The O’s have gone 30-16 in those games, the most wins in MLB and second-best winning percentage (.652), behind Tampa Bay (.657, 23-12)… The O’s also have the most wins (21-12) and second-best winning percentage (.636) in games decided by three or fewer runs.

WRAPPING UP THE ROAD TRIP: The Orioles went 5-1 on their seven-day, six-game road trip, their best road trip by winning percentage (.833) this season, ahead of a 4-1 (.800) trip from April 14-19…The most recent trip began with a three-game sweep of the Jays in Toronto over the weekend…After an off day Monday, the Birds took two of three against the Yankees in the Bronx…The O’s are off to an 18-9 start on the road, tied with the 1987 and 2005 teams for the second-best road start through 27 games in team history (since 1954), behind a 20-7 start in 1969…Baltimore currently owns the most road wins and second-best road winning percentage (.667) in MLB, behind Atlanta (.708, 17-7); the O’s and Braves are the only teams without double-digit road losses so far this season.

FEELS GOOD TO BE HOME: The O’s kick off a six-game homestand tonight with the first of three games against the Rangers through Sunday…The O’s will then host the Guardians for three games from May 29-31…The Birds are 15-8 (.652) in Baltimore and own the third-best home winning percentage in the AL and fourth-best in MLB.

TAKING ON TEXAS: The O’s are facing the Rangers for the second and final time this season…The Birds took two out of three from the Rangers at Globe Life Field from April 3-5…Won eight straight games against Texas from July 4, 2022 to April 4, 2023, their longest winning streak against a single opponent since also winning eight in a row against the Mariners from July 3 to September 19, 2012…Baltimore went 6-0 against Texas last season, their first sweep of a season series against a single opponent since 2020 against the Phillies (3-0) and their first season sweep of at least six games against a single opponent since 2010 against Los Angeles-AL (6-0)… Marked Baltimore’s first season sweep of any length against Texas, and the first time the Rangers had ever been swept in a season series by an American League opponent.

WHAT’S TRENDING: The O’s have won 24 of their last 34 games, 27 of 38, and 29 of 41…Entering today’s games, the 33-17 overall record ranks second in MLB to start the season and is the fourth-best record by an O’s team through the first 50 games of a season since 1954 (see boxes at right)…Through May 25, the Rays (37-15), Braves (31- 19), Dodgers (31-20), Rangers (31-18), and Yankees (30-22) are the only other teams with 30 wins this season, and the Rays, Rangers, and Braves are the only other teams with less than 20 losses.

The Orioles are 95-66 since June 1, 2022, a 96-win pace; the .590 winning percentage during that time is the second-best in the AL and fourth-best in MLB, trailing the Braves (.673, 109-53), Dodgers (.665, 109-55), and Astros (.634, 102-59).

HE GETS ON BASE: Adam Frazier owns a career-long 18-game on-base streak since May 6; his previous career high was 17 games from August 20 to September 7, 2019 with the Pirates…It is the longest streak by an O’s batter this season, fourth-longest active streak in the AL and seventh-longest active streak in MLB…Frazier is slashing .273/.333/.500 (18-for-66) with four doubles, one triple, three home runs, eight runs scored, 13 RBI, five walks, and a stolen base during his current streak…Frazier also owns a season-long eight-game hitting streak since May 17, during which time he is slashing .375/.375/.688 (12-for-32) with two doubles, one triple, two home runs, six runs scored, and seven RBI.

Frazier currently owns a 9.2 percent strikeout rate, which ranks in the top two percent of MLB, per Statcast.

He is one of eight qualified MLB hitters with more walks than strikeouts (17 BB/16 K), including teammate Adley Rutschman (40 BB/31 K).

WHAT A RELIEF: The Baltimore bullpen owns a 3.00 ERA (63 ER/189.0 IP), second-best in MLB behind the Yankees (2.97)…O’s relievers have 15 wins this season, tied with Arizona and New York-AL for the most in the majors…The O’s are second in MLB with 228 strikeouts from the ‘pen, trailing Kansas City (233)…Baltimore’s 2.44 ERA (23 ER/85.0 IP) by relievers at home ranks second in MLB, behind Cleveland (2.29).

ROSTER MOVES: The Orioles today reinstated infielder Ramón Urías (left hamstring strain) from the 10-day Injured List…In a corresponding move, infielder Joey Ortiz was optioned to Triple-A Norfolk.

TODAY’S STARTING PITCHER #30 GRAYSON RODRIGUEZ – RHP

QUICK HITS: Slated to make his 10th start of the season, fifth at home, and second career start against the Rangers tonight…Worked 5.0 shutout innings on April 23 vs. Detroit and April 29 at Detroit to become the youngest O’s pitcher (23-164) to toss 5.0-or-more scoreless innings in back-to-back games since Dave Ford (21-259) from September 2-14, 1978, and the youngest O’s starter to accomplish the feat since Jack Fisher (21-188) did so in three straight starts from August 29 to September 8, 1960…Made his MLB debut on April 5 at Texas, becoming the first Oriole to make his debut this season…Thirteen players (7 pitchers) made their debut for the O’s in 2022…Also became the first O’s pitcher to start his Major League debut since DL Hall on August 13, 2022, and the youngest O’s pitcher (23-140) to start his debut since Kevin Gausman (22-137) on May 23, 2013 at Toronto…Had his contract selected to the 40-man roster on November 15, 2022…Originally selected by the Orioles in the first round (No. 11 overall) of the 2018 First-Year Player Draft.

LAST TIME OUT: Did not factor in the decision in his first career start against Toronto on May 20 at Rogers Centre…Allowed two runs on four hits (1 HR), with one walk and six strikeouts in 5.0 innings of work…Both runs scored on a two-run homer by George Springer…Threw 91 pitches, 54 strikes.

PACKING A PUNCH: Rodriguez’s 50 strikeouts through his first nine career starts are the most by an O’s hurler in his first nine games in franchise history (since 1954)…Recorded a career-high nine punchouts on April 29 (G2) at Detroit, becoming the youngest O’s pitcher (23-164) to record nine-or-more strikeouts in a start since John Parrish (22-241) also fanned nine batters on July 24, 2000 vs. New York-AL…Entering tonight’s games, he ranks among rookie leaders (min. 25.0 IP) in K/9 (2nd, 10.71), strikeouts (3rd, 50), and innings pitched (6th, 42.0).

AGAINST THE RANGERS: Making his second career start against the Rangers tonight…Made his Major League debut against the Rangers on April 5 at Globe Life Field…Did not factor in the decision after allowing two runs on four hits, with one walk, and threw five strikeouts in 5.0 innings…Threw 83 pitches, 53 strikes.

AGAINST THE AL WEST: Making his fourth career start against the AL West tonight…Is 0-1 against the division with a 10.66 ERA (15 ER/ 12.2 IP)…Last time out against the division, he suffered his first career loss in his first career start against the Angels on May 15 at Oriole Park; allowed a career-high eight runs on a career-high nine hits (2 HR), and three walks with three strikeouts in 3.1 innings, the shortest outing of his career…Left with a runner on first base who later scored…Threw 79 pitches, 47 strikes.

HIGH TIDE: Started Norfolk’s 2023 season opener on March 31 at Durham; did not factor in the decision after allowing three runs (2 ER) on four hits (1 HR) with four walks, two strikeouts, and a wild pitch in 4.0 innings…Threw 75 pitches, 48 strikes…Went 6-1 with a 2.20 ERA (17 ER/69.2 IP) and 97 strikeouts in 14 starts for the Tides in 2022…Named International League Pitcher of the Month for May 2022, going 3-1 with a 2.25 ERA (8 ER/32.0 IP) and 48 strikeouts in six starts… Left his start on June 1 vs. Jacksonville with a strained right lat muscle…At the time of his injury, he led the International League in starts (11), ERA (2.09), innings pitched (56.0), batting average against (.168), WHIP (0.84), and strikeouts (80).

MLB Preview: Chicago White Sox (21-31) at Detroit Tigers (23-25)

MLB Editor
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MLB Preview: Chicago White Sox (21-31) at Detroit Tigers (23-25)

CHICAGO WHITE SOX NOTES:

WHITE SOX AT A GLANCE
The Chicago White Sox have won five of their last seven games, seven of 10, eight of 12 and 14 of 24 as they continue a seven-game trip tonight at Detroit.

RHP Lance Lynn, who has won consecutive starts and three of his last four since 5/5, is scheduled to start for Chicago.

The Sox are 2-2 on the trip following last night’s 7-2 loss at the Tigers … they won two of three from 5/22-24 at Cleveland.

Following this four-game series at the Tigers, the White Sox will return to Guaranteed Rate Field for a six-game, seven-day homestand vs. the Angels (5/29-31) and Tigers (6/2-4).

The Sox are in fourth place in the AL Central, 4.0 games behind second-place Detroit and 6.0 behind fi rst-place Minnesota.

The Sox went 6-3 on their last homestand from 5/12-21 vs. Houston (1-2), Cleveland (2-1) and Kansas City (3-0) and 3-4 on the last trip from 5/5-11 at Cincinnati (2-1) and the Royals (1-3).

TONIGHT’S STORYLINES
Chicago is trying to avoid losing consecutive games for the first time since three straight from 5/10-12.

The White Sox are 14-10 over the last 24 games since 4/30 following a 7-21 start to the season … Sox pitchers own a MLB-best 2.55 ERA (35 ER/123.1 IP) in 14 games since 5/11.

Chicago starters own a 2.71 ERA (24 ER/79.2 IP), .204 average and 69 strikeouts in the last 14 games (10 quality starts).

White Sox relievers own a 1.59 ERA (6 ER/34.0 IP), .158 (18- 114) opp. average and .463 OPS in the last 11 games … nine of the games have been scoreless and three have been hitless.

The Sox are 7-2 and own a 61-27 edge in runs scored over the last nine games at Comerica Park.

Lance Lynn is 5-0 with a 2.36 ERA (9 ER/34.1 IP), 40 strikeouts and a .626 OPS in his last fi ve starts vs. Detroit since 8/2/19 … he has allowed two earned runs or less in five of the outings.

Luis Robert Jr. has hit safely in 18 of 22 games in May, going 27-79 (.342) with seven doubles, eight home runs, 16 RBI, six walks, eight multi-hit eff orts and a 1.143 OPS.

LAST NIGHT’S RECAP
The White Sox were limited to just four hits, including three singles, in their 7-2, series-opening loss at the Tigers.

Tim Anderson gave the White Sox a 1-0 lead with a RBI single in the third inning but Detroit answered with four runs on three hits and two walks off starter Lucas Giolito in the fourth.

Gavin Sheets capped the Sox scoring with a solo homer in the fifth before the Tigers scored on in the six and two in the eighth.

Giolito worked just 3.2 IP and allowed four runs on six hits and a career-high tying seven walks … Garrett Crochet and Aaron Bummer combine to allow three runs on four hits and four walks.

Chicago struck out 13 times, did not walk, committed an error, went 1-2 with RISP and issued 11 walks.

ELOY ON THE MEND
OF Eloy Jiménez is 0-5 with a walk in two rehab games with Class AA Birmingham … he has been on the 10-day injured list since (retro to 5/7) due to an appendectomy performed on 5/6.

THE TIMES ARE CHANGIN’
Chicago is 14-10 (.583) since 4/30, the best record among AL Central clubs and tied with Tampa Bay for eighth-best in the AL.

The White Sox have made up 3.0 games on first-place Minnesota in the AL Central standings since 4/30 (-9.0 GB).

The Sox 3.70 ERA since 4/30 is the sixth-best in the majors.

A breakdown of the White Sox first 52 games this season:

W-L AVG R R/G HR OBP SLG OPS ERA IP QS ER HR SO
14-10 .249 109 4.5 27 .303 .401 .704 3.70 214.1 13 88 28 207
7-21 .227 106 3.8 26 .288 .367 .655 5.88 243.1 8 159 44 272

ROTATION SENSATION
White Sox starters own a 2.71 ERA (24 ER/79.2 IP), .204 opponents average and 69 strikeouts over the last 14 games since 5/11 … they lead MLB in opp. OPS (.611), rank second in ERA and opp. average and third in WHIP (1.09) during that span.

Starters have allowed three runs or less 11 times, two or less nine times and one or less six times … the rotation since 5/11:

W-L ERA WHIP QS IP H R ER HR BB SO SO/9.0 AVG OPS
7-4 2.71 1.09 10 79.2 58 26 24 7 29 69 7.7 .204 .611

SOUTHPAW SUCCESS
Chicago is hitting .331/390/.512 in the last 16 games vs. LHP.

The White Sox are batting .273/.338/.442 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, fifth in OPS (.781) and sixth in slugging percentage.

WHITE SOX VS. DETROIT TIGERS
The White Sox and Tigers play 13 times in 2023: six times at Guaranteed Rate Field and seven at Comerica Park.

The Sox and Tigers are separated by 4.0 games in the division.

The White Sox went 12-7 last season, going 5-5 at home and 7-2 on the road, and outscored the Tigers by a 100-59 margin.

Chicago is 45-22 since the start of the 2019 season and 33-16 since the start of the 2020 season vs. the Tigers … it has won 14 of the last 21 contests at Comerica Park, including seven of the last nine following last year’s Opening Day loss in Detroit.

COMFORTS OF COMERICA
The White Sox have won seven of the last nine games, 14 of 21 and 20 of 32 at Comerica Park … the Sox have outscored the Tigers by a 198-132 margin in the last 32 contests.

The Sox are hitting .289/.329/.455 with 11 homers and 61 runs scored (6.8 R/G) over the last nine games at Detroit … they have recorded 10-plus hits six times and scored 10-plus three times.

Chicago has not lost a series at Detroit since 9/20-21/21 (0-2).

CENTRAL DIVISION DYNAMICS
Chicago is 11-9 vs. the American League Central, including a 4-7 mark on the road … it currently is in a stretch of 13 straight games vs. the division (7-3 record).

Following this week’s trip, the Sox will play just three games vs. the AL Central (6/2-4 vs. Detroit) through the All-Star break.

The White Sox went 37-39 vs. the AL Central in 2022 (18-19 at home; 19-20 on the road) after going 69-47 from 2020-21.

PROVIDING RELIEF
The White Sox bullpen owns a 2.71 ERA (22 ER/73.0 IP) and .203 (54-266) opponents average with 69 strikeouts and just five home runs allowed over 23 games in May.

Sox relievers rank among the MLB May leaders in opp. average (2nd), opp. OPS (2nd, .602), WHIP (2nd, 1.12) and ERA (3rd).

By comparison, relievers recorded a 6.68 ERA, .290 average, .885 OPS and a 1.76 WHIP in the first 29 games from 3/30-4/30.

Joe Kelly has retired 34 of the last 36 batters he has faced, including 16 by strikeout … he owns a 10.2 scoreless IP streak.

REST WHEN YOU CAN
The Sox currently are in a stretch of 16 straight games without a day off and are 13-10 during the current stretch of 29 games in 30 days from 5/2-31 (only off days in May are 5/1 and 5/15).

The 29-game stretch includes 15 games at home, 14 on the road and 20 vs. the American League Central … the White Sox play six of seven series from 5/5-28 vs. teams below .500.

LONGBALL LOGISTICS
The White Sox (Jake Burger; Luis Robert Jr.) are one of eight teams with multiple players to hit 10-plus home runs this season, joining Atlanta (five), Tampa Bay (four), the Angels (three), the Dodgers (two), Minnesota, (two), Yankees (two) and Texas (two).

The White Sox have homered in 17 of its last 24 games since 30 (27 total homers), and hit 30 in its last 27 games since 4/27.

The Sox have recorded nine multi-homer eff orts and been held without a home run just eight times over the last 27 contests.

Chicago is 16-18 when homering, 7-7 when hitting multiple homers and 5-13 when going homerless this season.

LONGBALL LOGISTICS, PART II
Luis Robert Jr. (13) and Jake Burger (10) lead the White Sox in home runs this season.

Robert Jr. is tied for seventh in MLB with nine 400-plus foot homers in 2023 … Jorge Soler leads the majors with 12 … Robert Jr. is averaging 407 ft. and 107.2 mph on his 12 homers, including max values of 430 ft. on 5/9 at K.C., and 113.6 mph on 5/14 vs. Houston.

Robert Jr. has recorded 400-plus foot distances on 34 of his 49 career home runs … he leads the Sox since the start of 2020 with homer averages of 411 feet and 107.6 mph exit velocity (min. 10 home runs).

Burger ranks fi fth in MLB with 10.70 at bats per home run this season (minimum 100 plate apps.) … he is averaging 405 feet on his 19 career home runs, and 13 have traveled an estimated 400-plus feet.

HOORAY FOR MAY
Luis Robert Jr. is hitting .342/.409/.743 (27-79) with seven doubles, eight homers (averaging 427 ft. and 108.6 mph EV), 16 RBI, 20 runs scored, six walks and a 1.143 OPS in May (22 G).

He ranks among AL May leaders in total bases (1st, 58), extra-base hits (1st, 15), home runs (T1st), runs scored (T1st), slugging percentage (2nd), OPS (2nd), average (5th), doubles (T6th), hits (T7th) and on-base percentage (12th).

The last White Sox to win American League Player of the Month honors was 1B José Abreu in August 2021 … Abreu also is the last Sox to hit 10-plus home runs in a month (11 in August 2020)

33 STARTER LANCE LYNN RHP

LYNN AT A GLANCE
Is scheduled to make his 11th start of the season, sixth on the road and first against the Detroit Tigers.

Has earned the win in three of his last four starts after going 0-4 in his first six starts of the season … owns a 2.08 ERA (3 ER/13.0 IP) over his last two starts.

Has surrendered 12 home runs this season … has allowed a homer in eight of his nine starts, including in five of the last six.

Ranks among MLB active pitchers in HR/9.0 IP (6th, 0.93), SO/9.0 IP (7th, 9.10), opponents average (9th, .242), wins (9th, 126), starts (9th, 295), opponents SLG (9th, .383), IP (10th, 1,762.2), strikeouts (11th, 1,782), opponents OPS (11th, .695), ERA (12th, 3.61), WHIP(12th, 1.27) and opponents OBP (12th, .312).

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

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

LAST START
Earned his third win of the season on 5/21 vs. Kansas City, allowing two runs on four hits with two walks and six strikeouts over 6.0 IP … allowed a two-run home run to Michael Massey in the second inning … retired 14 of the last 17 batters faced.

Left the game in the seventh with the White Sox leading, 4-2 … threw 100 pitches (61 strikes).

Owned a 54.2 first-strike percentage and 16.0 swinging-strike percentage (20 swing and misses) vs. 24 batters … threw 53 four-seam fastballs (92.5 mph avg; 94.1 mph max), 18 cutters (88.0 avg; 90.3 max), 10 changeups (84.1 avg; 85.8 max), nine sinkers (90.7 avg; 91.6 max), nine curveballs (81.3 avg; 82.8 max) and one sweeper (80.9 max).

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

Ranks 12th in the majors with 702 strikeouts since 2019 … teammate Lucas Giolito (767) ranks fifth.

Has struck out at least five batters in 86 of his 105 starts since 2019, the 10th-highest total in the majors.

ROAD TRIPPIN’
Is 1-2 with a 6.35 ERA (20 ER/28.1 IP) and .283 (32- 113) opponents average in five road starts in 2023 … has allowed four runs or more in each of his last three starts on the road.

Has gone 9-9 with a 3.97 ERA (70 ER/158.2 IP), .252 (158-627) opponents average and 163 strikeouts over 28 starts on the road since 2021 … has allowed two runs or less in 17 of those starts and one run or less in nine.

ORTHODOX HITTERS
Owns a career .229/.284/.352 (811-3,548) opponents slash line against right-handed hitters.

His .229 opponents average vs. right-handers is the ninth-lowest mark among active pitchers in the majors.

WORK HORSE
Ranks ninth in MLB with 1,762.2 IP since 2011 … is one of 13 active pitchers in MLB with 1,700.0-plus career IP.

Has thrown 100-plus pitches 68 times since 2019, the most in the majors during that span.

Has thrown 30,105 pitches since 2011, seventh-most during that span, and the most among MLB pitchers with less than 1,900.0 IP during that span.

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

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

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

VS. DETROIT TIGERS || A.L. CENTRAL
Is scheduled to make his 12th career start against Detroit and fifth at Comerica Park.

Has gone 5-0 with a 2.36 ERA (9 ER/34.1 IP), .240 (31-127) opponents average and 40 strikeouts over his last six starts against the Tigers … has tossed 5.0-plus IP in five of those starts and has allowed three runs or less in all six.

Is 2-1 with a 4.88 ERA (13 ER/24.0 IP), .276 (27-98) opponents average and 27 strikeouts over four starts against the American League Central this season.

DETROIT TIGERS NOTES:

TIGERS OPEN SERIES AGAINST WHITE SOX WITH 7-2 WIN: The Tigers picked up a 7-2 win over the White Sox on Thursday night. Alex Faedo started for Detroit and earned his first win of the season, giving up two runs on three hits with no walks and a career-best 10 strikeouts in 6.0 innings. José Cisnero, Jason Foley and Mason Englert each worked a scoreless inning out of the bullpen. Offensively, Akil Baddoo had a pair of hits, including a solo homer, while Riley Greene and Spencer Torkelson each reached base four times with both going 2×3 with a RBI and two walks.

FAEDO FANS 10: Alex Faedo put together one of the best starts of his young career last night, throwing 6.0 innings and allowing two runs on three hits with no walks and a career-high 10 strikeouts. With the outing, Faedo became the third pitcher in franchise history to throw 6.0
innings with three-or-fewer hits allowed, no walks and 10-or-more strikeouts, joining Denny McLain on July 21, 1965 vs. Cleveland (Game 2) and Aníbal Sánchez on August 3, 2014 vs. Colorado.

GREENE MEANS GO: Riley Greene was on base four times last night, going 2×3 with a RBI and two walks. Dating back to April 26, Greene has hit safely in 21 of his last 25 games, slashing .364/.432/.525 with seven doubles, three homers and 12 RBI. In that span, he leads the American League and ranks tied for second in the Majors in batting average, while he ranks second in the AL and sixth in the big leagues in on-base percentage.

TAKE YOUR BASE: The Tigers continued to show patience at the plate last night, drawing a season-high 11 walks, which was the team’s highest total in a nine-inning game since also drawing 11 on April 14, 2011 at Oakland. Detroit worked White Sox starter Lucas Giolito for seven walks, the most free passes the Tigers have drawn off an opposing starting pitcher since September 1, 2012, when Chicago (AL) starter Francisco Liriano also walked seven.

TIGERS AND WHITE SOX: The Tigers and White Sox continue their 13-game season series tonight. Detroit went 7-12 against Chicago (AL) last season, including a 2-7 record at Comerica Park. The White Sox have won the season series over the Tigers in each of the last four seasons.

AGAINST THE AL CENTRAL: The Tigers continue divisional play tonight against the White Sox. Detroit is 7-3 against American League Central teams so far this season, going 1-0 vs. Chicago (AL), 4-2 vs. Cleveland and 2-1 vs. Kansas City. The Tigers have finished below .500 against AL Central foes in each of the last five 162-game seasons, including a 34-42 record last season.

AT COMERICA PARK: The Tigers are 1-0 on their current seven-game homestand, which includes four games vs. Chicago (AL) (1-0) and three games vs. Texas (May 29-31). Detroit is 11-10 at Comerica Park this season. As a team, the Tigers are hitting .239/.313/.367, while the pitching staff has posted a 4.24 ERA (193.0IP/91ER).

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 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 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)
  • RHP Trey Wingenter (right biceps tendinitis, 15-day IL on April 22, retroactive to April 19

TONIGHT’S TIGERS STARTING PITCHER – #43 Joey Wentz • 1-4, 7.45 ERA (38.2IP/32ER)

  • Wentz will make his 10th start of the season tonight vs. Chicago (AL).
  • Suffered the loss in his last start on Sunday at Washington, giving up six runs on 10 hits with no walks and a strikeout in 2.0 innings.
  • Will be making his first career appearance against the White Sox today…has made 10 starts in his career at Comerica Park, compiling a 0-3 record with a 5.79 ERA (42.0IP/27ER) and 36 strikeouts.
  • 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.
  • Saw his first Major League action in 2022, starting seven games and posting a 2-2 record with a 3.03 ERA (32.2IP/11ER) and 27 strikeouts… also appeared in 12 games, including 11 starts, with Triple A Toledo and went 2-2 with a 3.17 ERA (48.1IP/17ER) and 53 strikeouts.
  • Pitched in the Arizona Fall League following the 2022 season and made three starts for Salt River, throwing 12.0 scoreless innings with two hits allowed, four walks and 14 strikeouts.

MLB Preview: Los Angeles Dodgers (31-20) at Tampa Bay Rays (37-15)

MLB Editor
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MLB Preview: Los Angeles Dodgers (31-20) at Tampa Bay Rays (37-15)

LOS ANGELES DODGERS NOTES:

LAST LEG: The Los Angeles Dodgers had their chances on Wednesday night to complete the first sweep of the Braves since 1991, but it was the Braves that walked-off the Dodgers, 4-3 at Truist Park. Despite the loss, the Dodgers remain 1.5-games ahead of the Arizona Diamondbacks in the National League West division and are tied with Atlanta for most wins in the National League. The Dodgers conclude their road trip (3-4) with the last leg of their 10-day, three-city trip with the first of three against the Tampa Bay Rays at 6:40 p.m. at Tropicana Field. Los Angeles (.608) owns the second-best record in the National League, behind the Atlanta Braves (.620).

THE RUN: Since 2019, the Dodgers have a 397-200 (.665) record, which is currently the best winning percentage for a five-year span in Major League Baseball history (expansion era). The 1995-1999 Atlanta Braves won 496 games in the five-year span, garnering a .6263 winning percentage, which is the second best in the expansion era, percentage points ahead of the 1972-1976 Cincinnati Reds, who posted a .6259 winning percentage in that span. In the last five years, the Rays are the third best record in all the Majors with a 359-239 record.

ONE MORE HIT: The Dodgers erased deficits on two different occasions, coming from down 1-0 to tie the game at one-all on a Mookie Betts homer in the sixth inning. The Dodgers would fall behind again in the bottom of the sixth inning and the Dodgers would score two runs in the eighth inning to tie the game at 3-3. In the eighth inning, Jason Heyward drove in Will Smith on a sacrifice fly and Miguel Vargas scored J.D. Martinez on a two-out, two-strike RBI double. However, the Braves would score in the bottom of the ninth to avoid getting swept by Los Angeles. Tony Gonsolin made the start, firing three scoreless innings before being tagged for one in the fourth inning and two in the fifth inning. The run in the fourth snapped a season-high 14.1 scoreless inning streak and was the first earned run he had allowed since May 1 against the Phillies.

J-MART: Since returning from the Injured list on May 12, the designated hitter J.D. Martinez has hit safely in 11 of 12 games, batting .300 (15-for-50) with three doubles, five homers and 15 RBI. In his career, May has been his most productive month, clubbing 58 homers and driving in 159 runners and recording a .893 OPS.

INTERLEAGUING: The Dodgers are 2-1 in interleague play this season after going 15-5 last season against the other league, including an 8-2 record on the road. Since the start of the 2019 season, Los Angeles is 55-28 in interleague play, their .663 winning percentage in that span is second best in the Majors, trailing only the Tampa Bay Rays, who have a .684 winning percentage in that span. THE GLUE: Dodger catcher Will Smith went 2-for-4 on Wednesday night and is now batting .329 (23- for-70) with three doubles, four homers in the month of May with a .973 OPS. The Dodgers are 23-10 (.697) when Smith has appeared in a game. The backstop’s .719 winning percentage while in a game leads the National League and is ninth in the Majors.

FABULOUS FREDDIE: Freddie Freeman extended his hitting streak to 14 games on Wednesday, going 1-for-4. He is batting .429 (24-for-56) with four homers, seven doubles, one triple, 17 RBI and 13 runs scored during the streak and has hit safely in all but two games in May. Freeman is third in the Major Leagues with 42 runs scored, trailing just Ronald Acuña Jr. (46) and Marcus Semien (45). He clubbed his 300th career homer on May 18 and became just the fifth player in franchise history to accomplish that feat in a Dodger uniform: His 300th career homer came in grand fashion, clubbing his fourth career Grand Slam. He became only the second person in Major League Baseball history to hit his No. 300 for Grand Slam, joining Ruben Sierra, who clubbed his 300th on August 28, 2004 for the Yankees at Toronto.

LONG BALLS: The Dodgers connected for a homer on Wednesday and have 82 on the season, which is third in the Majors, behind only the Tampa Bay Rays (97) and Atlanta Braves (83). Los Angeles recorded their 14th 3+ homer game of the season on Monday, which trails only the Rays (16) for most in the league. Los Angeles is also second in the Majors with 42 games with at least one homer, behind the Rays (45), who have homered in all but seven games this season.

TONIGHT’S STARTER at RAYS: RHP NOAH SYNDERGAARD (1-3, 5.88 ERA in 9 GS)
2023 SEASON NOTES:

  • Earned his first win as a Dodger in his start on April 30 against St. Louis, firing 5.1 innings, giving up eight hits and three runs…he is 1-3 on the season with a 5.88 ERA with 30 strikeouts
  • Struck out a season-high nine batters on April 14 vs. the Cubs
  • Pitched in five games (four starts) during spring ball, going 1-3 with a 5.79 ERA (12 ER/18.2 IP) with 13 strikeouts against just two walks…held a 1.13 WHIP

VS. RAYS:

  • Last faced the club on May 9, 2022, hurling 5.1 innings and giving up one run, one walk and one home run and sitting down seven en route to the win
  • Has faced the Rays twice in his career for a 1-1 record with a 5.79 ERA (6 ER/9.1 IP) in two games…struck out 13 against three walks

TAMPA BAY RAYS NOTES:

SERIES VICTORY — Tampa Bay earned a series victory over Toronto with yesterday’s 6-3 win, taking three of four from the Blue Jays…RHP Zach Eflin matched a season high with 7.0 innings, allowing one run on six hits and two walks…LF Randy Arozarena (2- for-3, 2RBI, R, BB, SB) registered his team-leading 17th multi-hit effort of the season…SS Wander Franco (1-for-2, 3B, 2R, 2BB, 2SB) stole his team-best 16th and 17th bases, while recording his 10th career triple…he became the sixth player (seventh occurrence) in Rays history to have a triple and two steals in a game (last Mallex Smith on 8/1/18 vs. LAA).

Eflin became the fourth pitcher in Rays history to throw 7.0+ innings without a strikeout, joining Mark Hendrickson (7.1IP on 4/9/04 vs. BAL), Joe Kennedy (8.0 IP on 8/15/02 vs. CLE) and Albie Lopez (7.0 IP on 4/29/ 01 at DET)…it marked the first time Tampa Bay won while striking out one batter or fewer in a game since 9/4/11 at Baltimore (1SO).

Tampa Bay stole seven bases, including multiple steals from Taylor Walls (2), Luke Raley (2) and Wander Franco (2)…it marked the first game in club history in which three Rays recorded multiple stolen bases.

HOME FIELD ADVANTAGE — Tampa Bay’s 24-5 record at Tropicana Field marks MLB’s best 29-game start at home since the 2008 Boston Red Sox (24-5)…the Rays are the third team in the Wild Card Era (since 1995) to win 24 of their first 29 home games, joining the 2008 Red Sox and 1998 New York Yankees (24-5).

Tampa Bay hitters rank among MLB leaders at home in several categories, including extra-base hits (1st, 110), stolen bases (1st, 33), infield hits (T1st, 51), homers (2nd, 49), SLG (2nd, .487), OPS (3rd, .830), walks (3rd, 102) and runs per game (5th, 5.69).

START ME UP — Rays starters have pitched to a 2.25 ERA (48.0IP, 12ER) over their last 10 games, holding opponents to a .218 average (39-for-179) with 40 strikeouts, nine walks and a .579 OPS in that span…it marks the second-lowest ERA by any major league rotation in that timeframe (since 5/16), behind Texas (1.88); the Rays rotation also ranks among MLB leaders in walks (1st), WHIP (1st, 1.00), opp. OPS (1st) and extra-base hits (2nd, 9) in that span.

MERRY-GO-ROUND — The Rays 85 walks during the month of May are tied for the most in the AL with New York-AL…Randy Arozarena has drawn a walk in 14 of his last 17 games — his 16 walks in that span (since 5/8) are tied with NYY Aaron Judge and SD Juan Soto for most in the majors…overall, Arozarena’s 17 walks in May are tied for fifth most in the majors.

INTERLEAGUE RUNDOWN — The Rays 11-4 (.733) mark against NL clubs signals the second best Interleague winning percentage in MLB behind New York-AL (7-2, .778)… following a seven-game losing streak from 6/28-8/10, 2022, Tampa Bay has won 13 of its last 17 Interleague matchups dating back to 8/30/22.

Rays pitching has recorded a 2.97 ERA (133.1IP, 44ER) against the NL, the third-lowest Interleague ERA in the majors…this includes a 1.93 ERA (70.0IP, 15ER) by Tampa Bay starters.

Rays hitters are slashing .270/.343/.508 with 31 homers against the NL…they pace the majors in Interleague SLG (.508) and OPS (.851).

BAG BANDITS — The Rays lead the majors in stolen bases (37) and stolen base attempts (44) during the month of May…Wander Franco paces the club with 11 steals this month (third most in MLB during May), followed by Luke Raley (6SB), Taylor Walls (6SB) and Josh Lowe (4SB)…the Rays have been successful on 24 of their last 26 stolen base attempts dating back to 5/14 at New York-AL.

The Rays have an MLB-best six players with 6+ steals (Wander Franco – 17SB, Taylor Walls – 11SB, Josh Lowe – 9SB, Randy Arozarena – 6SB, Manuel Margot – 6SB and Luke Raley – 6SB)…the next closest team is Cleveland with four players.

Tampa Bay has stolen seven bases twice this season (5/25 vs. TOR and 5/17 at NYM)…the last team to have multiple games with 7+ stolen bases in a season was the 1995 Houston Astros (2G).

GOING STREAKING — Yandy Díaz has a 19-game on-base streak since 4/27, slashing .354/.468/.677 (23-for-65) with 11 extra-base hits, 12 RBI, 12 walks and only 12 strikeouts in that stretch…it marks the second-longest streak of his career behind a 22-game run from 7/24-8/16, 2020…it is the third-longest active run in the AL behind MIN Byron Buxton (24G) and TEX Marcus Semien (22G).

Díaz has reached base safely in 29 of his last 30 games overall, going .352/.453/.620 (38-for-108) at the plate during that span…he leads all qualified major leaguers during that stretch (since 4/15) in batting average and OPS (1.073) while ranking second in OBP and third in SLG.

THE BAY BOMBERS — The Rays have hit a major league-best 97 home runs, the fifth-most long balls through a club’s first 52 games in MLB history (since 1901), trailing only the 1999 Seattle Mariners (107HR), 2019 Minnesota Twins (104HR), 2000 St. Louis Cardinals (100HR) and 2020 Los Angeles Dodgers (98HR).

The Rays have an MLB-best 28 multi-HR games, ahead of New York-AL (26G); they are 23-5 in those contests…this includes 16 games with 3+ homers, most in the majors ahead of Los Angeles-NL (14G); they had 13 games with 3+ HR in 2022.

The Rays have an MLB-best 11 players with 5+ home runs this season, ahead of four teams tied at eight players (ATL, BAL, SF, LAD)…they also have four players with 10+ homers, second most in the majors behind Atlanta (5).

ONCE UPON A TIME IN HOLLYWOOD—Tampa Bay and Los Angeles kick off a three-game set tonight…the last regular season series between the two clubs came in 2019, with the teams splitting four games.

Los Angeles leads the all-time series, 10-7, but has only outscored Tampa Bay by a total of six runs (90-84).

The Rays and Dodgers met in the 2020 World Series, with Los Angeles winning in six games…the clubs split the first four games of the 2020 Fall Classic before the Dodgers won Games 5 and 6 to claim the Commissioner’s Trophy.

RANDY LAND — For every Friday home game, fans can purchase tickets for Randy Land in section 141 for $49…tickets include a Randy T-shirt and if Arozarena hits a home run, fans in Randy Land receive a free Budweiser, Bud Light, soda or water.

RETIRING A RAY — Jake McGee will throw out the first pitch of tonight’s game to celebrate his retirement as a Ray…McGee appeared in a franchise-record 297 games from 2010-2015, going 21-11 with a 2.77 ERA (259.2IP, 80ER).

TONIGHT’S SCHEDULED RELIEVER: RHP COOPER CRISWELL(0-1, 7.94)
OPENING ACT — LHP Jalen Beeks will start tonight’s game as an opener with RHP Cooper Criswell scheduled to follow…will mark his sixth start of the season, including his third at Tropicana Field…has a 1.64 ERA (11.0IP, 2ER) in his five starts compared to a 7.07 ERA (14.0IP, 11ER) in 13 relief appearances.

FLIP THE SCRIPT — After going 0-2 with a 7.43 ERA (13.1IP, 11ER), eight walks and eight strikeouts over 10 games during April, Beeks has pitched to a 1-0 mark with a 1.54 ERA (11.2IP, 2ER), four walks, 14 strikeouts and a 0.94 WHIP over eight outings (3 starts) in May…during May, Beeks is holding opponents to a .167/.239/.262 (7-for-42) line…this comes after he allowed season highs in both hits (4) and runs (5) on 4/30 at Chicago-AL.

Beeks has not allowed a hit with RISP in May (0-for-9)…opponents are 2-for-20 (.100) against him with RISP on the season.

CALLING ON CRISWELL — The right-hander will make his sixth career appearance tonight, including his fourth of 2023…opponents are batting .217 (5-for-23) against him the first time through the order compared to .400 (10-for-25) the second and third times through…opposing hitters are 3-for-27 (.111) against him in two-strike counts.

LAST TIME OUT — Making his fifth career appearance in the big leagues on 5/21 vs. Milwaukee, Criswell took his first major league loss after entering in the third inning and working into the seventh (4.2IP, 8H, 5ER, BB, 3SO, 2HR)…surrendered a pair of two-run homers and set career highs in hits, runs, innings and pitches thrown (86).

WILD WEST — Tonight will mark his first career appearance against Los Angeles-NL…it will also mark his second career outing against an NL West club; he made his first career start on 8/27/21 vs. San Diego as a member of Los Angeles-AL (1.1IP, 6H, 3ER).

K’S FOR COOPER — In his season debut on 4/17 at CIN, Criswell entered in the fifth inning and fanned seven batters with zero walks (4.0IP, 4H, 4ER, 7SO, 2HBP)…he became the sixth Rays reliever to strike out 7+ batters without a walk, including the first since Robert Dugger on 5/1/22 vs. MIN (7SO, 0BB).

2023 RECAP — Criswell received a non-roster invitation to Rays Spring Training, turning in a 0.79 ERA (11.1IP, 1ER) over six appearances (2 starts) during Grapefruit League play…began the season with Triple-A Durham, going 0-1 with a 3.09 ERA (11.2IP, 4ER) in three appearances before the Rays selected his contract on 4/17…he made a pair of major league appearances before being optioned to Durham on 4/22…he was recalled again on 5/21 to begin his current stint with the Rays.

Athletics release first renderings of club’s proposed new ballpark in Las Vegas

MLB Editor
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Athletics release first renderings of club’s proposed new ballpark in Las Vegas

OAKLAND, Calif. — The Athletics today have released the first renderings of the Club’s proposed new ballpark in Las Vegas. 

Sitting on nine acres at the Tropicana site, the ballpark will feature a variety of seating options, a partially retractable roof, and a fan capacity of 30,000, making it one of the most intimate settings in Major League Baseball. The orientation of the playing surface will allow for the outfield to open to the corner of Tropicana and Las Vegas Boulevard.

The state-of-the-art venue will be a hub for sports, entertainment, and community engagement, hosting A’s games along with a diverse range of events, concerts, and community gatherings. The design pays homage to the rich history of the Athletics as well as the unique spirit of Las Vegas. The plan will feature innovative architecture, sustainability and environmental consciousness, and modern amenities that focus on the peak of excellence in fan experience.  

“From the minute we stepped onto the Tropicana site nearly two years ago, it was immediately obvious what a fantastic fit it would be for a new A’s ballpark in Las Vegas,” said A’s director of design and owner of Schrock KC Architecture, Brad Schrock. “The natural orientation of the ballpark creates not only some of the best views and connection to the Las Vegas skyline from the seating bowl but also opens up the ballpark to the corner in a way that creates opportunities for an amazing energetic public space with open and expansive views into the ballpark.” 

A’s President Dave Kaval said: “We are excited to share our vision for the A’s potential new home. As our first conceptual design, we will continue to refine the look and feel of the ballpark over the next year. We hope our project goes beyond a traditional ballpark and serves as a catalyst for community development and engagement. It follows in the footsteps and success of the professional sports teams that come before us, in creating union jobs, stimulating economic growth, and fostering investments in the community. 

Thanks to the vision of Bally’s and GLPI, we have the opportunity to bring baseball to one of the most energetic locations in Las Vegas. We look forward to continuing our collaboration with the Nevada Governor, Legislative leaders, Clark County Commissioners, and the Southern Nevada community as we move forward with plans on our new home.”

Dodgers activate Left-hand pitcher Clayton Kershaw

MLB Editor
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Dodgers activate Left-hand pitcher Clayton Kershaw

LOS ANGELES – The Los Angeles Dodgers have activated left-handed pitcher Clayton Kershaw from the bereavement list and optioned right-handed pitcher Tayler Scott.  

Kershaw, 34, is 6-4 on the season and carries a 2.98 ERA (19 ER/57.1 IP) with 69 strikeouts. The nine-time All-Star is 203-91 with a 2.49 ERA (730 ER/2638.1 IP) and 2,876 strikeouts in his career. He was drafted by the Dodgers in 2006 First Year Player Draft with the seventh overall pick out of Highland Park High School.

Scott, 30, did not make an appearance in his first stint with the Dodgers. He is 1-0 with a 1.08 ERA (2 ER/16.2 IP) and 29 strikeouts against 10 walks in 16 games with Triple-A Oklahoma City. He has appeared in 301 minor league games in his career, posting a 43-37 record with a 3.83 ERA (284 ER/667.0 IP) and 532 strikeouts. He has spent parts of two seasons in the Major Leagues with Seattle (2019), Baltimore (2019) and San Diego (2022) and he is a combined 0-1 with an 11.12 ERA (35 ER/28.1 IP) and 27 strikeouts in 21 games (two starts). He was signed by the Dodgers as a minor league free agent on January 3, 2023.

Orioles conduct several roster moves

MLB Editor
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Orioles conduct several roster moves

The Orioles have made the following roster moves:

  • Reinstated INF Ramón Urías from the 10-day Injured List (left hamstring strain).
  • Optioned INF Joey Ortiz to Triple-A Norfolk.

Yankees make multiple roster moves

MLB Editor
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Yankees make multiple roster moves

Prior to tonight’s game, the Yankees made the following roster moves:

  • Recalled RHP Randy Vásquez (#98) from Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre.
  • Released OF Aaron Hicks.
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