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MLB Preview: Oakland Athletics (10-39) at Seattle Mariners (23-24)

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MLB Preview: Oakland Athletics (10-39) at Seattle Mariners (23-24)

OAKLAND ATHLETICS NOTES:

ABOUT THE A’S: Have lost five straight, eight of the last nine and 13 of the last 15 games…are 4-16 (.200) in May after going 5-23 (.179) in April…are 10-39 (.204) overall, which is the worst record in the majors (Royals, 14- 35/.286)…it is the worst record in Athletics history after 49 games and is tied for third worst by an AL, NL or FL team since 1901…it is the worst since the 1988 Orioles also started the year 10-39…with a loss tonight, would match the 1932 Red Sox for second worst to the 1904 Senators (9-38 with three games called with the score tied)…the lowest winning percentage by an AL or modern NL team is .235 by the 1916 Philadelphia A’s (36-117)…are 1-14- 0 in series play…lost each of the first 10 series, won two of three at Kansas City from May 5-7, and have lost each of the last four series…were swept by Houston in a three-game series to start the road trip and have been swept seven times this year.

OFFENSE: The A’s are batting .202 (74-for-366) with 31 runs scored over the last 11 games (2.8 runs per game)…overall, have the second lowest batting average in the majors (.226), third lowest slugging percentage (.370), fourth lowest OPS (.675) and fifth lowest on-base percentage (.305)…have the second most strikeouts (463), are tied for the third fewest doubles (66), have the fourth fewest runs (178) and the eighth fewest extra base hits (125)… are tied for the most sacrifice hits (11), rank fourth in hit by pitches (27) and tied for fifth in intentional walks (7)…the seven intentional walks match the A’s season total from last year…have been shut out three times in the last 11 games and seven times this year, which is tied with the Mets for second most in the majors (Royals, 8)…A’s pinch hitters are tied for the most walks in the majors (8) and are tied for fourth in hits (10).

PITCHING: The A’s allowed 11 runs last night and have surrendered 10 or more runs in a game 16 times this year…that is second most by an A’s team over the last 23 years (19 in 2017)…have allowed 355 runs for the season, which is an average of 7.2 per game…are on pace to allow 1173 runs and the modern Major League record is 1199 by the 1930 Phillies…have compiled a 6.00 ERA (118 er in 177.0 ip) in May after posting a 7.97 ERA in April…have a 7.02 ERA overall, which is the highest in the majors (Royals, 5.22)…according to the Elias Sports Bureau, the highest ERA by an AL or NL team since the earned run became an official stat is 6.70 by the 1930 Philadelphia Phillies… also have the highest opponents OPS (.879), batting average (.284), on-base percentage (.379) and slugging percentage (.500) in the majors this year… lead the majors in most walks (241), hit batters (34) and wild pitches (27) and have the sixth fewest strikeouts (370).

THE LONG BALL: The A’s pitching staff has allowed at least one home run in 24 of the last 25 games, which includes a streak of 23 consecutive games with a home run from April 26-May 20…that was the longest streak in Athletics history (previous: 17, July 26-Aug. 14, 1964) and tied for fourth longest in Major League history…have allowed 83 home runs for the season, which is the most in the majors (White Sox, 70)…have surrendered six grand slams, which are the most in the majors (four teams with 3) and tied for fifth most in a season in Athletics history (8 in 1993 and 1999, 7 in 1954 and 1997).

STARTING PITCHING: A’s starting pitchers are 0-10 with a 6.20 ERA (54 er in 78.1 ip) in the 15 games since recording their only two wins of the season on May 5 and 6 at Kansas City…went 0-16 over the first 32 games and are 2-26 with a 7.33 ERA for the season…the ERA is the highest in the majors (Reds, 6.14) and no other team has fewer than six wins from its starters…have the 10th fewest innings pitched (240.2).

THE BULLPEN: The A’s bullpen has a streak of 15 consecutive games without a save opportunity…since the blown save was first tracked in 2004, the longest streak of consecutive games without a save opportunity by an A’s team is 16 from May 28-June 14, 2008 and Sept. 24, 2020-April 12, 2021… is 4-for-13 (30.8%) in save opportunities this year…has the lowest save percentage and fewest saves in the majors and the nine blown saves are tied for eighth most…has a 6.62 ERA, which is the highest in the majors (White Sox, 5.23)…has allowed 41-of-97 (42.3%) inherited runners to score, which is the fifth highest percentage…is tied for the second most inherited runners (Reds, 102)…has 190.1 innings pitched, which is fourth most.

ON THE BASES: The A’s are 47-for-58 (81.0%) in stolen base attempts…rank third in the majors in stolen bases and attempts and 10th in stolen base percentage…the 47 steals are the most by an A’s team over the first 49 games since 1992 (55)…A’s opponents are 40-for-56 (71.4%) in stolen base attempts, which is the sixth lowest success rate in the majors…the 16 caught stealings are second most (Rockies, 18) but the A’s have the seventh most stolen bases allowed…A’s pitchers have four pickoffs, which is tied for fifth most in the majors.

HOME AND AWAY: The A’s are 0-4 on this seven-game road trip to Houston (0-3) and Seattle (0-1) and now have an eight-game road losing streak,
which is the longest by an A’s team since Aug. 23-Sept. 12, 2017 when they also lost eight straight…went 2-4 on the last road trip to Kansas City (2-1) and New York-AL (0-3) and are 5-19 (.208) on the road, which is the worst road record in the majors (White Sox, 7-17/.292)…return home following the game Thursday for a six-game homestand against Houston (three games) and Atlanta (three games)…went 2-5 on the last homestand against Texas (1-3) and Arizona (1-2) and are 5-20 (.200) at home, which is the lowest home winning percentage in the majors (Royals, 6-18/.250)…have compiled a 5.99 ERA at home compared to 8.23 (181 er in 198.0 ip) on the road…are hitting .212 with 82 runs in 25 home games (3.3 runs per game) compared to .240 (195-for-812) with 96 runs in 24 road games (4.0 runs per game).

WINNING LATE: The A’s have scored the winning run in their final at bat in seven of their 10 wins…have five wins when tied after seven innings, three when trailing after seven innings and two when leading after seven inning… are tied for the most wins in the majors when tied after seven innings and are tied for sixth in wins when trailing after seven innings…however, no other team has fewer than 11 wins when leading after seven innings…are 3-4 (.429) in extra inning games…are tied second in the majors in extra inning games (7) and losses and tied for fifth in wins…have four walk-off wins, which is tied for the most in the majors (Blue Jays, Red Sox)

RUN DIFFERENTIAL: The A’s lost 11-2 last night, which was their eighth loss by nine or more runs this year…that matches the most such losses by an A’s team over the last 27 years (also 2008 and 2022)…seven of the A’s 10 wins have been by one run and Oakland is 7-8 (.467) in one-run games…rank ninth in the majors in one-run games (15) and tied for ninth in losses…have a run differential of -177, which is the lowest in the majors (Royals, -74)…the lowest by an AL or NL team since 1901 is -349 by the 1932 Boston Red Sox.

THIS AND THAT: The A’s have employed 43 players, which is the most in the majors (Mets, 41)…28 of the 43 have been pitchers, which is also the most in the majors (Rays and Rockies, 25)…have used 12 rookies and seven players have made their Major League debuts…have used the injured list 15 times, including 11 times for pitchers…currently have eight players on the IL, including seven pitchers…have not committed an error in six of the last seven games, but have 31 for the season, which is tied for fourth most in the majors…have 10 outfield assists, which is tied for third most…are 9-19 (.321) in night games and 1-20 (.048) during the day…have an average time of game of 2:48, which is the longest in the majors (Orioles, 2:46)…however, have not averaged under 2:53 per game since 2010 (2:43)

A’S VS. MARINERS

  • The A’s are 0-4 after losing the season series last year for the second consecutive season… are 12-30 (.286) against the Mariners over the last three seasons.
  • Have lost 13 of the last 17 games in Seattle.
  • Have lost eight of the previous 10 season series and are 74-111 (.400) against the Mariners dating back to the start of the 2013 season, which is the A’s worst mark against any American League team over that span.

Year Home Road Totals
2023 0-3 0-1 0-4
2022 4-5 4-6 8-11
Oakland History: 378-335
at the Coliseum: 202-153
at T-Mobile Park: 99-115

TODAY’S TIDBITS
Ryan Noda leads Major League rookies in on-base percentage (.401) and walks (32) and is tied for fifth in runs scored (25)…Brent Rooker ranks 10th in the majors in OPS (.933) and tied for 14th in home runs (11)…Esteury Ruiz leads ML rookies in hits (55), stolen bases (24), doubles (13) and hit by pitches (10), ranks third in batting (.285) and tied for fourth in RBI (22)… the 24 steals are the most by an Athletic over the club’s first 49 games since Rickey Henderson had 49 in 1982.

TODAY’S STARTING PITCHER: Luis Medina (0-2, 6.88 ERA)
FOR STARTERS: Was recalled from Triple-A Las Vegas May 11 for his second stint with the A’s this year and is 0-1 with a 4.50 ERA (12.0 ip, 8 h, 6 r, 6 er, 2 bb, 9 so) in two starts since his return…was called up for the first time on April 25, started and lost the next day at Los Angeles (AL) in his Major League debut, and was optioned back to Las Vegas on April 27…was 0-1 with a 7.42 ERA in five games, four starts, with the Aviators.

FIRST START: He made his Major League debut on April 26 at Los Angeles (AL) and was the losing pitcher in the A’s 11-3 loss…became the 59th pitcher in Oakland history to start in his ML debut, the third this year (Fujinami on April 1, Miller on April 19)…allowed eight runs in 5.0 innings, which match the most runs in Oakland history by a pitcher in his debut…the first pitcher to do it was Fujinami earlier this year on April 1…it matches the most runs by an Athletics pitcher in his debut over the last 103 years (fifth time)…allowed five runs in the second inning, a solo home run to Renfroe in the third and a two-run home run to Drury in the fifth.

SECOND START: He was the losing pitcher in the A’s 4-0 loss to Texas on May 11 in Oakland…retired the first 11 batters he faced before Lowe tripled with two outs in the fourth…then allowed a RBI single to Taveras in the fifth and two more runs in the sixth on a Semien home run and a wild pitch…Eovaldi shut out the A’s on three hits and a walk in 8.2 innings before Smith came on to get the final out.

LAST START: He had a no decision in the A’s 5-3 loss to Arizona last Wednesday in Oakland…allowed just one hit over the first four innings, a solo home run by Walker in the second…also allowed a two-run home run to Carroll in the sixth and was relieved by Moll to start the seventh with the A’s trailing 3-0…the A’s tied the game with a three-run seventh to get him off the hook but the Diamondbacks scored twice in the ninth for the win

SEATTLE MARINERS NOTES:

TONIGHT’S TILT…the Mariners continue a 10-game homestand with the second of 4 games Oakland Athletics (1-0)…Seattle will also host Pittsburgh (May 26-28) and New York-AL (May 29-31) on the current homestand…Seattle is coming off an 11-day, 9-game road trip (4-5) to Detroit (2-1), Boston (1-2) and Atlanta (1-2)…tonight’s game will be televised live on ROOT SPORTS with Aaron Goldsmith and Angie Mentink on the call…the game will also be broadcast live on Seattle Sports (710 AM) and Mariners.com with Rick Rizzs and Dave Sims.

ODDS AND ENDS…the Mariners took yesterday’s series opener against Oakland 11-2…Seattle is 11-12 at T-Mobile Park and 12-12 on the road this season…Seattle is 18-8 when scoring 4+ runs in a game and 5-16 when scoring 3-or-fewer.

  • Go the Distance – Jarred Kelenic is 1 of 3 batters in the Majors to hit multiple 450’+ home runs this season, joining Ronald Acuña Jr.-ATL (4) and Mitch Haniger-SF (2)…his 455-foot blast in the first inning of yesterday’s game was the farthest hit ball at T-Mobile Park this season, 1-foot farther than Julio Rodríguez’s 454-foot blast on May 7 vs. Houston.
  • Young Guns Getting it Done – Julio Rodríguez and Jarred Kelenic became just the 5th pair of Mariners teammates age 23-or-younger to each reach base 4+ times in a game, and first since Dustin Ackley and Kyle Seager on Aug. 24, 2011 at CLE.
  • Kelenic’s Going Streaking – Jarred Kelenic has hit safely in 5-consecutive games (May 17-c), and homered in back-to-back contests (May 21-c)…with a homer in tonight’s game, Kelenic would be the first player in the Majors this season with 3 separate streaks of homering in 3-or-more consecutive games, after homering in 4 consecutive from April 10-14 and 3-straight from April 22-25.
  • Flex on ‘Em – Chris Flexen has tossed 8.0-consecutive scoreless innings in relief (April 30-c), allowing just 6 hits and 1 walk while striking out 7 during the streak.

OFFENSIVE EXPLOSION…the Mariners racked up 11 runs on 13 hits in yesterday’s game, with 8-of-9 hitters in the order hitting safely, 5-of-9 hitters reaching safely multiple times and 3 different players with 3+ RBI…Ty France, Julio Rodríguez and Jarred Kelenic are the first trio of Mariners to each reach base safely 4+ times in a game, while occupying 3 of the top 4 spots in the batting order, since Ichiro Suzuki, Mark McLemore, Edgar Martinez & John Olerud all reached base safely 4+ times on May 12, 2001 at Toronto.

J.K. ROLLING…Jarred Kelenic hit his 10th home run of the season yesterday, going 3-for-4 with 2 runs, 1 walk, 1 home run and 3 RBI…overall this season, he holds a 154 wRC+, ranking 5th among American League outfielders behind Aaron Judge-NYY (179), Yordan Alvarez-HOU (176), Randy Arozarena-TB (169) and Brent Rooker-OAK (160)…in 45 games this season, Kelenic is batting .297 (49×165) with 25 runs, 12 doubles, 1 triple, 10 home runs, 25 RBI, 6 stolen bases and 13 walks, getting on base at a .350 clip, slugging .564 with an .914 OPS…he leads the Mariners in extra-base hits (23), batting average, slugging percentage, OPS and total bases (87)…with 10 HR over his first 45 games, Jarred Kelenic is the fastest Mariners player age 23-or-younger to 10 home runs in a season since Alex Rodriguez in 1999 (10 HR, 31 G).

DEATH CABBY FOR CUTIE…José Caballero went 1-for-4 with a HR and 3 RBI in yesterday’s game… despite playing only 24 games this season, he has already compiled 0.9 fWAR, ranking T3rd-best among American League second basemen behind only Marcus Semien-TEX (2.4) and Taylor Walls-TB (1.4)… overall this season, Cabby is batting .276 (16×58) with 11 runs scored, 3 doubles, 2 home runs, 10 RBI, 8 walks and 2 hit-by-pitch, while reaching base at a .379 clip and slugging .389 with a .768 OPS…he also is 6-for-6 in stolen base attempts.

THE PITCHING STAFF…the Mariners have the best pitching staff in the Major Leagues by fWAR (9.2), ranking ahead of 2nd-place Minnesota (7.9)…Seattle also leads the Majors in Fielding Independent Pitching (3.27), fewest walks (121), walks-per-9 innings (2.58), fewest home runs (33), home runs-per-9 innings (0.70), fewest barrels (75) and barrel per plate appearance (4.3%)…the pitching staff ranks 3rd in WHIP (1.18) and 2nd in strikeout-to-walk ratio (3.45) behind Houston (3.49)…Mariners starting pitchers are tied for 1st in the Majors in fWAR (6.4) with Minnesota…Mariners relief pitchers rank 2nd in the Majors in fWAR (2.8) trailing Baltimore (3.3).

26-AND-UNDER CROWD…Seattle pitchers age 26-or-younger have compiled Major League-leading 5.7 FanGraphs Wins Above Replacement this season, leading by a wide margin over Houston (3.9), Atlanta (3.0), Cleveland (3.0) and Los Angeles-NL (2.9) …the Mariners starting rotation boast 3 of the top 6 pitchers age 26-or-younger in the Majors this season: George Kirby (T1st, 1.9) leads the pack, followed by Logan Gilbert (3rd, 1.7) and Bryce Miller (T6th, 1.2)…Seattle hitters age 26-and-younger, Jarred Kelenic (1.6), Cal Raleigh (1.2), Julio Rodríguez (1.0) and José Caballero (0.9) all rank among the top 20 hitters 26-and-younger in the American League in fWAR, while the Mariners 4.8 total fWAR from that age group trails only Tampa Bay (6.9).

BIG DUMPER…Cal Raleigh has been one of the best catchers in the American League this season, posting a .773 OPS in 39 games…he’s batting .232 (32×138) with 24 runs, 7 doubles, 1 triple, 7 home runs, 23 RBI and 18 walks, getting on base at a .321 clip with a .449 slugging percentage…since the start of last season, Cal’s 34 home runs are tied for the most among Major League catchers (also: Salvador Perez-KC)…on May 15 at Boston, Raleigh became the first catcher in the 112-year history of Fenway Park to homer from both sides of the plate in a game.

THE HOMESTAND…the Mariners continue a 10-game homestand today with the 2nd of 4 consecutive Value Games against the Oakland Athletics (May 22-25), including tonight’s AANHPI Heritage Night… Seattle then welcomes the Pittsburgh Pirates for 3 games (May 26-28), featuring Sing- Along Fireworks Night on Friday, May 26, J.P. Crawford POP! Collectible Night on Saturday, May 27 and Little League Day on Sunday, May 28…the Mariners wrap up the homestand with 3 games against the New York Yankees from May 29-31…tickets for all upcoming games can be found at Mariners.com/Tickets

AS YOU KNOW…Jarred Kelenic hit his 4th home run of the season against a left-handed pitcher in yesterday’s game, and is batting .349 (15×43) against southpaws in 2023, but, DID YOU KNOW?…that Kelenic’s 1.099 OPS against lefties, as a left-handed hitter leads the Majors among lefties with at least 20 plate appearances against left-handed pitching?…he ranks ahead of Yordan Alvarez-HOU (1.057 OPS) and Anthony Rizzo-NYY (1.037 OPS), and DID YOU ALSO KNOW?…that Kelenic ranks 2nd in Mariners history, trailing only Ken Griffey Jr. (1.122 OPS in 1996), in OPS against southpaws as a lefthanded hitter.

MARINERS STARTER – LHP MARCO GONZALES
ABOUT GONZALES…

  • 31-year-old left-hander is making his 9th start of the season, 1st against the Oakland Athletics…he is also making his 162nd career appearance (154th career start) and his 19th career start against Oakland.
  • Acquired by Seattle from St. Louis in exchange for minor league outfielder Tyler O’Neill on July 21, 2017.
  • Native of Fort Collins, CO…attended Gonzaga University for 3 years (2011-13).
  • Originally selected by Colorado in the 29th round of the 2010 MLB Draft out of Rocky Mountain High School (Fort Collins, CO) but did not sign… drafted and signed by the Cardinals with the 19th overall pick in the 2013 MLB Draft out of Gonzaga University…became the highest draft pick in the history of the Gonzaga baseball program.
  • Made his MLB debut with Cardinals on June 25, 2014 at Colorado.

LAST TIME OUT…L#1 in last start on 5/17 at BOS…allowed 8 runs on 8 hits (1 HR) and 2 walk with 1 strikeout over 1.2 innings.

VS. OAKLAND…has a 10-4 career record against the Athletics with a 3.78 ERA (46 ER, 109.2 IP), 24 walks, and 77 strikeouts…his 77 strikeouts are his 3rd most against any opponent and his 10 wins are tied for the most against any opponent (also: LAA).

THERE’S NO PLACE LIKE HOME…is set to make his 70th start (72nd appearance) at T-Mobile Park tonight…has a 28-17 record with a 3.76 ERA (174 ER, 416.1 IP) with 94 walks, 51 home runs allowed, and 329 strikeouts…his 329 strikeouts at T-Mobile Park are the 6th most in franchise history.

WINNING WAYS…his 3 wins this season are tied for the 3rd most wins in the first 8 starts to a season in his career…he also achieved this feat in 2014 (w/ STL) and 2018…his career high in wins in the first 7 starts to a season is 5 which he achieved in 2019.

SEASON-HIGH PUNCHIES…matched his career high in strikeouts with 9 on 4/19 against Milwaukee…it marks the 6th time he has achieved this feat, the last coming on 8/12/21 against the Texas Rangers when he pitched the third complete game of his career.

LET’S GET DEEP…The Mariners are 55-27 in starts when Gonzales goes 6.0 or more innings, compared to 24-43 when he tosses 5.2 innings or less over his career…when Gonzales tosses 7.0+ innings the Mariners are 25-9.

MLB Preview: Baltimore Orioles (31-16) at New York Yankees (29-20)

MLB Editor
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MLB Preview: Baltimore Orioles (31-16) at New York Yankees (29-20)

BALTIMORE ORIOLES NOTES:

HOW SWEEP IT IS: The Orioles completed the three-game sweep of the Blue Jays with an 8-3 win in 11 innings on Sunday afternoon at Rogers Centre…Marked their third sweep of the season, along with April 21-23 vs. Detroit (3 G) and April 18-19 at Washington (2 G)…Was their first sweep of an AL East opponent since taking two games against the Blue Jays at Oriole Park from August 8-9, 2022, and first three-game sweep against the division since sweeping the Red Sox at Fenway Park from April 2-4, 2021…Also marked their first sweep of at least three games against Toronto since August 27-29, 2018 at Oriole Park, and first road sweep of the Jays since sweeping a three-game set at Rogers Centre from April 22-24, 2005.

The Birds plated five runs in the top of the 11th to take the lead; according to the Elias Sports Bureau, marked the first time the O’s scored at least five runs in a single inning in extra innings since they plated six in the top of the 11th on July 7, 2014 at Washington.

The Orioles collected their 18th comeback victory of the season, the most in the majors (see box at right).

I GOT FIVE ON IT: Cedric Mullins went 5-for-6 with two doubles, a run scored, three RBI, and a stolen base in the win, his third career five-hit game and first since June 5, 2021 vs. Cleveland.

Became the third O’s batter with a five-hit game this season, along with Adley Rutschman on Opening Day in Boston and Austin Hays on April 1 at Boston; Baltimore’s three five-hit games are tied with Toronto (Bichette [2x], Springer) for the most in the majors and the Orioles are the only team this year with three individual players who have collected a five-hit game.

The team record (since 1954) for most five-hit games in a season is four, done three times: 1966 (Luis Aparicio [3x], Russ Snyder), 1974 (Tommy Davis [2x], Mark Belanger, Rich Coggins), and 2019 (Hanser Alberto, Trey Mancini, Renato Núñez, Anthony Santander).

Two of Mullins’ five hits came in extra innings; according to the Elias Sports Bureau, he became the first O’s player with multiple hits in extra innings since Chris Davis and Stevie Wilkerson each had two knocks in extras on September 23, 2019 at Toronto (15 innings).

WHAT’S TRENDING: The O’s have won 22 of their last 31 games, 25 of 35, and 27 of 38… The 31-16 overall record ranks second in MLB to start the season (see box at right)… The Rays (35-14) and Dodgers (30-19) are the only other teams with 30 wins this season.

The Orioles are 93-65 since June 1, 2022, a 95-win pace; the .589 winning percentage during that time is the second-best in the AL and fourth-best in MLB, trailing the Braves (.673, 107-52), Dodgers (.667, 108-54), and Astros (.642, 102-57).

AGAINST THE YANKEES: The O’s and Yankees begin a three-game set at Yankee Stadium this afternoon, the second meeting between the two teams this season; the O’s dropped two of three to the Yankees in their season-opening homestand from April 7-9, but won their Home Opener on April 7…The Orioles will travel to the Bronx again for four games from July 3-6 and will host the Yanks in Baltimore for three games from July 28-30…The O’s went 7-12 against the Yankees in 2022, 4-6 at home and 3-6 at Yankee Stadium.

ON THE ROAD AGAIN: The Orioles began their seven-day, six-game road trip with a three-game sweep of the Jays in Toronto over the weekend…After an off day yesterday, the Birds conclude their road trip with three games against the Yankees in the Bronx… The O’s are off to a 16-8 start on the road, tied with the 1966, 1970, 1997, and 2005 teams for the second-best start in team history, behind a 17-7 start in 1969…Baltimore currently owns the best road winning percentage (.667) in the AL and second-best in MLB, behind Atlanta (.708, 17-7).

LOOKING AHEAD: After the current road trip, the O’s return to Baltimore for a six-game homestand with three games against the Rangers from May 26-28 and three against the Guardians from May 29-31.

WHAT A RELIEF: The Baltimore bullpen owns a 3.03 ERA (60 ER/178.1 IP), third-best in MLB behind the Yankees (2.87) and Astros (3.01)…O’s relievers have 14 wins this season, tied with Arizona, Cincinnati, and Los Angeles-AL, Miami, and New York-AL for the most in the majors…The O’s are second in MLB with 214 strikeouts from the ‘pen, trailing Kansas City (225).

THE CANO SHOW: Yennier Cano has allowed one earned run in 23.2 innings (0.38 ERA); opened the year with 21.2 scoreless innings over 17 appearances…Opponents are slashing .095/.107/.122 (7-for-74) against him, all of which lead MLB pitchers with at least 20.0 innings pitched.

Has faced 75 batters without issuing a free pass; is the only pitcher to face at least 70 batters without allowing a walk this season and one of two with at least 50 batters faced and no walks allowed, along with Philadelphia’s José Alvarado (52 batters faced).

His streak of 19 straight games without a walk to start the season is the second-longest in O’s history, behind a 22-game streak by Jamie Walker to open the 2009 campaign; Cano has worked 23.2 innings while Walker only threw 12.1 during his streak.

He leads all Major League relievers with 1.3 fWAR, per FanGraphs.

His sinker is worth -10 Run Value, the best pitch by an Oriole and tied for the seventh-best pitch in MLB, per Statcast.

HE GETS ON BASE: Adam Frazier owns a 15-game on-base streak since May 6, the second-longest such streak of his career behind a 17-gamer from August 20 to September 7, 2019 with the Pirates…It is the fourth-longest active streak in the AL and the ninth-longest active streak in MLB…Frazier is slashing .269/.345/.462 (14-for-52) with two doubles, one triple, two home runs, six runs scored, eight RBI, five walks, and a stolen base during his current streak.

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

LAST TIME OUT: Earned the win in his last start on May 17 vs. the Angels… Allowed one run on four hits (1 HR) with five strikeouts in a season-high 6.2 innings of work…Marked his third quality start of the season…Has allowed three earned runs-or-fewer in six of his seven starts this season…Issued zero walks in a start for the first time this season…Threw a season-high 94 pitches, 63 strikes.

CAREER AGAINST NEW YORK-AL: Making his third career start against the Yankees…Owns an 0-1 record with a 3.86 ERA (4 ER/9.1 IP) against the AL East foe…Did not factor into the decision in his last outing against the Yankees on October 2, 2022, his first career start at Yankee Stadium… Allowed one unearned run on three hits with a career-high-tying five walks (also 6/7/22 vs. CHC) and five strikeouts in 5.0+ innings…Threw 99 pitches, 58 strikes.

CAREER AGAINST THE AL EAST: Making his first 16th career start against the AL East tonight…Owns an 0-8 record with a 7.91 ERA (58 ER/66.0 IP) through his first 15 outings against division foes…Dealt his only loss of the year in his last start against the AL East on April 25 vs. Boston…Allowed a career-high-tying seven runs on a season-high eight hits (1 HR) with a season-high four walks and one strikeout in 2.1 innings of work…Threw 81 pitches, 48 strikes.

LIFE ON THE ROAD: Making his fifth road start of the season…Has pitched to a 1-0 record with a 3.12 ERA (6 ER/17.1 IP) through his first four road assignments this season…Did not factor into the decision in his last start away from Oriole Park on May 6 at Atlanta, his first career start against the Braves…Allowed three runs on five hits (1 HR) with two walks, a hit batter, and four strikeouts in 5.0 innings…Threw 86 pitches, 57 strikes…Sports a 4-2 record with a 4.38 ERA (35 ER/72.0 IP) in 15 career road outings.

SWING AND A MISS: Bradish registered 16 swings and misses on May 12 vs. Pittsburgh, his second-most in a game in his career behind the 17 he
recorded on August 26, 2022 at Houston…Bradish has tallied 41 swings and misses over his last three starts after recording 27 in his first four outings this season.

SAVING HIS BEST FOR THE BEST: Made 14 starts against teams that qualified for the 2022 playoffs in his debut season, going 4-4 with a 4.24 (36 ER/76.1 IP) ERA…The Orioles owned a 9-5 record in those games…He went 2-0 against Houston, tossing 8.0 scoreless innings on August 26 at Minute Maid Park and throwing another 8.2 shutout frames on September 22 at Oriole Park.

NEW YORK YANKEES NOTES:

AT A GLANCE: The Yankees begin a six-game homestand tonight with the first game of a three-game set vs. Baltimore (through Thurs.)…will also host San Diego for a three-game series this weekend (Fri.-Sun.)…went 6-1 on their seven-game road trip after winning three-of-four games at Toronto and sweeping a three-game series at Cincinnati.

At 29-20 (.592), have the fifth-best record in the AL and the seventh-best record in the Majors.

Have won a season-high four straight games…marks their longest winning streak since a seven-game streak from 9/18-25/22.

Are a season-high nine games over .500.

Have won six of their last seven games, eight of their last 10 games and 11 of their last 14 games.

Are 14-5 (.737) in their last 19 games (since 5/2), the best record in the Majors in that span.

Have won or split each of their last four series (since 5/8), five of their last six series (since 5/1) and 11 of their 15 series this season (going 9-4-2).

Are in a stretch of playing 14-of-20 games (5/5-25) against the AL East…are 6-5 so far.

WHERE WE LEFT OFF: The Yankees completed a three-game sweep of the Reds with a 4-1 win at Cincinnati on Sunday…RHP Luis Severino (4.2IP, 4H, 1ER, 1BB, 5K, 0HR) made his season debut…CF Harrison Bader (1-for-4, 1R, 1HR, 2RBI) hit a go-ahead two-run HR in the fifth inning…2B Gleyber Torres (1-for4, 1R, 1HR, 1RBI) hit a solo HR in the sixth inning…SS Anthony Volpe (1-for-4, 1 double, 1RBI) hit an RBI double in the seventh inning…RHP Albert Abreu (W, 1.1IP, 1K), RHP Jimmy Cordero (1.0IP, 1K), LHP Wandy Peralta (1.0IP) and RHP Clay Holmes (SV, 1.0IP, 2H, 1BB, 1K) combined to toss 4.1 scoreless innings in relief.

BRONX BOMBERS: The Yankees have hit 73HR this season, the second-most home runs in the AL and the fourth-most in the Majors.

Have hit multiple HR in nine of their last 10 games (since 5/12), 13 of their last 15 games (since 5/7) and 15 of their last 19 games (since 5/2).

Have hit 22HR in their last 10G and 33HR in their last 15G.

Have scored 93R in their last 15 games (since 5/7), averaging 6.20 runs per game in that span…scored 133R in their first 34 games of the season from 3/30-5/6 and averaged 3.91 runs per game over that span.

Have scored at least 6R in 11 of their last 15G (since 5/7).

NOBODY BEATS THE RIZZ: INF Anthony Rizzo is batting .346/.404/.673 (18-for-52) with 12R, 2 doubles, 5HR, 13RBI, 4BB and 1HP in his last 13 games (since 5/8)…has multiple hits in seven of his last 13 games and nine of his last 18G (since 5/2).

Is batting .310/.382/.542 (48-for-155) with 26R, 6 doubles, 10HR, 24RBI, 13BB and 5HP in his last 40G (since 4/9).

Has 5HR in his last nine games.

Is fourth in the AL and tied for ninth in the Majors in hits (54)…ranks eighth in the AL in OBP (.382) and 10th in batting average (.302).

Has reached base in 22 of his last 24 games and 41 of his 47 games this season.

Has 5RBI in his last three games, 8RBI in his last seven games (since 5/14), 11RBI in his last nine games (since 5/12) and 14RBI in his last 14 games (since 5/7).

Has hit safely in 15 of his last 18G and 19 of his last 24G.

Seven of his last 12 hits have been XBH (2 doubles, 5HR).

Has reached base multiple times in six of his last nine games (since 5/12), 10 of his last 14 games (since 5/7) and 12 of his last 18 games (since 5/2).

GLEYBER DAY: INF Gleyber Torres recorded his 600th career hit on Sunday with a solo HR in the sixth inning.

The Yankees have gone 72-20 in games that he has homered in his career, including 60-13 since September 2018…the Yankees are 7-0 in games he has homered in this season and have won each of the last 11 games he has homered in since 9/7/22.

Has reached base in 16 of his last 17G (since 5/5), 26 of his last 30G (since 4/20) and 29 of his last 34G (since 4/15).

PITCH PERFECT: Yankees pitchers have posted a 1.96 ERA (64.1IP, 14ER) in their last seven games (since 5/15)…have allowed 2ER-or-fewer in five of their last seven games.

DARTH BADER: OF Harrison Bader hit a go-ahead two-run HR in the fifth inning on Sunday at Cincinnati… including the postseason, has 9HR in his last 28 games (since 2022 ALDS Game 1 on 10/11/22)…has 4HR in 19 games this season after hitting 5HR in 86 games in 2022.

Has reached base in 15 of 18 games with a plate appearance this season.

FOUR SCORE: The Yankees are 25-5 this season when scoring at least 4R…are 25-6 when they hold their opponent to 4R-or-fewer.

ALL RISE: OF Aaron Judge was named the American League “Player of the Week” on Monday after batting .500/.621/1.273 (11-for-22) with 7R, 2 doubles, 5HR, 11RBI, 7BB/2IBB and 1SB in six games from 5/15-21…led the Majors in on-base percentage, slugging percentage and OPS (1.893), was tied for first in home runs, extra-base hits (7), RBI and total bases (28), ranked third in batting average and tied for fourth in walks…also
recorded five game-winning RBI last week…was the third Yankee to be named the AL “Player of the Week” this year, joining Gerrit Cole (4/10-16) and Anthony Rizzo (5/8-14)…marked his eighth career weekly honor and first since 9/26 -10/5/22.

Has hit safely in each of his last eight games (since 5/13), batting .452/.564/1.194 (14-for-31) with 9R, 2 doubles, 7HR, 16RBI, 8BB/2IBB and 1SB.

Has hit 11HR in his last 18G against Baltimore (since 4/26/22) and 22HR in his last 40G vs. the Orioles since 2020.

Has hit 37HR vs. the Orioles since 2017…marks his most home runs against any opponent and are the most by any Major League player vs. a single opponent in that span.

His eight game-winning RBI this season are the most in the Majors.

Has 5HR in his last 6G and 7HR in his last 8G.

Has 16RBI in his last eight games…has recorded 18RBI in 12 games since returning from the I.L. (since 5/9).

Is hitting .405/.519/.976 (17-for-42) with 12R, 3 doubles, 7HR, 16RBI, 10BB/2IBB and 1SB in his last 11G (since 5/10).

Has hit .406/.500/1.000 (13-for-32) with 14R, 1 double, 6HR, 8RBI, 6BB and 1SB in the first inning this year…his 1.000 SLG and 1.500 OPS in the first inning are the highest in the Majors (min. 25 PA)…six of his 13HR this season have come in the first inning, tied for the most in the Majors.

Leads the Majors in SLG (.642) and OPS (1.042), is tied for fourth in HR (13, tied for second in AL) and tied for eighth in OBP (.400, tied for fourth in AL).

COLE TRAIN: RHP Gerrit Cole will make his 11th start of the season tonight…is 5-0 with a 2.01 ERA (62.2IP, 14ER) and 68K in 10 starts this season…his 2.01 ERA is the third-lowest ERA by a Yankee through his first 10 starts of a season in the last 25 years (since 1999), trailing Nestor Cortes’ 1.50 ERA in 2022 and his own 1.81 ERA in 2021.

Has allowed 2R-or-fewer in nine of his first 10 starts…his nine such starts are tied with Tampa Bay’s Shane McClanahan for the most in the Majors.

Has not left a game this season with the Yankees trailing.

Is one of two pitchers to go 5-0-or-better this year…joins Tampa Bay’s Shane McClanahan (7-0).

The Yankees are 8-2 in his starts this season…is one of five starting pitchers this season to have his team win at least eight of his starts…joins Tampa Bay’s Shane McClanahan (club is 9-1 in 10GS), Atlanta’s Spencer Strider (club is 8-1 in 9GS), Houston’s Cristian Javier (club is 8-2 in 10GS) and Los Angeles-AL’s Shohei Ohtani (club is 8-2 in 10GS).

His 10-start undefeated streak is tied with Masahiro Tanaka (10-start streak to begin the 2016 season) for the second-longest season-opening undefeated streak by a Yankees starter in the last 30 years since 1994 (excluding openers), trailing only Orlando Hernández’s 13-start streak to begin the 2004 season (Chad Green went undefeated in his first 11 starts as an opener in 2019).

Ranks third in the Majors in ERA (2.01, second in AL), is tied for fifth in innings pitched (62.2, fourth in AL), tied for seventh in wins (five, tied for fourth in AL) and tied for 10th in strikeouts (68, tied for fifth in AL).

WHAT A RELIEF: Yankees relievers have posted a 2.87 ERA (191.0IP, 61ER) this season, the lowest bullpen ERA in the Majors…also rank third in opponents’ BA (.220, second in AL) and tied for seventh in strikeouts (194, third in AL).  Own a 17.1 scoreless inning streak over their last 4G (since 5/18)…have held opponents to a .091 BA (5-for-55) with 18K.

TONIGHT’S STARTING PITCHER: RHP GERRIT COLE (5-0, 2.01 ERA)
RHP Gerrit Cole will make his 11th start of the season in tonight’s series opener vs. Baltimore…the 32-year-old will pitch on extended five days’ rest due to Monday’s team off day… did not record a decision on Wednesday at Toronto despite tossing 6.0 scoreless innings (7H, 2BB, 6K)…needs 2K to reach 2,000 career strikeouts…is 5-0 with a 2.01 ERA (62.2IP, 14ER) and 68K in 10 starts this season…his 2.01 ERA is the third-lowest ERA by a Yankee through his first 10 starts of a season in the last 25 years (since 1999), trailing Nestor Cortes’ 1.50 ERA in 2022 and his own 1.81 ERA in 2021…has allowed 2R-or-fewer in nine of his first 10 starts, tied with Tampa Bay’s Shane McClanahan for the most such starts in the Majors…in his third year with the Yankees in 2022, went 13-8 with a 3.50 ERA (200.2IP, 154H, 81R/78ER, 50BB, 257K, 33HR) in 33 regular season starts…his Major League-leading 257K last season were the most by a Yankees pitcher in a single season in franchise history, surpassing Ron Guidry’s previous record of 248K in 1978…the five-time All-Star (2015, ’18-19, ’21-22) has finished in the top-five of Cy Young Award voting five times (second in 2021, fourth in 2020, second in 2019, fifth in 2018, fourth in 2015)…his career 10.50 K/9.0IP ratio (1,998K/1,712.2IP) is the eighth-highest in Major League history (min. 1,000.0IP)…in 85 starts with the Yankees, is 41-19 with a 3.13 ERA (517.2IP, 180ER) and 662K…since 2018, leads the Majors in wins (76) and strikeouts (1,264), ranks second in K/9.0IP (12.23) and innings pitched (930.1), third in opponents’ BA (.203) and WAR among pitchers (25.0 -FanGraphs), fourth in winning percentage (.724, 76-29, min. 60 decisions) and WHIP (1.00), and fifth in ERA (2.93) and K/BB (5.27)…was originally selected by the Yankees in the first round (28th overall) of the 2008 MLB First-Year Player Draft but did not sign and went on to play at UCLA for three seasons (2009-11)…was the first overall pick of the 2011 First-Year Player Draft, the 15th pitcher (and 11th right-hander) to be chosen first…is the fifth player selected first overall to play for the Yankees, joining Alex Rodriguez, Darryl Strawberry, Tim Foli and Ron Blomberg…signed a nine-year contract extending through the 2028 season with a player opt-out following the 2024 season on 12/18/19.

LAST START: Did not record a decision in the Yankees’ 3-0 “walk-off” loss on Wednesday at Toronto despite tossing 6.0 scoreless innings (7H, 2BB, 6K).

MILESTONE MAN: Has 1,998 career strikeouts in 277 career games and needs 2K to reach 2,000 career strikeouts…if he accomplishes the feat tonight, he would be the third-fastest (in terms of games) in Major League history to reach the milestone, trailing only Randy Johnson (262G) and Clayton Kershaw (277G)…Randy Johnson (262G), Clayton Kershaw (277G), Max Scherzer (287G) and Nolan Ryan (287G) are the only four players in Major League history to record 2,000 career strikeouts in 290 games-or-fewer.

Cole enters tonight’s game with 1,998K in 1,712.2IP…if he accomplishes the feat tonight, he would also be the third-fastest in Major League history to record 2,000 career strikeouts in terms of innings pitched, trailing only Chris Sale (1,626.0IP) and Pedro Martínez (1,711.1IP).

Will be the 87th pitcher in Major League history to reach the milestone and the eighth to do so with the Yankees…would join CC Sabathia (struck out Torii Hunter on 9/10/11 at Los Angeles-AL), Andy Pettitte (struck out Ramón Hernández on 9/21/08 vs. Baltimore), Mike Mussina (struck out Hank Blalock on 5/18/03 vs. Texas), David Cone (struck out Mark McGwire on 7/28/97 vs. Oakland), Dwight Gooden (struck out Mo Vaughn on 9/27/96 at Boston), Catfish Hunter (struck out Jeff Newman on 7/6/79 at Oakland-G1) and Bobo Newsom (struck out Jeff Heath on 7/22/47 vs. St. Louis-AL).

2023: Is 5-0 with a 2.01 ERA (62.2IP, 14ER) and 68K in 10 starts this season…his 2.01 ERA is the third-lowest ERA by a Yankee through his first 10 starts of a season in the last 25 years (since 1999), trailing Nestor Cortes’ 1.50 ERA in 2022 and his own 1.81 ERA in 2021.

Has allowed 2R-or-fewer in nine of his first 10 starts…his nine such starts are tied with Tampa Bay’s Shane McClanahan for the most in the Majors.

Is third in the Majors in ERA (2.01, second in AL), is tied for fifth in innings pitched (62.2, fourth in AL), tied for seventh in wins (five, tied for fourth in AL) and tied for 10th in strikeouts (68, tied for fifth in AL).

Has allowed 1R-or-fewer in five of his 10 starts…four of his 10 starts this season have been scoreless.

Six of his 15R allowed came in his start on 5/7 at Tampa Bay.

Was just the second Yankees pitcher in franchise history to toss at least 5.0IP and allow 2R-or-fewer in each of his first seven starts of a season, joining Hideki Irabu (first seven in 1998).

Has allowed just 4HR this season…three of his 4HR allowed were solo home runs…all 4HR allowed have come against Tampa Bay…his seven-start homerless streak to start the season was the third-longest of his career (10G from 5/26-8/13/16 and 8G from 7/9-8/20/18).

Has received 3R-or-fewer of support in eight of his 10 starts…has received 2R-or-fewer of support in six of his starts.

Tossed his fourth career shutout on 4/16 vs. Minnesota (9.0IP, 2H, 1BB, 10K)…marked his seventh career complete game (first since 7/17/21 vs. Boston–6.0IP) and his fourth career nine-inning complete game.

WINNING WAYS: Is one of two pitchers to go 5-0-or-better this year, joining Tampa Bay’s Shane McClanahan (7-0).  The Yankees are 8-2 in his starts this season…is one of five starting pitchers this season to have his team win at least eight of his starts…joins Tampa Bay’s Shane McClanahan (club is 9-1 in 10GS), Atlanta’s Spencer Strider (club is 8-1 in 9GS), Houston’s Cristian Javier (club is 8-2 in 10GS) and Los Angeles-AL’s Shohei Ohtani (club is 8-2 in 10GS).

Has not left a game this season with the Yankees trailing.

His 10-start undefeated streak is tied with Masahiro Tanaka (10-start streak to begin the 2016 season) for the second-longest season-opening undefeated streak by a Yankees starter in the last 30 years since 1994 (excluding openers), trailing only Orlando Hernández’s 13-start streak to begin the 2004 season (Chad Green went undefeated in his first 11 starts as an opener in 2019)…is also tied for the third-longest undefeated streak of his career, trailing a 28-start streak from 5/27/19-8/19/20 and an 11-game streak from 4/29-6/24/18…also had two 10-game streaks from 9/24/21-5/18/22 and 9/7/14-4/29/15.

BLANK SPACE: His four scoreless starts this season are tied for the second-most in the Majors, trailing only Tampa Bay’s Drew Rasmussen (five).

Posted a career-high 25.2 scoreless inning streak from 4/11-27…was the second-longest scoreless streak by a Yankees starting pitcher in the last 63 years (since 1961), trailing only Catfish Hunter’s 26.0 scoreless inning streak from 8/30-9/11/75…also posted a season-opening 12.0 scoreless inning streak (3/30-4/5).

IN PINSTRIPES: In 85 starts with the Yankees (since 2020), is 41-19 with a 3.13 ERA (517.2IP, 180ER) and 662K…has allowed 3ER-or-fewer in 66-of-85 starts…has allowed 2ER-orfewer in 57 starts as a Yankee, tied for the most such starts in the AL and tied for the second-most such starts in the Majors in that stretch…has recorded 18 scoreless starts as a Yankee, the most scoreless starts by any AL pitcher and tied for the fourth-most by any pitcher in the Majors in that span.

His 41 wins since 2020 are the most in the AL and the second-most in the Majors over that stretch, trailing only Julio Urías (45-14).

His 662K since 2020 are the most in the Majors…his 11.51 K/9.0IP ratio in that span is the best in the Majors (min. 400.0IP)…has finished in the top-five of Cy Young Award voting in two of his first three seasons in pinstripes (second in 2021, fourth in 2020).

His 23 double-digit strikeout games as a Yankee are tied with Ron Guidry for the most in franchise history.

KING OF THE HILL: Since 2018, leads the Majors in wins (76) and strikeouts (1,264), ranks second in K/9.0IP (12.23) and innings pitched (930.1), third in opponents’ BA (.203) and WAR among pitchers (25.0 – FanGraphs), fourth in winning percentage (.724, 76-29, min. 60 decisions) and WHIP (1.00), and fifth in ERA (2.93) and K/BB (5.27).

VS. BALTIMORE: Is 5-3 with a 2.33 ERA (65.2IP, 17ER) and 86K in 10 career starts vs. the Orioles…has allowed 1ER-or-fewer in six of his 10 career starts vs. the Orioles and 2ER-orfewer in seven of his 10 starts against Baltimore.

As a Yankee, has gone 5-3 with a 2.56 ERA (52.2IP, 15ER) in eight starts vs. the Orioles…has allowed 3ER-or-fewer in seven of those eight starts and 2ER-or-fewer in five of those starts.

Went 1-2 with a 4.29 ERA (21.0IP, 10ER) in three starts vs. Baltimore in 2022.

Has made three career starts vs. the Orioles at Yankee Stadium, going 2-1 with a 2.05 ERA (22.0IP, 5ER) and 33K.

Has recorded double-digit strikeouts in four of his last nine starts vs. Baltimore…owns an 11.79 K/9.0IP (86K/65.2IP) vs. the Orioles.

STRIKEOUT MACHINE: Has recorded double-digit strikeouts in 44 games since the start of 2019, marking the most in the Majors over the span (next: Max Scherzer and Jacob deGrom with 28)…his 52 games with at least 10K since the beginning of 2018 are also the most in the Majors in that span (next: Max Scherzer-46).

Is tied for fifth in the AL and tied for 10th in the Majors in strikeouts…has recorded at least 8K in five of his 10 starts this season.

HOME SWEET HOME: Is 3-0 with a 1.18 ERA (38.0IP, 5ER) and 45K in six home starts this season…as a Yankee, has gone 18-10 with a 2.71 ERA (259.0IP, 78ER) and 335K in 42 starts at Yankee Stadium…has allowed 2ER-or-fewer in 31 of those 42 starts… his 2.71 ERA at home since 2020 is the second-lowest in the AL and eighth-lowest in the Majors in that stretch (min. 200.0IP).

MLB Preview: San Diego Padres (21-26) at Washington Nationals (20-27)

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MLB Preview: San Diego Padres (21-26) at Washington Nationals (20-27)

SAN DIEGO PADRES NOTES:

Friars snap 4-game skid with Sunday’s 7-0 shutout win over Red Sox

  • On Sunday in San Diego, the Padres snapped their 4-game losing streak and shut out the Red Sox for the Padres’ 3rd shutout win of 2023.
  • Rougned Odor had 2-double, 4-RBI game, and though the Padres went just 1-for-10 with RISP in the game, the 1 hit was Odor’s bases-loaded, 2-out, 3-run double in the 1st inning.
  • Michael Wacha earned the win, tossing 6.0 innings of scoreless ball with 4 strikeouts…he allowed 5 hits with 1 walk in 88 pitches.

Padres have gone 3-11 since May 6

  • The Friars’ win on Sunday was just their 3rd in their last 14 games, tying with the Oakland A’s for the fewest wins since May 6 of any team…Padres pitchers since May 6 have the lowest ERA of any NL club (3.19), while Padres batters have the lowest batting average in the Majors (.189)…conversely, the Nationals have MLB’s highest batting average since May 6 at .296.
  • A win today against the Nationals would be their 1st time winning consecutive games since May 3-5. Elias Says…
  • Sunday’s victory was starter Michael Wacha’s team-leading 5th win, and Wacha has been the winning pitcher in each of the Padres last 3 wins overall (May 9 @ MIN, May 15 vs. KC, and May 21 vs. BOS), making it the 1st time in Padres’ history that they had the same starting pitcher in their last three wins within a season with the starter earning a winning decision in each game (Elias).
  • It was the 1st time it had happened in MLB overall since Shohei Ohtani had 3 straight outings for the Angels in 2022.

Age is just a number

  • Yu Darvish, who is 36 years and 280 days old today, has punched out a team-leading 53 batters so far this year…he’s the 2nd oldest pitchers this season with 50+ strikeouts, behind just Charlie Morton’s 54 strikeouts (Morton is 39).

Pads ‘pen keeping us in the game, riding a 30.1 scoreless inning streak

  • The Padres’ bullpen has now been scoreless in each of their last 8 games, and they’ve riding a 30.1 scoreless inning streak entering today’s contest…since May 13, the Friars ‘pen has posted a .149 opponent batting average with 28 strikeouts against 6 walks.
  • Overall, the Padres ‘pen’s .231 opponent AVG and 1.17 WHIP are the lowest of in the National League.

The prodigal Soto returns

  • Juan Soto returns to DC for the 2nd time, having seen them last year for the 1st time on Aug. 12, 2022 (the day that Fernando Tatis Jr. began his suspension for testing positive for a performance enhancing substance).
  • In his last 20 games, Soto has produced a 1.106 OPS, which is the 4th highest of any player in that time (with at least 50 PA)…Soto has hit .333 (24- for-72) with a .467 OBP and .639 SLG in those 20 G since April 29, and prior to April 29th, he had just a .689 OPS in his 1st 27 games to start the season.

Padres have lowest swinging percentage in the NL

  • SD batters have swung at 45.5% of the pitches they’ve seen, ahead of just the Yankees’ 45.2 swing percentage for the lowest swinging % in baseball.

STARTER – YU DARVISH #11
Darvish set for 5th career start vs. Nationals
36-year-old right-hander Yu Darvish looks to get back in the win column tonight vs. the Nationals…last season, he lost both of his starts vs. WSH in back-to-back outings…on Aug. 13, 2022 @ Nationals Park, he allowed 4 runs on 7 hits across 6.0 IP in SD’s 4-3 defeat….his only time working into the 9th inning as a Padre and the 6th time he’s done so in his career came in his next start on Aug, 18, 2022 vs. WSH at Petco Park but he was still tagged with the loss, allowing 3 runs across 8.1 P… and it was the only time he’s worked into the 9th on fewer than 100 pitches (96 pitches).

Darvish tagged with 3rd loss Wed vs. KC
Darvish was tagged with his 3rd loss of the season, and his 1st in 6 starts, last Wednesday in the series finale vs. KC…it was his 8th career start vs. KC, and his first non-quality outing vs. the Royals…he received 1 run-or-fewer for 3rd time this season, and has now received 3 runs-or-fewer in 5 of his 8 outings…the 3.94 run support average (runs scored while he’s in the game) is 13th-lowest among all NL starters (min. 8 starts).

Breaking bad
Since last season, Darvish has thrown the 2nd-most breaking balls (1,987) in MLB, trailing only CWS Dylan Cease’s 2,330 …he has the 2nd-highest spin rate (2,757 rpm) on breaking balls among all NL pitchers (min. 1,250 pitches) since the start of ’22, trailing only Charlie Morton (3,068 rpm)…rotation mate Joe Musgrove (2,722) has the 3rd-highest spin rate on breaking balls among NL starters since ’22.

Stingy against the righties
So far this season, Darvish has limited righties to a .171 clip (12-for-70), the 6th-lowest opp. AVG vs. RHH in the Majors (min. 70 righties faced) and 3rd-lowest in the NL, trailing only Drew Smyly (.165) and teammate Nick Martinez (.165)…LHH are 26-for-101 (.257) against Yu.

Expect the unexpected
Darvish has a .203 xBA, which ranks in the 86th percentile this season, his lowest since he had a .197 xBA in 2016 in the top 6 percentile.

Swing wisely
Entering today, on pitches that get put in play, opponents are batting .455 (10-22)…on 0-1 counts, opponents are 1-9 (.111) and on 0-2 counts, opponents are 0-12…in 1-2 counts, they are 3-for-43 (.070) and in 2-2 counts, opponents are 8-32 (.250)…opponents are 3-11 (.273) when swinging behind 1-0, and he have swung just twice when falling behind 2-0 (0-2)…they’ve also swung just once when down 3-0 (0-1 w/ a BB)…he’s faced 21 batters in full counts, and they are 2-11 with 9 BB.

Owner of the 7th-most double-digit SO games since 2012
Darvish struck out a season-high 12 on April 16 vs. MIL…since his debut 2012 season, Yu has 50 double-digit SO performances, the 7th-most in MLB since 2012…he trails Max Scherzer (104), Chris Sale (80), Jacob deGrom (60), Gerrit Cole (58), Clayton Kershaw (53) & Justin Verlander (52)…he is currently just under the 10.00 SO/9 IP mark at 9.94….last season was the first year he had a sub 10.00 SO/9 IP ratio (9.11) since 2017 w/ TEX (9.72).

WASHINGTON NATIONALS NOTES:

OPPONENT – SAN DIEGO PADRES
The Nationals and Padres play six times this season (3 in D.C., 3 in SD)…Henry Blanco played 67 games for the Padres in 2009…CJ Abrams and MacKenzie Gore were two of six players acquired from the Padres in the deal that sent Josh Bell and Juan Soto to San Diego at the 2022 Trade Deadline…Mason Thompson was acquired from the Padres a year earlier at the 2021 Trade Deadline…Trevor Williams (Rancho Bernardo HS) and Riley Adams (Canyon Crest Academy / University of San Diego) are from San Diego…Padres manager of media relations JP Nolan was an intern in Washington’s communications department during the 2016 season…Nelson Cruz spent the 2022 season with the Nationals.

SERIES BUSINESS
Following a day off on Monday, the Washington Nationals welcome the San Diego Padres to Nationals Park for a three-game series starting tonight.

  • The Nationals took the weekend series over the Detroit Tigers thanks to a 6-4 win on Sunday afternoon…Washington pounded out a season-high 18 hits, including four-hit efforts from Jeimer Candelario (4-for-5, R) and Riley Adams (4-for-4, 2 2B, HR, RBI, R)…Josiah Gray (5.0 IP, 3 H, ER, 6 BB, 2 SO) earned his fourth win and Hunter Harvey (1.0 IP, 2 SO) earned his second save in as many games.

STATUS CHECK
The Nationals have won the last two, seven of 14 and 11 of their last 21 games…They are 15-14 (.517) dating to April 21 at Minnesota.

  • Washington is 19-21 (.475) after losing six of seven games to start the season…That stretch included series against the Atlanta Braves (1-2) and Tampa Bay Rays (0-3) as well as a 1-0 loss to the Colorado Rockies on their Opening Day.
  • The Nationals are 8-4 (.667) at home since April 30 vs. Pittsburgh…This comes after going 2-11 at home to start the season.

THE CANDY MAN
Jeimer Candelario is 16-for-28 (.571) with four doubles, a triple, two homers, five RBI, one walk and six runs scored across his last seven games…He has at least one extra-base hit in five of the seven games and has multi-hit efforts in six of seven.

  • He’s raised his slash line from .211/.276/.354 on May 14 to .269/.323/.457 entering play today.
  • The 16 hits in seven games are a career-best and are the most he’s had in an eight-game span as well.
  • Beyond this week, Candelario is hitting .291/.351/.523 in his last 23 games.

STREAKIN’ LANE TRAIN
Lane Thomas has reached safely in a career-high 18 straight games and has hit safely in 16 of the 18…Thomas is hitting .338 (25-for-74) with three doubles, a triple, five homers, 12 RBI, four walks, one hit by pitch, two stolen bases and 16 runs scored during this streak.

  • Thomas ranks 12th in the National League with 51 hits, while his .290 average is 13th.

CHASING 1,000
With 996 in hand, Corey Dickerson is four hits away from 1,000 for his career…When he collects hit No. 1,000, he will become the 12th player in Nationals history (2005-pres.) to record his 1,000th hit in a Nationals uniform, according to the Elias Sports Bureau…The last to do it was Brian Dozier in 2019.

  • Since returning from the Injured List, Dickerson is 4-for-12 (.333) with a double, homer, three RBI and three runs in four games.

JOEY HITS
Joey Meneses is tied for fourth in the National League with 55 hits and his .296 batting average ranks 10th.

  • Meneses ranks third in Major League Baseball with 44 hits behind Freddie Freeman (47) and Marcus Semien (45) since April 15…His .333 batting average since April 15th ranks sixth in MLB.
  • He is hitting .364/.397/.509 with five doubles, one homer, 13 RBI, three walks and seven runs scored in his last 13 games.

TODAY’S STARTING PITCHER – #1 MACKENZIE GORE
Left-handed starter was acquired by Washington at the 2022 Trade Deadline…Entered 2020 as the No. 6 prospect in all of baseball and 2021 as the No. 10 prospect, according to Baseball America …Was cited by Baseball America as having the “Best Fastball” in San Diego’s system entering the 2022 season and the “Best Slider” in 2021 and 2018…Was the 2017 Gatorade Male High School Athlete of the Year, just the second baseball player to win the award at the time (Dylan Bundy in 2011; Bobby Witt Jr. in 2019).

LAST START
Allowed four earned runs on five hits with seven strikeouts and two walks in 5.1 innings of work on May 17 at Miami.

vs. SAN DIEGO
Faces his former club for the first time in his career.

RANKS
Gore ranks first among all Major League left-handed pitchers and sixth in all of Major League Baseball (4th in the NL) with 11.27 strikeouts per 9.0 innings (min. 45.0 IP)…His 58 strikeouts rank 11th in the National League.

  • He ranks eighth among all Major League left-handers (4th in NL) with a 3.69 ERA and a .383 opponents’ slugging percentage (min. 45.0 IP).

SWING AND A MISS
He ranks fourth among all MLB left-handed pitchers with 120 swings and misses this season, according to MLB Statcast…On April 19 vs. Baltimore, he induced a career-high 18 swings and misses in 6.0 innings pitched.

TROUBLE WITH THE CURVE
Gore’s curveball boasts a 44.6% whiff rate, third-best among all MLB left-handed pitchers (min. 25 PA)…His .178 opponents’ batting average (8-for-45) ranks fifth among MLB lefties.

EARNING THE CAPITAL K IN MacKenzie
Gore’s 58 strikeouts through nine starts are the third-most in Nationals history (2005-pres.) by any pitcher in his first nine starts with the club behind Max Scherzer (72 SO in 2015), Gio Gonzalez (69 SO in 2012) and Patrick Corbin (69 SO in 2019).

  • Gore’s 11.27 strikeouts per would rank fifth in a season in Nationals history (2005-pres.)…See chart to the right for the top 10 SO/9.0 inning seasons in team history.

WELCOME TO D.C.
Earned the win in his Nationals debut on April 2 vs. Atlanta…Allowed one earned run on three hits with six strikeouts and four walks…With the win, Gore became the seventh Nationals pitcher (2005-pres.) to win his debut with the team while allowing three hits or less in at least 5.0 innings of work.

MLB Preview: Arizona Diamondbacks (28-20) at Philadelphia Phillies (22-25)

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MLB Preview: Arizona Diamondbacks (28-20) at Philadelphia Phillies (22-25)

ARIZONA DIAMONDBACKS NOTES:

HERE’S THE STORY
♦ The D-backs’ 28 wins are the third most in the NL, behind the Dodgers (30) and Braves (29)…the D-backs’ 23 wins vs. NL opponents are second behind the Dodgers (28).

♦ The D-backs are a season-high 8 games above .500 for the first time since the end of the 2019 season ( 85-77).

♦ The D-backs have won 8 of their last 10 games.

♦ The D-backs are second in the NL West (23 days in/tied for first place from April 2-30).

♦ Arizona is seeking its fourth straight series win and seventh in its last 9.

SNAKE BITES
♦ Lourdes Gurriel Jr. is hitting .365 (19-for-52) vs. lefties , the fifth highest in MLB…ranks among Major League leaders in average (6th, .321), slugging pct. (8th, .562) and OPS (9th, .938).

♦ Christian Walker, a Philly-area native, is hitting .326 (15-for-46) vs. lefties, the highest among MLB first basemen …is a career .343 batter (24-for-70) vs. Phillies…has hit safely in each of his last 5 games vs. Phillies with 3 multi-hit performances (.500; 10-for-20, 3 2B, 1 3B, 4 RBI).

♦ Geraldo Perdomo, in his last 12 road games, is hitting .405 (15-for-37)/1.218 OPS with 3 doubles, 3 homers and 10 RBI.

♦ Gabriel Moreno, over his last 13 games, is hitting .326 (15-for-46)/.380 OBP with 2 doubles, 3 RBI and 4 walks.

♦ Corbin Carroll, in his last 11 road games, is hitting .314 (11-for-35)/1.051 OPS with 3 doubles, 2 homers, 9 runs, 6 RBI, 11 walks and 4 stolen bases.

OUT OF THE PEN
♦ Since May 8, the D-backs bullpen’s 5 saves are tied for second in the NL (also: Cardinals, Reds and Marlins) and 2.77 ERA (15 ER in 48.2 IP) is third, behind the Padres (1.12; 5 ER in 40.1 IP) and Phillies (1.71; 9 ER in 47.1 IP) while their .227 AVG and .301 OBP are tied for sixth lowest and .647 OPS is seventh lowest.

OH, LOURDES! HE’S AT 15
♦ Lourdes Gurriel Jr. is riding a career-high 15-game hitting streak, the longest active streak in the Majors and fourth longest this season, behind Mauricio Dubón/HOU (20), Bryson Stott/PHI (17) and Masataka Yoshida/BOS (16)…in the span, he is batting .417 (25-for-60)/1.352 OPS with 6 doubles, 7 homers, 14 RBI and 7 walks.

  • His streak is the longest by a D-back this season and second longest since 2015, behind Ketel Marte’s 16-game hit streak from May 16-June 4, 2022.

KETEL ON 22’S
♦ Ketel Marte’s 22-game on-base streak (since April 26) is the second-longest active streak in the Majors …is tied for his career-best (also: Aug 2-29, 2019) and tied for eighth-longest by a D-back since 2014.

  • During the streak, is batting .289 (24-for-83)/.380 OBP with 1 double, 1 triple, 4 homers, 13 RBI, 12 walks and 2 HBP.

♦ Has reached base in 15 straight road games , hitting .362 (21-for-58)/1.082 OPS with 1 triple, 5 homers, 11 RBI and 7 walks…is sixth-longest streak by a D-back since 2019.

SEEING IT WELL
♦ The D-backs’ .349 OBP in the month of May is the highest in the Majors, ahead of the Rangers (.344), Red Sox (.337) and Rays (.337).

♦ Since May 1, the D-backs’ 10.6 walk pct. is second in the Majors, behind the Padres (11.7)…from the start of season to April 22, the D-backs had a 5.0 walk pct. (MLB low).

♦ The D-backs’ 80 walks in May (19 games) are second in the Majors, behind the Dodgers (83 in 20 G).

TODAY’S STARTING PITCHER – RHP RYNE NELSON ♦ #19
AT A GLANCE: Second season with D-backs…made Opening Day roster and rotation…made 3 starts in 2022.

  • D-backs’ second-round pick (56th overall) in the 2019 draft out of the University of Oregon.

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW: The D-backs are 2-0 in his last 2 bids.

  • Has exited 6 of his 9 starts with the lead or tied.

LAST START: Tossed 5.1 scoreless innings with a career-low 1 hit on May 17 @ A’s.

VS. PHILLIES: Making his first career start.

PITCH TRACKING: Opposing batters are hitting .154 (6-39) with 8 strikeouts off his cutter and .154 (2-13) with 3 strikeouts off his changeup.

FIRST PITCH SUCCESS: His first pitch swing (23.2 to 30.2) and first pitch strike (53.6 to 56.3) percentages are up from 2022.

VS. RIGHTIES: In his last 3 games, limiting right-handed hitters to a .207 average (6-for-29) with 1 walk and 11 strikeouts.

  • This season, righties are batting .260 (26-for-100) with 1 walk and 23 strikeouts.

BATTED BALL STATS: His ground ball percentage is up to 44.4 from 25.5 while his fl y ball percentage is down to 25.2. from 44.7.

PHILADELPHIA PHILLIES NOTES:

GAME #47 RECAP: The Phillies fell to the Arizona Diamondbacks, 6-3, in the first game of a three-game set in South Philly … Starter Zack Wheeler (L, 3-4) went 6.0 innings and allowed 4 runs (3 ER) on 8 hits with 1 walk and 3 strikeouts … Kyle Schwarber and Bryson Stott both homered for the Phils but Arizona hit two of their own, and, despite going 2-for-12 with RISP, held on for the win.

ON THE DOORSTEP OF HISTORY: Right-hander Craig Kimbrel picked up his 399th career save in Sunday’s 2-1 Phils win … Kimbrel is one save away from becoming only the eighth player in the history of Major League Baseball to reach 400 saves … His next appearance will be the 729th of his career – of the seven previous pitchers to reach 400 saves, only three did so in under 800 career appearances: Mariano Rivera (697 G), Trevor Hoffman (706 G) and Kenley Jansen (778 G) … Billy Wagner reached #400 in his 813th career game, John Franco in his 837th, Lee Smith in his 847th and Francisco Rodriguez in his 878th.

TAKE A TRIP DOWN MEMORY LANE: Craig Kimbrel’s first ever major league appearance came at Citizens Bank Park on 5/7/10 with ATL against the Phillies – the first batter he faced was Jayson Werth, who doubled … Kimbrel would then strike out Raul Ibanez (1st career strikeout) and Carlos Ruiz before getting Wilson Valdez to ground out to end the inning … Kimbrel’s 1st career save came on 9/19/10 at NYM – he struck out the side (Carlos Beltran, David Wright & Chris Carter) … Kimbrel’s 100th career save came on 5/9/13 at SF – through his first 100 career games with a save (not first 100 save opportunities), Kimbrel posted a 0.18 ERA (2 ER, 98.2 IP) with 172 strikeouts to 22 walks – for context, Mariano Rivera posted a 1.00 ERA (12 ER, 107.2 IP) through his first 100 career games with a save with 81 strikeouts to 18 walks … His 200th career save came on 6/8/15 at ATL (with SD) … His 300th career save came on 5/5/18 at TEX (with BOS).

IN COMPANY WITH COOPERSTOWN: One save away from #400, Craig Kimbrel also ranks 11th since at least 1893 with 1,127 strikeouts as a reliever … He trails Hall-of-Famers Trevor Hoffman (1,133) for 10th place and Mariano Rivera (1,135) for 9th place … Kimbrel has faced 2,819 batters in his career and has struck out 1,127 of them (39.98%) … Per Stats LLC, 1,923 pitchers in MLB history have faced at least 2,500 batters in their career – of those 1,923 pitchers, Kimbrel’s 39.98% strikeout rate ranks 2nd – he trails only Aroldis Chapman who has faced 2,673 batters and has struck out 1,074 of them (40.17%) … Over his last 13 appearances (since 4/16) Kimbrel has struck out 25 of the 47 batters he has faced (53.2%) while walking only three (8.5%).

OTHER RECENT MILESTONES BY PHILLIES: With Craig Kimbrel one save away from #400, we thought it would be fitting to look back at other recent milestones achieved by Phillies players: Roy Halladay’s 200th win: 4/14/2013 at MIA and his 2,000th strikeout came on 7/29/12 at ATL (David Ross) … Jim Thome’s 400th career home run: 6/14/2004 vs CIN (Jose Acevado) … Mike Schmidt’s 500th career home run: 4/18/1987 at PIT (Don Robinson) … Steve Carlton’s 300th career win: 9/23/1983 at STL and his 3,000th strikeout came on 4/29/1981 vs MTL (Tim Wallach).

BEDLAM AT THE BANK: Through 22 games at Citizens Bank Park, the Phillies are averaging 39,635 in attendance per game which ranks 3rd among all clubs in MLB behind only the Dodgers (47,873) and Cardinals (39,799) … Of Philadelphia’s first 22 games at home, 13 have been sellouts (59%) and 16 have been over 35,000 (73%) … Among all clubs in MLB, the Phillies have the largest year-to-year increase in attendance per game this season at +12,592 (up from 27,043 per game through 22 home games in 2022) … The Toronto Blue Jays rank 2nd behind the Phillies among all clubs in year-to-year attendance growth at +5,791 and the Pittsburgh Pirates rank 2nd among NL teams at +4,684 … The Phils have welcomed 871,968 fans to CBP so far this year – through 22 games last season, the Phillies had 594,942 in attendance (+277,026 in 2023).

STAFF NOTES: Philadelphia’s starting staff has a 4.86 ERA (129 ER, 239.0 IP) which ranks 22nd in MLB and 11th among NL rotations … However, Phils’ starters have a 3.82 FIP which ranks 8th in MLB and 2nd in the NL … Philadelphia’s 1.04 gap between ERA and FIP is the 3rd-largest in MLB this year, behind only OAK (7.33 ERA/6.19 FIP – 1.14 difference) and CIN (6.14 ERA/5.03 FIP – 1.12 difference) … Per Statcast, the Phillies staff has limited opponents to an average 87.9 MPH exit velocity on balls in play which is the 3rd-lowest number of all staffs in MLB … Additionally, they have the 2nd-best expected slugging percentage (xSLG) in the NL at .401 (best: ATL, .398) … Philadelphia’s 5.1 fWAR from the starting rotation leads the NL and ranks 5th in MLB (last year Philadelphia’s rotation led the NL with 17.5 fWAR which ranked 2nd in MLB behind HOU at 19.4).

NINE DAYS UNTIL JUNE: Over his last 13 games (since 5/7), Kyle Schwarber has a .960 OPS (.396 OPP/ .564 SLG) with 13 walks to 17 strikeouts in 53 plate appearances … Schwarber is hitting .179 (7-39) but five of his seven hits have been home runs – Schwarber’s BABIP in this stretch is just .118 … Per Statcast, Schwarber ranks in the 95th percentile in walk rate (16.1 %) and the 90th percentile in average exit velocity (92.4 MPH) this year.

A REAL UNICORN: Since the start of last season (regular and postseason combined), J.T. Realmuto has played a total of 1626.2 innings at catcher (191 G, 187 GS) … That is 276.2 innings (almost 31 full games) clear of HOU’s Martin Maldonado who ranks 2nd in MLB at 1350.0 innings at catcher … Since the second half of last season (since 7/22/22, regular season only), Realmuto has played 101 games and is slashing .295/.344/.532 with an .876 OPS in 404 plate appearances while going 16-for-19 in stolen base attempts has a runner) and throwing out 19 would-be base stealers (as catcher).

RIGHT ON: Slated to face right-handed starters each of the next two games, the Phillies rank 1st in MLB in AVG against RHP (.273) & OBP (.343) and 6th in SLG (.430) & OPS (.773) … Individually, Bryce Harper is slashing .472/.578/.778 in 45 PA against RHP and has five doubles, two home runs and more walks (9) than strikeouts (8) … In total, Harper, Kody Clemens (.898 OPS), J.T. Realmuto (.878), Brandon Marsh (.849), Josh Harrison (.836) and Nick Castellanos (.819) all have an OPS over .800 against RHP this year.

MLB Preview: Toronto Blue Jays (25-23) at Tampa Bay Rays (35-14)

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MLB Preview: Toronto Blue Jays (25-23) at Tampa Bay Rays (35-14)

TORONTO BLUE JAYS NOTES:

THE LATEST: The Blue Jays plated two runs in the 9th inning in Tampa Bay last night and then loaded the bases with two out but were unable to complete the comeback as they lost, 6-4, to the Rays…Are now 9-7 in series openers, having dropped each of their last three such games. Toronto has lost five straight games, matching their longest skid this season (also: April 30-May 4)…Last had a longer losing streak from May 19-24, 2021 (6G)…Outhit Tampa Bay, 11-7, during last night’s loss and has now dropped seven of its last eight contests while outhitting opponents, 74-67, over that span.

WHIT GREAT POWER, COMES RESPONSIBILITY: Whit Merrifield gave Toronto some life last night as he hit a two-out, two-run homer in the 4th inning….Was his 2nd longball of the year and his 7th in 85 games as a Blue Jay. The 34-year old added three singles as he finished a perfect 4-for-4 on the night…Marked his 11th game with 4+ hits in his career (last: May 11, 2022 at TEX), tied for 9th most among AL hitters since his debut in 2016…Has batted .287 (43-for-150) this year with nine doubles, two homers, 19 RBI, 12 walks, and 13 stolen bases (.726 OPS).

HITTING IT VERY VAR: Daulton Varsho sparked the Jays’ 9th-inning rally as he smashed a 446-foot ball over the Ray tank in right-center field…Marked the 2nd-farthest hit ball of his career (451 feet on July 22, 2022 vs. WAS)…The solo shot was his 7th homer of the season and his 6th on the road. The outfielder is now batting .276 (27-for-98) during his 26 road games, including 13 extra-base hits and 15 RBI for an .861 OPS…Has two extra-base knocks and two RBI in 21 home contests (.383 OPS).

HOUNDING HISTORY: Chris Bassitt allowed six runs, two earned, across 6.1 frames of work last night…Had his career-best scoreless innings streak ended at 28.0, which was the longest active streak in the Majors…Marked the 2nd-longest single-season streak in franchise history (Roger Clemens: 33.0 IP from Aug. 15-Sep. 5, 1998), and the 3rd-longest overall (Dave Stieb: 34.0 IP from Sept. 13, 1988-April 5, 1989).
Over his last nine starts, the righty has posted a 5-2 record and a 1.83 ERA (12 ER/59.0 IP) while keeping hitters to a .153 AVG…His .186 opponents’ batting average for the year is 4th best among AL pitchers while his 62.1 innings of work are 5th most.

BO KNOWS BASE HITS: Bo Bichette singled last night and has now gone 65-for-205 (.317) with 10 doubles, nine homers, and 30 RBI while playing in all 48 games this season (.855 OPS…The .317 batting average trails only Yandy Díaz (.322) for the best in the AL. The 25-year-old leads all MLB hitters with 65 hits (2nd: Freddie Freeman – 64) and leads the AL with 102 total bases (2nd: Luis Robert Jr. – 100)…Currently leads the team in hits, home runs, and RBI – a feat which has been accomplished by six other players in team history (last: Randal Grichuk in 2019).

SPRINGER HAS SPRUNG: George Springer singled and walked twice last night as he finished 1-for-3…Has reached base multiple times in each of his last four games (7-for-16, 4BB)… Has gone 14-for-44 (.318) with a double, two home runs, six RBI, and seven walks during his last 11 contests (.889 OPS).

ON THE ROAD AGAIN: The Blue Jays are on a seven-day, seven-game road trip (0-1 so far)…After this four-game set in Tampa Bay, will head to Minnesota (25-23) for three contests over the weekend…Own a 12-14 road record this year for a .462 win% (9th in the AL). Blue Jays hitters rank 4th in the AL in road AVG (.257), 5th in road OBP (.326), 3rd in road SLG (.421), and 3rd in road OPS (.748)…The pitching staff ranks 12th in the AL in road ERA (4.69), 13th in road opponents’ batting average (.267), and 13th in road WHIP (1.38).

QUITE A STRETCH: The Blue Jays are in the midst of playing 17 games in 17 days, their most consecutive days with scheduled games this season…Have gone 4-7 so far…Their opponents over this 17-game stretch (ATL, NYY, BAL, TB, MIN) have a combined record of 149-91 (.621).

NO DONUTS DIET: The Blue Jays have notched 431 hits so far this season, 5th most in the AL…Are also 5th in the AL in team AVG (.258), 5th in OBP (.329), 6th in OPS (.738), and 7th in SLG (.409). The Blue Jays are one of two AL teams who have scored in every game this season (also: LAA)…Have gone 66 straight games without being shut out, the 2nd-longest active streak in the Majors (LAA – 90G).

WHAT A PLAY BY KK: MLB announced yesterday that Kevin Kiermaier has won Play of the Week for his catch high on the wall o take extra bases away from Gunnar Henderson on Sunday…Was his 2nd career Play of the Week nod, also earning one earlier this year on April 11 vs. DET… Is the 1st player this year to earn two Play of the Week Awards…Toronto now has seven Play of the Week Awards since the inception of the honour in 2019, tied with the Brewers for the most in the Majors.

THE D-JAYS: According to Sports Info Solutions, Toronto fielders have recorded a total of 33 Defensive Runs Saved to lead all MLB teams (2nd: MIL – 28)…The group is led by an MLB-high 14 runs saved in center field – 10 from Kevin Kiermaier and four from Daulton Varsho.

DIVISIONAL DOWNTURN: The Blue Jays have now gone 5-13 against divisional opponents this season (5th among AL East clubs).

VS. THE RAYS: All-Time: 202-240
2023: 2-2 Road: 87-134
Road: 0-1 Tropicana Field: 87-131

The Blue Jays handed the Rays their 1st series loss of the season as they took two of three games when the clubs met last month at Rogers Centre…Went 9-10 vs. TB last year, including a 4-5 record at Tropicana Field…Have not bested the Rays in a season series since going 10-9 in 2017.

Bo Bichette went 7-for-13 (.538) with two doubles and two RBI in the three games vs. the Rays in April… Has now hit .262 (58-for-221) with 13 doubles, seven home runs, and 27 RBI in 54 career contests vs. TB. Vladimir Guerrero Jr. picked up a hit in all three meetings with the Rays in April, going 3-for-11 (.273) with two walks and an RBI…Is a lifetime 66-for-256 (.258) across 65 games against the Rays, including
16 doubles, two triples, 11 homers, and 36 RBI (.790 OPS).

Brandon Belt has multiple hits in four of his 11 career games played vs. Tampa Bay…Has now gone a combined 11-for-32 (.344) with one double, one triple, four home runs, eight RBI, and five walks since the 2013 season (1.260 OPS).

STARTING PITCHER – José Berríos, RHP #17
TODAY’S GAME: Making his 10th start of the season and his 6th on the road…Took the loss his last time out, on 5/18 vs. NYY, giving up 3 runs on 6 hits and a walk over 6.2 frames with 8 strikeouts. Over his last 7 starts, has gone 3-2 with a 3.14 ERA (15 ER/43.0 IP), 40 strikeouts, and a 1.12 WHIP. Owns a career record of 15-7 in the month of May (.682), the 7th-best mark among active pitchers (min. 30 starts). Has made 149 starts since the beginning of 2018, tied for the 3rd most among MLB hurlers (Aaron Nola – 153, Gerrit Cole – 150).

2023 HIGHLIGHTS: Took a no-decision on 5/13 vs. ATL, giving up 2 runs on 6 hits and 3 walks over 5.2 innings with 3 strikeouts. Improved to 3-3 on the year on 5/6 at PIT, giving up 2 runs on 5 hits and a walk over 6.1 frames with 7 strikeouts. Worked 7.0 shutout frames on 4/25 vs. CWS, scattering 4 singles and a walk with a season-high 9 strikeouts…Completed 7.0 innings in consecutive starts for the 13th time in his career (last: 3G from 6/4- 15/22)…Has allowed 3 runs over his last 3 starts, posting a 1.42 ERA (3 ER/19.0 IP) with a pair of walks and 18 punchouts. Took the loss on 4/19 at HOU, giving up 2 runs on 3 hits and a walk over 7.0 frames with 3 strikeouts…Was his 1st quality start of the year. Picked up his 1st win of the year on 4/14 vs. TB, tossing 5.0 innings of one-run ball with 4 hits, no walks, and 6 strikeouts…Was removed from the game with a left knee contusion after being hit by a comebacker from Yandy Díaz.

TAMPA BAY RAYS NOTES:

SERIES-OPENING DUB — The Rays clubbed a trio of homers and staved off a late rally attempt to secure a 6-4 victory over the Blue Jays on Monday night at Tropicana Field… LF Randy Arozarena (2-for-4, 2B, HR, RBI, 2R), CF Jose Siri (1-for-3, HR, 2RBI, R) and RF Luke Raley (1-for-3, HR, RBI, R) all homered for Tampa Bay while 3B Isaac Paredes (1-for4, RBI) added an RBI-single and SS Wander Franco (2-for-3, 3B) recorded his first triple of the season.

RHP Trevor Kelley (2.0IP, 2H) made his second start as an opener, working a pair of scoreless frames…LHP Josh Fleming (6.0IP, 5H, 2ER, BB, 2SO) entered in the third inning and matched his longest outing of the season (also 4/26 vs. HOU)…Fleming is the only MLB pitcher with multiple relief appearances of 6.0+ IP in 2023.

The Rays improved to 9-0 in series openers at Tropicana Field…per Elias, Tampa Bay is the first club to win each of its first nine series openers at home in a season since the 2013 Detroit Tigers (13-0).

HOME FIELD ADVANTAGE — Tampa Bay’s 22-4 record at Tropicana Field ties eight other clubs for the best 26-game home start in the majors since 1901…the last team to start 22-4 in their home ballpark was the 1979 Montreal Expos…the Rays are the fourth team in the Integration Era (since 1947) to record a 22-4 start at home, joining the 1979 Expos, 1978 Boston Red Sox and 1972 Chicago White Sox.

Rays pitching paces MLB in several categories at home, including ERA (2.67), opp. AVG (.200), opp. OBP (.268), opp. OPS (.604) and WHIP (1.03)…meanwhile, Rays hitters rank highly at home in home runs (T1st, 46), extra-base hits (2nd, 102), slugging pct. (2nd, .495) and OPS (3rd, .838).

START YOUR ENGINES — Rays starters have pitched to a 1.80 ERA (30.0IP, 6ER) over their last seven games, holding opponents to a .187 average (20-for-107) with 26 strikeouts and seven walks in that span…it marks the lowest ERA by any major league rotation in that timeframe (since 5/16), ahead of Texas (1.96); only Pittsburgh (.178) has a lower opponents’ average in that stretch.

CLOSE SHAVES — Fourteen of Tampa Bay’s last 18 games have been decided by two or fewer runs, including 11 one-run games in that span…the Rays are 10-8 overall in that stretch, including 5-6 in one-run games and 1-2 in two-run games…this comes after just six of Tampa Bay’s first 31 games were decided by two or fewer runs.

On the season, Tampa Bay is 9-7 in one-run games, the fifth-best mark in the AL.

Twelve of the Rays 14 losses have come by three or fewer runs, including nine games decided by two or fewer runs…they have lost only two games by 4+ runs, the fewest such losses in MLB, ahead of Atlanta (3).

BAG BANDITS — The Rays lead the majors in stolen bases (28) and stolen base attempts (35) during the month of May…Wander Franco leads the club with eight steals this month, third most in MLB during May, followed by Josh Lowe, Luke Raley and Taylor Walls (4SB each)…the Rays have been successful on 14 of their last 16 stolen base attempts dating back to 5/14 at New York-AL.

Tampa Bay has five players with 5+ stolen bases, tied with Cleveland for second most in the majors behind Pittsburgh (6)…the Rays also have an MLB-best three players with 9+ steals (Wander Franco – 14SB, Josh Lowe – 9SB, Taylor Walls – 9SB).

BEASTS OF THE EAST — The Rays have gone 11-7 (.611) against the AL East, the most wins against the division by any club…among teams with 5+ games played against AL last opponents, only the St. Louis Cardinals (5-1, .833) and Houston Astros (4-2, .667) have posted better winning percentages against the division…collectively, the AL East’s .606 winning pct. is the highest in the majors, ahead of the NL West (.510).

The only teams in the majors with more intra-divisional wins than the Rays are Los Angeles-NL (12-7) and Arizona (12-9).

GETTING DEFENSIVE — According to FanGraphs, the Rays 23 defensive runs saved are third most in the majors behind only Toronto (33) and Milwaukee (28)…Tampa Bay’s 15 errors are tied for second fewest in the majors while its .992 fielding percentage is second behind San Diego (.993).

Individually, Wander Franco’s seven defensive runs saved pace all shortstops and are second most in MLB, while Taylor Walls’ five are seventh among AL infielders.

GOING STREAKING — Yandy Díaz has an 19-game on-base streak since 4/27, slashing .354/.468/.677 (23-for-65) with 11 extra-base hits, 12 RBI, 12 walks and only 12 strikeouts in that stretch…it marks the second-longest streak of his career behind a 22-game run from 7/24-8/16, 2020…it is the third-longest active run in the AL behind MIN Byron Buxton (22G) and TEX Marcus Semien (20G).

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

THE BAY BOMBERS — The Rays have hit a major league-best 94 home runs, the fourth-most long balls through a club’s first 49 games in MLB history (since 1901), trailing only the 2019 Minnesota Twins, 2000 St. Louis Cardinals and 1999 Seattle Mariners (98HR each).

The Rays have an MLB-best 27 multi-HR games, ahead of New York-AL (24G); they are 22-5 in those contests…this includes 16 games with 3+ homers, most in the majors ahead of Los Angeles-NL (14G); they had 13 games with 3+ HR in 2022.

The Rays have an MLB-best 11 players with 5+ home runs this season, ahead of San Francisco and Atlanta (8 players each)…per Elias, Tampa Bay is the first team in MLB history to have 10 or more players with 5+ HR before reaching the 50-game mark in a season; the Rays accomplished the feat in their 43rd contest (5/16 at NYM).

LEADING THE PACK — The Rays rank second in the majors in runs scored (296) behind Texas (301) while surrendering the second-fewest runs (170) behind Houston (165)… Tampa Bay’s +126 run differential is the seventh-best mark through the first 49 games of a season in MLB history (since 1901), including the best since the 2016 Chicago Cubs (+133).

BATTER UP — Rays hitters lead the majors in OBP (.346), SLG (.502), OPS (.848), homers (94), extra-base hits (191), total bases (835) and at-bats per HR (17.69).

BLUE JAYS FLY SOUTH — Tampa Bay and Toronto continue a four-game series this evening with the fifth of 13 matchups between the two clubs this season…the Rays have fallen in four of their last six games against the Blue Jays, but the clubs have split their last 20 matchups, 10-10, dating back to 6/30/22.

The Rays are 6-4 against the Blue Jays at home since the beginning of 2022, holding a narrow +4 (41-37) run differential in those games.

TONIGHT’S STARTER: RHP TAJ BRADLEY (3-0, 3.52)
YOUTH MOVEMENT — Tampa Bay’s No. 1 prospect and the No. 18 prospect in baseball (MLB.com) will make his fifth career start tonight vs. Toronto, including his third home start…went 7-4 with a 2.57 ERA (133.1IP, 38ER) over 28 starts between Double-A Montgomery and Triple-A Durham in 2022…was selected by the Rays in the fifth round of the 2018 First-Year Player Draft.

BIG LEAGUE DEBUT — Bradley earned the win in his MLB debut on 4/12 vs. Boston after tossing 5.0 innings, allowing three runs on five hits and a walk with eight strikeouts…fanned Rafael Devers in the first inning for the first strikeout of his career…became the second of three player to make their big league debut for the Rays this season, joining RHP Kevin Kelly on 4/1 vs. Detroit and RHP Braden Bristo on 4/13 vs. Boston

LAST TIME OUT — Bradley did not factor into the decision on 5/18 at New York-NL…he threw 5.0 innings, allowing two runs on three hits with two
walks and four strikeouts.

He has worked 5+ innings in each of his first four career starts, the longest such streak by a Rays pitcher since Jake Faria in 2017 (9GS).

Bradley is the third pitcher in Rays history to throw 5+ innings while allowing three runs or fewer through his first four career starts…Jake Faria had seven such starts from 6/7-7/14, 2017 and Jeremy Hellickson made six such starts from 8/2/10-4/11/11.

Bradley’s 27 strikeouts are the fourth most by any Rays pitcher through their first four career appearances, trailing Jake Faria (29 SO), Chris Archer (28 SO) and Wade Davis (28 SO)…the franchise record for most strikeouts through five career appearances is held by Jake Faria (35 SO).

ONE TO REMEMBER — Bradley’s eight strikeouts on 4/12 vs. Boston were second most by a Rays player in his major league debut in club history, trailing only Wade Davis’ nine punch outs on 9/6/09 vs. Detroit…since the beginning of 2020, only Cleveland’s Triston McKenzie (10SO, 8/22/20 vs. DET) and Washington’s Joan Adon (9SO, 10/3/21 vs. BOS) have fanned more batters in their debuts.

After recording nine strikeouts over 5.1 scoreless innings on 4/18 at Cincinnati, Bradley became the first pitcher in American League history to strike out 8+ batters and earn the win in each of his first two career appearances (OptaSTATS).

PUTTING IT IN THE REARVIEW — Following his start on 4/24 vs. Houston, Bradley was optioned and made three outings for Triple-A Durham, going 0-3 with a 16.00 ERA (9.0IP, 16ER) and five strikeouts against six walks…he surrendered a career-high eight runs in 1.0 inning on 4/30 vs. Memphis.

MLB Preview: St. Louis Cardinals (21-28) at Cincinnati Reds (20-27)

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MLB Preview: St. Louis Cardinals (21-28) at Cincinnati Reds (20-27)

ST. LOUIS CARDINALS NOTES:

RECENT REDBIRDS: The St. Louis Cardinals continue their 7-game tour of the Buckeye State tonight with the 2nd game of a 4-game series against the Cincinnati Reds at Great American Ball Park…the road-trip will continue this coming weekend with a 3-game set against the Cleveland Guardians…the Cardinals wrapped up a 7-game homestand (2-1 vs. MIL, 3-1 vs. LAD) on Sunday with a 10-5 win over the Los Angeles Dodgers…this week’s series with the Reds marks the first meeting of the season between the two clubs…it’s the latest in the season the two NL Central rivals have met for their initial series since doing so in June of 2004.

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

FLIGHT PATTERN: Winners of 11 of their last 15 games (May 7-present), the Cardinals enter today tied with Reds for 4th place in the NL Central, 5.0 games behind first place Milwaukee… St. Louis is within 5.0 games of the division lead for the first time since April 17 (gaining 5.0 games in the division since May 7) … The Cardinals were in last place for 24 straight days (April 25- May 20) … Tonight’s game is the 12th game of a season-high 19 consecutive without an off-day (8-3 record).

REDBIRD RESURGENCE: Since May 7, the Cardinals are 2nd in MLB in win pct. (.733, 11-4), 1st in runs scored (106), 1st in runs per game (7.1), 2nd in slugging (.499), 1st in OPS (.848), 1st in RBI (102), tied for the MLB lead in wins (11) and rank 2nd in stolen bases (18), homers (30) and total bases (260).

CLOSE CALLS: Last night’s 6-5 loss was the Cardinals 29th by a one-run margin here at Great American Ball Park…the Cardinals have posted 18 one-run victories at GABP all-time, and hold a slim 86-85 advantage in all-time games played here since the ballpark’s opening in 2003.

BURGER PHONE HOTLINE: The Cardinals are 5th in MLB in home runs this season (68) this season while ranking 3rd in the month of May (36) to the Yankees (39) and Braves (37) … The Redbirds sport a 18-14 record in games when they go yard this season, but are 3-14 in homerless games. REDBIRD RIBEYES: The Cardinals have had six players enjoy 4+ RBI games in the last nine games, as Andrew Knizner (4), Nolan Gorman (5), Nolan Arenado (4), Willson Contreras (6), Paul DeJong (4, twice) and Óscar Mercado (5) all had games with 4 or more RBI in that span.

BOTTOMS UP: The Cardinals 9th place hitters are leading the NL in HR (8), and OPS (.829) and rank 2nd in RBI (24), one behind Colorado (25) … the Cardinals .663 OPS out of the 9th spot last season was their highest in the modern era as MLB went to full-time DH.

AND THE ÓSCAR GOES TO…: Playing in just his 5th game since joining the Cardinals roster from Memphis (AAA) on May 17,Óscar Mercado enjoyed a career day in Sunday’s win, going 3-for-4 and matching his career-best with 5 RBI, including 4 with two-outs against Clayton Kershaw…Mercado became just the 4th Cardinal to collect 5 RBI out of the 9th spot in the lineup, joining Chris Carpenter (6 RBI), Bob Gibson & John Mabry.

GO-AHEAD GORMAN: Nolan Gorman hit his NL-leading 7th go-ahead home run of the season Sat. night, which trails only reigning AL MVP Aaron Judge (8) in MLB … Of Gorman’s 13 homers this season, six have come in either the 8th or 9th inning, the most in the major leagues … Gorman entered today leading the NL in slugging pct. (.636) and OPS (1,028) while ranking 2nd in RBI (39).

TONIGHT’S STARTING PITCHER: RHP ADAM WAINWRIGHT (1-0, 5.74)
TONIGHT’S GAME

  • Makes his 4th start of the season & 461st career appearance (394th career start).
  • Missed the first 33 games of the season due to a groin injury he suffered while working out during the WBC Finals. Made two injury rehab starts for Springfield (AA) and one for Memphis (AAA).
  • Has not won against the Reds since Aug. 16, 2019 at Great American Ball Park. Last win vs. the Reds at Busch Stadium was in 2016.
  • Has departed with the lead in each of his first three starts.
  • Tonight is Wainwright’s 394th career start, ranking 3rd all-time among Cardinals pitchers: Bob Gibson (482) & Bob Forsch (401).
  • Waino’s 394 career starts, all with St. Louis, ranks 14th-most, exclusively with one organization in MLB history, while Gibson (482) ranks 6th. Walter Johnson of the Washington Senators leads at 666.
  • 2023 is his 18th season played with the Cards, 2nd only to Stan Musial (22) and Yadier Molina (19). His 19th season overall as a Cardinal, missing all of 2011 (elbow surgery).
  • Is four wins shy of 200 career, 14 wins from 210 (T-2nd all-time Cardinals history with Jesse Haines), and nine starts away from reaching 400 career.
  • At age 41, Waino is one of four active players age 40+ with Rich Hill (43), Nelson Cruz (42) and Miguel Cabrera (40).

LAST TIME OUT

  • Earned his first win of the season and 196th career. Gave him 107 career home wins with the Cardinals, T-2nd most in Cardinals history with Jesse Haines. Held a 9-2 lead when he departed and Cardinals held on for 16-8 win.

DATE vs. RESULT DEC IP H R ER BB SO HR NP-S
5/18 LAD W 16-8 W-1 5.2 5 5 2 3 1 0 96-53
2023

  • Became the 21st pitcher in MLB history with 300.0 or more career innings in Interleague play in his start at Boston (5/14). Passed Jesse Haines (39) for 2nd place all-time among Cardinals with 40 starts over the age of 40. Trails only Grover Cleveland Alexander (80). Allowed back-to-back home runs for only the 9th time in his career.
  • Made his season debut vs. DET (5/6) and took a no decision the Cardinals lost in 10 innings

CINCINNATI REDS NOTES:

RED HOTS

  • Today the Reds reinstated from the 10-day injured list OF TJ Friedl (left oblique strain) and optioned to Louisville OF Will Benson.
  • Class AA Chattanooga IF Noelvi M1arte has been named Southern League Player of the Week (5/15-5/21)…is his second weekly award (5/1-
    5/7)…last week he recorded 3 multi-hit games and collected 5 extra-base hits…for the season ranks fourth in the league in hitting (.292), T2nd in HR (8), T1st in hits (42) and T4th in runs scored (26).

TONIGHT’S GAME

  • Is Game 2 (1-0) of a 4-game series vs Mike Shannon’s Cardinals and Game 5 (1-3) of a 7-game homestand that included a 3-game series sweep loss to the Yankees.
  • Following Thu afternoon’s game, the Reds hit the road again for 3-game series in the two oldest ballparks in the Major Leagues, Chc’s Wrigley Field (1914) and Bos’ Fenway Park (1912).

SERIES NOTES

  • The Reds and Cardinals are meeting for the first time this season.
  • In 2022, the Cardinals won 12 of the 19 games and 5 of the 6 series.
  • The Cardinals’ .503 winning percentage at Great American Ball Park (85-84) is the highest among NL Central Division opponents and seventh-highest of any National League team.
  • From 7/15-7/24 and surrounding the 2022 All-Star break, the Reds and Cardinals played 5 straight games for the first time since 9/7-9/11, 1962.
  • From 9/15-9/18, 2022 at Busch Stadium, the Reds and Cardinals faced off in a 5-game series (3-2 Cardinals series win) for the first time since 7/25-7/27, 1958 (3-2 Reds series win).

CUBS UP NEXT…

  • The Reds in 2022 went 8-11 vs Cubs, including 5-4 at Great American Ball Park, 3-6 at Wrigley Field and a 4-2 “home” loss on 8/11 in the Field of Dreams game in Dyersville, Iowa.
  • Since a 4-1 Reds win on 6/25/14 and beginning 9/15/14, the Cubs have won 30 of the last 42 night games vs the Reds at The Friendly Confines.
  • The teams met in the final 6 games of the 2022 championship season (3g at Wrigley Field, 3g at Great American Ball Park), the longest continuous stretch of games between the Reds and Cubs since they played 7 straight games from 8/29-9/5, 1931…@EliasSports.
  • The game scheduled for 4/5 at Great American Ball Park was postponed by threatening weather…it has been rescheduled as part of a day/night doubleheader on Fri, 9/1 (1:10, 6:40).

…FOLLOWED BY THE RED SOX

  • The Red Sox lead the all-time series, 14-3, including a split of the home-and-home 2-game series last season.
  • The Sox won 5 of the 7 series, tied the other 2 series and swept 4 series.
  • The Reds’ 2-1 win on 5/31/22 was their first victory at Fenway Park since Game 7 of the 1975 World Series.
  • In the June 2005 series at Fenway, the Reds were outscored by the Sox, 23-4, and hit .167 (15-90, 32k) while posting an 8.25era (.340ba)…game-time temperature on 6/13/05 was 91 humid degrees, dropped to a chilly 54 for Game 2 and then plummeted to a frigid 49 for the series finale.
  • The Red Sox won 8 of 10 games at Great American Ball Park, including an 8-game winning streak (6/14/08-9/20/22), the best winning percentage of any opposing team (.800).
  • Before the interleague schedule expanded this season to include games vs all 15 American League teams, from 1997-2022 the Redlegs went 188-
    247 vs the American League, at .432 the lowest interleague winning percentage of any Major League team…in 2022 the Reds went 12-8 vs AL teams (0-2 vs Cle, 2-0 at Cle, 1-2 at Tor, 1-1 at Bos, 3-0 vs TB, 2-1 at NYY, 2-1 vs Bal, 1-1 vs Bos)…last season’s was their first winning
    record vs the American League since 2013 (11-9)…in the 8 seasons between the 2013 & 2022 season series wins, the Reds went 61-99 vs AL teams (.381).

Tonight’s Pitcher – #51 Graham Ashcraft, RHP

  • Tonight is making his third career appearance and start vs the Cardinals.
  • Produced 5 of the Reds’ 8 quality starts.
  • In Wed’s 11-6 loss at Col, didn’t allow a run through the fourth inning (3h)…in the fifth allowed 5 runs on 5 hits and was charged with 2 more in the sixth scored off Lucas Sims.
  • Became the first Reds pitcher to begin a season with 6 starts without allowing more than 2 earned runs in any of those starts since Luis Castillo began the 2019 campaign by allowing 2 ER or fewer in each of his first 7 starts.
  • In his first 3 starts (19ip, 3er) became the eighth Reds pitcher, since 1901 and including Nick Lodolo in 2023, to begin a season with at least 17.0 innings while allowing 4 earned runs or fewer.
  • Between a solo HR by Pit’s Bryan Reynolds in his season debut and a 2-run HR by WSox’ Hanser Alberto’s on 5/7 in his seventh start, Ashcraft recorded a career-high homerless streak of 33.0 innings.
  • In the 17-4 loss on 5/7 vs WSox allowed a career-high 8 runs in 1.2 innings…was the shortest start of his career and the shortest start by a Reds pitcher to that point in the season…was charged with all 8 runs in the second inning after throwing a perfect first…entered that 5/7 start leading all National League pitchers in bWAR (2.1), the third-best bWAR among all players in the Major Leagues (Gerrit Cole 2.5, Ronald Acuña Jr. 2.2).

Covey reports to club, Phillies Option Bellatti

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Covey reports to club, Phillies Option Bellatti

Right-handed pitcher Dylan Covey, who was claimed on waivers from the Los Angeles Dodgers on Saturday, reported to the club today.  To make room for Covey on the 26-man roster, right-hander Andrew Bellatti was optioned to Lehigh Valley following last night’s game.

Phillies President of Baseball Operations David Dombrowski made the announcement.

Covey, 31, appeared in one game for Los Angeles this season and pitched 4.0 innings in relief on May 17 against the Minnesota Twins in a 7-3 Dodgers win.

A native of Glendale, Calif., Covey was originally selected by the Oakland Athletics in the fourth round of the 2013 MLB Draft and was later selected by the Chicago White Sox in the 2016 Rule 5 Draft.  From 2021-22, he pitched for Rakuten in the Chinese Professional Baseball League in Taiwan.

Of the 290 active pitchers in Major League Baseball that have faced at least 1,000 batters in their respective careers, Covey’s 50.5 percent ground ball rate ranks 41st.

A veteran of 72 major league games (45 starts) over parts of five seasons, Covey has pitched for the White Sox (2017-19), Boston Red Sox (2020) and Dodgers (2023).  Covey, pronounced COH-vee, will wear No. 54.

Bellatti, 31, has made 15 relief appearances for the Phillies this season, 10 of which were scoreless.  He posted a 5.68 ERA (8 ER, 12.2 IP) with 14 strikeouts against nine walks.  Per Statcast, he ranks in the 94th percentile in fastball spin, the 93rd percentile in barrel rate and the 90th percentile in whiff percentage.

Over eight postseason appearances in 2022, Bellatti had a 1.29 ERA (1 ER, 7.0 IP) for the Phillies, which included three scoreless appearances in the World Series (3.0 IP).

Bellatti was originally selected by the Tampa Bay Rays in the 12th round of the 2009 MLB Draft and was signed by the Phillies as a minor league free agent on Nov. 19, 2021.

Twins place Trevor Larnach on 10-day injured list

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Twins place Trevor Larnach on 10-day injured list

Matt Wallner recalled from Triple-A St. Paul

MINNEAPOLIS-ST. PAUL, MN – The Minnesota Twins announced today that they have placed outfielder Trevor Larnach on the 10-day Injured List (retroactive to May 22) with pneumonia.

Larnach, 26, has hit .215 (28-for-130) with four doubles, two triples, five home runs, 27 RBI, 20 walks and 18 runs scored in 39 games across two stints with the Twins this season.

To replace Larnach on the 26-man roster, the Twins have recalled outfielder Matt Wallner from Triple-A St. Paul. Wallner went 1-for-4 with one run scored in the Saints’ 6-1 loss to the Omaha Storm Chasers at CHS Field earlier today. This is his second stint in the majors this season, after going 0-for-8 with one walk, two hit-by-pitches and one run scored in six games with Minnesota from April 8-15. The 25-year-old has also hit .270 (30-for-111) with nine doubles, one triple, four home runs, 16 RBI, 19 walks, 16 runs scored and an .865 OPS in 31 games for St. Paul this season.

Boxing: Marques Valle Remained Undefeated With 1st Round KO over Demarcus Layton

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Boxing: Marques Valle Remained Undefeated With 1st Round KO over Demarcus Layton

NEW YORK – Split-T Management junior middleweight Marques Valle remained undefeated with a first round stoppage over Demarcus Layton six-round junior middleweight fight in a bout that took place this past Wednesday night at The Pro Box Event Center in Plant City, Florida.

Courtesy Gabe Gomez / ProBox

Valle came out aggressive from the opening bell and battered Layton all over the ring with power shots until the fight was stopped at 2:30.

Valle of Wesley Chapel, Florida is now 9-0 with seven knockouts. Layton of Little Rock, Arkansas is 8-5-1.

Valle is promoted by Pro Box Promotions.

NHL Western Conference Finals Game 3 Preview: Vegas Golden Knights (2-0) at Dallas Stars (0-2)

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NHL Western Conference Finals Game 3 Preview: Vegas Golden Knights (2-0) at Dallas Stars (0-2)

VEGAS GOLDEN KNIGHTS NOTES:

2023 STANLEY CUP PLAYOFFS – WESTERN CONFERENCE FINALS – VEGAS GOLDEN KNIGHTS VS. DALLAS STARS
Golden Knights 2022-23 Regular Season Record: 51-22-9, 111 points (25-15-1 at Home, 26-7-8 on Road)

DATE RESULT VGK GOALS VGK GOALIE DAL GOALIE
May 19 Vegas 4, Dallas 3 OT 71(2), 53, 21 Hill Oettinger
May 21 Vegas 3, Dallas 2 OT 61, 81, 20 Hill Oettinger

DATE OPPONENT TIME (PT) TELEVISION RADIO SPANISH RADIO
May 23 at Dallas Stars 5 p.m. ESPN Fox Sports 98.9 FM/1340 AM Deportes 1460 AM
May 25 at Dallas Stars 5 p.m. ESPN Fox Sports 98.9 FM/1340 AM Deportes 1460 AM
May 27* vs. Dallas Stars 5 p.m. ABC Fox Sports 98.9 FM/1340 AM Deportes 1460 AM
May 29* at Dallas Stars 5 p.m. ESPN Fox Sports 98.9 FM/1340 AM Deportes 1460 AM
May 31* vs. Dallas Stars 6 p.m. ESPN Fox Sports 98.9 FM/1340 AM Deportes 1460 AM
*If Necessary

Game 2 Recap
May 21 – Vegas Golden Knights 3, Dallas Stars 2 OT
Chandler Stephenson’s goal at 1:12 of overtime was the difference as the Vegas Golden Knights earned a 3-2 win against the Dallas Stars in Game 2 of the Western Conference Final on Sunday afternoon at T-Mobile Arena. Vegas leads the series, 2-0. Miro Heiskanen got the Stars on the board less than three minutes into the contest, but Mark Stone’s powerplay goal midway through the frame brought the game back to even. Jason Robertson had the only goal in the middle frame as Dallas carried a 2-1 lead into the third period. Jonathan Marchessault buried a no-look pass from Jack Eichel at 17:38 of the final stanza to send the game to overtime. Less than two minutes into the extra session, Stephenson tracked down a Shea Theodore rebound and buried it to give the Golden Knights the 2-0 lead in the series.

VGK/DAL – Regular Season Recap
The Golden Knights held a 0-1-2 record against the Stars in the 2022-23 regular season. In the first matchup, Vegas was shut out, 4-0, by Jake Oettinger. In the second contest, Michael Amadio and Jack Eichel each scored to give the Golden Knights a 2-1 advantage, until Roope Hintz scored in the final 38 seconds of regulation to send the game into overtime. After a scoreless extra session, it was Jason Robertson and Hintz who each put pucks past Laurent Brossoit to secure the comeback win in the shootout. In the final meeting of the season, Brett Howden got Vegas on the board first, but Joel Kiviranta tied things up for Dallas and forced overtime. Neither team was able to finish things in the extra session and it was Hintz who was the shootout hero again.

2022-23 Season DAL Series: 0-1-2 (Home: 0-1-1, Road: 0-0-1)

Comeback Season
The Golden Knights completed their eighth comeback win of the postseason on Sunday and became the sixth team in NHL playoff history to do so in four straight games. Vegas has allowed the first goal in 10 of their 13 playoff games this year and holds a record of 7-3 after allowing the first goal in the game. Vegas’ three games scoring first are the fewest among the final four teams in the 2023 playoffs.

Overtime Experts
Vegas has won back-to-back overtime games against Dallas in the Western Conference Final to improve to 3-0 this postseason when going past regulation. In their consecutive victories, the Golden Knights have scored the game-winning goal within the first two minutes of overtime, becoming the fourth team in NHL history to do so. Sunday’s overtime was also the fourth time in franchise history that Vegas has closed out an overtime game in the first two minutes, the most of all teams in the NHL since their inaugural season in 2017-18.

Magic Number
Vegas is 42-3 all-time when scoring at least three goals in the playoffs, including wins in each of the last 30 such instances. In all three losses this postseason, the Golden Knights have been held to a single goal.

In the Winning Business
Vegas (48-31 in 79 GP) has a postseason winning percentage of .608, leading all NHL franchises. The Golden Knights’ 48 playoff wins are the second-most in the NHL since 2017-18, trailing only Tampa Bay’s 98 victories.

Rulers of the Realm
For the third time in six seasons, the Golden Knights finished first in the Pacific Division (2017-18, 2019-20 previously) and entered the postseason as the number one seed in the Western Conference for the first time.

DALLAS STARS NOTES:

WESTERN CONFERENCE FINAL SERIES SCHEDULE
Date Time (CT) DAL [C2] vs. VGK [P1] Location TV/Radio/Result
Game 1 Fri, May 19 7:30 p.m. Dallas at Vegas T-Mobile Arena Vegas 4, Stars 3 (OT)
Game 2 Sun, May 21 2 p.m. Dallas at Vegas T-Mobile Arena Vegas 3, Dallas 2 (OT)
Game 3 Tue, May 23 7 p.m. Vegas at Dallas American Airlines Center ESPN, ESPN+, SN, CBC, TVAS
Game 4 Thu, May 25 7 p.m. Vegas at Dallas American Airlines Center ESPN, ESPN+, SN, CBC, TVAS
Game 5 * Sat, May 27 7 p.m. Dallas at Vegas T-Mobile Arena ABC, ESPN+, SN, CBC, TVAS
Game 6 * Mon, May 29 7 p.m. Vegas at Dallas American Airlines Center ESPN, ESPN+, SN, CBC, TVAS
Game 7 * Wed, May 31 8 p.m. Dallas at Vegas T-Mobile Arena ESPN, ESPN+, SN, CBC, TVAS

  • if necessary

RECENT TRANSACTIONS
April 3 – Recalled defenseman Thomas Harley from Texas (AHL)
April 19 – Recalled forward Riley Tufte from Texas (AHL)
April 26 – Loaned forward Riley Tufte to Texas (AHL)
May 6 – Signed defenseman Lian Bichsel to a three-year entry-level contract

HOW THE STARS-GOLDEN KNIGHTS SERIES HAS UNFOLDED
Game 1: May 19, 2023 – STARS 3 at GOLDEN KNIGHTS 4 (OT) | Vegas leads series 1-0
Despite a game-tying marker at the 58:01 mark of the third period from captain Jamie Benn (1-0—1), the Stars fell 4-3 in overtime on a goal from Vegas forward Brett Howden just 1:35 into sudden death. Dallas opened the scoring on a goal from forward Jason Robertson, who finished the game with a multi-point performance (1-1—2). Forward Roope Hintz continued his torrid pace in the playoffs, leading all skaters with three points (1-2—3). Forward Joe Pavelski added two assists (0-2—2), while goaltender Jake Oettinger stopped 33 of 37 shots.
PP: 0-2 | PK: 1-1 | SF: 36 | SA: 37 | DAL TOI: M. Heiskanen (29:23 – game high) | Attendance: 18,271
Three Stars: 1. VGK – B. Howden 2. VGK – W. Karlsson 3. DAL – J. Benn

Game 2: May 21, 2023 – STARS 2 at GOLDEN KNIGHTS 3 (OT) | Vegas leads series 2-0
The Stars opened the scoring and held a one-goal lead in the final minutes of regulation but fell in overtime for the second consecutive game. Defenseman Miro Heiskanen (1-0—1) tallied his first goal of the playoffs at the 2:47 mark of the opening frame and forward Jason Robertson (1-0—1) scored his second goal in as many games with a power-play tally midway through the middle frame. Defenseman Ryan Suter (0-2—2) assisted on both goals, while forwards Luke Glendening (0-1—1) and Evgenii Dadonov (0-1—1) added helpers. Goaltender Jake Oettinger made 21 saves on 24 shots.
PP: 1-3 | PK: 1-2 | SF: 28 | SA: 24 | DAL TOI: M. Heiskanen (28:19 – game high) | Attendance: 18,358
Three Stars: 1. VGK – C. Stephenson 2. VGK – J. Marchessault 3. VGK – M. Stone

DALLAS STARS POSTSEASON NOTES
TONIGHT’S GAME: The margin for error shrinks as the Stars look to dig themselves out of a 2-0 series deficit tonight in Game 3 of the Western Conference Final against the Vegas Golden Knights. (ESPN, ESPN+, SN, CBC, TVAS, Radio: The Ticket 96.7-FM/1310-AM). The Stars are back on home ice for the next two games and most recently earned a do-or-die victory in Game 7 of the Second Round vs. Seattle at American Airlines Center. This represents a rematch of the 2020 Western Conference Final, where the Stars earned a 4-1 series win en route to their first Stanley Cup Final in 20 years.

STARS-GOLDEN KNIGHTS PLAYOFF HISTORY

  • This marks the second all-time meeting between the Stars and Golden Knights in the Stanley Cup Playoffs. The previous matchup between the two clubs was in the 2020 Conference Finals, a series won in five games by Dallas, which saw the first instance in the NHL’s modern era (since 1943-44) of a Conference Finals or Semifinals series opening with each team earning a shutout within the first two contests.
  • The Western Conference Final represents the fourth instance in the past 25 years of head coaches, both in their first season with a team, meeting in the penultimate round of the playoffs. The last occurrence was also between Dallas and Vegas in 2020 (DAL: Rick Bowness; VGK: Pete DeBoer). The others: 2010 (PHI: Peter Laviolette; MTL: Jacques Martin) and 1998 (WSH: Ron Wilson; BUF: Lindy Ruff).
  • This is the southernmost final four in Stanley Cup Playoffs history (VGK: +36.1, CAR: +35.8, DAL: +32.7 & FLA: +26.1). The previous benchmark was in 2016 (PIT: +40.4, STL: +38.6, SJS: +37.3 & TBL: +27.9)

STARS-GOLDEN KNIGHTS 2022-23 REGULAR-SEASON SERIES IN REVIEW
Jan. 16, 2023 – STARS 4 at GOLDEN KNIGHTS 0
Delivering one of their strongest performances of the season, the Stars opened their three-game road trip with a resounding 4-0 victory over the Vegas Golden Knights at T-Mobile Arena on Monday. Not only did it snap a two-game losing streak, but Dallas managed to give Vegas its first shutout loss of the season (45 GP). Goaltender Jake Oettinger stopped all 27 shots for his third shutout of the season and improved his record overall to 20-6-4. Forward Ty Dellandrea (0-2—2) picked up his second multi-point game of the season (third of his career) with two assists. Captain Jamie Benn (1-0—1) opened the scoring with his 17th goal of the season on a night he took over sole possession of second place all-time in games played (993) in franchise history. Forward Joel Kiviranta (1-0—1) tallied his sixth goal of the season, defenseman Ryan Suter (1-0—1) registered his first goal of the season and forward Tyler Seguin (1-0—1) extended his goal streak to three consecutive games and point streak to four in a row (3-2—5). Defensemen Miro Heiskanen (0-1—1) and Nils Lundkvist (0-1—1) added assists, as did forwards Joe Pavelski (0-1—1) and Fredrik Olofsson (0-1—1). The Stars also dished out 33 hits (four of which from Pavelski – team high), registered 15 blocked shots (four from Luke Glendening – team high) and won 55% of the faceoffs.
PP: 0-2 | PK: 2-2 | SF: 36 | SA: 27 | DAL TOI: Heiskanen (24:55) | Attendance: 17,895
Three Stars: 1. DAL – J. Benn 2. DAL – J. Oettinger 3. DAL – J. Kiviranta

Feb. 25, 2023 – STARS 3 at GOLDEN KNIGHTS 2 (shootout)
The Stars snapped a five-game losing skid (0-2-3) with a 3-2 shootout victory over the Vegas Golden Knights at T-Mobile Arena. Down by a goal late in regulation, Dallas staged a dramatic comeback when forward Roope Hintz (1-0—1) scored the game-tying marker with just 37 seconds left on the clock. Jason Robertson (0-1—1) opened the shootout with a goal and Hintz scored the game-deciding tally to lift the Stars to their second consecutive victory in Vegas (also 4-0 on Jan. 16). Rookie forward Wyatt Johnston (1-0—1) tallied his 14th goal of the season while forward Ty Dellandrea (0-1—1) picked up his 14th assist of the 2022-23 campaign. Captain Jamie Benn (0-2—2) led the squad with two assists and goaltender Jake Oettinger turned aside 41 of 43 shots (and all three in the shootout) in an epic goaltending duel with Golden Knights netminder Laurent Brossoit (41 of 43).
PP: 0-4 | PK: 2-2 | SF: 43 | SA: 43 | DAL TOI: Heiskanen (27:57 – game high) | Attendance: 17,906
Three Stars: 1. DAL– J. Oettinger 2. VGK – L. Brossoit 3. VGK – J. Eichel

April 8, 2023 – STARS 2 vs. GOLDEN KNIGHTS 1 (shootout)
The Stars extended their winning streak to three games and swept the three-game season series against the Golden Knights with a 2-1 shootout victory in front of a sellout crowd of 18,532 at American Airlines Center. Forward Joel Kiviranta (1-0—1) scored with the equalizer in the second period with his eighth goal of the season, forward Roope Hintz tallied the lone goal in the shootout and goaltender Jake Oettinger made 19 saves and all three in the shootout to seal the win for Dallas. The Stars went 2-for-2 on the penalty kill, dished out 29 hits and won 56% of the faceoffs.
PP: 0-2 | PK: 2-2 | SF: 25 | SA: 20 | DAL TOI: M. Heiskanen (29:42 – game high) | Attendance: 18,532 (sellout)
Three Stars: 1. DAL – J. Oettinger 2. VGK – J. Quick 3. DAL – J. Kiviranta

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