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MLB Preview: Texas Rangers (30-18) at Pittsburgh Pirates (25-23)

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MLB Preview: Texas Rangers (30-18) at Pittsburgh Pirates (25-23)

TEXAS RANGERS NOTES:

WINS AND LOSSES: Texas defeated Pittsburgh yesterday, 6-1, in the 2nd game of a 3 G set (1-1 + 1 G today)…team then enjoys an off day on Thurs., as they continue a 9-G, 10- day trip in BAL (3 G) and DET (3 G)…club is now 9-6 in the 2nd G of a series…TEX has won 4 of 5, 5 of 7, 7 of 10 and 9 of 13 and 12 of last 17 G…TEX is an A.L.-best 16-7 (.696) in last 23 G beg. 4/28, 2nd-highest win pct. in MLB in that span (LAD is 18-6, .750)…TEX is 16-11 in last 27 G, but still 23-13 in last 36 G and 26-14 in last 40 G beg. 4/9.

  • At 30-18 (.625), TEX owns the 3rd-best record in the A.L. and MLB (see chart below)…club’s 30 wins rank T3rd in A.L. and T4th in MLB (35-TB, 31-BAL/LAD, 30-NYY/TEX).
  • The 30-18 start marks Rangers’ best 48-G start to a season since 2013 (31-17), and is T3rd-best start in club history.
  • TEX is back to a season high 12 G above .500 for the 2nd time this season (also 29-17 on Sun.)…it is the 2nd time since the end of 2016 (95-67) that the team is over 12 G… from 2020-22, TEX spent a total of one day above .500 (10-9 on 8/15/20).

BEST RECORDS IN MLB, 2023
Win Pct. Team W-L
.700 Tampa Bay 35-15
.646 Baltimore 31-17
.625 Texas 30-18
.620 Los Angeles-NL 31-19

WITH A WIN TODAY, Texas could:

  • Climb to a season-best 13 G above .500 for 1st time since the end of the 2016 season.
  • Move to 31-18, which would be one of the 4 best 49-G starts in team history (see chart above).
  • Earn a series win, moving club to 10-2-1 in last 11 series, a 6-2-0 record in 8 road series and 4th straight road series win.
  • Win their 1st road series against an Interleague opponent in 2023 (0-2-0 after playing at CHC and at CIN).
  • Win a 7th straight day game (improving to a 13-4 record).
  • Improve to 4-0 in rubber games on the road (5-1 overall).

STANDINGS: Rangers again hold a 2.0-game lead in the A.L. West over 2nd-place HOU…club held a lead of 2-ormore games in the division for 14-consecutive days (5/7-21) which was snapped after Monday’s loss at PIT…TEX has had sole possession of 1st place in the West for 18 straight, 25 of 26, and 38 of the last 40 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 53 of the season’s first 54 days (exception: 4/8).

SERIES STUFF: Club has gone 5-1-1 in last 7 series and 9-2-1 in last 12…team is 10-4-1 overall in series this year, going 6-2-1 at home 4-2-0 on the road…club did not win a 10th series in 2022 until 7/8-10 vs. MIN…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 5-2-0 in last 7 series on the road.

LONG ROAD: TEX is 1-1 in the 1st 2 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)…club has won 3 straight road series for 1st time since 6/9-25/17 at WAS/HOU/NYY… team has won 5 of 7 and 8 of 11 on road after a season-long 4-G away losing skid…club is 14-10 (.583) on road, 3rd-best away win pct. in A.L., 5th in MLB…TEX’s lone time being swept in ’23 came on a 3-day trip to CIN from 4/24-26.

VS. PITTSBURGH: The Rangers are 14-10 all-time vs. Pittsburgh, including a 6-4 record at PNC Park…only previous visits to Pittsburgh came in 2002, 2007 and 2019…TEX was 10-2 in 1st 12 meetings (winning 1st 6-consecutive matchups), but are 4-8 vs. Pirates since 2013.

  • TEX is 10-9 in Interleague play in 2023, winning 5 of last 7 G…team owns a 2-6 record on the road vs. N.L.

EOVALDI GOES THE DISTANCE, AGAIN: Nathan Eovaldi posted his 2nd CG of the season last night (9.0 IP, 6 H, 1 R-ER, 1 BB, 5 SO), earning his 6th win of the year, T2ndmost in A.L./MLB…he is the first MLB pitcher with multiple CG in ’23, and has now tossed 2 CG in back-to-back seasons (after no CG in 1st 10 seasons in the Majors)…Eovaldi is the 1st TEX starter with multiple CG in the team’s 1st 48 contests of a season since Martín Pérez had a pair of shutouts in team’s 1st 20 G in 2014…the last TEX RHP with multiple CG so early in a season was Colby Lewis, who had a pair in team’s 1st 41 contests in 2011…Eovaldi over his last 5 starts beg. 4/29: 4-0, 0.86 ERA (4 ER/41.2 IP), 6 BB, 35 SO.

  • Only other pitchers in TEX history with at least 41.2 IP while allowing 4-or-fewer R over a 5-start span are Charlie Hough (Aug./Sept. 1983) and Fergie Jenkins (Aug./Sept. 1974)
  • In last 28 seasons (beg. 1996), the only other TEX starter with so many IP over a 5-G span was Cliff Lee in July/August 2010…last TEX RHP to do it was Kevin Brown in May 1993.
  • Eovaldi has posted quality starts in each of his last 7 outings (beg. 4/18), the longest QS streak by a Ranger since Martín Pérez from 4/23-6/5/22 (9 straight).

BEWARE OF THE BATS: TEX leads MLB w/ 6.40 R/G and 307 R…team has 4+ runs in 12 of last 13 games…club has 4+ R in 35 G this season, T1st in MLB (35-TB)…TEX leads MLB w/ a .287 BA in May, and A.L.-high .808 OPS is tops in the A.L…club’s +111 run differential is now tops in MLB.

  • The 307 runs scored by TEX in ’23 are the 2nd-most over the first 48 G of a season in franchise history (311-1998)… club leads MLB with 12 G of 10+ R and 14 innings of 5+ R.
  • TEX has MLB-high 4 players with 30+ RBI this season (49-García, 39-Semien, 32-Heim, 30-Jung)…club has a homer in 7 straight road games, the longest away run in ’23… team also has 22 HR by players 25-and-younger this season.

COUNT ON SEMIEN: Marcus Semien last night extended his hitting streak to a season high 13 games, which is currently tops in the Majors for active hitting streak…he is 1 G shy of tying 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 15 individual hit streaks of 13+ games in Majors in 2023: 4-TEX, 2-HOU.

  • Semien, who currently leads A.L. in fWAR (1st, 2.4), bWAR (T1st, 2.9), has hits in 19 of 20 G in May at .345/.417/.536/.952 (29-84) to along with a 21-G on-base streak…he has also reached base via H/BB in 23-straight road games.

MAKE WAY FOR THE JUNG GENERATION: Josh Jung, riding a 7-G hitting streak, launched his 11th HR of the season, which leads all MLB rookies…extends his record for HR as a third baseman by a TEX rookie (prev. 8, 3x, last Fernando Tatis in ‘97)…1st time in career that Jung has HR in 3-straight (tied with Garcίa and Semien for longest HR streak by a Ranger in ’23)…it is the longest HR streak by a TEX rookie since Jonah Heim homered in 3 straight G from 7/30-8/1/21… also the T2nd-longest HR streak by a 3B in club history, trailing only a 4-G run by Adrián Beltré from 9/23-27/11

BALK THIS WAY: TEX scored 2 of their R last night via balks (Seager, 1st inning off Hill; Jung, 7th inning off Hernandez)… Elias Sports Bureau confirms that it is the 2nd time in TEX/ WAS franchise history that the club has scored on multiple balks with a runner on 3rd base in the same game…the only other instance? Sept. 30, 1988 at SEA…catcher for the Mariners in that game? our television color analyst, Dave Valle… at 3B for TEX? our Rangers Live! host, Steve Buechele

TODAY’S STARTING PITCHER – #54 Martín Pérez, LHP
(5-1, 4.01)
TODAY: The 32-year-old left-hander is scheduled to make his 10th start of the season in today’s series finale against Pittsburgh at PNC Park…produced his 1st ultra-quality start (7.0+ IP, 2-or-fewer ER) of the campaign in his last outing on Fri. vs. COL (W, 7.0 IP, 7 H, 2 R-ER, 0 BB, 7 SO, 104 pitches/72 strikes)…opponents have batted .303/.346/.478/.823 (61-201) this season, the tied for highest opp. BA allowed among qualified MLB pitchers (also KC’s Brady Singer)…has already allowed 8 HR (1.46 HR/9) this season after permitting just 11 HR (0.50 HR/9) in all of 2022…is still undefeated (4-0) in his last 7 starts following his lone defeat of 2023 on 4/8 at CHC (L, 5.0 IP, 3 R-2 ER)…made 2 starts for Venezuela in the 2023 World Baseball Classic, posting no record and a 9.82 ERA (4 ER/3.2 IP)…after returning to the Rangers on a one-year free agent deal for 2022, he elected to stay with Texas in 2023 on a one-year deal after accepting the club’s qualifying offer in November…spent the first 11 seasons of his professional career with the Rangers (2008-18), and has been with the organization for 12 of his 15 years as a pro…left the club for 3 years for brief stints with Minnesota (2019) and Boston (2020-21)…since 2016, his first full campaign after returning from ‘Tommy John’ surgery, has the 2nd-most starts (184) and 2nd-most innings pitched (1056.0) of any pitcher in the American League…saw two seasons cut short in 2014-15 following ‘Tommy John’ ligament reconstruction surgery on his left elbow on 5/19/14…Texas has gone 6-3 in his 9 starts this season.

LAST START: In his last start on Friday vs. COL, logged season highs in both innings (7.0) and pitches (104), producing his 1st ultra-quality start (7.0+ IP, 2-or-fewer ER) of the campaign (W, 7.0 IP, 7 H, 2 R-ER, 0 BB, 7 SO, 104 pitches/72 strikes)…earned the win to improve to 5-1 on the season, as his 5 victories rank 2nd on the team (6-Nathan Eovaldi)…marked his 60th career win as a Ranger, as he is just the 11th pitcher (4th left-hander) to reach that plateau with the club…the other lefties on the list? Kenny Rogers (133), Derek Holland (62), and Darren Oliver (60)…the outing was just the 2nd of Pérez’s career in which he logged 7.0+ IP and 7+ strikeouts without issuing a walk (also 7.0 IP, 8 SO, 0 BB on 5/18/17 vs. PHI w/ TEX)

FOREVER RANGER: Has a 60-58 record with a 4.26 ERA over 182 games/169 starts in his Rangers career, ranking among club’s all-time leaders in starts (7th), innings (10th, 1007.0), wins (T10th), and strikeouts (12th, 669)…needs 2.0 IP to surpass Rick Helling for 9th on TEX all-time list and 7.0 IP for 8th place above Jose Guzman..the only other left-handed hurler on that list? Kenny Rogers (1909.0 IP).

  • Since returning to Texas prior to the start of the 2022 campaign, Pérez has gone 17-9, 3.11 ERA (85 ER/245.2 IP) in 41 G/GS…ranks among qualified A.L. pitchers over that span in quality starts (5th, 26), innings (5th), HR/9 (5th, 0.70), starts (T5th), ground ball pct. (7th, 48.7%) and wins (T7th).

VS. PITTSBURGH / INTERLEAGUE: Pérez has gone 1-1 with a 4.91 ERA (6 ER/11.0 IP) in 2 career appearances/starts vs. PIT…today will mark his 1st-career start at PNC Park…has not faced the Pirates in almost 7 years… his last start against them being a 6-2 victory at Globe Life Park (6.0 IP, 7 H, 2 R-ER, 1 HR, 1 BB, 3 SO, 98 pitches/65 strikes), with Andrew McCutchen the last Pirate remaining from that lineup…is 0-1, 1.59 ERA (2 ER/11.1 IP) in 2 starts against N.L. Central foes in ’23 (4/8 at CHC and 4/25 at CIN) • Pérez, who has spent his entire 12-year MLB career in the American League, owns a lifetime 14-13 record and 3.96 ERA (104 ER/236.1 IP) across 44 games/39 starts in Interleague play…over the last 2 seasons (beg. 2022), he is 5-2, 1.84 (11 ER/53.2 IP) in 9 starts vs. National League foes.

ON THE ROAD: 6 of Pérez’s 9 starts this season have come away from Arlington, and he is 2-1, 5.28 ERA (18 ER/30.2 IP) on the road in 2023…6 road starts are tied for most among Rangers (also Eovaldi) and rank T2nd in MLB behind only CLE’s Shane Bieber (7)…all 8 HR allowed this season have come in road outings, as opponents have batted .303/.346/.478/.823 (61- 201) in his away starts vs. .288/.325/.370/.695 (21-73) at Globe Life Field. 2023: Opponents have batted .303/.346/.478/.823 (61-201) with 18 extra-base hits (8 HR, 3B, 9 2B), incl. opp. BA’s of .400 (14-35) vs. LHB and .283 (47-166) vs. RHB…TEX has scored 6+ runs in of 8 of Pérez’s 9 starts, as his 10.22 run support average (RSA) ranks highest among qualified ML pitchers (2nd is ATL’s Charlie Morton with an 8.08 RSA)…opp. BA by time thru the order: 1st (.219, 16-73), 2nd (.347, 26-75) and 3rd (.365, 19-52)… Jonah Heim has caught all 9 of Pérez’s starts.

PITTSBURGH PIRATES NOTES:

THE PIRATES: Lost 6-1 in the second game of their three-game series last night against the Rangers…Are 2-3 heading into the finale of their current six-game homestand against Arizona and Texas…Won seven straight games from 4/17-23, their longest winning streak since 2018 (11 games)…Are 1.0 game behind the front-running Brewers in the National League Central coming into today.

LEADING THINGS OFF: Andrew McCutchen went 2-for-3 with a double, walk and run scored last night while batting out of the leadoff spot…McCutchen is now hitting .357 (10-for-28) with a double, four runs scored and .419 on-base percentage in seven games out of the leadoff spot this season.

GETTING ON: Andrew McCutchen comes into today with a 13-game on-base streak, going 16-for-45 (.356) with a home run, four RBI, eight walks and .453 on-base percentage…McCutchen’s 13-game on-base streak is tied for the third-longest by a Pirate this season (it’s also tied for the seventh-longest active streak in the National League)…Jack Suwinski has the longest on-base streak by a Pirate this season (17 games from April 9-29).

GO WEST YOUNG BUCS: Following today’s game, the Pirates will depart for a six-game road trip to Seattle and San Francisco that gets underway Friday night..It will be Pittsburgh’s fourth series ever in Seattle and first since 2016…The Pirates are 4-3 all-time at T-Mobile Park.

ABOUT TODAY’S STARTER: Johan Oviedo gets the start this afternoon in the finale of this three-game series and six-game homestand against the Diamondbacks and Rangers…Oviedo began the homestand Friday night by allowing one run in 6.0 innings while winning a 13-3 decision against Arizona’s Zac Gallen.

MORE ABOUT JOHAN: Johan Oviedo has allowed a combined two runs in 11.0 innings in his last two starts…Oviedo has worked at least 5.0 innings while allowing one earned run or fewer in five of his nine starts this season…Oviedo’s average of 0.75 home runs allowed per 9.0 innings ranks ninth in the National League (teammate Mitch Keller ranks eighth with an average of 0.72 home runs allowed per 9.0 innings).

AND THE WHIFF: Rich Hill struck out nine batters last night, giving Pittsburgh’s starting rotation 249 for the season…That’s the third-most strikeouts in the National League and tied for the 11th-most in MLB coming into today…The only National League starting rotations to record more strikeouts are the Braves (271) and Marlins (267).

LOVING LEFTIES: The Pirates have gone 8-4 in games started by opposing lefthanders this season…Pittsburgh’s last game against a left-handed starter came last Wednesday in Detroit against Eduardo Rodriguez, who allowed four runs in 5.0 innings against the Pirates…Pittsburgh ranks seventh in MLB in OPS (.792) and eighth in slugging (.445) and batting (.274) against southpaws.

MAKE THAT A DOUBLE: Bryan Reynolds delivered a run-scoring double in the third inning Tuesday for his 16th of the season…Reynolds is tied for the second-most doubles among all National League players (Freddie Freeman leads with 18)…Pittsburgh’s 93 doubles as a team are tied for the fourth-most in the National League.

RUN PIRATES RUN: The Pirates come into today tied for the Major League lead in stolen bases (53) along with the Tampa Bay Rays…Monday night was the seventh time this season Pittsburgh swiped at least three bags in a game (the team had a season-high six stolen bases on April 26 against the Dodgers).

CALL TO THE PEN: Colin Holderman has not allowed a run in his last six appearances (5.1ip) since being charged with
the only loss of his big league career when he allowed three runs in 1.0 inning against the Dodgers on April 25…Holderman
has struck out 10 batters in 4.1 innings of relief this month while allowing three hits in 16 at-bats.

TODAY’S STARTING PITCHER – 24 – RHP JOHAN OVIEDO
JOHAN OVIEDO: The 25-year-old righthander is making his 10th start today…Allowed one run in 6.0 innings while winning a 13-3 decision against Arizona’s Zac Gallen in his last start Friday.

vs. TEXAS: Has never faced the Rangers.

MLB Preview: Boston Red Sox (26-22) at Los Angeles Angels (26-23)

MLB Editor
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MLB Preview: Boston Red Sox (26-22) at Los Angeles Angels (26-23)

BOSTON RED SOX NOTES:

STATE OF THE SOX: The Red Sox have lost back-to-back games following a 4-game winning streak from 4/29-5/6. The Sox rank 9th in MLB in win % (26-22, .542)… Their record would rank no lower than 3rd in any other division, including 1st place in both the AL Central and NL Central.

AL WILD CARD STANDINGS
Rk. Team W-L Pct. GB

  1. Baltimore 31-16 .660 +3.0
  2. Houston 28-19 .596 –
  3. New York-AL 29-20 .592 –
  • Boston 26-22 .542 -2.5
  • Los Angeles-AL 26-23 .531 -3.0

YESTERDAY’S NEWS: The Red Sox lost yesterday’s series opener at LAA, 2-1…Tanner Houck allowed 1 run over 6.0 IP with 8 SO (3 H, 2 BB, HB).
Connor Wong (1-for-3) doubled to lead off the 6th inning, then scored the Sox’ only run on an RBI single from Masataka Yoshida (2-for-4).

UPS AND DOWNS: The Red Sox have been held to 1 run and 2 XBH in their last 23 offensive innings, after scoring 31 runs with 19 XBH in their previous 34 offensive innings. The Sox have scored 1 or 0 runs in back-to-back games for the 3rd time this season (also 4/4-5 and 5/14-15).

RED SOX OFFENSE
Dates Record AVG OPS Runs/Game
3/30-4/13 5-8 .235 .731 5.5
4/14-5/6 16-6 .295 .840 6.2
5/7-22 5-8 .245 .703 4.0

SOX & ANGELS: The Red Sox have lost their last 2 games vs. LAA after winning the first 3 meetings of the season. The Sox are 6-3 in their last 9 games against the Halos, and 20-11 vs. LAA since the start of 2018. The Sox have won 3 of their last 4 series at Angel Stadium of Anaheim since the start of 2018, going 9-5 at the venue during that span.

BEST WESTERN: Since the start of 2022, the Red Sox are 30-11 against AL West opponents (5-3 this season). The Sox are 12-5 at AL West ballparks from 2022-23, outscoring opponents 68-46 in those games. Boston’s 2.53 ERA (42 ER/149.2 IP) in AL West ballparks since the start of 2022 is the lowest mark in MLB (min. 5 games).

TOUGH TEST: The Red Sox are tied for 1st in MLB in strength of schedule this season (also OAK and TOR). The Red Sox are 15-15 (.500) against teams with a .500 winning percentage or better…Their 15 wins are tied with NYY for 3rd most in MLB (TB-18, BAL-16). Each of the Sox’ next 2 opponents have a winning record: LAA (26-23) and ARI (28-20).

ROAD TRIPPING: The Red Sox are 2-2 so far on their 9-game, 11-day road trip to SD (2-1), LAA (0-1), and ARI (3 G). The trip is tied for the ox’ longest of the season by days…It is their 2nd-longest trip of the season by games played (10 games in 11 days from 8/14-24).

SERIES BUSINESS: The Red Sox are 10-4-1 in series play, including 8-2-1 in their last 11 series and 5-1-1 in their last 7. The Sox have alternated series results on the road this season (W, L, W, L, W, T, W): 3-0 at DET, 0-4 at TB, 2-1 at MIL, 1-2 at BAL, 2-1 at PHI, 1-1 at ATL, 2-1 at SD.

HELP IS ON THE WAY: Garrett Whitlock tossed 4.2 scoreless innings in a rehab start Sunday for Triple-A Worcester against Lehigh Valley (4 H, BB, 4 SO, 79 pitches). Whitlock also started for the WooSox last Tuesday and allowed 1 R in 4.0 IP (5 H, 4 SO, 49 pitches).

PITCHING IN: Red Sox pitchers have allowed 3 ER or fewer in each of their last 5 games, posting a 2.09 ERA and .158 opponent AVG in that span (43.0 IP, 10 ER, 24-for-152). The Red Sox have allowed 6 hits or fewer in 5 consecutive games for just the 3rd time in the last 30 seasons (also September 2016 and August 2013). In their last 6 games, Sox relievers have allowed 4 ER (1.77 ERA) and held opponents to a .129 AVG (9-for-70).

START ME UP: Red Sox starting pitchers have tossed at least 5.0 innings in 23 of their last 25 games, including 10 of their last 11. Sox starters posted a 3.45 ERA in the last 11 games (23 ER/60.2 IP), after entering that span with a 5.71 ERA. They have allowed 2 runs or fewer over 5.0+ IP in 4 of the last 5 games (see below).

RED SOX STARTING PITCHERS, LAST 5 GAMES
Pitcher (Date) Dec. IP H R ER SO
Brayan Bello (5/17) W 5.0 3 1 1 7
James Paxton (5/19) W 6.0 5 1 1 5
Chris Sale (5/20) W 7.0 3 2 2 8
Corey Kluber (5/21) L 2.1 3 5 1 1
Tanner Houck (5/22) ND 6.0 3 1 1 8
TOTALS: 3-1 2.05 ERA .179 AVG (17-for-95)

RUNNIN’ RED SOX: The Red Sox lead MLB in SB% (88.2%, 30-for-34), after ranking 22nd in 2022 (72.2%, 52-for-72). They have been successful in their last 4 SB attempts.

SLUGGING SOX: The Red Sox lead MLB in doubles (106) and rank top 5 in runs (4th, 259), hits (4th, 437), XBH (3rd, 167), AVG (4th, .266), OBP (5th, .335), SLG (5th, .440), and OPS (4th, .775). Since 4/14, the Sox rank 2nd in MLB in AVG (.277) and OBP (.342), and rank 3rd in hits (333). The Red Sox have scored 5+ runs in 27 games, 5th most in MLB (TB-30, LAD-30, TEX-28, BAL-28). The Sox have recorded 10+ hits in 20 games, tied for 5th most in MLB (TEX-25, TB-24, STL-22, LAA-21).

RED SOX OFFENSIVE RANKINGS
Stat MLB Rank
259 runs 4th
437 hits 4th
106 doubles 1st
167 XBH 3rd
20.5 SO% 5th
Stat MLB Rank
.266 AVG 4th
.335 OBP 5th
.440 SLG 5th
.775 OPS 4th
109 wRC+ 8th

SOX STRIKEOUTS: Red Sox batters have struck out 376 times, 2nd fewest in the AL and 5th fewest in MLB. The Sox struck out 10+ times in each of their 6 games vs. TB and ATL (11.2 SO/game) but have done so just 5 times in their other 42 games (7.4 SO/game).

DON’T START WITH US: Starting pitchers have completed at least 6.0 innings in just 9 starts against the Red Sox this season, fewest of any team in MLB. Starters have lasted fewer than 4.0 innings in 13 starts vs. BOS this season, most in MLB. Starting pitchers are 15-17 with a 5.94 ERA vs. BOS.

SOX SPLITS: The Red Sox are 14-17 when facing a righthanded starter, compared to 12-5 against left-handers. Right-handed starting pitchers have a 5.33 ERA vs. BOS, while left-handed starters have a 7.36 ERA. The Sox rank 2nd in MLB in AVG vs. RHP (.266). Against LHP, the Sox rank 2nd in the AL in hits (136), XBH (54), BB (58), and TB (218).

ANGELS IN THE OUTFIELD: The Red Sox’ outfielders lead MLB in AVG (.302), OBP (.371), hits (170), doubles (48), XBH (69), and runs (102)…They rank 2nd in RBI (95; TB-99). In 2022, Sox outfielders batted .243 with a .301 OBP, .375 SLG, and .676 OPS.

TONIGHT’S STARTER: 66 BRAYAN BELLO – RHP
W-L ERA G GS IP ER HR BB SO WHIP AVG
2023 3-1 4.45 6 6 28.1 14 5 12 31 1.59 .295
CAREER 5-9 4.62 19 17 85.2 44 6 39 86 1.72 .309

Has allowed 6 ER over 21.0 IP in his last 4 starts (2.59 ERA), after giving up 8 ER over 7.1 IP in his first 2 starts (9.82 ERA). His lone appearance against the Angels came on 4/17, his season debut (L, 2.2 IP, 5 R, 8 H, 1 BB, 5 SO). Turned 24 on 5/17…The only other Sox pitchers this century to start 15+ games before turning 24 are Jon Lester, Clay Buchholz, and Eduardo Rodriguez. In his MLB career, opponents are 16-for-84 (.190) with 13 singles and 2 doubles against his changeup (6-for-27 with 12 SO in 2023). Only 6 of the 85 batted balls against him in 2023 have been barrelled (7.1%).

LOS ANGELES ANGELS NOTES:

LEADING OFF: Today, the Angels play the fifth (3-1) of nine games on a homestand against the Minnesota Twins (2-1), Boston Red Sox (1-0; May 22-24) and Miami Marlins (May 26-28)…Halos went 3-4 on last road trip to Cleveland (1-2) and Baltimore (2-2)…LAA was 2-4 on last homestand against the Rangers (1-2) and Astros (1-2).

ANGELS RECENT RECORDS THROUGH 50 GAMES
2023: 26-23 (through 49 games)
2022: 27-23
2021: 22-28
2020: 20-30
2019: 22-28
Best: 33-17 (1989)
Worst: 16-34 (1969)

MOST BEAUTIFUL SOUND I EVER HEARD: Jaime Barria made his first start of the season last night after beginning the year in the Angels bullpen and worked 5.0 scoreless innings…Since April 8, he leads the Majors (min. 15 IP) with a 0.37 ERA (24.1 IP – 1 ER).

ESTÉVEZ ENDING: This season, Carlos Estévez is pitching to a 1.23 ERA (22 IP – 3 ER) and has converted all 12 of his save opportunities (the 12 saves are a new career high)…He is the first Angels pitcher to convert his first 12 save opportunities of a season since Ernesto Frieri in 2012 and is looking to become the first Halos closer to convert his first 13 save chances since Troy Percival had 16 straight successful save opportunities to begin the 2001 season.

LEAGUE LEADER: Shohei Ohtani, leads the Majors in opponent batting average (.142), and ranks third in strikeouts (80) and is fourth in WHIP (0.90).

VS. BOSTON: Today is the sixth (2-3) of seven matchups this season between the Angels and Red Sox…Halos lost three of four games at Fenway Park earlier this season from April 14-17; LAA lost first three games of series before winning the series finale on Patriots’ Day…Boston has won or tied the season series vs. Angels in each of the last four years.

SERIES STATS: After winning two of three vs. Twins in last series and taking opening game from Red Sox yesterday, Halos are looking to win consecutive series for the first time since beating Royals (April 21-23) and A’s (April 24-27) last month.

PLAY FROM AHEAD: Halos have held leads in 40 of 49 games played this year.

THE MICK: Mickey Moniak has hits in all seven of his starts for the Angels this season, including two leadoff homers and six total extra-base hits…He’s one of seven players in the Majors with multiple leadoff HR this year…On May 13 at Cleveland, became the first player in MLB history to make his season debut on his birthday and hit a leadoff home run.

DINGER DUO: Thursday at Baltimore was the 25th time that Mike Trout and Shohei Ohtani homered in the same game…It’s the fourth highest total among duos in Angels history (club record is 48 games – Trout/ Pujols).

LEAD ASSISTANT: Hunter Renfroe is tied for second in the American League with five outfield assists this season…Since 2017, his 61 outfield assists lead the Majors (Starling Marte is second with 52 assists).

SINGLE HANDED: Gio Urshela has hit 43 singles this year plus six extra-base hits (five doubles & one home run)…Urshela ranks second, behind Toronto’s Bo Bichette (46), for the American League lead in singles… Since May 5, Urshela has hits in 14 of 16 games with a PA and is batting .351 (20/57) in that span.

ON THE BOARD: Halos have not been shut out since Aug. 21, 2022 at Detroit…Current streak of 90 games without being shut out is the longest active streak in the Majors and is tied for the fourth-longest streak in Angels history (also had a 90 game streak in 1995).

‘PEN PALS: The Angels bullpen is pitching to a 3.57 ERA (179 IP – 71 ER) this season, which is the seventh-best ERA in the Majors.

NET-OW: Zack Neto has been hit by eight pitches this season, which is tied for second-most in the Majors… Since 1901, Neto’s seven HBP through his first 15 career games are the most in MLB…He also was the first player in Angels history to be hit a pitch in four consecutive games (April 18-21).

ALL OVER THE INFIELD: Gio Urshela is one of six players in the Majors to appear at all four infield positions this season…He has made 16 starts at first base, 16 starts at third base, eight at shortstop and one at second base.

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

UNEARNED: Angels have allowed 26 unearned runs this season, which is the tied for the second-most in the Majors (Colorado has allowed 28 unearned runs)… Halos have committed 32 fielding errors this season, which is tied with Boston and Atlanta for the most in the Majors.

RECENT ROSTER MOVES: Sunday, the Angels reinstated LHP Aaron Loup from the injured list and selected the contracts of RHP Reyes Moronta (#52) and RHP Jacob Webb (#71)…In corresponding moves, the Angels optioned RHP Jimmy Herget, RHP Andrew Wantz and RHP Zack Weiss to Triple-A Salt Lake.

MARLINS ON DECK: Following the current series vs. Boston and an off day on Thursday, the Angels will conclude the homestand with a three-game series against the Miami Marlins…Last season, Halos won three of four games against Miami…LAA is 12-7 all-time vs. Miami (6-2 at Angel Stadium).

TODAY’S STARTING PITCHER – RHP GRIFFIN CANNING
2-2, 6.14 ERA
Holding right-handers to a .237 (14/59) average this season

  • TODAY’S GAME: Making seventh start of the season and fourth at home…Is in fourth Major League season with Angels.
  • HE’S BACK: Made season debut on April 12 vs. Washington; first Major league appearance July 2, 2021… Missed Angels first 11 games of the season on injured list with a left groin strain…Spent entire 2022 season and final two months of 2021 season on IL with a low back stress reaction.
  • OVER SEVEN HITS: Allowed career high nine hits in last start on Wednesday at Baltimore…Was first time allowing more than seven hits in his career…Streak of 46 straight starts with seven-or-fewer hits allowed was second-longest in Angels history (Rickey Clark had a 50 game streak between the 1967-1971 seasons).
  • CURRENT TRENDS: Allowed three-or-fewer runs in each of first three starts this season, then yielded five runs in each of next two starts, before allowing three runs in last start.
  • LAST TIME OUT: Took the loss in last start on May 17 at Baltimore after tossing 5.1 innings and allowing three earned runs on nine hits with two walks and four strikeouts…Marked second consecutive losing decision after winning each of two previous starts.
  • STREAK SNAPPED: Had career-best streak of three consecutive winning decisions snapped on May 10 vs. Houston…The streak dated back to June 9, 2021 and included wins in consecutive starts this season on April 25 and May 4.
  • VS. BOSTON: Today is second career start vs. Red Sox…Is 0-0 with a 3.00 ERA (6 IP – 2 ER) and seven strikeouts following only previous game on May 14, 2021 at Fenway Park.
  • AT ANGEL STADIUM: In 27 career games (25 starts) at Angel Stadium, is 10-6 with a 4.90 ERA (128.2 IP – 70 ER)…This season, is 1-1 with a 6.59 ERA (13.2 IP – 10 ER) following first three starts at home…As a starter, is 9-5 with a 4.56 ERA (124.1 IP – 63 ER) at home…Has allowed three-or-fewer runs in 18 of 25 home starts (nine are quality starts).
  • THAT’S RIGHT: Through six starts this year, has held righties to a .237 average (14/59) compared with a .333 (14/59) opponent average against left-handers.
  • GETTING AHEAD: Recorded a first pitch strike on 67.9% (89/131) of his batter faced this season.
  • UNFAMILIAR FOES: In his career as a starter, has held opponents to a .208 average (76/365) in opposing batter’s first plate appearances of a game.

MLB Preview: Miami Marlins (24-24) at Colorado Rockies (20-28)

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MLB Preview: Miami Marlins (24-24) at Colorado Rockies (20-28)

MIAMI MARLINS NOTES:

MARLINS MINUTE
The Marlins today play the second of four games at the Rockies. Continues a three-city, 10-game road trip that started with three at San Francisco, where Miami took one of three, and wraps up back in California with three games at Los Angeles (AL).

  • Miami is in a current stretch of 13 straight days with games until their next off day on Memorial Day (May 29).
  • Are looking to win their first series at Coors Field since 2018.

YESTERDAY’S RECAP
Miami fell in the series opener at Coors Field, 5-3. RHP Edward Cabrera allowed 2 runs on 3 straight first-pitch doubles by the Rockies in the bottom of the first inning, but settled in to allow just 1 run through the next 5.0 innings. RF Bryan De La Cruz stayed hot, recording his second-career 4-hit game in a 4×4 effort with 2 runs scored. C Jacob Stallings played a part in the action, going 1×3 with 2 RBI.

DE LA CRUZIN’
OF Bryan De La Cruz yesterday recorded his second-career 4-hit game (other, Sept. 24, 2022 vs. WSH). Has hit safely in 17 of 19 gms played in May, batting .368 (25×68) with 11 runs scored, 5 doubles, 3 HR, 9 RBI, and a .968 OPS. Has raised his batting avg. from .253 entering May to .302 for the season.

  • De La Cruz’s 12 multi-hit games rank 2nd on the team. Ranks t-3rd in MLB with 6 games of 3+ hits (7 way tie, with also Arraez)
  • De La Cruz and Arraez make the Marlins 1 of 3 teams in the league and the only NL club to have 2 players batting over .300.
  • In his last 15 gms (May 6-22), has posted a .393 avg (22×56), the second-highest mark in MLB behind only D-Backs OF Lourdes Gurriel Jr.’s (.404).

AIN’T NO MOUNTAIN HIGH ENOUGH
During Miami’s last trip to Coors Field on June 1, 2022, Miami and Colorado split a doubleheader that featured a combined 26 runs scored and 33 hits by the Marlins (14-1 W in G1, 13-12 L in G2). The high-scoring day marked the first time in club history that the Marlins scored 12 or more runs in both halves of a doubleheader. According to the Elias Sports Bureau, the Marlins became the first team to score at least 12 runs in both games of a DH since the Twins at Baltimore on 9/13/2008. The last team to do that and not win both games was St. Louis at Cincinnati on Sept. 7, 1993 (Cardinals lost the opener, 14–13, before winning the nightcap, 15–2).

HE’S HERE AND HE’S PERFECT
RHP Eury Perez made his second Major League start last Wednesday vs. Washington, earning his first career win after going 5.0 innings in which he held the Nats to 1 run on 3 hits with 6 strikeouts. Became the youngest starter in MLB to win a game since LAD’s Julio Urias at 19 years and 321 days on June 28, 2016. Marks the fourth-youngest pitcher to earn a win in the Majors since 1993, behind SEA’s Felix Hernandez (19 yrs and 123 days on Aug. 9, 2005), Urias, and LAD’s Edwin Jackson (20 yrs and 0 days on Sept. 9, 2003).

  • Made his Major League debut on May 12 at 20 years and 27 days, becoming the youngest pitcher in Marlins history. The previous youngest pitcher was Jose Fernandez, who debuted at 20 years and 250 days.
  • Became the second youngest player (position / pitcher) to debut with the Marlins in club history, behind only INF Edgar Renteria who debuted at 19 years and 277 days.
  • Became the youngest Dominican-born starting pitcher to debut in MLB, and the third-youngest DR-born pitcher (reliever / starter) at the time of his debut behind Elvis Luciano (TOR, 2019, (19 yrs, 44 days) and Jose Rijo (CIN, 194, 18 yrs, 328 days).

GOOD FIRST IMPRESSIONS
2B Luis Arraez leads MLB with his .383 batting avg. (62×162) and a .436 OBP and ranks 4th with 62 hits. Is tied for 3rd with 18 multi-hit gms. Has struck out 9 times in 179 PA (.050 K/PA), the lowest mark in MLB among qualified batters.

  • Is the highest avg. through a player’s first 44 gms to start a season since Cody Bellinger’s .404 avg. through his first 44 gms with the Dodgers in 2019. Only Dee Strange-Gordon (70) has more hits for a Marlins player through his first 44 games of a season.
  • Is batting a Major League-best .408 (31×76) on the road this season. Has hit safely in 17 of 20 games away from Miami.
  • Marks the best start to a stint with a new ballclub through 44 gms since Daniel Murphy’s .389 avg. with the Nationals in 2016 after they signed him as a free agent.
  • With two hits last Wednesday, reached the 500-hit plateau, becoming the seventh active player to reach 500 hits within their first 428 career gms. Joined Bo Bichette (407), Mookie Betts (408), Mike Trout (423), Jose Altuve (426), Whit Merrifield (426), and Jose Abreu (428).

CLOSE CALLS
The Marlins have had each of their last nine games decided by two runs or less. Overall, Miami is 15-2 (.882) in games decided by one run, the best such win pct. in the Majors. The second-best mark is Milwaukee (11-8, .727). The 17 one-run contests are tied for the fifth most among Major League teams. Miami went 24-40 in one-run games in 2022.

DANCING ON A THIN LINE
Thus far in 2023, Miami is 23-3 when limiting opponents to 4 runs or less and has gone 1-21 when allowing 5 or more runs.

PODER SOLER
DH/OF Jorge Soler has hit safely in 12 of his last 16 games, including 5 multi-hit efforts. Has collected 7 home runs and 17 RBI and is slashing .303/.378/.636 with a 1.014 OPS in this span. Is currently tied for 5th in HR in the NL (12).

  • With yesterday’s home run, Soler has now homered in 7 of Luzardo’s 10 starts this season, including 2 multi-HR games. Owns a .500 batting avg. (20×40) in these starts with 9 HR and 21 RBI.
  • 8 of his 12 home runs this season have tied the game or given the Marlins the lead.
  • Recorded fourth career 4-hit game Sunday and first since Sept. 11, 2019 at Chicago-AL.

TODAY’S TRANSACTIONS
The Marlins today selected the contract of OF Jonathan Davis from Triple-A Jacksonville who was acquired via trade yesterday from Detroit in exchange for minor league OF Brady Allen. Davis, 31, has played in 171 career gms in the Majors and has boasted a .985 fielding pct. in over 700.0 innings in center field.

  • As corresponding moves, Miami optioned OF Peyton Burdick to Triple-A Jacksonville and transferred RHP Johnny Cueto to the 60-day IL.

TODAY’S STARTER – #37 EURY PEREZ
Eury Rafael Perez will make his first career start on the road tonight at Colorado.

  • Earned his first MLB win on Thursday, May 18 vs. the Washington Nationals, becoming the youngest pitcher in Club history to earn a win (20 years, 33 days). Threw 5.0 innings, struck out 6, and allowed only 3 hits and 1 run.
  • Made his Major League debut on Friday, May 12 vs. the Reds and became the youngest pitcher in Marlins history and youngest Dominican-born starting pitcher (20 yrs, 27 days). Pitched 4.2 innings and allowed 2 runs on 4 hits with 7 strikeouts and 2 walks.
  • In his debut, recorded 7 strikeouts over 4.2 innings, the second-most for a pitcher in Club history in their debut with Anthony Desclafani (May 14, 2014 at LAD), Scott Olsen (June 25, 2005 at TB), and Dontrelle Willis (May 9, 2003 vs. COL). Falls one behind the club record of 8 set by Jose Fernandez on Apr. 7, 2013 vs. NYM and matched by Dillon Peters on Sept. 1, 2017 vs. PHI.
  • Pre-2023 was ranked Miami’s No. 1 prospect and the No. 13 overall prospect according to MLBPipeline. Was also named the No. 3 RHP prospect.
  • In 6 starts this season with the Blue Wahoos, went 3-1 with a 2.32 ERA (31.0/8 ER), allowing 5 home runs and striking out 42 batters against 9 walks.
  • In his last 2 starts with Double-A Pensacola combined to pitch 11.0 innings and allow 2 runs on 4 hits with 20 strikeouts.
  • Recorded a career-high 12 strikeouts on April 29, 2022 at Double-A Biloxi.
  • His fastball was ranked No. 1 in the Minors by Baseball America.

COLORADO ROCKIES NOTES:

BRING IT IN

  • The Colorado Rockies play the second game tonight of a seven-game homestand against the Miami Marlins (May 22-25) and New York Mets (May 26-28) … coming off a brief three-game trip to Texas, where they were swept by the Rangers for the first time.
  • The Rockies are in the midst of a stretch of 17 straight games without an off-day from May 19-June 4, their longest stretch without an off day this season.
  • Colorado has won four of their last six series since May 2 and five of their last eight series since April 24 … had lost or split each of their first seven series of the season prior to this stretch.
  • The Rockies are 12-8 over their last 20 and 14-11 through their last 25 since April 24, a .560 winning percentage that is the fifth-best mark in the NL over that span.

BRING ON MIAMI

  • The Rockies have won 12 of their past 15 home games over the Marlins and nine of the last 10 … overall, the Rockies are 107-117 against their fellow expansion team, 68-44 at home.
  • In 37 career games against the Fish, Kris Bryant is 36-for-136 with 12 doubles, one triple, 11 home runs and 29 RBI … is slashing 265/.396/.610 in the match up.

BLUE ARROW

  • OF Jurickson Profar holds an active 30-game on-base streak, the longest active streak in the Majors and tied for the second-longest streak in the Majors this season with Xander Bogaerts, trailing Yordan Álvarez (36 games) … slashing .275/.362/.433 through the streak with 17 walks.
  • Since May 7, Profar is batting .360 (18-for-50) with seven doubles, two home runs, nine RBI and eight multihit games over this span … has multiple hits in each of his last four games (9-for-19), one shy of tying his career-best multi-hit streak set in 2016 and matched in 2022.
  • Last night, Profar recorded two doubles, his third game of the season with multiple extra-base hits … all have come since May 7.

SOMBOR SHUFFLE

  • Over his last eight games, rookie outfielder Brenton Doyle has gone 9-for-26 (.346) with seven runs, two doubles, one triple, three home runs, eight RBI and two stolen bases.
  • Despite playing in only 23 games, Doyle’s four home runs are tied for sixth-most among NL rookies.
  • Has reached base 34 total times and has stolen seven bases, tied for the third-most among all NL rookies and tied for the 12th-most among all NL players.

MAXIE THE MINER

  • Catcher Elias Díaz ranks third in the Majors with a .333 batting average and seventh with a .450 batting average (18-for-40) with runners in scoring position.
  • Has appeared in 40 games at catcher, tied for the second-most in the Majors … his 10 catcher caught stealing are tied for second in the Majors, while his 44.0 caught stealing percentage ranks second (min. 20 games).

BALL ARENA

  • Jake Bird ranks first among Major League relievers with 32.1 innings pitched … his 33 strikeouts are tied for the fifth in the Majors among relief pitchers … has posted a 0.68 ERA (26.2 IP, 2 ER) with nine walks and 29 strikeouts over his last 17 appearances since April 11.
  • Brent Suter’s 28.2 innings of relief are fourth in the Majors and are second in the NL behind Bird … his 0.94 ERA (28.2 IP, 3 ER) is the sixth-lowest in the Majors among relievers … it is also the third-lowest through a Rockies pitcher’s first 19 games (min. 10 IP) with the club, trailing John Axford (0.50, 2015) and Chuck McElroy (0.93, 1998).

NUGGETS

  • The Rockies are the only team in the Majors to have an undefeated record after seven innings, sitting at 18-0 when leading after seven thus far and 20-0 when leading after eight… alternatively, the Rockies are 0-24 when trailing after seven innings.
  • Last night’s victory was the Rockies’ third of the season when getting out-hit by their opponent and their first two-run victory (previously 0-5 in two-run games) … fourth victory of the season when seeing a quality start from their opponent.

ROCKIES STARTING PITCHER – #26 AUSTIN GOMBER LHP
HI, I’M AUSTIN

  • Winter Garden, Fla., native is in his 10th professional season, his fifth in the Majors and his third with the Rockies.
  • Acquired by Colorado, along with four other players including INF Elehuris Montero in exchange for 3B Nolan Arenado.
  • Originally selected by St. Louis in the fourth round of the 2014 First-Year Player Draft out of Florida Atlantic University.

MOTIVATION

  • Has earned the win in three of his last five starts with the Rockies going 4-1 … has allowed 11 runs over 28.0 IP for a 3.54 ERA … nine walks and 17 strikeouts across that span with opponents batting .238 (24-for-101).
  • Tossed a quality start on May 12, allowing three runs over a season-high 6.2 innings, striking out six and walking none.
  • Was on the losing side of each of his first four starts of the season, the eighth time a Rockies starter has started 0-4 through their first four starts of a season … first since Roy Oswalt (five straight, June 20-Sept.14) and Jeff Manship (four straight, Aug.8-24) in 2013.

HOW THE TURNTABLES…

  • Since his first win on April 24, has posted a 3.54 ERA (28.0 IP, 11 ER) while his .238 opponents’ batting average ranks as the 16th-lowest in the National League.
  • Over his last five starts, opponents have a .250 batting average on balls in play against the lefty, eighth-best over that span in the National League.
  • Also over his last five starts, holding NL hitters to a .300 on-base percentage (15th-best) while his 1.18 WHIP over that span is also the 15th-best in the league.
  • His 50.0 ground ball percentage ranks ninth in the NL since April 24.

FISHIES

  • Today’s start will be his fifth career appearance and third career start against the Miami Marlins … is 2-0 with a 3.95 ERA (13.2 IP, 6 ER) overall against Miami while going 2-0 with a 0.82 ERA (11.0 IP, 1 ER) with 14 strikeouts as a starter.
  • Last faced the Marlins on June 22, 2022 in a relief outing, allowing three runs on three hits over 1.2 innings.
  • Last start against Miami came on Aug. 7, 2021, tossing six scoreless innings while striking out a career-high nine batters.

ON YOUR LEFT

  • Since joining the Rockies, has held left-handed hitters to a .236/.290/.401 slash line with 11 home runs allowed.
  • Held opposing left-handed hitters to a .221 average in 2022 (30-for136), the lowest lefty opponent average by a Rockies left-hander since Kyle Freeland in 2018 (.185) and the ninth-lowest in a single season in franchise history (min. 140 batters faced).

HAPPY HOME VS. ROCKY ROAD

  • In 54 career home games (29 starts) with both St. Louis and Colorado, is 12-9 with a 4.89 ERA (188.2 IP, 95 ER).
  • Since joining the Rockies, has gone 9-7 with a 4.78 ERA (143.0 IP, 76 ER) at Coors Field with 37 walks and 101 strikeouts … in 2021, went 5-1 with a 2.09 ERA (47.1 IP, 11 ER) in nine starts at home, posting a 0.95 WHIP.
  • Since 2020, is 9-7 with a 4.42 ERA (156.2 IP, 77 ER) in 38 games (25
    starts) in his home ballpark … in road games through the same span, is
    8-14 with a 5.67 ERA (150.2 IP, 95 ER) in 40 games (27 starts).
  • So far this season, opposing number 2-3-4 hitters are hitting .221 (15-for68) against Gomber, striking out 13 times.
  • Conversely, the number one spot in the order is 11-for-24, slashing .458/.500/.750 off the southpaw.

MLB Preview: Houston Astros (28-19) at Milwaukee Brewers (25-22)

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MLB Preview: Houston Astros (28-19) at Milwaukee Brewers (25-22)

HOUSTON ASTROS NOTES:

TONIGHT’S GAME: The Astros will play the second game of a six-game, seven-day road trip tonight with the second of three against their former NL Central rival, the Milwaukee Brewers… tonight’s pitching matchup is between RHP J.P. France and RHP Colin Rea.

STREAKING!: The Astros are on a season-high, eight-game winning streak, which is the longest active winning streak in the Majors…prior to this streak, the Astros longest winning streak of the season was four games…Houston did have two winning streaks of eight-plus games in 2022, an 11-game run (May 2-13) and an eight-game stretch (June 28-July 5).

RECENT ‘STROS: The Astros have won 11 of their last 12 games to put them a season-high nine games above .500…much of this damage was done on the Astros last homestand, in which they went 6-0 with three-game sweeps of the Cubs and A’s.

ROAD RAGE: The Astros are 14-8 (.636) on the road, which ranks as the second-best road record in the AL, trailing only the Orioles (16-8, .667)…this falls in line with what the Astros did last season, as they led the AL in road winning percentage with a 51-30 (.630) mark.

VS. THE CREW: The Astros and Brewers, who spent 15 seasons (1998-2012) together in the NL Central, have only played each other in 11 games since the Astros moved to the AL in 2013, with Houston going 6-5 in those games…prior to this series, the two teams last saw each other in 2019, playing two-game series in both Milwaukee and Houston that season… both series were splits.

AT THE HELM: Astros skipper Dusty Baker is in his 26th season as a manager and his fourth in Houston…Baker, who ranks ninth all-time in managerial wins with 2,121, immediately trails Hall of Famer Joe McCarthy (2,125) for eighth place on that all-time list.

ALL-TIME MANAGER WINS LIST

  1. Connie Mack 3731 6. Sparky Anderson 2194
  2. Tony La Russa 2859 7. Bucky Harris 2158
  3. John McGraw 2763 8. Joe McCarthy 2125
  4. Bobby Cox 2504 9. Dusty Baker 2121
  5. Joe Torre 2326 10. Walter Alston 2040

LAST NIGHT’S GAME: The Astros had an offensive explosion in last night’s 12-2 victory over the Brewers…Houston set season-highs in runs (12), hits (15) and home runs (5)…the offense was led by DH Yordan Alvarez (3×4, 2 HR, 5 RBI), LF Corey Julks (3×5, HR, 3 RBI), 2B Mauricio Dubón (1×4, HR) and C Martín Maldonado (2×3, HR)…on the mound, RHP Cristian Javier (1ER/6IP) recorded his fourth consecutive quality start.

FRAMBERIZED: LHP Framber Valdez tossed the second complete game shutout of his career on Sunday vs. OAK… the Astros now have five complete game shutouts since 2017, with Valdez and RHP Justin Verlander tossing two and RHP Gerritt Cole contributing the other…Valdez’s four hits allowed were the fewest hits allowed in Astros complete-game shutout since Verlander tossed his no-hitter on Sept. 1, 2019 at TOR… also, prior to Valdez yesterday, the last Astros pitcher to throw a complete-game shutout without issuing a walk was LHP Dallas Keuchel on May 30, 2015 vs. CWS.

BAGGY IN THE BOOTH: The Astros telecast on AT&T SportsNet SW this series will feature Todd Kalas, Julia Morales and Hall of Famer Jeff Bagwell, who’s subbing for Geoff Blum…Bagwell will be on the call for the entirety of the Astros-Brewers series.

PITCHING IN: The Astros have the lowest team ERA (3.16) and have allowed the fewest runs (165) in the Majors…their bullpen ranks second the Majors in ERA (2.95) and has combined to post a 1.17 ERA (3ER/23.1IP) over the team’s last seven games.

Lowest Team ERA – MLB Lowest Bullpen ERA – MLB

  1. Houston: 3.16 1. New York (AL): 2.87
  2. Tampa Bay: 3.39 2. Houston: 2.95
  3. Minnesota: 3.44 3. Baltimore: 3.03

HECTOR’S HOT STREAK: RHP Hector Neris has not allowed a run in his last 15 appearances (13.0 IP)…that ties as the longest scoreless inning streak by an Astro this season, along with a streak produced by RHP Luis Garcia…Neris’ streak ties as the second-longest active streak in the AL.

LATE ATTACK: The Astros offense has come alive late in games this season, producing 85 runs in the 7th inning or later, which ranks tied for the most in the AL with the Rays (85)…the Astros top innings on the season have been the 1st and 7th, with the club scoring 31 runs in both frames.

AL RANKINGS: Among AL players, LF Yordan Alvarez ranks second in RBI (46), second in SLG (.616) third in OPS (1.015), sixth in OBP (.399) and seventh in batting average (.305)…3B Alex Bregman ranks second in plate appearances per strikeout (10.50) and tied for fourth in walks (27)…additionally, IF Mauricio Dubón ranks sixth in batting average (.307) and RF Kyle Tucker ranks ninth in RBI (33).

STUFF OF NIGHTMARES: LF Yordan Alvarez has been at his best in the big moments in his career, especially this season… he’s hitting .471 (16×34) with RISP, .556 (10×18) with RISP and two outs, .625 (5×8) with the bases loaded, and .400 (10×25) in close and late situations.

AIR YORDAN: Last night, Yordan Alvarez recorded his 14th career multi-homer game…it was his first multi-homer game of the season, last was on Sept, 16, 2022 vs. OAK…Alvarez’s 14 multi-homer games are tied with Gary Sanchez for the second-most multi-homer games in a players’ first 409 career games in MLB history behind only Ralph Kiner (17).

TONIGHT’S ASTROS STARTER: RHP J.P. FRANCE

LAST START – 5/17 VS CHC: tossed 3.2 IP while surrendering 9 hits and 6 runs to go with 2 strikeouts…issued 2 walks, which was the first time he allowed 2+ BB since 7/26/22 at Oklahoma City…gave up 3 home runs in a game for the first time in his professional career (102 appearances).

THE FIRST FRANCE: rookie right-hander made his Major League debut with his start on 5/6 at Seattle…allowed 1 ER in 11.2 IP through his first two MLB starts…became the 4th pitcher in club history to work 5.0-plus innings, allowing 1-or-fewer runs in each of his first 2 Major League starts…the others to do so: LHP Dallas Keuchel (2012), LHP Carlos Hernández (2001) and RHP Manny Hernández.

ABOUT FRANCE: was selected in the 14th round by the Astros in the 2018 draft out of Mississippi State…the 2023 season is his 6th in the Astros system.

  • pitched for 3 years at Tulane, missed his sophomore season due to injury, before he transferred to Mississippi State…posted a 3.77 ERA in 25 appearances (59.2IP /2GS) as a grad transfer…he played a crucial part in the Bulldogs clinching an NCAA Super Regional berth by throwing 7.0 innings of two-run ball vs. Oklahoma in the Tallahassee Regional.

BOUNCING BACK: has allowed 5+ ER in only 9 of his career appearances (MLB and MiLB), including his last start on 5/17 vs CHC…in his following appearances of 5+ ER (8G/37.1 IP), he has a 3.13 ERA and has held opponents to 3 ER or less in each of those contests.

FRANCE’S 2023 MILB SEASON: prior to being recalled, he was with Triple A Sugar Land, going 2-1 with a 2.33 ERA (5ER/19.1IP) in 5 games (3 starts)…worked between the rotation and bullpen in the Space Cowboys’ piggyback starter role.

  • had 26 strikeouts in 19.1 innings, while allowing just 9 hits on the season…posted a .136 (9×66) opponent average and a 1.03 WHIP.
  • did not allow a home run this season in the homer-friendly Pacific Coast League… has not allowed a homer at the MiLB level since Aug. 13, 2022 at ELP…since that date, has made 17 total MiLB appearances (36IP).

VS. THE BREWERS: France will be making his first appearance against the Brewers and his 2nd career interleague appearance.

  • although the righty has never faced MIL, he did face IF Brice Turang in 2 games during his time in Fayetteville in 2019…Turang went 1×2 with a double and 2 BB.

FANNING FRANCE: has posted huge strikeout numbers in his minor league career, fanning 447 in 362.1 innings pitched…it is the most strikeouts by an Astros minor league player since he entered the system in 2018.

  • is T-5th in strikeouts-per-9-innings (11.10) among Astros minor league players since 2018 (min 200 IP).

MILWAUKEE BREWERS NOTES:

WHAT’S BREWING?
A Series Situation
The Brewers went 5-1 over their first 6 series this season and have since gone 2-7 in series play…..the team is looking to avoid a series loss tonight.
L, W, L, W, L, W, L, W, L, W, L

The Brewers have gone 5-6 against the Astros since Houston left the NL Central for the AL West in 2013 and have alternated losses and wins.
To Each His Owen Owen Miller went 0-for-4 last night, snapping a 13-game hitting streak and 22-game on-base streak, both marking career highs…..Miller batted .359 (28-for-78) with 2 HR and 7 RBI during the on-base streak…..he batted .408 (20-for-49) with 2 HR and 5 RBI during the hitting streak.

Let’s Get Rowdy!
In his last 33 games, Rowdy Tellez is batting .291 (30-for-103) with 10 HR and 21 RBI…..Tellez is currently among the NL leaders in the following:

Category NL Rank
HR (12) ……………………………………………T5th
SLG (.547) ……………………………………. T6th
OPS (.897) ……………………………………….8th

Born Again Christian
Christian Yelich hit .223 (23-for-103) with 3 HR and 11 RBI through April (.316 OBP/.340 SLG/.656 OPS)…..he has rebounded to hit .313 (20-for-64) with 4 HR and 13 RBI in the month of May (.371 OBP/.531 SLG/.903 OPS).

Born To Run
Christian Yelich has 10 stolen bases this season without being caught…..he and the Yankees’ Anthony Volpe (13) are the only players in the majors to have at least 10 stolen bases without a caught stealing in 2023.

Pitching In
Mike Brosseau last night made the ninth pitching appearance of his career and second this season (also 5/15 at STL)…..Brosseau nows sports
an impressive 3.12 ERA in his pitching career (8.2ip, 8h, 3r, 3er, 2bb, 1k, 2hr).

Most Regular Season Wins
National League – Since 2017
Team Wins
Los Angeles ……………………………………592
Atlanta ……………………………………………..512
Milwaukee …………………………………..506

TONIGHT’S GAME: Is game 2 (0-1) of a 7-game homestand against Houston (0-1) and San Francisco (4g)…..following this homestand and an off day next Monday, the team takes a 7-game road trip to Toronto (3g) and Cincinnati (4g).

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 (54 days): The Brewers have spent the following number of days alone or tied at each position in the NL Central standings: FIRST: 33, SECOND: 19, THIRD: 2, FOURTH: 0, FIFTH: 0…..team is currently tied with the Pirates for first place.

SERIES-LY SPEAKING: The Brewers are 7-8-0 in series play.
Game 1: 7-9, Game 2: 9-6, Game 3: 8-7, 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 13-9 at home, going 4-3-0 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 road 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 nine replay challenges this season, going 5-4…..their last challenge (lost) came on May 21 at Tampa Bay as a hit by pitch (Randy Arozarena) stood.

TONIGHT’S STARTER: #48 – RHP COLIN REA (7g, 6gs, 0-3, 5.52)
REA AT A GLANCE: Colin Rea, 32, will be making his eighth appearance and seventh start of the season…..Rea last pitched for the Brewers on 5/14 vs. Kansas City and had no decision in a 9-6 win (3.2ip, 6h, 4r, 4er, 2bb, 3k, 1hr, 81 pitches)…..the team is 3-3 in his starts…..he has 1 quality start…..opponents are batting .239 (27-for-113, 6hr)…..Rea has also made 2 starts at Triple-A Nashville this season, going 0-0 with a 0.00 ERA (7ip, 6h, 2r, 0er, 0bb, 9k)…..after pitching in Japan in 2022, he re-signed with Milwaukee on January 27 (non-roster invitee)…..his only outing for the Brewers prior to this season came in relief on 10/2/21 at Los Angeles-NL…..his name is pronounced “RAY.”

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

CAREER: Is 8-11 with a 5.00 ERA in 43 games/33 starts (185.1ip, 103er)…..has pitched for San Diego (2015-16), Miami (2016), Chicago-NL (2020) and Milwaukee (2021, ‘23)….. is 7-11 with a 5.01 ERA as a starter (169ip, 94er) and 1-0 with a 4.96 ERA as a reliever (16.1ip, 9er)…..Rea was originally selected by San Diego in the 12th round of the 2011 First-Year Player Draft out of Indiana State University…..he underwent “Tommy John” surgery on 11/11/16, causing him to miss the entire 2017 season…..he was named 2019 Pacific Coast League Pitcher of the Year after going 14-4 with a 3.95 ERA in 26 starts at Triple-A Iowa (Cubs).

CAREER AT AMERICAN FAMILY FIELD: Is 0-2 with a 6.91 ERA in 4 games/3 starts, all coming this season (14.1ip, 11er).

CAREER ON THE ROAD: Is 3-5 with a 5.12 ERA in 19 games/12 starts (77.1ip, 44er)…..is 0-1 with a 4.32 ERA in 3 starts this season (16.2ip, 8er).

CAREER vs. ASTROS: Rea has never faced the Astros.

MLB Preview: San Francisco Giants (23-24) at Minnesota Twins (25-23)

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MLB Preview: San Francisco Giants (23-24) at Minnesota Twins (25-23)

SAN FRANCISCO GIANTS NOTES:

TODAY’S GAME: The Giants and Twins meet up tonight for game two of this three-game set…yesterday’s victory was SF’s first here at Target Field and their first overall win in Minnesota since edging the Twins 14-7 on June 16, 2005 at the Metrodome…the Giants look to clinch their third consecutive series and their fifth this month with a win tonight.

LET’S EVEN THINGS OUT: Yesterday’s 4-1 win put SF at one game below .500 for the first time since posting a 5-6 record on April 11 vs. Los Angeles-NL…with a win tonight, the Giants would move to .500 for the first time since April 6, when the SF finished its sixth game of the season 3-3 at Chicago-AL…the Giants have yet to post a winning record yet this season.

BULL’S EYE: The Giants have won six of their last seven 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 1.29 ERA and holding opposing teams to a .195 average…since May 15, the 44 strikeouts and 35.0 innings by the Giants’ ‘pen are both second-most in MLB behind the Dodgers (45k, 42.1ip), while their six saves are tops in the Majors.

IT’S ALL ABOUT BALANCE: Overall, SF’s pitching staff has posted a 2.57 ERA since May 15, the best figure in the NL and fourth-lowest in MLB behind the White Sox (1.74), Yankees (1.96) and Astros (2.43)…the Giants’ offense averaged 4.6 runs-per-game despite homering just four times over the seven-game span…after slugging an NL-leading 46 home runs in April, SF hitters have just 20 homers this month, tied for 18th in MLB.

BATTLE OF TITANS: Tonight’s starter RHP Alex Cobb has been dominant on the mound this year, boasting a 3-1 record with a 1.94 ERA early this season…the veteran’s ERA is lowest in the NL and ranks second in the Majors, trailing only tonight’s opponent RHP Sonny Gray (1.64)…Cobb has pitched at least 5.0 innings and allowed three earned runs or fewer in each of his last nine starts against AL Central opponents, matching
the third-longest active such streak in MLB…the right-hander has a 4-1 record with a 1.82 ERA and 1.05 WHIP over this nine start stretch.

LET THE KIDS PLAY: The recent addition of rookies IF Casey Schmitt and C Patrick Bailey has proved to make a great difference in SF’s defensive perfomance so far..Schmitt has been outstanding in trying to turn double plays, converting eight of nine chances as a shortstop and each of his two at third base…additionally, in 30 innings with Bailey catching so far this year, Giants pitchers have a 5.4 strikeout-to-walk ratio (38 strikeouts to seven walks)

MANAE-ACE:LHP Sean Manaea was awarded with the win last night after fanning eight batters over 3.2-scoreless innings of relief with just three hits…Manaea’s eight strikeouts were the most he’s recorded in a relief appearance in his career and the most strikeouts by a Giants reliever since RHP Sean Hjelle also struck out eight at San Diego on October 3, 2022… according to OptaSTATS, the southpaw became the first Major League left-hander to throw at least 80 pitches and strike out eight-or-more batters in a scoreless relief outing since Randy Johnson struck out 16 in 7.0 innings pitched on July 19, 2001…since officially returning to the ‘pen on May 17, LHP Sean Manaea has posted a 1.69 ERA (1er, 5.1ip) with a .211 opposing average (4×19) and 10 strikeouts (16.88K/9.0ip) in two relief outings.

SWEET 16: With strong showings from Manaea, RHP John Brebbia, RHP Tristan Beck, RHP Tyler Rogers and LHP Scott Alexander, Giants pitchers combined to strike out 16 batters in last night’s bullpen game…the 16 strikeouts matched a season-best for SF, also done on March 30 at New York-AL and April 19 at Miami…overall, Giants pitchers have struck out at least 15 hitters four times this year, most in MLB ahead of Toronto, Seattle and Miami (all with three).

HEATING UP: OF Michael Conforto slugged his team-leading ninth home run of the season last night, a three-run shot that gave the Giants a 4-0 advantage in the 1st inning…the homer was Conforto’s fifth in his last 11 games, tied for the fourth-most homers in MLB since May 10 behind NYY’s Aaron Judge (7), CHC’s Christopher Morel (7) and STL’s Nolan Arenado(6)…Conforto is hitting .325 (13×40) with 12 RBI and a 1.103 OPS in that stretch.

CONFORT…ABLE: The outfielder also has a relatively long history of success against the AL Central, particularly the Twins…Conforto’s 1.081 OPS vs. the division is tops in MLB (min. 125 PAs) among active players, with his .620 slugging percentage ranking third…in his small seven-game history vs. the Twins, Conforto is 11-for-23 with 10 RBI and a 1.338 OPS

MINNESOTA TWINS NOTES:

THE TWINS: After completing their road-trip with a record of 2-4 (1-2 at Dodger Stadium and 1-2 at Angel Stadium), the Twins began their six-game, seven-day homestand with a loss to the Giants last night…tonight, Minnesota will continue the homestand with the second of three against the Giants…they will conclude the series tomorrow afternoon, then enjoy an off-day on Thursday…they will continue the homestand with three against the Blue Jays over the weekend…the Twins have gone 14-9 at Target Field and 11-14 on the road.

The Twins have gone 6-1-0 in series play at Target Field…they have not lost back-to-back home games since April 21-22, going 10-5 here since…the Twins one series loss at home came April 21-23, dropping two of three to Washington.

BATS CAN’T CARRY TWINS OUT OF GIANT FIRST INNING HOLE: The Twins lost to the Giants last night at Target Field by a score of 4-1…Bailey Ober (3-1) was the starter and loser, allowing four runs on three hits in 5.0 innings pitched…he allowed all four runs to cross in the first inning, highlighted by a Michael Conforto three-run homer after he walked the first two batters of the game…the offense recorded four hits, two from Carlos Correa, who doubled for the 11th time this season and sixth time in his last 12 games…Kyle Garlick drove in the Twins only run with his second home run of the season…Minnesota also struck out 16 times, matching a season-high, done twice previously (4/18 at BOS & 5/19 at LAA).

SONNY HAS BEEN GRAYT: Through nine starts, Sonny Gray has gone 4-0, 1.64 ERA (49.1 IP, 9 ER) with 19 walks and 60 strikeouts, while holding opponents to a .210 (38-for-181) batting average…below are his ranks among AL starting pitchers in a few notable categories: ERA OPS SLG HR FIP WAR

Gray – 1.64 Rodriguez – .523 Gray – .282 Gray – 0 Gray – 1.98 Gausman – 2.3
Cole – 2.01 Ryan – .530 Rodriguez – .291 Eovaldi – 3 Ryan – 2.31 Eovaldi – 2.3
McClanahan – 2.05 Ohtani – .560 Ohtani – .294 Kirby – 3 Eovaldi – 2.43 Ryan – 2.2
Rodriguez – 2.06 Wells – .560 Ryan – .295 Brown – 3 Gausman – 2.45 Gray – 2.2
Ryan – 2.25 Gray – .564 Cole – .309 Sandoval – 3 Gilbert – 2.66 Valdez – 2.1

WE WERE GIANTS: The Twins and Giants are playing each other for the 20th time in their history tonight…the Twins are 9-10 all-time against San Francisco, going 3-1 at Target Field, 5-7 at Oracle Park and 1-2 at the Metrodome…dating back to 2017, the Twins have won five of their last seven over the Giants.

The 19 games played against the Giants are the Twins’ second fewest against any major league opponent in their history (since 1961)…they have played Colorado the fewest times at 18.

Rocco Baldelli and Gabe Kapler were teammates for the Tampa Bay Rays in 2010.

Sonny Gray and Alex Cobb have faced off four times before, with Cobb posting a 1.05 ERA and Gray a 3.63 ERA, while their teams have split 2-2.

Christian Vázquez is 12-for-19 lifetime vs. Cobb, 11 of which are singles (1 double).

THE OTHER GUYS: The Twins have gone 7-9 in Interleague Play this season, going 1-2 at Miami, 1-2 vs. Washington, 2-1 vs. San Diego, 2-1 vs. Chicago-NL, 1-2 vs. Los Angeles-NL and 0-1 vs. San Francisco…they have gone 6-5 in their last 11 vs. the NL after starting the season 1-4… after this series, the Twins’ next NL opponent will be the Brewers for two games at Target Field from June 13-14…the Twins are 10-6 (.625) against the AL Central and 15-17 (.469) against the rest of the league this season…no other division leader is below .500 in non-divisional games…below are the Twins pitching numbers compared to other AL divisions/NL:

W-L ERA BAA K/BB K/9.0 WHIP OPS
CENTRAL 10-6 2.53 .193 2.70 9.0 1.06 .574
EAST 5-5 4.41 .250 3.84 9.9 1.27 .708
WEST 3-3 3.57 .246 6.00 12.2 1.17 .663
NATIONAL 7-9 3.71 .227 2.91 9.9 1.22 .681

WE ARE FARMERS: Since returning from the 10-day Injured List on May 10 (facial laceration), Kyle Farmer has played in 12 games, hitting .348 (16-for-46) with one double, two home runs, nine RBI, a .400 on-base percentage and a .900 OPS…in that span, he ranks eighth in the AL in batting average and 13th in on-base percentage.

AK NOT JUST OK: Alex Kirilloff has reached base safely in eight of his last nine games since May 13, hitting .344 (11-for-32) with a .382 on-base percentage in that span…since being recalled from Triple-A St. Paul on May 5, Kirilloff has hit .333 (15-for-45) with three doubles, three home runs, six RBI, six walks, a .434 on-base percentage and an 1.034 OPS in 15 games.

Against right-handed pitching this season, he is hitting .351 (13-for-37) with six walks, a .455 on-base percentage and a 1.049 OPS…against lefties, he is hitting .250 (2-for-8).

C4, IGNITING: Carlos Correa has reached safely in each of his last 12 games, hitting .289 (13-for-45) in that span, with a .407 on-base percentage (13 hits & 9 walks), six doubles, one home run and nine RBI…Correa’s current streak matches his season-long long, done previously from May 10-21…his career-long is 27, from June 10-July 15, 2017 with Houston.

Correa is hitting .365 (27-for-74) with seven walks, a .415 on-base percentage, a .554 slugging percentage and a .969 OPS in 19 home games in IL Play since the start of 2022…he has hit safely in six-straight home games vs. NL opponents with eight RBI in that span.

Correa has recorded a hit in 11 of his 14 career games against the Giants; is batting .333 (18-for-54) with three doubles, one home run and eight RBI in his career vs. San Francisco.

BUCK TRUCK REVVING THE ENGINE: Byron Buxton went 0-for-3 but was hit by a pitch last night, extending his on-base streak to a career-long 22-straight games, since April 25…Buxton’s current streak is the longest for a Twin since Jorge Polanco reached safely in
37-straight from May 13-June 25, 2019.

In his last seven games, Buxton is hitting .308 (8-for-26) with four walks, two doubles, one home run, two RBI, four walks, eight
runs scored, two stolen bases, a .419 on-base percentage, a .500 slugging percentage and a .919 OPS.

MAHLE UPDATE: Right-handed pitcher Tyler Mahle had successful Tommy John surgery yesterday in Dallas, Texas, a procedure performed by Dr. Keith Meister…he is expected to have a full recovery over the next 14 months and will be rehabbing at his home in Anaheim, California for the remainder of the season…Mahle made five starts for the Twins this season, going 1-2, 3.16 ERA (25.2 IP, 9 ER) with five walks and 28 strikeouts prior to landing on the 15-day Injured List on May 3.

STARTING PITCHER – SONNY GRAY 54
Enters today leading all qualified major league pitchers in ERA…also ranks first in FIP (1.98) and fifth in WAR (2.2).

Making his 257th career appearance and 248th career start.

Facing San Francisco for the first time this season, sixth in his career; is 2-1, 3.21 ERA (28.0 IP, 10 ER) with 12 walks and 24 strikeouts…looking for his first win against the Giants since September 25, 2015.

Making 10th start of the year and sixth at home…is 7-2, 2.11 ERA (98.0 IP, 23 ER) with 32 walks and 120 strikeouts in 18 home starts since joining the Twins.

Acquired by the Twins on March 13, 2022 in a trade with the Cincinnati Reds, along with right-handed pitcher Francis Peguero, in exchange for right-handed pitcher Chase Petty

LAST TIME OUT: Did not factor into the decision against the Los Angeles Dodgers on May 17 at Dodger Stadium, opposite Dustin May…pitched 4.0 innings, allowing two runs on five hits, with three walks and four strikeouts…marked his shortest start of the season and his shortest outing since September 24, 2022 vs. Washington where he also pitched 4.0 innings…allowed his first run in the third inning via a sacrifice fly to infielder Freddie Freeman…yielded his last run on an RBI single to outfielder Mookie Betts in the fourth inning…relieved by Jovani Moran in the fifth as the bullpen combined to pitch 4.0 innings while allowing five runs…Moran pitched a scoreless fifth while José De León pitched a scoreless sixth in his season debut…lifted after allowing two singles in the seventh inning…Emilio Pagán entered in the seventh inning and permitted all five runs…issued a bases loaded walk to infielder Miguel Rojas followed by a grand slam by outfielder James Outman.

TWO STARTS AGO: Did not factor into the decision against the Chicago Cubs on May 12 at Target Field, opposite Drew Smyly…pitched 5.1 innings, allowing one run on four hits, with one walk and nine strikeouts in a 6-2 Twin loss in the opener of the three-game series…recorded his first four strikeouts looking; marked his second-most looking strikeouts of the season (5 on April 7 vs. Houston)…allowed his only run on a sacrifice fly to outfielder Seiya Suzuki…relieved by Jovani Moran in the sixth inning after striking out infielder Dansby Swanson…Griffin Jax entered the game in the seventh inning and yielded two runs (an RBI double to infielder Matt Mervis and an RBI single to catcher Yan Gomes)… Jorge Alcala entered the game to pitch a scoreless eighth inning before yielding a two-run home run to infielder Chrstopher Morel in the ninth inning…Alcala was lifted from the game after the home run… Dereck Rodríguez entered in the ninth inning and allowed the final run off a sacrifice fly to outfielder Cody Bellinger.

AT THE TOP: Gray is still the only pitcher in the majors who has yet to allow a home run this season (min. 45.0 IP)…after his last start on May 17, Gray holds the longest streak in Twins history for the most starts without allowing a home run to start a season, passing Frankie Rodriguez at eight games in 1995.

AGAINST SAN FRANCISCO: Gray is facing the Giants for the sixth time in his career, going 2-1, 3.21 ERA (28.0 IP, 11 ER) with 12 walks and 24 strikeouts in his five previous appearances…last faced San Francisco on August 27, 2022 at Target Field, taking a no-decision in a 10-inning, 3-2 Twins victory after allowing one run on one hit with four walks and four strikeouts in 5.0 innings…yielded his only run via a sacrifice fly by designated hitter Tommy La Stella in the fifth inning…relieved in the sixth inning by Caleb Thielbar as the bullpen combined to pitch 5.0 innings…the only run permitted was another sacrifice fly by outfielder Austin Slater off Trevor Megill…The Twins won the game with a bases loaded walk issued to outfielder Gilberto Celestino.

Looking for his first win against the Giants since September 25, 2015 when he led the Oakland Athletics to a 5-4 win at Oakland Coliseum after pitching 6.0 innings, allowing two runs on five hits (1 HR) with two walks and seven strikeouts.

All of Gray’s five starts against the Giants have been at home.

Gray is 12-8, 3.40 ERA (195.2 IP, 74 ER) with 64 walks and 196 strikeouts in 34 career Interleague games (33 starts)…is 1-0, 3.00 ERA (24.0 IP, 8 ER) with 11 walks and 27 strikeouts in five Interleague starts since joining the Twins.

BACK HOME: Gray is making his sixth home start of the season tonight, going 3-0, 0.89 ERA (30.1 IP, 3 ER) with seven walks and 42 strikeouts in his five prior home outings…went 4-2, 2.66 ERA (67.2 IP, 20 ER) with 25 walks and 78 strikeouts in 13 home starts in 2022 and is 53-38, 3.72 ERA (758.2 IP, 314 ER) with 254 walks and 743 strikeouts in 134 career home appearances, including 130 starts.

Is 7-2, 2.11 ERA (98.0 IP, 23 ER) with 32 walks and 120 strikeouts in 18 home starts since becoming a Twin…ranks first for the most strikeouts in their first 18 games at home in Twins history (since 1961)…also holds the lowest ERA.

Ranks second for lowest home ERA in baseball this season, trailing only Arizona’s Zac Gallen (0.77) (min 30.0 IP).

THE ARSENAL: Gray is currently using a six-pitch mix, per Baseball Savant…continues to use his curveball the most at 23.5 percent…primarily uses his curveball (121 pitches) and changeup (52 pitches) against lefties and his cutter (128 pitches), sinker (131 pitches) and sweeper (127 pitches) against righties…here’s a look at his repertoire so far:

PITCH (AVG. MPH) PCT. (# OF PITCHES, VS. RHB/LHB) RESULTS
Curveball (79.0)…………………….23.5% (194 pitches, 73/121)…………… .214 (9-for-42), 3 2B, 13 K
Cutter (87.4) …………………………19.5% (161 pitches, 128/33)…………….. .143 (4-for-28), 1 2B, 6 K
Sinker (92.5) …………………………17.7% (146 pitches, 131/15)…… .212 (7-for-33), 2 2B, 1 3B, 15 K
4-Seam Fastball (92.6)……………16.8% (139 pitches, 41/98)……………… .333 (8-for-24), 2 2B, 2 K
Sweeper (83.3)……………………….16.1% (133 pitches, 127/6)……………. .190 (8-for-42), 2 2B, 23 K
Changeup (87.0)……………………….6.5% (54 pitches, 2/52)………………… .167 (2-for-12), 1 2B, 1 K

Ranks second for the lowest opponent batting average against a cutter in all of baseball, 12th against the sweeper, 16th against a changeup and 28th against the curveball (min. 750 pitches).

Ranks third for the most strikeouts off a sweeper, trailing LAA’s Shohei Ohtani (39) and COL’s Justin Lawrence (25)…tied with St. Louis’ Miles Mikolas for ninth on sinkers (min 750 pitches).

MLB Preview: New York Mets (25-23) at Chicago Cubs (20-26)

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MLB Preview: New York Mets (25-23) at Chicago Cubs (20-26)

NEW YORK METS NOTES:

METSCELLANEOUS: The Mets enjoyed a day off in Chicago yesterday…On Sunday, the Mets swept a doubleheader from the Guardians…New York has won two straight series and has now won seven this season…The Mets are coming off a six-game homestand (5-1) against Tampa Bay (2-1) and Cleveland (3-0)…Tonight, the team begins a six-game road trip to Chicago-NL (three games) and Colorado (three games).

HAPPY BUCK DAY!: Happy Birthday to Buck Showalter…Showalter owns a 1,677-1,601 (.512) career record as a manager…His 1,677 wins place him 19th all-time in major league history…Showalter has now managed four teams to the Postseason…He is the fourth manager to accomplish that feat in major league history, joining Dusty Baker (five teams) and Billy Martin and Davey Johnson (four teams)… Showalter is the first manager in Mets history to record 100 victories in his first season with the club…He also joins Yogi Berra as the only managers to guide the Mets and Yankees into the playoffs.

HIGH FIVE: The Mets are on a five-game winning streak, which matches their season-high…The team also won five straight from April 12-17…New York has posted a 4.02 ERA (21 ER/47.0 IP) with 13 walks and 38 strikeouts in that span…The team is batting .274/.347/.470 with 13 extra-base hits and an .818 OPS in the five games…The Mets are outscoring opponents 28-23 in the winning streak…New York has received quality starts in four of the five games in the winning streak.

ONE AND ONLY: All five wins during the Mets current winning streak have been decided by one run…That is tied for the longest such streak in franchise history (July 20, – July 24, 1984)…The Mets are 11-7 in one-run games this season and are 6-1 in their last seven games decided by one run.

AND I WOULD WALK ABOVE .500: With the duel victories on Sunday, the Mets moved back above .500…It’s the first time the club is above .500 since they were 17-16 on May 5…The Mets are two games above .500…Their season-high is seven games.

THE FRIENDLY CONFINES: The Mets begin a three-game set at Wrigley Field tonight…New York took three of four in the Windy City in 2022…Franciso Lindor is a lifetime .353 (18-51) hitter with nine runs, four doubles, two home runs, eight RBI and 11 walks with a .468 ONP and a .549 SLG in 13 games at the ballpark…Brandon Nimmo has hit .289/.341/.421in 10 career games at the ballpark… In 66 career contests, Starling Marte has hit .273/.326/.461 with 44 runs, 12 doubles, four triples, 10 home runs, 34 RBI and 17 walks.

THREE NIGHTS IN CHICAGO: The Mets are set to play three consecutive night games in Chicago…The last did that from April 20-23, 2021…Prior to that, the team played three straight night games at Wrigley Field from September 12-14, 2017.

TYLOR THE CREATOR: Tylor Megill is set to make his 10th start of the season…He is 5-2 with a 3.88 ERA(20 ER/46.1 IP) with 23 walks and 35 striekouts….Megill has allowed three earned runs over his last two starts, going 2-0 with a 2.45 ERA (3 Er/11.0 IP)…Tonight will mark his first career start against the Cubs.

ON THE ROAD AGAIN: The Mets hit the road again…New York has played 27 games on the road this year, the most in the majors…New York is 13-14 with a 4.70 ERA away from Citi Field in 2023…The team’s 226 strikeouts on the road is the most in the National League and second-most in the majors…Only the Twins (238 strikeouts in 25 games) have struck out more.

THE HATEFUL EIGHT: Jeff McNeil is on an eight-game hitting streak, batting .400 (12-30) in that span with five runs, two walks and three RBI…He has 178 multi-hit games in his career, which is 19th all-time in Mets history…Wally Backman is next with 179 multi-hit contests.

HOMER HAPPY: After the Mets went five straight games without a home run, the Mets have homered in six straight contests, hitting 13 home runs in that span…The Mets are 20-9 when hitting a home run this season and 9-5 when hitting multiple homers.

ATTABOY ALVAREZ: Francisco Alvarez is batting .271 (16-59) with four doubles, five home runs, 10 RBI, five walks with a .338 OBP and a .593 SLG against right-handed pitching this year…In 16 games in May, Alvarez is batting .271 (13-48) with seven runs, four doubles, four home runs, nine RBI, six walks with a .968 OPS.

DOUBLE TROUBLE: Brooks Raley pitched in both games of Sunday’s doubleheader…He joins Jordan Weems as the only pitcher in the majors to pitch in both games of a doubleheader this season…He is the first Met to pitch in both games of a doubleheader since Hansel Robles and Josh Smoker pitched in both games of a doubleheader on August 27, 2017 at Washington…Courtesy of Elias.

INVADER NIM: Brandon Nimmo is batting .340 (36-106) with 12 runs, seven doubles, two home runs, 15 RBI, 11 walks with a .402 OBP, .462 SLG and an .864 OPS in 27 games on the road this season…He has safely hit in six straight road games, batting .400 (10-25) with two runs, a double, four RBI, two walks with an .860 OPS in that span.

LINSANITY: Francisco Lindor is batting .314 (11-35) with six runs, one home run, three RBI, one walk with an .819 OPS over his last eight games…He has 15 doubles on the season, which tied for fourth in the majors and tied for third in the NL.

EIGHT IS GREAT: The Mets are 22-0 when leading after eight innings this season…The last time the Mets lost a game when they were ahead after eight innings was on September 6, 2021 at Washington… The Mets were up 3-2 and lost 4-3 in the bottom of the ninth…Since then the Mets have won their last 117 games when ahead after eight, the longest active streak in MLB…It’s the tied for the longest streak in franchise history….From October 1, 1990- September 2, 1992, the Mets also won 117 straight games when ahead after eight innings.

WHEN I WAS 17: Alonso has hit 17 home runs this year, which leads the majors leagues…His 41 RBI are fourth in The Show and lead the National League…Alonso ranks 12th in franchise history with 421 career RBI…Next up is Kevin McReynolds (456) and Keith Hernandez (468).

D-FENCE: The Mets have committed 15 errors in 48 games this year… That gives the team a .991 fielding percentage….Their .991 fielding percentage ranks third in the majors and second in the NL…Their 15 errors are the second-fewest committed…Only the Padres (12) have committed fewer.

TODAY’S STARTING PITCHER – TYLOR MEGILL RHP #38
2023 STATS: 5-2, 3.88 ERA

MEGILL’S PITCH ARSENAL
Pitch Type Usage Rate vs. LHB vs. RHB Avg. Velocity
Four-Seam Fastball 55% 58% 51% 94.3 mph
Slider 21% 9% 34% 83.4 mph
Changeup 15% 20% 11% 88.4 mph
Curveball 9% 13% 4% 76.9 mph

LAST TIME OUT: Earned the win in the Mets’ 3-2 victory over the Tampa Bay Rays on May 18…Matched a season-high 6.0 innings pitched, allowed two earned runs on four hits, one walk and four strikeouts.

BIG DRIP VS THE CUBS: Today, Megill will make his first career start against the Cubs…Is 0-2 with a 6.00 ERA (18 ER/27.0 IP) in eight career appearances (six starts) against NL Central opponents.

THE GAME OF RISP: This season, Megill is holding opposing batters to a .175 average (7-40) with runners in scoring position, tied for the fifth-best mark in the NL and tied for the 13th-best mark in the majors…Megill also ranks fifth in the NL and 11th in the majors with a .477 opponent’s OPS with runners in scoring position (Min. 40 batters faced w/RISP).

ON THE ROAD AGAIN: This season, Megill is 2-1 with a 4.74 ERA (10 ER/19.0 IP) in four road starts this season…In five home starts this season, Megill is 3-1 with a 3.29 ERA (10 ER/27.1 IP)…In 21 career road games (17 starts), Megill is 6-6 with a 4.85 ERA (46 ER/85.1 IP) and in 21 career home games (19 starts), Megill is 7-4 with a 4.22 ERA (46 ER/98.0 IP).

CHICAGO CUBS NOTES:

The Cubs and Mets play six games spanning two series … following this three-game set at Wrigley Field the teams will meet for three games at Citi Field, Aug. 7-9 … Chicago has won the last five season series against the Mets dating to 2017.

GOOD TO BE HOME: The Chicago Cubs tonight play the first of a three-game set against the New York Mets to start a nine-game homestand that continues with three-game series against the Reds (starting Friday) and the Rays (beginning Monday).

The Cubs on Sunday fell to the Phillies, 2-1, to finish a nine-game (2-7) trip through Minnesota (1-2), Houston (0-3) and Philadelphia (1-2) .. the team pitched to a 7.51 ERA (62 ER/74.1 IP), including a 6.45 ERA from the starters and a 9.10 ERA from the relievers, and hit at a .234 clip including a .203 average with RISP.

Sunday marked the end of a stretch that started April 28 in which the team played 16 of 22 games away from Wrigley Field, with the team going 6-16.

Following play on April 21, Chicago was 12-7 and 1.5 games behind the division lead … since, the club is 8-19 and enters tonight 4.5 games behind the division-leading Pirates and Brewers, both sitting at 25-22.

WE’LL MISS YOU, COMMISH: The Cubs join all of MLB in mourning the passing of longtime St. Louis Post-Dispatch baseball writer Rick Hummel … Rick was always a pleasure to run into on the field, in the clubhouse and in the press box.

THE CONFINES HAVE BEEN FRIENDLY: Tonight’s Cubs starter Drew Smyly has posted a 1.77 ERA (11 ER/56.0 IP) with a 3-2 record and a 0.80 WHIP in 11 starts at Wrigley Field dating to May 30 of last season … he’s walked 12 and struck out 59 batters while allowing five home runs in that stretch.

Smyly this season has posted a 2.86 ERA (16 ER.50.1 IP) in nine starts, the eighth-best ERA among N.L. qualifying pitchers … his 0.93 WHIP leads the N.L. and ranks fifth-best in the majors.

I MEAN, WHAT CAN YOU SAY?: Christopher Morel has hit safely and scored a run in each of his first 11 games since he made his season debut May 9 following his recall from Triple-A Iowa … he’s hit .370 (17-for-46) with three doubles, eight homers, 14 RBI and 15 runs scored with Chicago, and has homered in each of his last four games.

Morel is just the second Cub since 1901 to record a hit and score a run in at least 11-straight games in a single season, joining Hank Sauer (12 games in 1954) … Hack Miller turned the trick 11-straight games over the 1922-23 seasons.

Morel’s stretch of 11-straight games with a run scored is second-longest in franchise history since 1900, joining Hank Sauer (13 games in 1954) … thanks to Elias Sports Bureau.

Morel is just the fourth player in MLB history (since at least 1901) to hit at least eight home runs in his first 11 games of the season, joining Luis Gonzalez (9 HR in 2001), Reggie Sanders (8 HR in 2001) and Aristides Aquino (8 HR in 2019).

IN CASE YOU NEED IT: The last Cubs to homer in five-straight games were Sammy Sosa (June 3-8, 1998) and Ryne Sandberg (Aug. 7-11, 1989) … players who have hit nine or more homers in each of their first 12 games to start a season: Luis Gonzalez (9 HR in 2001), Larry Walker (9 HR in 1997) and Mike Schmidt (11 HR in 1976).

Morel has hit 24 home runs in his first 124 career MLB games for Chicago … the most homers hit by Cubs in their first 125 career games? … Ian Happ hit 27 within his first 125 career games spanning 2017-18 and Kyle Schwarber blasted 26 in his first 125 career contests from 2015-17.

CROSSING THE PLATE: The Cubs have scored at least one run in each of their first 46 games in 2023, and in 56-straight games dating to Sept. 25 of last season … this 56- game run is the club’s longest since scoring in 70-consecutive contests from Aug. 12, 2021-May 4 of last year.

The team has scored in each of its first 46 games to start a season for just the second time in the modern era as the 1995 club scored in each of its first 47 games … prior to that, the team opened a campaign with a longer run-scoring streak in 1898, plating a run in each of its first 91 contests that year.

IN THE FIELD: Dansby Swanson has gone 29-straight games since April 20 without committing an error (97 TC) and his six defensive runs saved are tied for the most among major league shortstops with Tampa Bay’s Wander Franco, according to Fangraphs.

Seiya Suzuki on Sunday threw out Nick Castellanos at third base on a fly ball to right field … Statcast tracked the throw at 95.4 mph, Suzuki’s second-fastest throw of the season … he used a 97.4 mph toss to the plate May 8 vs. St. Louis to keep Willson Contreras from tagging from third base.

AT THE PLATE: The Cubs rank third in the majors in OBP (.338), fifth in average .262 (416-for-1,586), sixth in walks (173) and eighth in OPS (.765) and slugging (.427).

Ian Happ’s .407 OBP is fourth in the N.L. and fifth in the majors … his 33 walks are tied for fourth-most in baseball.

Nico Hoerner’s .299 batting average is ninth in the N.L. while his 12 stolen bases are tied for fifth in the Senior Circuit.

Seiya Suzuki has a .400 average (14-for-35) with a 1.004 OPS against lefthanded pitching … Suzuki has hit .333 (14-for-42) with four doubles, four homers, eight walks, a .431 OBP and a .714 slugging mark in his last 12 games since May 8.

ABOUT SOME ARMS: Lefty Justin Steele ranks third in the N.L. with a 2.20 season ERA while tonight’s starter, Drew Smyly, is sixth with a 2.86 ERA … Steele’s six victories are tied for the most in the N.L. and second-most in the majors, one behind Tampa Bay’s Shane Mclanahan.

Smyly’s 0.93 WHIP is second-best among qualifying left-handed pitchers, just ahead of Steele’s 1.01 mark … Detroit’s Eduardo Rodriguez leads ll southpaws with a 0.86 WHIP.

Starting Pitcher – #11 LHP Drew Smyly (4-1, 2.86)
Last Time Out
Drew received a no-decision May 17 in Houston, allowing one run on four hits in 6.0 innings … has allowed two runs or fewer in eight-straight starts since April 10, pitching to a 1.97 ERA (10 ER/45.2 IP) during the run … struck out at least eight batters while walking none for the second time this season (also April 21 vs. Dodgers).

Date Opp. Result IP H R ER BB SO PC-S Left
5/17 @HOU ND, 6-7 6.0 4 1 1 0 8 84-58 6-1
2023 Splits and Season Notes
W-L ERA G GS IP H R ER BB SO
Home 1-0 2.14 4 4 21.0 10 5 5 5 26
Road 3-1 3.38 5 5 29.1 27 12 11 5 20
AVG vs. LHB: .311 (14-for-45) / AVG vs. RHB: .165 (23-for-139)

Drew is scheduled to make his 10th start of the season today, his sixth at Wrigley Field … has a 1.97 ERA (10 ER/45.2 IP) in his last eight starts, allowing two runs or fewer in all eight outings … his 1.97 ERA since April 10 is the tied for the second-lowest in the majors (min. 8 GS) … since the beginning of the 2022 season, has posted a 2.33 ERA (17 ER/65.2 IP) in 13 starts at Wrigley Field … is holding opponents to a .201 (37-for-184) average with a 0.93 WHIP this season … opposing batters are hitting .146 (14-for-95) with 34 strikeouts against his curveball.

April 21 vs. Los Angeles (N.L.) retired the first 21 batters of the game, becoming the first Cub to take a perfect game bid into the eighth inning since José Guzmán (April 6, 1993 vs. Atlanta) … was the first Cub to record a start of 7.0-plus innings with one hit, no runs, no walks and at least 10 strikeouts since Kerry Wood’s 20-strikeout game (May 6, 1998 vs. Houston).

Went 0-2 with a 6.06 ERA (11 ER/16.1 IP) with a 13:2 SO:BB ratio during Cactus League play.

MLB Preview: Detroit Tigers (21-24) at Kansas City Royals (14-35)

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MLB Preview: Detroit Tigers (21-24) at Kansas City Royals (14-35)

DETROIT TIGERS NOTES:

TIGERS OUTLAST ROYALS IN SERIES OPENER: The Tigers defeated the Royals, 8-5, in 10 innings in the series opener last night at Kauffman Stadium. Javier Báez broke a 5-5 tie with a threerun double in the top of the 10th inning. José Cisnero pitched a scoreless bottom of the 10th for his first save of the season. Báez finished the game with three hits, while Matt Vierling also had three hits, including a homer, and drove in four runs. Michael Lorenzen started and tossed 5.2 innings, allowing five runs on five hits with two walks and five strikeouts. Alex Lange picked up the win, working two hitless frames with one walk and two strikeouts.

JAVY IN THE CLUTCH: Javier Báez snapped out of an 0x19 skid last night, recording three hits, including a go-ahead, three-run double in the 10th inning. It marked his ninth career go-ahead hit in extra innings (last, September 6, 2022 at Los Angeles (AL)). Báez posted his 16th career game with three-or-more hits and three-or-more RBI (last, September 24, 2022 at Chicago (AL).

LOCKDOWN LANGE: Alex Lange picked up his second win of the season last night, pitching 2.0 hitless innings with one walk and two strikeouts. Lange has not allowed a run in 16 straight games, the longest streak of his career and the longest active streak among Major League relievers. Over those 16 outings, he has thrown 16.2 scoreless innings with five hits allowed, seven walks and 27 strikeouts. Entering tonight’s game, Lange ranks tied for seventh in the American League with eight saves.

TAKE YOUR BASE: The Tigers drew 10 walks in last night’s game, the second time this season Detroit has taken 10 base on balls in a game (other, April 27 vs. Baltimore). The Tigers have taken eight-or-more walks in consecutive games, the first time they have done so since June 13- 14, 2016. Spencer Torkelson drew four free passes in last night’s game, the most walks in a game by a Tigers batter since J.D. Martinez also drew four walks on May 16, 2017 vs. Baltimore.

TIGERS AND ROYALS: The Tigers and Royals continue their 13-game season series tonight. Detroit went 10-9 against Kansas City last season with the two teams splitting 10 meetings at Kauffman Stadium. The Tigers have won the season series over the Royals just twice since 2015.

AGAINST THE AL CENTRAL: The Tigers continue divisional play tonight against the Royals. Detroit has played seven games against AL Central opponents in 2023, going 5-2 so far this season (4-2 vs. Cleveland, 1-0 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.

ON THE ROAD: The Tigers are 2-2 on their six-game road trip, which includes three games at Washington (1-2) and three games at Kansas City (1-0). Detroit has an 11-14 record away from Comerica Park this season. As a team, the Tigers are hitting .223/.297/.343 on the road, while the
pitching staff has a 4.54 ERA (218.0IP/110ER).

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 – #57 Eduardo Rodriguez • 4-3, 2.06 ERA (56.2IP/13ER)

  • Rodriguez will make his 10th start of the series tonight at Kansas City.
  • Suffered the loss in his last start on Wednesday vs. Pittsburgh, allowing four runs on six hits with two walks and five strikeouts in 5.0 innings.
  • Had six consecutive starts with at least 5.0 innings pitched and one run-or-less allowed from April 12-May 10, the longest streak of his career, and tied with Michael Fulmer (May 21-June 17, 2016) and Al Benton (April 19-May 20, 1945) for the second-longest streak in franchise history…over that stretch, he compiled a 4-0 record with a 0.43 ERA (41.2IP/2ER) and 41 strikeouts…according to the Elias Sports Bureau, his 0.43 ERA was tied with Doug Fister for the second lowest by a Tigers pitcher over a six-start span since 1913, trailing only Al Benton, who had a 0.33 ERA over six starts in 1945.
  • Has made eight starts in his career against the Royals, posting a 3-1 record with a 4.40 ERA (43.0IP/21ER) and 29 strikeouts…in two career starts at Kauffman Stadium, he has a 2-0 record with a 2.25 ERA (12.0IP/3ER) and 12 strikeouts.
  • Since 2018, he has a .667 winning percentage, which ranks eighth among all active Major League pitchers over that span (min. 100 starts).

KANSAS CITY ROYALS NOTES:

EXTRA FRUSTRATING: The Royals suffered an 8-5 loss in 10 innings to the Tigers last night to begin this 6-game homestand…they twice overcame multi-run deficits, erasing a 3-0 hole in the top of the 1st with a 3-run bottom half on back-to-back home runs by Vinnie Pasquantino and Salvador Perez…after Matt Vierling’s 2-run HR in the 3rd, Jackie Bradley Jr. snapped an 0-for-26 skid with a 2-run HR in the 5th…the game remained tied until the 10th, when Javier Báez hit a bases-clearing double off Scott Barlow…the Royals had two on with no outs in the bottom half for the top of the lineup, but 2 strikeouts and a flyout ended the game.

The Royals are 0-2 in extra innings this year—both 8-5 losses—and since the Auto Runner Rule was instituted in 2020, they are 10-14 in extra-inning games and have scored the auto runner in 16 of 32 innings.

The Royals have lost 4 straight games and 8 of their last 10 to fall to a season-high 21 games under .500.

Royals pitchers last night issued a season-high-tying 10 walks (also May 15 in San Diego) and recorded 12 strikeouts…it marked just their 9th game in franchise history in which Royals pitchers had double digit walks and strikeouts, and the 1st such game since June 23, 2021 at Yankee Stadium (11 walks, 10 strikeouts).

ROSTER MOVE: The Royals today selected the contract of right hander Nick Wittgren (No. 64) from Triple-A Omaha…Wittgren, who turns 32 next Monday, signed with the Royals last offseason on a minor league deal with an invitation to Spring Training…the seven-year big league veteran with Miami (2016-18), Cleveland (2019-21) and St. Louis (2022) has recorded a 1.25 ERA (3 ER in 21.2 IP) with 5 saves in 17 appearances with the Storm Chasers.

In a corresponding move, right-handed pitcher Max Castillo was optioned to Triple-A Omaha.

ROYALS ON THE MEND: Left-handed pitcher Daniel Lynch made his 5th rehab start and 4th with Triple-A Omaha today in the Storm Chasers 6-1 win at St. Paul…Lynch, who hasn’t pitched in the Majors this season after being placed on the 15-day Injured List on March 30 with a left rotator cuff strain, needed just 61 pitches (47 strikes) to record 6.0 scoreless innings, in which he allowed just 3 hits and no walks with 5 strikeouts.

Outfielder Drew Waters recorded his 2nd straight 4-hit effort and 3rd in his last 6 games, a stretch in which he’s batting .600 (15-for-27) with 11 runs, 10 extra-base hits and 6 RBI for a 1.711 OPS…Waters is working his way back from a strained left oblique he suffered during the first week of Spring Training.

SALVY SPLASHES: Royals Captain Salvador Perez hit his team-leading 11th HR in the 1st inning last night, the 2nd of back-to-back HR with Vinnie Pasquantino…Salvy’s 11 HR are tied for 6th most in the American League, just 3 behind league leader Adolis García (14), and 6 of his 11 HR have tied the game or given the Royals a lead.

Salvy has hit 8 HR in 18 games this month, tied with Luis Robert Jr. and Christopher Morel for the Majors lead…his 8 HR are 1 shy of the single-season club record for the month of May, set by Gary Gaetti in 1995.

In his last 23 games since April 24, he leads the Majors with 9 HR, ranks 3rd with a .689 slugging percentage, 4th with a 1.063 OPS and is tied for 8th with Luis Arraez with a .333 batting average (30-for-99).

Royals catchers have hit 13 HR this season—including 9 by Perez—which are the most of any position on the team and the highest total at the catcher position in the Majors, 2 more than the Braves catchers (11).

JACK OF ALL TRADES: Jackie Bradley Jr. had a highlight-reel game last night on both offense and defense… he saved at least 3 runs with his glove, robbing Spencer Torkelson of a 2-run hit in the 2nd inning, sprinting across right-center field to cover 72 ft in 4.3 seconds…with a man on third and the game tied in the 7th, Bradley Jr. covered 90 ft. to make a leaping catch on a ball hit 406 ft. to the wall by Zack Short…he also provided 2 runs with his bat, snapping an 0-for-26 skid with a game-tying, 2-run home run to the opposite field in the 5th inning to mark his 1st HR since last Sept. 20 with Toronto, ending a 98-at-bat homerless drought.

Despite playing in just 36 of Kansas City’s 49 games (including 27 starts), Bradley Jr. ranks 5th among center fielders with 5 Defensive Runs Saved, trailing only Luis Robert Jr. (11), Kevin Kiermaier (10), Jake Meyers (6) and teammate Kyle Isbel (6), who’s currently on the Injured List…Bradley Jr.’s 4 Outs Above Average are tied for 3rd most among all outfielders, trailing only Robert Jr. (6) and Kiermaier (5).

LEADS LOST: The Royals have held a lead in 15 of their 20 games in the month of May, but they’re only 7-13 this month with 8 blown lead losses…the only games this month in which they haven’t held a lead were May 5 vs. Baltimore, when they trailed 9-2, cut the deficit to 9-8, but lost 12-8; May 12 at Milwaukee, a 5-1 loss; May 15 in San Diego, a 4-0 loss; last Friday night in Chicago, where they were blanked in a 2-0 loss and last night vs. Detroit, a game in which they forced extra innings but lost, 8-5…for the season, the Royals 16 blown lead losses are tied for the 2nd most among all 30 Major League teams, 1 shy of Oakland’s 17 blown lead losses.

HOME: The Royals continue a 6-game homestand tonight with the 2nd of 3 games vs. the Tigers, before hosting the Nationals for 3 games this weekend for the first time since 2016…last night began a stretch in which the Royals are playing 9 of 11 games at home, with the only exceptions being a 2-game set in St. Louis next week… that will continue a run of four consecutive series vs. National League opponents, including a 3-game stay vs. the Rockies next weekend and 3 games in Miami as part of a 6-game trip to begin the first week of June.

The Royals are 6-18 at Kauffman Stadium this season, but have won 4 of their last 6 after starting 2-16.

BULLPEN BITS: For the 2nd straight game last night, the Royals bullpen was called upon to cover at least 6.0 innings, thanks in part to a 3.2-inning start by Brady Singer…Royals relievers held the Tigers scoreless through 5.1 innings last night until the 10th, when 3 runs (2 ER) were charged to the line of Scott Barlow, who was working his 2nd inning…despite this, the Royals bullpen has been among the American League leaders over the last two-plus weeks, a 16-game stretch since May 6 in which they rank 2nd with a .219 opponents’ average (52-for-237), 3rd with 67.0 innings pitched (more than 4.0 IP/game) and 4th with a 2.96 ERA (22 ER in 67.0 IP).

For the season, Royals relievers lead MLB with 225 strikeouts and rank 2nd with 10.7 K/9, both of which mark big improvements over last year, when they ranked 25th with 552 strikeouts and 21st with an 8.5 K/9.

Taylor Clarke pitched a scoreless 7th inning last night, extending his scoreless streak to 8.2 innings over 8 appearances, during which he’s held opponents to a .200 average (6-for-30) with 11 strikeouts.

Carlos Hernández retired all six batters he faced while serving as the opener in Sunday’s 5-2 loss in Chicago…it was his 9th scoreless outing in his last 11, a stretch in which he owns a 1.15 ERA (2 ER in 15.2 IP) and has held opponents to a .148 average (8-for-54) with 23 strikeouts (13.2 K/9).

Josh Staumont recorded the final out of last night’s game to mark his 12th scoreless appearance in 15 outings since making his season debut on April 14…he’s held opponents to a .180 average (9-for-50) with just 1 extra-base hit and 19 strikeouts, for an 11.9 K/9 and 31.7 K%.

TONIGHT’S STARTERS: RHP MIKE MAYERS (0-0, 3.38)
MIKE MAYERS (like Myers) is expected to make his 2nd appearance of the year and the 200th of his career tonight vs. Detroit…it’ll be just his 7th career start and 1st since last Sept. 6 vs. these Tigers with the Angels…he allowed just 2 runs in 5.2 innings but did not figure into the decision of a 5-4 win to remain 0-3 in his 6 career starts.

From 2020-21, his 101 appearances ranked tied for 4th in the Majors and his 101.1 innings as a reliever ranked 6th in the Majors, 4th in the American League.

Mayers, 31, was selected by the Cardinals in the 3rd round of the 2013 Draft, and signed with Kansas City as a minor league free agent on Dec. 22, 2022, with an invitation to Major League Spring Training.

GOLDMEMBER OF THE ROYALS: Mayers made his Royals debut last Wednesday in San Diego, pitching as the bulk reliever, and he gave the Royals 2.2 innings while allowing 1 run on 2 hits (1 home run) with a career-high 4 walks and 3 strikeouts in an eventual 4-3 Royals win…he relieved Carlos Hernández, who gave the Royals 2.0 scoreless frames to start, and after working a scoreless 3rd, Mayers pitched into a bases-loaded, 1-out jam courtesy of a single and 2 walks, but he struck out Trent Grisham and Austin Nola to escape the jam…the lone blemish of his outing game in the 5th inning as Jake Cronenworth cracked a 1-out home run, and Mayers exited after retiring Fernando Tatis Jr., in favor of Josh Taylor, who ended the inning.

INTERNATIONAL LEAGUE MAN OF MYSTERY: Mike has been built up as a starting pitcher down in Omaha, despite pitching out of the bullpen in 192 of his 199 Major League outings…in 8 starts with the Storm Chasers, he went 2-1 with 29 strikeouts in 34.0 innings, but was tagged for a 6.88 ERA (26 ER in 34.0 IP) and a 1.68 WHIP. 2022,

FAR FAR AWAY: Mayers made 24 appearances (3 starts) with the Angels last season and went 1-1 with a 5.68 ERA (32 ER in 50.2 IP)…he pitched to a 3.28 ERA (9 ER in 24.2 IP) in 12 road appearances (1 start), but struggled mightily at Angel Stadium, where he pitched to a 7.96 ERA (23 ER in 26.0 IP) in 12 outings (2 starts).

In 3 starts last season, he went 0-1 with a 4.30 ERA (7 ER in 14.2 IP), including 5.0 scoreless innings with just 2 hits allowed on Aug. 24 at Tampa Bay, and 5.2 innings of 2-run ball last Sept. 6 vs. Detroit in his most recent big league start.

THERE’S JUST ME AND MY SWAMP: Mayers is making his 2023 Kauffman Stadium debut, calling it his home for the first time in his career…he has made 2 scoreless appearances here, once on April 12, 2021 with the Angels (1.1 IP) and Aug. 12, 2018 with St. Louis (1.0 IP)…when pitching in front of his home crowd in his career, he has gone 5-5 with 2 saves and a 6.35 ERA (87 ER in 123.1 IP) in 105 games (4 starts).

TIGHT LIKE A TIGER: Mike is 2-0 with a 4.22 ERA (5 ER in 10.2 IP) and 12 strikeouts in 6 games (1 start) vs. Detroit in his career…he last faced them on Sept. 6, 2022, when he did not factor into the decision despite allowing just 2 runs on 4 hits over 5.2 innings of work with 1 walk and 3 strikeouts in an eventual 5-4 win.

THAT’LL DO, DONKEY…THAT’LL DO: Despite pitching in the Royals organization this season, Mike still leads all Angels relief pitchers since the start of 2020 in innings (137.1), appearances (120), strikeouts (164), holds (23) and ranks 2nd in wins (8).

SO, I MARRIED A CUTTER THROWER: Last season while pitching for the Angels, Mayers featured a cut fastball 8.1% of the time and induced a 24.3% whiff rate on it…the grip he uses for his cutter is something he learned after seeing this video from the 2008 All-Star Game at Yankee Stadium, where Hall of Famer Mariano Rivera can be seen teaching his legendary cut fastball to the late Hall of Famer Roy Halladay and three-time All-Star, Scott Kazmir…since 2020, Mayers has recorded 36 strikeouts and a 26.5 whiff% with the cutter.

According to reporting by Sportsnet’s Shi Davidi, Rivera ended up tracing his grip position onto a baseball and giving the ball to Halladay after that All-Star Game, and in 3 games against the Yankees that year after the All-Star break, Halladay went 3-0 with a 2.74 ERA (7 ER in 23.0 IP)

MLB Preview: Los Angeles Dodgers (30-19) at Atlanta Braves (29-18)

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MLB Preview: Los Angeles Dodgers (30-19) at Atlanta Braves (29-18)

LOS ANGELES DODGERS NOTES:

TONIGHT’S STARTER at BRAVES: RHP BOBBY MILLER (1-1, 5.65 ERA in 4 GS in AAA)
2023 SEASON NOTES:

  • Illinois native looks to make his Major League debut tonight against the Braves
  • Owns a 1-1 record across four starts with Triple-A Oklahoma City with a 5.65 ERA (9 ER/14.1 IP) with 12 strikeouts and just 6 issued walks…has limited the opposition to a .212/.295/.385 slashline
  • Was a non-roster invitee to Spring Training…did not appear

VS. BRAVES:

  • Will make his Major League debut today against Atlanta

ATLANTA BRAVES NOTES:

TONIGHT’S GAME: The Braves and Dodgers tonight continue a three-game series in what is the first of seven scheduled meetings between the clubs this season…Atlanta will travel to Los Angeles, August 31 to September 3, for a four-game set at Dodger Stadium.

  • Los Angeles beat Atlanta, 8-6, last night to win the opener of the series.
  • The Braves and Dodgers played six times last season, with Atlanta going 2-4 in these games… Los Angeles won two-of-three at both Dodger Stadium and here at Truist Park.
  • Atlanta has not won the season set against Los Angeles since 2013, when it went 5-2 over seven games…Since the 2014 season, the Braves are just 16-36 (.308) in 52 regular season games versus the Dodgers, and have been outscored 248-174 (-74).
  • The Braves and Dodgers have played 17 total games here at Truist Park since the facility opened in 2017, with Atlanta going 7-10 (.412) against Los Angeles in that span.
  • Since the 2018 season, Los Angeles (488-270, .644) and Atlanta (440-313, .584) are the two winningest teams in the N.L…The two clubs have met in three of the last five postseasons, including twice in the NLCS, with Atlanta going 8-9 in 17 playoff games against Los Angeles…The clubs enter tonight with the two best records in the N.L. this season.
  • RH Spencer Strider has made one career appearance against the Dodgers, pitching 6.0 shutout innings with seven strikeouts here at Truist Park on June 26 of last season…He took a no-decision in Atlanta’s 11-inning loss…The 24-yearold leads the majors with 86 strikeouts this season, and is 4-1 with a 2.96 ERA (17 ER/51.2 IP) in nine starts.

DEBUT VS. ATLANTA: RH Bobby Miller is set to make his first major league start tonight, and is the second starting pitcher to debut against Atlanta this season…Miller is ranked by MLB.com as the Dodgers’ No. 2 prospect and as the No. 19 prospect in baseball.

  • Miller is 1-1 with a 5.65 ERA (9 ER/14.1 IP) in \four starts for Triple-A Oklahoma City this season, and is 10-10 with a 3.79 ERA (77 ER/183.0 IP) in 45 career games in the minors.
  • LH Cody Bradford made his debut for the Rangers earlier this season, April 15, against Atlanta, and allowed seven hits and six runs in 5.0 innings to take the loss.
  • Since 2000, 34 pitchers had made their debuts with a start against Atlanta…They have combined to go 7-17 with a 6.16 ERA (117 ER/171.0 IP), and their teams are just 13-21 in these games.
  • Miller is just the second Dodgers pitcher to debut with a start against Atlanta since the team moved to Los Angeles in 1958, joining Shawn Hillegas who did so in 1987…Hillegas earned the win in that

FIRST INNING PT. II: Atlanta’s 41 first-inning runs this season are the most in baseball, three more than the Dodgers and Rays…The Braves have scored at least one first-inning run in 21 games this season, including seven of their last nine home games and each of the last four.

  • Atlanta owns the best record in the National League in games in which its scores in the first inning, going 16-5 (.762)…Only Minnesota (12-0, 1.000), Detroit (11-2, .846), Tampa Bay (16-4, .800), Texas (12-3, .800) and Houston (13-4, .765) have been better in baseball.
  • Atlanta has scored at least four runs in the first inning four times this season, tied for most in the majors, but is just 2-2 in these games following last night’s loss…The Braves also lost to Houston, 6-4, after scoring four in the first on April 21.
  • Ronald Acuña Jr. doubled on the fifth pitch of the first inning and Sean Murphy singled him home four pitches later, and Atlanta led Los Angeles, 1-0, nine pitches into the first inning yesterday.
  • The Braves have scored 19 runs this season within the first 10 pitches of the game, most in the majors… Atlanta also leads the league in average (.436), on-base (.460), slugging (.840), OPS (1.300), hits (41) and home runs (9) in that span.
  • Atlanta is on pace to score 141 first-inning runs this season…The Braves have scored 100 first-inning runs just five times since 2000, including 121 in 2003.

AUSTIN RILEY: Doubled in last night’s fifth inning for his 500th career hit…He also has 298 career RBI, and collected his 100th career home run earlier this season.

  • Riley needs just two RBI to have 500 hits, 100 homers and 300 RBI for his career, and tonight plays his 498th 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 o in 412 games after making his Braves debut, Bob Horner needed 429, and Hall-of-Famer Eddie Mathews did it in 456 games.
  • Since his debut on May 15, 2019, just 11 players in the majors have 500 hits, 100 homers and 300 RBI, including teammate Matt Olson (506 hits, 134 homers, 380 RBI).

LOSS: Atlanta took a four-run lead into the second inning last night, but Los Angeles rallied to come back and beat the Braves, 8-6.

  • Entering play, Atlanta had been 17-1 (.944) in games in which it led by four-or-more runs at any point… The four-run blown lead matches the Braves’ largest of the season…Atlanta led 4-0 entering the ninth inning on April 27 vs. Miami, before losing, 5-4.
  • Eddie Rosario homered for Atlanta in last night’s first inning, and the Braves have hit at least one home run in nine straight games, dating to May 13 at Toronto… The run is tied with Minnesota for the longest active streak in MLB…For Atlanta, it is the longest run since a 12-game stretch from July 5-16, 2022.

Tonight’s Starting Pitcher – #99 Spencer Strider RHP
2023 Record: 4-1, 2.96 ERA • 2022 Record: 11-5, 2.67 ERA
vs. RHB: .176 (18-95), 3 HR • vs. LHB: .176 (16-for-91), 1 HR
Home: 1-0, 3.13 ERA (8 ER/23.0) • Away: 3-1, 2.83 ERA (9/28.2)

Today’s Game

  • Strider is set to make his 10th start this year and second of his career against LA.
  • Gave up a season-most four runs and a career-high two home runs while fanning seven hitters in his last start against Texas.
  • Snapped the longest active streak in baseball of 12 consecutive games with at least eight strikeouts in his last outing.
  • Tied Hall-of-Famers Nolan Ryan and Randy Johnson for the seventh longest such streak in the live ball era.
  • Only Hall-of-Famers Ryan, Johnson, Pedro Martínez and active pitchers Corey Kluber and Shane Bieber have longer streaks.
  • Leads all qualified starters with a rate of 14.98 strikeouts per nine innings this season.
  • Dating to 1901, his 15.24 K/9 rate is the highest of any player through eight starts to open a season.
  • The next closest were Tyler Glasnow (’20), Jacob deGrom (’21), Kerry Wood (’98), and Corbin Burnes (’21) through their first eight starts in a season dating to 1901.
  • His swing and miss rate of 40.4% is the highest in the majors (among QS).
  • Strider’s 57.2% rate of pitches in the zone is the third highest among qualifiers; trails only Seattle’s George Kirby and Pittsburgh’s Mitch Keller.

2023 Recap

  • Struck out 12 hitters on May 12 at Toronto, giving Strider nine games of at least 10 strikeouts; the most through a player’s first 41 appearances in franchise history(1901).
  • The next closest were Brandon Beachy, Tommy Hanson, and Julio Teheran with three each in their first 41 outings.
  • Tied with Noah Syndergaard, Kerry Wood, and Al Downing for seventh most in MLB history (dating to 1901) through a player’s first 41 games.
  • On May 1 against New York (NL) Strider snapped his streak of nine consecutive games with at least nine strikeouts that begun on September 1, 2022.
  • It is tied for third-longest such streak in the modern era (since 1900).
  • Passed Hall-of-Famer John Smoltz for the longest streak in franchise history.
  • Carried a perfect game into the seventh inning in his last start against Miami until he lost his bid on a Matt Olson error.
  • Maintained a no-hitter through 7.1 innings; broken up on a single by Jean Segura.
  • Struckout a season-high 13 hitters and finished with two hits allowed over 8.0 innings pitched.
  • Started the second game of the season for Atlanta and earned the win, fanning nine hitters while pitching 6.0 scoreless innings against Washington.

MLB Preview: Texas Rangers (29-18) at Pittsburgh Pirates (25-22)

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MLB Preview: Texas Rangers (29-18) at Pittsburgh Pirates (25-22)

TEXAS RANGERS NOTES:

WINS AND LOSSES: Texas dropped the series opener yesterday vs. Pittsburgh, 6-4, as club kicked off a 9-G, 10-day trip to PIT (0-1 + 2 G), BAL (3 G) and DET (3 G)…loss yesterday snapped team’s 6th different win streak of 3+ G in 2023 (season-best 4-0 both 4/16-19 and 4/28-5/2)…team totaled 7 wins streaks of 3+ G in all of 2022…TEX has still won 4 of 6, 5 of 8, 8 of 12 and 11 of last 16 G…TEX is an A.L.-best 15-7 (.682) in last 22 G beg. 4/28, 2nd-highest win pct. in MLB in that span (LAD is 17-6, .739)…TEX is 15-11 in last 26 G, but still 22-13 in last 35 G and 25-14 in last 39 G beg. 4/9.

  • At 29-18 (.617), TEX owns 3rd-best record in A.L. and T3rdbest in MLB (see chart)…club’s 29 wins rank T3rd in A.L. and T4th in MLB (35-TB, 31-BAL, 30-LAD, 29-ATL/NYY/TEX).
  • The 29-18 start marks Rangers’ best 47-G start to a season since 2013 (30-17), and is T3rd-best start in club history.
  • TEX is back to 11 G above .500 for the 2nd time this season (also 28-17 on 5/20)…club was a season-high 12 G over after games on Sunday for the 1st time since the end of 2016 (95-67)…from 2020-22, TEX spent a total of one day above .500 (10-9 on 8/15/20).

BEST RECORDS IN MLB, 2023
Win Pct. Team W-L
.714 Tampa Bay 35-14
.660 Baltimore 31-16
.617 Texas/Atlanta 29-18
.612 Los Angeles-NL 30-19

STANDINGS: Rangers hold a 1.0-game lead in the A.L. West over 2nd-place HOU…it is the 1st time since 5/6 that the team holds a division lead of less than 2 games (14-consecutive days)…TEX has had sole possession of 1st place in the West for 17 straight, 24 of 25, and 37 of the last 39 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 52 of the season’s first 53 days (exception: 4/8).

SERIES STUFF: Club now owns a 4-4 record in series openers on the road in 2023 (8-8 overall)…club has gone 5-1-1 in last 7 series and 9-2-1 in last 12…team is 10-4-1 overall in series this year, going 6-2-1 at home 4-2-0 on the road… club did not win a 10th series in 2022 until 7/8-10 vs. MIN… 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 5-2-0 in last 7 series on the road.

LONG ROAD: TEX last night dropped the 1st game of a 9-G, 10-day road trip that takes the team through the end of May…it 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)…club has won 3 consecutive road series for 1st time since 6/9-25/17 at WAS/HOU/NYY…team has won 4 of 6 and 7 of 10 on road after a season-long 4-G away losing skid…club is 13-10 (.565) on road, T3rd-best away win pct. in A.L., T5th in MLB…the only time that TEX has been swept this season came on a 3-day trip to CIN from 4/24-26.

VS. PITTSBURGH: The Rangers are 13-10 all-time vs. Pittsburgh, including a 5-4 record at PNC Park…only previous visits to Pittsburgh came in 2002, 2007 and 2019…TEX was 10-2 in 1st 12 meetings (winning 1st 6-consecutive matchups), but are 3-8 vs. Pirates since 2013.

  • TEX is 9-9 in Interleague play in 2023, winning 4 of last 6 G…team owns a 1-6 record on the road vs. N.L. (0-1 + 2 G at PIT, 5/22-24; 1-2 at CHC, 4/7-9; 0-3 at CIN, 4/24-26).

THE BATS ARE AWAKE: TEX leads MLB w/ 6.40 R/G and 301 R…team has 4+ runs in 11 of last 12 games, the most instances in a 12-G span by TEX offense since 12 straight from 7/30-8/12/17…club has 4+ R in 34 G this season, 2nd-most in MLB (35-TB)…TEX leads MLB w/ a .289 BA in May, and A.L.- high .811 OPS is 2nd in MLB, just behind ATL (higher .811)… club’s 123 R this month rank 2nd in MLB (127-STL).

  • The 301 runs scored by TEX in ’23 are the 2nd-most over the first 47 G of a season in franchise history (308-1998)… club leads MLB with 12 G of 10+ R and 14 innings of 5+ R.
  • TEX has MLB-high 4 players with 30+ RBI this season (49-García, 39-Semien, 32-Heim, 30-Jung) and is T1st in MLB (also LAD, TB) in players with 20+ RBI (7)…in ’22, just 10 Rangers ended the year with an RBI total of 20-or-more.

12-HIT ORIGINAL: Marcus Semien last night extended his hitting streak to a season high 12 games, which is currently tops in the Majors for active hitting streak…club now owns an MLB-best 4 of the 21 individual hit streaks of 12+ games in Majors in 2023: 4-TEX, 3-STL, 2-ARI/HOU/MIA.

  • Semien has hits in 18 of 19 G in May at .354/.429/.532/.960 (28-79), along with a 20 G on-base streak…has reached base via H/BB in 22-straight road games.
  • His A.L. ranks: R (1st, 43), H (2nd, 58), RBI (4th, 39), TB (T7th, 93) and BA (8th, .304).

DANE DEALING: Dane Dunning posted 5.2 IP last night in his 4th start of the season (ND, 6 H, 1 R-ER, 3 BB, 3 SO)… has now lasted at least 5.0 innings and allowed 2 R-or-less since moving from the bullpen to a starting role on 5/5…the effort dropped Dunning’s season ERA to 1.67, 2nd-lowest in MLB among pitchers with 43+ IP (1.64-MIN’s Sonny Gray)… also extended his streak of innings (43.0) without allowing a HR in 2023, good for 2nd-most in the Majors (49.1 IP – MIN’s Sonny Gray)…since sliding into the rotation, Dunning owns a 2-0 record with a 1.59 ERA (4 ER/22.2 IP) in 4 starts.

LEADER OF THE PACK: Josh Jung, who has hits in 6-straight games, went yard in the 9th inning last night to bring the Rangers back to within 2 runs of the Pirates…it was his 10th HR of the season, which now leads all MLB rookies, and also extends his record for HR as a third baseman by a TEX rookie (prev. 8, 3x, last Fernando Tatis in ‘97)…starting in 44 of 47 G this season, Jung’s current ranks among A.L. rookies: TB (1st, 83), R (1st, 31), RBI (1st, 30), XBH (1st, 17), SLG (2nd, .474), OPS (3rd, .786), H (3rd, 46) and BA (3rd).

  • Thanks to Jung’s HR: club now has a homer in 6 straight road games, matching the longest away run in 2023 (also 6 G, 4/16-25), and TEX now has 21 HR by players 25-and-younger in 2023, 4th-most in MLB (25-KC/STL, 24-TB, 21-TEX).

NATE THE GREAT: Nathan Eovaldi has posted quality starts in each of his last 6 outings (beg. 4/18), the longest QS streak by a Ranger since Martín Pérez from 4/23-6/5/22 (9 straight)…saw his MLB-leading scoreless innings streak end at 29.2 IP on Wed. vs. ATL, finishing T5th-longest in TEX history (also Jeff Zimmerman, 5/25-8/2/99) and longest by a Texas pitcher since Yovani Gallardo from 6/10-7/7/15 (33.1).

  • After going 1-2, 6.32 ERA (11 ER/15.2 IP) over his first 3 starts of the season, Eovaldi has gone 4-0 with a 1.61 ERA (8 ER/44.2 IP) since 4/18, cutting his season ERA from 6.32 to 2.83, 8th-lowest among qualified A.L. pitchers.

UPDATES: Mitch Garver and Travis Jankowski are expected to begin injury rehabilitation assignments with Round Rock tonight in Albuquerque…Garver is expected to play at DH and Jankowski in the OF…Jacob deGrom threw a bullpen yesterday, with manager Bruce Bochy noting that it went really well.

SHORTS: TEX bullpen has taken 10 of team’s last 13 losses…Adolis García notched his 6th OF assist, tied for the MLB lead with CIN’s Nick Castellanos…TEX starters have now allowed 3-or-fewer runs in 6 straight starts, as rotation’s 2.53 ERA (25 ER/89.0 IP) over last 14 G (beg. 5/8) ranks 1st in A.L. and 2nd in MLB (PIT-2.18 ERA over the same span).

TONIGHT’S STARTING PITCHER – #17 Nathan Eovaldi, RHP
(5-2, 2.83)

TONIGHT: The 33-year-old right-hander (pronounced ee-VAHL-dee) is scheduled to make his 10th appearance/start of the season in game 2 of 3 here in Pittsburgh…has 5.0+ IP in all 9 starts, allowing 3 ER-or-less in 8 of 9 outings…has made 6 straight quality starts (4-0, 1.61 ERA, 42 SO/7 BB) to drop season ERA from 6.32 to 2.83, 8th in A.L…has 7.0+ IP in each of his last 4 starts, the longest such streak by a Texas pitcher since Lance Lynn had 5 consecutive starts w/ 7.0+ IP from 6/17-7/11/19…ranks among A.L. qualifiers in HR/9 (2nd, 0.45), FIP (3rd, 2.46), BB/9 (4th, 1.49), wins (T4th, 5), SO/BB (5th, 6.10), IP (6th, 60.1)…will be working on 5 days’ rest after he did not factor into decision of Texas’ 5-6 loss on Wed. vs. ATL (see ‘Last Start’)…Eovaldi signed a 2-year free agent contract with the Rangers on 12/27/22…in 2022, his final season with Boston, went 6-3 with a 3.87 ERA (47 ER/109.1 IP) over 20 G/GS…was slowed by a pair of IL stints: 6/9-7/14 (low back inflammation) and 8/19-9/28 (right shoulder inflammation)… was an All-Star with the Red Sox in 2021 and finished 4th in A.L. Cy Young Award voting…his Red Sox stint also included a historic postseason stretch during the team’s 2018 World Series run…has 247 games/228 starts with LAD (2011-12), MIA (2012-14), NYY (2015-16), TB (2018), BOS (2018-22) and TEX (2023)… joined Hall of Famer Nolan Ryan as the only graduates of Alvin (TX) High School to reach the Major Leagues…Texas is 5-4 in Eovaldi’s 9 starts this season.

STRONG START: Has struck out 61 of 233 (26.2%) batters faced while issuing just 10 walks in 2023, as his 1.49 BB per 9.0 innings figure ranks 4th among A.L. qualifiers…has allowed just 3 HR this season, and his 0.45 HR/9 mark is 2nd-lowest in A.L./4th-lowest in MLB…Eovaldi is the 1st pitcher in Washington/ Texas franchise history (beg. 1961) with 60+ SO, 10-or-fewer BB, and 3-or-fewer HR allowed in his first 9 outings of a season (Stathead)…additionally, he is just the 7th ML pitcher in the modern era (beg. 1901) to reach those parameters while also logging 60.0+ IP in his first 9 starts of a campaign (1st since NYM’s Noah Syndergaard in 2016: 60.1 IP, 76 SO/9 BB, 3 HR allowed).

LAST START: Will work on extra 5 days’ rest after he did not factor into the decision of Texas’ 5-6 loss on Wed. vs. ATL (ND, 7.0 IP, 5 H, 3 R-ER, 2 BB, 5 SO, 2 HR, 93 pitches/60 strikes)…out-dueld Braves’ RHP Spencer Strider (5.0 IP, 6 H, 4 R-ER), who surrendered a pair of HR to Adolis García…Eovaldi saw his MLB-leading 29.2 scoreless innings streak come to an end after allowing a 2-R HR to Eddie Rosario in the top of the 2nd inn. (see ‘Streaking’)…permitted season-high 2 HR to Rosario (2-run, 2nd inn.) and Ronald Acuña Jr. (solo, 6th inn.), accounting for 2 of the 3 total HR Eovaldi has allowed in ‘23…exited after the 7th with Texas leading 5-3, but was removed from the ledger after Atlanta plated 3 unanswered runs in the 8th (2) and 9th (1) frames to steal a series-clinching victory.

VS. PITTSBURGH / INTERLEAGUE: Tonight’s outing will be just his 3rd career app. (2nd start) against the Pirates and his 1st-ever app. at PNC Park…has not faced Pittsburgh since a start on 6/13/14 vs. PIT w/ MIA (ND, 4.2 IP, 10 H, 6 R-ER)…did not factor into the decision of Marlins’ 13-inning, 6-8 loss…surrendered a 1st-inning 2-run HR to Starling Marte…Andrew McCutchen batted 3rd and started in CF for the Buccos that day, going 2-for-7 (2-for-2 off Eovaldi)…only other outing opposite the Pirates came in a relief app. during his debut season on 9/17/11 vs. PIT w/ LAD (0.1 IP, 2 H, 0 R)…allowed 8th-inn. 1B to McCutchen.

  • 4 of Eovaldi’s 9 starts this season have come against National League foes, and he is 1-1, 4.18 ERA (11 ER/23.2 IP) in those outings…since the start of the 2020 campaign, he is 4-1, 3.20 ERA (18 ER/50.2 IP) over 9 starts in Interleague play (all vs. N.L.), with his only loss in that span coming this season on 4/7 at CHC (5.2 IP, 2 R-ER).

ROAD DOG: Eovaldi has seen far better results this season in 5 starts on the road (3-1, 1.83 ERA) than in 4 starts at Globe Life Field (2-1, 4.15 ERA), ranking among ML road qualifiers in wins (T3rd), ERA (4th), innings (8th, 34.1), opp. OPS (8th, .549), WHIP (8th, 0.93), and strikeouts (T11th, 35)…is scoreless in his last 19.2 IP on the road dating back to start on 4/24 at CIN…opponents have batted .213/.254/.295/.549 (26-122) with 35 SO/6 BB and zero HR in his away outings this season, as he joins teammate Dane Dunning as one of 6 qualified ML pitchers that has yet to surrender a home run on the road in 2023.

  • Has compiled a 7-1 record and 2.34 ERA (24 ER/92.1 IP) over his last 15 away starts since beg. of 2022, ranking among ML pitchers (min. 15 road starts) across that span in win pct. (4th, .875), SO/BB ratio (4th, 6.93), and ERA (6th).

STREAKING: Posted career-best 29.2-inning scoreless streak from 4/24- 5/17, the longest scoreless streak in MLB this season and T5th-longest in Rangers history: 39.0-Kenny Rogers, 5/6-6/1/95; 36.0-Charlie Hough, 8/23- 9/14/83; 33.1-Yovani Gallardo, 6/10-7/7/15; 31.0-Rogers, 4/27-5/20/05; 29.2-Eovaldi, 4/24-5/17/23/Jeff Zimmerman, 5/25-8/2/99…marked the longest scoreless streak in MLB since ARI’s Zac Gallen had 44.1 SHO IP from 8/8-9/11/22.

  • Recorded 8.0+ SHO IP in 3 straight starts from 4/29-5/6, becoming just the 3rd pitcher in TEX history with 3 consecutive outings of at least 8.0 scoreless innings: Martín Pérez (3, 4/13-23/14) and Charlie Hough (3, 8/28-9/7/83)…Eovaldi also struck out 25 batters while issuing just 3 walks over that stretch, just the 6th pitcher in the modern era (since 1900) to have a 3-start span with 25.0+ SHO IP, 25+ SO, and 3-or-fewer walks (credit: STATS)…he was the first MLB pitcher to pull the trick since LAD’s Clayton Kershaw from 7/8-23/15 (26.0 SHO IP, 38 SO, 0 BB), and joined WSH’s Walter Johnson (27.0 SHO IP, 25 SO, 3 BB from 4/19-30/1913) as the only A.L. pitchers to ever accomplish the feat.

2023: Opponents have batted .227/.263/.355/.617 (50-220) with 18 extra-base hits (3 HR, 4 3B, 11 2B), incl. opp. BA of .188 (19-101) vs. LHB and .261 (31-119) vs. RHB…has thrown an avg. of 96.9 pitches per outing (6th-highest among A.L. qualifiers), and has accounted for 3 of 5 G w/ 100+ pitches by TEX starters in ‘23 (3-Eovaldi, 1-Pérez/Gray)…ranks among A.L. qualifiers in HR/9 (2nd, 0.45), FIP (3rd, 2.46), BB/9 (4th, 1.49), wins (T4th, 5), SO/BB (5th, 6.10), IP (6th, 60.1)…. has exited with a lead in 6 straight and 7 of 9 starts in ‘23, as high 6.41 run support avg. ranks 8th among A.L. qualifiers…recorded career-high 12 strikeouts on 5/11 at OAK (8.2 IP, 3 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 12 SO)…tossed 1st 9-inn. CG SHO of career on 4/29 vs. NYY (9.0 IP, 3 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 8 SO), 1st CG SHO by a Ranger since Martín Pérez on 5/20/22 at HOU (9.0 SHO IP), and the 1st CG SHO ever thrown by a TEX pitcher at Globe Life Field…made Rangers debut in 16-3 Texas victory on 4/1 vs. PHI (W, 5.0 IP, 6 H, 3 R-ER)…the Alvin, TX native became the 5th native Texan ever to earn a win in his TEX debut (last Kip Wells on 8/2/06 at MIN).

PITTSBURGH PIRATES NOTES:

THE PIRATES: Opened their three-game series against the Rangers with a 6-4 win Monday night…Are 2-2 on their current six-game homestand against Arizona and Texas…Won seven straight games from 4/17-23, their longest winning streak since 2018 (11 games)…Are tied for first place with Milwaukee in the National League Central coming into today.

SHORT HOPS: Last night Tucupita Marcano became the third-youngest shortstop in Pirates history to hit a grand slam at 23 years and 248 days old…The only two younger shortstops in Pirates history to hit a grand slam prior to Marcano were Arky Vaughan at 21 years and 53 days on May 1, 1933, and Dale Berra at 23 years, 171 days on June 1, 1980.

MARCANO OF LATE: Tucupita Marcano is hitting .333 (8-for-24) with two doubles, two home runs and seven RBI in his last 10 games beginning with the action on May 10… Three of Marcano’s four hardest hit balls in 2023 have been hit in the last week beginning his single off Detroit’s Michael Lorenzen on May 16.

ONE OF ONE: Andrew McCutchen’s single leading off the home half of the first inning last night gave him 1500 hits as a member of the Pirates…McCutchen is the only player in Pirates history to record at least 1500 hits, 200 home runs and 175 stolen bases…McCutchen and Mike Trout are the only active players in MLB with at least 1500 hits, 200 home runs and 200 career stolen bases.

MAKE THAT A DOUBLE: Rich Hill gets the start tonight in his first outing since allowing just one hit in 6.0 innings in Pittsburgh’s 8-0 GO

WEST YOUNG BUCS:

4-12 NOTE: Rich Hill gets the start tonight in his first outing since allowing just one hit in 6.0 innings in Pittsburgh’s 8-0 shutout Wednesday against the Tigers at Comerica Park…Since April 12, Hill has gone 4-2 with a 2.35 ERA (38.1ip/10er) in his last seven starts…Hill’s 2.35 ERA since April 12 ranks seventh among National League pitchers behind Alex Cobb (1.79), Josiah Gray (1.98), Drew Smyly (1.99), Mitch Keller (2.00), Logan Webb (2.25) and Zac Gallen (2.28).

WINNING STARTS HERE: Pittsburgh’s starting pitching staff ranks first in the National League and third in all of MLB with 20 wins…Tampa Bay’s starting pitching staff ranks first in MLB with 22 wins followed by the Rangers (21)…Last year Pittsburgh’s starting rotation won a total of 21 times for the entire season…The starting rotation’s 3.68 ERA also ranks seventh in MLB and third in the National League behind the Braves (3.38) and Giants (3.55).

THE MAN BEHIND THE MASK: Austin Hedges enters today with the second-best catcher’s ERA (3.35) in MLB…The only backstop with a lower ERA is Houston’s Martin Maldonado (3.18)…Hedges has caught each of Pittsburgh’s last three shutouts, including Wednesday’s combined one-hitter by Rich Hill, Robert Stephenson, Jose Hernandez and Dauri Moreta.

RUN PIRATES RUN: The Pirates come into today tied for the Major League lead in stolen bases (53) along with the Tampa Bay Rays…Last night was the seventh time this season Pittsburgh swiped at least three bags in a game (the team had a season-high six stolen bases on April 26 against the Dodgers).

BAE, BAE, BAE: Ji Hwan Bae’s double in his first at-bat Monday night extended his current hitting streak to four games (6-for-17, .353)…Bae is also hitting at a .310 clip (18-for-58) in his last 16 starts…Coming into today, the 23-year-old Bae ranks first among all National League rookies in stolen bases (14), seventh in batting (.254) and sixth in hits (32).

GETTING ON: Andrew McCutchen comes into today with a 12-game on-base streak, going 14-for-42 (.333) with a home run, four RBI, seven walks and .429 on-base percentage…McCutchen’s 12-game on-base streak is the fifth-longest by a Pirate this season…Jack Suwinski has the longest on-base streak by a Pirate this season (17 games from April 9-29).

CALL TO THE PEN: Colin Holderman has not allowed a run in each of his last six appearances (5.1ip) since being charged with the only loss of his big league career when he allowed three runs in 1.0 inning against the Dodgers on April 25… Holderman has struck out 10 batters in 4.1 innings of relief this month while allowing three hits in 16 at-bats.

ON THE MEND: Right-handed pitcher Vince Velasquez scattered four hits over 4.2 scoreless innings in his first rehab start in game one of Indianapolis’ doubleheader Saturday vs. Iowa…He threw a total of 63 pitches (42 strikes) in the game… Velasquez has been on the 15-day injured list since May 5 with right elbow inflammation.

TODAY’S STARTING PITCHER – 44 – LHP RICH HILL
RICH HILL: The 43-year-old lefthander is making his 10th start this evening…Allowed one hit in 6.0 innings while earning the win in the team’s 8-0 shutout at Detroit on Wednesday.

vs. TEXAS: 3-0 with a 3.81 ERA (26.0ip/11er) in seven career appearances (five starts)…Went 1-0 in two starts last year…Earned his win last year on 5/14 at Texas after allowing three runs (2er) in 6.0 innings.

MLB Preview: Chicago White Sox (19-30) at Cleveland Guardians (21-26)

MLB Editor
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0
MLB Preview: Chicago White Sox (19-30) at Cleveland Guardians (21-26)

CHICAGO WHITE SOX NOTES:

WHITE SOX AT A GLANCE
The Chicago White Sox have won three of the last four games, five of seven, six of nine and 12 of 21 as they continue a seven-game trip tonight at Cleveland.

RHP Dylan Cease, who is on a three-game losing streak and is winless in his last seven starts overall, is scheduled to start.

The White Sox on Sunday completed a 6-3 homestand and three-game sweep of Kansas City with a 5-2 win … the Sox went 2-1 vs. Cleveland and 1-2 vs. Houston to open the homestand.

Following tomorrow’s series finale at Progressive Field, the Sox will conclude the trip with four games from 5/25-28 at Detroit.

Chicago is in fourth place in the American League Central but just 6.5 games behind first-place Minnesota.

The Sox went 3-4 on their last trip from 5/5-11 at Cincinnati (2-1) and Kansas City (1-3).

TONIGHT’S STORYLINES
The White Sox are 12-9 over their last 21 games since 4/30 following a 7-21 start to the season.

Chicago starters own a 2.57 ERA (18 ER/63.0 IP), .200 (45-225) opp. average and 53 strikeouts in the last 11 games (8 QS).

White Sox relievers own a 1.09 ERA (3 ER/24.2 IP), .125 (10-80) opp. average and .383 OPS in the last eight games … seven of the games have been scoreless and three have been hitless.

Dylan Cease is 2-1 with a 1.50 ERA (4 ER/24.0 IP), 19 strikeouts and one homer allowed in his last four starts vs. Cleveland.

Luis Robert Jr. has hit safely in 17 of 20 games in May, going 25-71 (.352) with seven doubles, eight home runs, 16 RBI, six walks, seven multi-hit eff orts and a 1.214 OPS.

Joe Kelly has retired 31 of the last 32 batters he has faced, including 16 by strikeout … he owns a 9.2 scoreless IP streak.

LAST NIGHT’S RECAP
Chicago was limited to just three hits in its 3-0 loss at Cleveland … it was shut out for the fourth time this season (all on the road).

Gabriel Arias scored on a Jesse Scholtens wild pitch in the second inning, and Mike Zunino extended Cleveland’s lead with a two-run home run off Gregory Santos in the seventh.

Jimmy Lambert started the game and worked 1.0 scoreless IP and was relieved by Scholtens who suff ered the loss despite allowing just one run on two hits over a career-high 5.0 IP.

Scholtens retired 11 of the fi nal 12 batters he faced.

Luis Robert Jr., Andrew Vaughn and Andrew Benintendi recorded the White Sox only hits … the Sox went 0-4 with RISP.

CEASE AND DESTROY
Dylan Cease has gone 12-9 with a 2.42 ERA (51 ER/190.0 IP), .194 opponents average and 213 strikeouts (10.09 per 9.0 IP) over his last 33 starts dating back to 5/29/22.

Since the start of the 2022 season, Cease has allowed one or zero earned runs 27 times, the most in MLB (Julio Urías is second with 24) … he set a MLB record with 14 straight starts allowing one earned run or less from 5/29-8/11/22 (0.66 ERA; 6 ER/82.0 IP)

THE TIMES ARE CHANGIN’
Chicago is 12-9 (.571) since 4/30, tied for the eighth-best winning pct. in the American League during that span … its 3.78 ERA since 4/30 is the sixth-best in the AL and eighth-best in MLB. During the 20-game stretch, the White Sox have won their first four series of the season, and recorded their first sweep (5/19-21 vs. Kansas City) and winning homestand (5/12-21).

A breakdown of the White Sox over their last 21 games compared to their 7-21 start to the season:

W-L AVG R R/G HR OBP SLG OPS ERA IP QS ER HR SO
12-9 .260 97 4.6 25 .316 .419 .735 3.78 188.1 11 79 26 180
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 2.57 ERA (18 ER/63.0 IP), .200 (45-225) opp. average and 53 strikeouts over the last 11 games since 5/11 … they rank third in ERA, opponents average and WHIP (1.02) in MLB during that span.

Starters have allowed three runs or less 10 times, two or less eight times and one or less five times.

A breakdown of the Sox rotation since 5/11:

W-L ERA WHIP QS IP H R ER HR BB SO SO/9.0 AVG OPS
5-3 2.57 1.02 8 63.0 45 20 18 5 19 53 7.6 .200 .585

POSTING PUNCHOUTS
Chicago starters rank second in MLB with 275 strikeouts this season, trailing Minnesota (304) … White Sox pitchers rank fourth in MLB with 474 strikeouts (the Twins lead with 474).

Sox relievers rank fifth in the AL with 177 strikeouts.

WHITE SOX VS. CLEVELAND GUARDIANS
The season series is even at 2-2 … there are four games remaining at Guaranteed Rate Field and fi ve at Progressive Field.

The White Sox are hitting .283/.317/.471 with six homers, own a 2.31 ERA (9 ER/25.0 IP) and a 16-11 edge in runs scored.

The Sox are 4-7 and have been outscored by a 42-31 margin in the last 11 games at Progressive Field since 4/20/22 … seven of the games have been decided by three runs or less.

Chicago is 19-23 since the start of 2021, including a 9-11 mark at Progressive Field (14 games decided by three runs or less).

CENTRAL DIVISION DYNAMICS
Chicago is 9-8 vs. the American League Central, including a 2-6 mark on the road … it currently is in a stretch of 13 straight games vs. the division (5-2 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 2.69 ERA (19 ER/63.2 IP) and .198 (46-232) opponents average with 58 strikeouts and just five home runs allowed over 20 games in May.

Sox relievers rank among the MLB May leaders in opp. average (2nd), WHIP (2nd), opp. OPS (2nd, .595) and ERA (3rd).

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

REST WHEN YOU CAN
The Sox currently are in a stretch of 16 straight games without a day off and are 11-9 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 and Luis Robert Jr.) are one of seven MLB teams with multiple players to hit 10-plus home runs this season, joining Atlanta (four), the Angels (three),Tampa Bay (three), the Dodgers (two), Yankees (two) and Texas (two).

The White Sox have homered in 15 of its last 21 games since 4/30 (25 total homers), and hit 28 in its last 24 games since 4/27.

The Sox have recorded nine multi-homer efforts and been held without a home run just seven times over the last 24 contests.

Chicago is 15-17 when homering, 7-7 when hitting multiple homers and 4-13 when going homerless this season.

LONGBALL LOGISTICS, PART II
Luis Robert Jr. (T2nd, 13) and Jake Burger (T14th, 10) rank among the American League home run leaders this season.

Robert Jr. is tied for fourth in MLB with nine 400-plus foot homers in 2023, trailing Pete Alonso (11), Ronald Acuña Jr. and Jorge Soler (10 each) … 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 leads MLB with 9.60 at bats per home run this season (minimum 100 plate appearances) … 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 .352/.425/.789 (25-71) with seven doubles, eight homers (averaging 427 ft. and 108.6 mph EV), 16 RBI, 20 runs scored, six walks and a 1.214 OPS in May (20 G).

He ranks among AL May leaders in runs scored (1st), total bases (1st, 56), extra-base hits (1st, 15), home runs (T1st), slugging percentage (2nd), OPS (2nd), hits (T4th), doubles (T6th), RBI (T6th), average (7th) and on-base percentage (T8th).

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).

SOUTHPAW SUCCESS
Chicago is hitting .359/.425/.543 in the last 14 games vs. LHP.

The White Sox are batting .273/.339/.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.

Tim Anderson (.349) and Hanser Alberto (.345) rank 1-2 in MLB in average vs. left-handers since the start of 2019.

Luis Robert Jr. is 11-28 (.393) with three homers and seven RBI vs. LHP in 2023 and hitting .355/.417/.617/1.033 lifetime.

STARTER – #84 DYLAN CEASE RHP
CEASE AT A GLANCE
Is scheduled to make his 11th start of the season, fifth on the road and second vs. the Cleveland Guardians.

Has allowed one run or less while tossing 5.0-plus IP in 24 starts since 2022 … the 24 starts are the most in baseball ahead of the Dodgers’ Julio Urías (23) and the Angels’ Shohei Ohtani (21).

Is 0-3 with a 6.19 ERA (25 ER/36.1 IP) and .297 (44-148) opponents average in his last seven starts, but owns a 2.19 ERA (3 ER/12.1 IP) over his last two.

The White Sox are 5-5 in his starts this season … has recorded four quality starts.

Needs two wins for 40 in his career.

According to STATS, he is the fastest White Sox pitcher to reach 600 career strikeouts (495.1 IP).

Ranks fifth in MLB since 2021 in SO/9.0 IP (11.41) and strikeouts (510), is tied for sixth in wins (29) and ranks 10th in opponents average (.211).

Established career bests last season in ERA (2.20), strikeouts (227), wins (14), IP (184.0), WHIP (1.11) and opponents average (.190).

Was the 2022 AL Cy Young Award runner up and has been named American League Pitcher of the month twice in his career (June and July 2022).

LAST START
Suffered third straight loss on 5/18 vs. Cleveland, allowing three runs on five hits with one walk and three strikeouts over a season-high tying 6.1 IP … held the Guardians scoreless over the first four innings … allowed a solo home run to Gabriel Arias in the fifth.

Departed the game in the seventh with the White Sox trailing, 2-1, one out and runners on first and third … threw 91 pitches (59 strikes) … the Sox would go on to lose, 3-1.

Owned a 64.0 first-strike percentage and 7.7 swinging-strike percentage (seven swing and misses) vs. 25 batters … threw 39 sliders (84.5 mph avg; 87.0 mph max), 37 four-seam fastballs (94.6 avg; 96.7 max), 12 knuckle curveballs (79.0 avg; 81.0 max) and three changeups (77.3 avg; 79.2 max).

ON THE ROAD AGAIN
Is 8-4 with a 2.53 ERA (23 ER/81.2 IP) in his last 15 road starts, 11-5 with a 2.43 ERA (29 ER/107.1 IP) over his last 20 and 13-6 with a 2.66 ERA (40 ER/135.1 IP) in his last 25.

Ranks among MLB road leaders since 7/11/21 in ERA strikeouts (5th, 177), (6th, 2.66), wins (T6th, 13) and opponents average (13th, .207).

DÉJÀ VU
Will face Cleveland in back-to-back starts … marks the seventh time he has faced the same opponent in consecutive starts in the same season in his career and first since facing Tampa Bay on 4/22 and 4/27.

Is 4-2 with a 5.40 ERA (19 ER/31.2 IP) and 33 strikeouts in five starts when facing the same opponent for the second time.

UNDER PRESSURE
Opponents are hitting .244 (10-41) with RISP, .174 (4-23) with RISP/two outs and .143 (1-7) with the bases loaded this season.

Owns a career .211 (90-427) opponents average with RISP, the fifth-lowest mark in the majors since 2019.

THE 2023 OPENER
Was the 70th pitcher and 41st right-hander to start on Opening Day for the White Sox.

Became the first White Sox to start OD following a Top 2 Cy Young finish since Jack McDowell in 1994 … McDowell won the American League Cy Young in 1993.

Tied a franchise OD record with 10 strikeouts (also McDowell in 1991).

Joined Walter Johnson (1916), Mike Mussina (1998) and Jared Weaver (2012) as the only pitchers in MLB history to record 10-plus strikeouts and no walks on OD.

VS. CLEVELAND GUARDIANS || A.L. CENTRAL
Is scheduled to make his 11th career start against Cleveland and seventh at Progressive Field.

Has gone 3-2 with a 2.08 ERA (8 ER/34.2 IP), .248 (33-133) opponents average and 31 strikeouts over his last six starts against the Guardians … three of those starts were scoreless efforts.

Owns a 2-1 record, 2.20 ERA (4 ER/16.1 IP), .262 (17- 65) opponents average and 21 strikeouts in his last three starts at Progressive Field … tossed 5.2 scoreless IP in his last start in Cleveland on 7/12/22, earning the win.

Is 1-2 with a 6.33 ERA (15 ER/21.1 IP), .256 (22-86) opponents average in four starts vs. the American League Central this season, but has gone 8-5 with a 2.25 ERA (26 ER/104.0 IP), .211 (81-384) opponents average and 115 strikeouts over his last 18 starts vs. the division.

CLEVELAND GUARDIANS NOTES:

No release available.

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