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MLB Preview: Arizona Diamondbacks (27-20) at Philadelphia Phillies (22-24)

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MLB Preview: Arizona Diamondbacks (27-20) at Philadelphia Phillies (22-24)

ARIZONA DIAMONDBACKS NOTES:

HERE’S THE STORY
♦ The D-backs’ 27 wins ( 22 vs. NL opponents) are the second most in the NL, behind the Dodgers (29 total; 27 vs. NL) and Braves (29 total; 19 vs. NL).

♦ The D-backs are a season-high 7 games above .500 and have won 7 of their last 9 games.

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

♦ Arizona has won 3 straight series and 6 of its last 8.

♦ Christian Walker, a Philly-area native, is a career .354 batter (23-for-65) vs. Phillies…in 2022, hit safely in 5 of his 6 games (.435; 10-for-23) with 3 multi-hit games.

♦ Corbin Carroll, in his last 10 road games, is hitting .367 (11-for-30)/1.202 OPS with 3 doubles, 2 homers, 9 runs, 6 RBI, 11 walks and 4 stolen bases.

♦ Geraldo Perdomo, in his last 11 road games, is hitting .412 (14-for-34)/1.222 OPS with 2 doubles, 3 homers, 8 RBI and 4 walks.

KETEL BEING KETEL
♦ Ketel Marte’s 21-game on-base streak is the third-longest active streak in the Majors and is the second-longest streak of his career, 1 game shy of tying his career-best streak (22, Aug 2-29, 2019).

  • During the streak, is batting .291 (23-for-79)/.379 OBP with 1 double, 1 triple, 4 homers, 13 RBI, 11 walks and 2 HBP.

♦ Has reached base in 14 straight road games , hitting .370 (20-for-54)/1.114 OPS with 1 triple, 5 homers, 11 RBI and 6 walks.

OH, LOURDES!
♦ Lourdes Gurriel Jr. is riding a career-high 14-game hitting streak, during which he is batting .375 (21-for56)/1.247 OPS with 5 doubles (1 walk-off ), 6 homers, 12 RBI and 8 walks.

  • His streak is the longest by a D-back this season and is tied for the Majors’ longest active hitting streak (also: Yandy Díaz/TB).

♦ In his last 12 road games, is hitting .300 (15-for-50)/.906 OPS with 2 doubles, 3 homers, 7 RBI and 6 walks.

THE ANSWER-BACKS
♦ The D-backs’ 15 comeback wins are fourth in the Majors, behind the Orioles (18), Angels (16) and Mets (16).

♦ Arizona’s 7 total comeback wins in the month of May are third in the Majors.

STOLEN BASE RACE
♦ Corbin Carroll marked his fourth 2+ stolen base performance of the season yesterday and first since April 25 vs. Royals…has 3 stolen bases over his last 2 games.

♦ Carroll’s 13 total stolen bases are tied for seventh in the Majors (also: 4 others), behind Esteury Ruiz/OAK (24), Ronald Acuña Jr./ATL (18), Jorge Mateo/BAL (14), Jazz Chisholm Jr./MIA (11), Wander Franco/TB (14) and Ji Hwan Bae/PIT (14).

SEEING IT WELL
♦ The D-backs’ .352 OBP in the month of May is the highest in the Majors, ahead of the Rangers (.348), Red Sox (.346) and Rays (.340).

♦ Since May 1, the D-backs’ 10.9 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’ 78 walks in May (18 games) are tied for third in the Majors (also: Cubs, 19 G), behind the Dodgers (80 in 19 G) and Padres (79 in 18 G).

FOR THE TAKING
♦ The D-backs’ 52 pct. extra bases taken percentage leads the Majors, ahead of the Reds and Padres (50%).

Pct. runner advanced more than 1 base on single or 2+ bases on a double.

OUT OF THE PEN
♦ Since May 8, the D-backs’ bullpen has a 2.78 ERA (14 ER in 45.1 IP), the third best in the NL, behind the Padres (1.12; 5 ER in 40.1 IP) and Phillies (1.62; 8 ER in 44.1 IP).

YOUNG ‘BACKS
♦ The D-backs’ 28.0 roster age is tied for fifth youngest in the Majors with the Nationals, Mariners and Reds behind the Guardians (26.3), Rays (27.3), A’s (27.6) and Orioles (27.8)…the Phillies are just behind at 28.1.

TODAY’S STARTING PTICHER – LHP TOMMY HENRY ♦ #47
AT A GLANCE: Signed by the D-backs as a Competitive Balance-B selection (74th overall) in the 2019 draft.

  • Attended the University of Michigan, where he helped lead the Wolverines to the 2019 College World Series vs. eventual champion Vanderbilt University.
  • The Michigan native attended Portage Northern High School, where he lettered in baseball and basketball.

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW: Had back-to-back quality starts on May 6 vs. Nationals (2 ER in 6.0 IP) and May 11 vs. Giants (2 ER in 6.2 IP).

  • Holding leadoff hitters to a .167 average (4-for-24) with 3 strikeouts.
  • The D-backs are 3-2 in his 5 starts.

LAST START: Worked 4.2 frames with 4 runs allowed in a 9-8 loss @ A’s on May 16.

VS. PHILLIES: Making his second career start vs. Phillies, first in Philadelphia (also: August 31, 2022, 7 ER in 4.0 IP).

PITCH TRACKING: Opposing batters are hitting .211 (4-19) on his changeup, .188 (6-32) with 8 strikeouts on his curveball and .167 (2-12) on his slider.

KEEP ‘EM CHASING : His 31.1 out-of-zone swing percentage is up 6.2 percent from 2022 (24.9).

FIRST WIN: Earned his fi rst Major League win, in his second start, on Aug. 9, 2022 vs. Pirates (1 ER in 7.0 IP).

PHILADELPHIA PHILLIES NOTES:

GAME #46 RECAP: The Phillies defeated the Chicago Cubs, 2-1, and took another series win in front of a sold out crowd at Citizens Bank Park … Starer Taijuan Walker (ND) made his first career start on three days rest and tossed 5.1 scoreless innings – he allowed only 2 hits with 3 walks and 3 strikeouts … With the game scoreless in the 7th, Bryson Stott belted his first career pinch-hit home run to give the Phillies a 2-0 lead … Craig Kimbrel picked up career save #399.

ON THE DOORSTEP OF HISTORY: Right-hander Craig Kimbrel picked up his 399th career save in yesterday’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.

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 2,669 batters and has struck out 1,072 of them (40.16%) … 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 21 games at Citizens Bank Park, the Phillies are averaging 39,901 in attendance per game which ranks 2nd among all clubs in MLB behind only the Dodgers (47,873) … Of Philadelphia’s first 21 games at home, 13 have been sellouts (62%) and 16 have been over 35,000 (76%) … Among all clubs in MLB, the Phillies have the largest year-to-year increase in attendance per game this season at +13,001 (up from 26,901 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 +4,797 … The Phils have welcomed 837,928 fans to CBP thus far this year – through 21 games last
season, the Phillies had 564,917 in attendance (+273,011 in 2023).

IN A PINCH: In yesterday’s game, Bryson Stott hit his first career pinch hit home run in the 7th inning to give the Phillies a 2-0 lead over the Cubs … It was Philadelphia’s second pinch hit home run this year (other: Edmundo Sosa, 4/7 vs CIN) which is tied for the most among all clubs in MLB this season with eight other teams … The Phillies are 6-for-20 in pinch hit at bats this season (.222 AVG), but of those six hits, four have been for extra bases (2B, 3B, 2 HR) and their .556 SLG ranks 3rd in MLB behind only CIN (.680) and MIA (.591).

SACKS PACKED: With the bases loaded this season, the Phillies are 14-for-36 at the plate with an NL-best .389 AVG (next: ARI, .304 AVG) … In 41 plate appearances with the bases loaded, the Phillies are slashing .389/.366/.556 with a .921 OPS – Philadelphia’s .556 SLG and .921 OPS with the bases loaded both rank 3rd in the National League.

A REAL UNICORN: Since the start of last season (regular and postseason combined), J.T. Realmuto has played a total of 1617.2 innings at catcher (190 G, 186 GS) … That is 274.2 innings (almost 31 full games) clear of HOU’s Martin Maldonado who ranks 2nd in MLB at 1343.0 innings at catcher … Realmuto started this season slashing .205/.222/.364 (.586 OPS) through his first 11 games (45 PA, 3/30-4/13), but since then, he is slashing .317/.357/.519 (.876 OPS) over his last 29 games (115 PA, since 4/14).

RIDING THE SEESAW: Since April 26, the Phillies have played 22 games and are an even .500 at 11-11 … This 22-game stretch consists of a four-game winning streak (4/26-29), a season-long six-game losing streak (4/30-5/6), a season-best five-game winning streak (5/7-13), a five-game losing streak (5/14-19) and now two straight wins (since 5/20) … The Phillies opened May with a 5-10 record: five losses to start, followed by five wins and five losses … Per Elias, the only other time in franchise history that the Phillies had a five-game losing streak followed by a five-game winning streak followed by a five-game losing streak over a span of 15 games in any calendar month was in May of 1897 (at any point in the month, not just to open a month) … The last MLB club prior to the Phillies who did so was Atlanta in April of 2017.

CASTY’S BACK, TELL A FRIEND: Phils right fielder Nick Castellanos has gotten ahead 1-0 in 60 plate appearances this season – after taking ball one, Castellanos is slashing .472/.533/.774 with a 1.307 OPS that ranks 3rd out of 224 qualified players in MLB this year … He has 10 extra-base hits (7 2B, 3 HR) after getting ahead 1-0 … Last season, Castellanos got ahead 1-0 in 174 plate appearances and totaled only 10 extra-base hits as he slashed .197/.276/.299 with a .575 OPS that ranked 201st out of 203 qualified hitters.

PHILLY SPECIAL: Through 75 games under Rob Thomson at Citizens Bank Park (since 6/3/22), the Phillies are 48-27 (.640 win %) in the regular season and 6-2 in the postseason (.750 win %) … The Phillies are 17-5-2 in regular season series play under Thomson at CBP with a +75 run differential (388- 313) … Philadelphia’s .640 winning percentage at home since Thomson took over ranks 3rd in the National League and 5th in MLB behind only LAD (.716), ATL (.707), TB (.705) and NYY (.663).

TONIGHT’S STARTER – ZACK WHEELER  RHP #45
2023: 3-3, 4.06 ERA Career: 77-60, 3.45 ERA

LAST START: 5/16 at SF: L (3-3), 6.0 IP, 9 H, 4 R, 4 ER, BB, 8 SO, 101 pitches (64 strikes), 28 batters faced … Wheeler generated 51 swings and had 20 whiffs (39%) including 13 whiffs on 27 swings against his four-seam fastball (48%) … Of the Giants’ 9 hits on the night, 6 were hit under 90 MPH including a 66.1 MPH single in the 5th and a 56.0 MPH single in the 6th …. The Phillies went 1-for-11 with RISP.

TONIGHT’S START:
East Coast Bias: Since joining the Phillies, Wheeler has faced the NL West seven times at CBP: he is 5-0 with a 1.60 ERA (8 ER, 45.0 IP) in those seven games and the Phillies are 6-1 … He has a 0.80 WHIP in those games and has held the 169 batters he has faced to a .157/.226/.281 slash line (.507 OPS)

Right About That: Wheeler has faced 119 RHH this season and has limited them to a .279 SLG and .531 OPS (6 2B, 1 HR allowed) with 36 strikeouts to 5 walks

Sweeping Success: Wheeler has thrown 125 sweepers this year and opponents are hitting .160 with a .200 SLG against it while whiffing on swings against it 41.2% of the time

vs NL West: 15-10, 3.53 ERA (86 ER, 219.0 IP) in 36 starts

Statcast Rankings: 96th percentile in extension, 95th percentile in AVG exit velo, 93rd percentile in barrel rate, 83rd percentile in fastball
spin & xSLG, 82nd percentile in fastball velo and 81st percentile in whiff rate

10 years: Wheeler is at 9 years and 152 days of Major League service time today … He is scheduled to hit 10 years of service on June 11 vs LAD

HOME:
2023: 1-1, 3.34 ERA (11 ER, 29.1 IP) in 5 starts

Career: 37-32, 3.36 ERA (238 ER, 637.1 IP) in 103 starts CBP:

Career: 21-10, 2.46 ERA (88 ER, 321.2 IP) in 50 starts

Career as a Phillie: 18-9, 2.33 ERA (72 ER, 277.2 IP) in 43 starts

2023 SEASON:
Recorded his 17th career double-digit strikeout game and 9th as a Phillie on 4/23 vs COL, and his 23 swings and misses were a new career high

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

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

MLB Preview: St. Louis Cardinals (21-27) at Cincinnati Reds (19-27)

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MLB Preview: St. Louis Cardinals (21-27) at Cincinnati Reds (19-27)

ST. LOUIS CARDINALS NOTES:

LOSS OF A LEGEND & FRIEND: The Cardinals and all of baseball were saddened to learn today of the passing of Hall of Fame writer and friend Rick Hummel at the age of 77. Hummel, nicknamed the “Commish”, covered the Cardinals for the St. Louis Post-Dispatch for 50 years before retiring after the 2022 season. The Busch Stadium Press Box is named after both Rick and Hall of Fame writer Bob Broeg who also covered the Cardinals for the Post-Dispatch. Rick was voted the recipient of the BBWAA J.G. Taylor Spink Award in 2007.

RECENT REDBIRDS: The St. Louis Cardinals open a 7-game tour of the Buckeye State tonight with the opening game of a 4-game series against the Cincinnati Reds at Great American Ball Park…the roadtrip 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) yesterday 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 the first time since a June 18 initial meeting in 2004.

ROAD TRIPPING REDBIRDS: Beginning tonight, St. Louis is scheduled to play 13 of its next 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.

FIRST IMPRESSIONS: After losing a franchise record 11 consecutive opening games of series to begin the season, the Cardinals have now won the series opener in 4-straight series, and have gone 4-0 in those series (at CHI, at BOS, vs. MIL, vs. LAD).

GORMAN NAMED N.L. PLAYER OF WEEK: Cardinals infielder Nolan Gorman was named today as the National League Player of the Week for the week ending May 21. The award is the first of his career and the 1st for a Cardinals player in 2023. Gorman batted .458 for the week with 4 HR & 11 RBI (1.519 OPS)

FLIGHT PATTERN: Winners of 11 of their last 14 games (May 7-present), the Cardinals enter today tied with Chicago Cubs for 3rd 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 11th game of a season-high 19 consecutive without an off-day (8-2 record).

REDBIRD RESURGENCE: Since May 7, the Cardinals lead MLB in win pct. (.786, 11-3), runs scored (101), runs per game (7.2), slugging (.510), OPS (.859), RBI (97), tied for the MLB lead in wins (11) and rank 2nd in stolen bases (17), homers (29) and total bases (247).

BURGER PHONE HOTLINE: The Cardinals are 5th in MLB in home runs (67) this season while ranking 3rd in the month of May (35) to the Yankees (39) and Braves (36) … The Redbirds sport a 18-13 record in games when they go yard this season, but are 3-14 in homerless games.

REDBIRD RIBEYES: The Cardinals had six players enjoy 4+ RBI games last week, as Andrew Knizner (4), Nolan Gorman (5), Nolan Arenado (4), Willson Contreras (6), Paul DeJong (4) and Óscar Mercado (5) all had games with 4 or more RBI in the past week.

BOTTOMS UP: The Cardinals 9th place hitters are leading the NL in HR (8), and OPS (.824) 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) last Wed.,Óscar Mercado enjoyed a career day in yesterday’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.

GOING STREAKING WITH THE NOLANS: Nolan Arenado (12 games, .408; 20-49) and Nolan Gorman (11 games, .432; 16-37) are both riding 11+ game hitting streaks, ranking in the top 5 in longest active streaks in MLB … Gorman’s 11-gamer is a career best while Arenado’s hit streak is his longest since joining the Cardinals (2021-present). Arenado also has an active 6-game road hitting streak

TONIGHT’S STARTING PITCHER: LHP JORDAN MONTGOMERY (2-6, 4.21 ERA)
TONIGHT’S GAME
NL Leaders: Losses (6, T-2nd); Hits (56, T-6th)

  • Is set to make his 10th start of the season and his 118th career (21st as a member of the Cardinals).
  • Is trying to snap a career-high six-game losing streak, although the Cardinals have been shut out in three of his six losses while he has had three quality starts among his five defeats.
  • Allowed just two home runs in his first seven starts and back-to-back games with two home runs each at CHI (5/10) and vs. MIL (5/16).
  • Received three runs of support or less in each of his last seven starts.
  • Prior to his 5/10 start at Wrigley, he’d allowed just one earned run in three road games this season, fanning 22 in 19.2 IP. In six career road starts with St. Louis, he’s allowed zero earned runs in three of those games.
  • Recorded his first and only GIDP of the season in his 5/10 start at CHI.
  • Is 8-9 with a 3.60 ERA in 20 starts as a member of the Cardinals and St. Louis has won 10 of his 20 starts.
  • Leads all Cardinals pitchers with 102 strikeouts since being acquired at the 2022 Trade Deadline (8/2/22).
  • Has not walked a left-handed batter since being acquired by the Cardinals (72 total batters faced). Is the only pitcher in MLB who has faced 60+ left-handed batters without a walk to a LHB since 8/1/22.
  • Made his fourth Opening Day roster and first with the Cardinals, adding to 2018, 2021 and 2022 with the Yankees. Was on the Injured List in 2019 and Taxi Squad in 2020.
  • Has held his opposition to three earned runs or fewer in 79% (92-of-117) of his career starts.

LAST TIME OUT

  • Lost his 6th straight decision, extending his career-long, in a 3-2 loss to Milwaukee at Busch Stadium. Received three runs of support or less in his 7th straight start. Allowed two home runs (B. Anderson; J. Wiemer) for the second straight start.

DATE vs. RESULT DEC IP H R ER BB SO HR NP-S
5/16 MIL L 3-2 L-6 5.1 8 3 3 1 7 2 98-64
2023

  • Has lost six straight decisions, surpassing his career-long of four prior to 2023. Last win came on 4/8 at MIL, tossing 7.0 scoreless innings of three-hit ball in a 6-0 win. Cardinals have lost his last seven starts.
  • Took his first no-decision of the season as the Cardinals fell, 5-4, to the Detroit Tigers on 5/5. It was his team-leading 5th quality start, and 3rd-straight.
  • Locked horns with Clayton Kershaw and the Dodgers on 4/29 at Dodger Stadium… allowed just one run across 6.2 IP, but was handed his 4th-straight loss (1-0).
  • Threw a season-high 107 pitches and limited the SF Giants to just one unearned run over his 6.0 IP on 4/24, but took the loss as Alex Cobb blanked the Cardinals, 4-0. It was just the 2nd road loss for Monty as a member of the Cardinals.
  • Established a new career-high with a 15.0 inning scoreless streak from 4/2-13, surpassing his previous high of 14.2 IP.
  • Won his opening start of the season behind a 9-4 offensive effort vs. TOR (4/2) in a series clinching win.
  • Threw 7.0 scoreless innings of three-hit ball at MIL (4/8). Was the longest outing by a Cardinals pitcher this season and his 2nd consecutive scoreless outing against an N.L. Central opponent on the road (16.0 IP streak).
  • Tied his career-highs in both hits (10) and runs (7) allowed as the Cardinals lost 8-7 vs. ARI (4/18) in a game they rallied from down 7-2 in the 4th inning.

CINCINNATI REDS NOTES:

RED HOTS

  • The Reds and Cardinals will observe a moment of silence in memory of legendary broadcaster Mike Shannon and Hall of Fame writer Rick Hummel, each a beloved and iconic member of the Cardinals and Major League Baseball families.
  • During pregame ceremonies, the Reds will honor Ashley Brophy, our Reds Way All-Star for the month of May…Ashley is a zone captain in ballpark operations.
  • Class AA Chattanooga IF Noelvi Marte 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 1 of a 4-game series vs Rick Hummel’s Cardinals and Game 4 (0-3) of a 7-game homestand that included a 3-game series sweep loss to the Yankees.
  • Following this series, 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.
  • 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).
  • The Cardinals’ .506 winning percentage at Great American Ball Park (85-83) is the highest among NL Central Division opponents and seventh-highest of any National League team.

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 8.25 era (.340ba)…gametime 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 – #55 Brandon Williamson, LHP

  • Tonight is making his second Major League appearance.
  • Tue at Col, became only the 10th visiting pitcher to make his Major League debut with a start at Coors Field, the first since Hou’s José Urquidy on 7/2/19.
  • Became only the fourth Reds pitcher to make his Major League debut with at least 5.2 innings, 2 hits or fewer allowed and at least 6 strikeouts, joining Tom Carroll (7/7/1974 vs StL, 7ip, 2h, 6k), Mo Sanford (8/9/1991 at SD, 7ip, 2h, 8k) and Johnny Cueto (4/3/2008 vs Ari, 7ip, 1h, 10k).
  • Became only the fourth Reds pitcher in the expansion era (since 1961) to retire at least 14 consecutive batters in his Major League debut, joining Wayne Simpson (16, 4/9/1970 at LAD), Rob Bell (16, 4/8/2000 vs Cubs) and Johnny Cueto (15, 4/3/2008 vs Ari).
  • In Tue’s 3-1 win, allowed a single to Charlie Blackmon, his first career batter faced, but didn’t allow another hit until Ezequiel Tovar’s solo HR in the sixth inning snapped the scoreless tie…Williamson retired 14 consecutive batters leading up to Tovar’s home run.
  • Turned 25 years old on the fourth day of the season.
  • Entered the season rated by Baseball America the 10th-best prospect in the organization.
  • Began the season at Class AAA Louisville (8gs, 2-4, 6.62, 34ip, 44h, 20bb, 27k, 7hr, 1.88whip, .310baa).
  • Was selected by the Mariners in the second round (59th overall) of the 2019 first-year player draft.
  • Was an MiLB.com Mariners Organization All-Star in 2019 and 2021.
  • On 3/14/22 was acquired from the Mariners, along with RHP Justin Dunn, OF Jake Fraley and a player to be named, for 3B Eugenio Suárez and OF Jesse Winker.
  • On 3/29/22 the Reds completed the trade by acquiring minor league RHP Connor Phillips as the player to be named.
  • When acquired by the Reds in March 2022, his curveball was rated by Baseball America the best in the Mariners’ organization.

MLB Preview: Texas Rangers (29-17) at Pittsburgh Pirates (24-22)

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MLB Preview: Texas Rangers (29-17) at Pittsburgh Pirates (24-22)

TEXAS RANGERS NOTES:

WINS AND LOSSES: Texas completed a sweep of the Rockies yesterday, 13-3, as club finished a 6-G, 7-day homestand by going 4-2 vs. ATL (1-2) and COL (3-0)…TEX has won 3 straight, 4 of 5, 5 of 7, 8 of 11 and 11 of last 15 G…TEX is an A.L.-best 15-6 (.714) in last 21 G beg. 4/28, 2nd-highest win pct. in MLB in that span (LAD is 16-6, .727)…TEX is 15-10 in last 25 G, but still 22-12 in last 34 G and 25-13 in last 38 G beg. 4/9…club has 6 different win streaks of 3+ G in 2023 (season-best 4-0 both 4/16-19 and 4/28-5/2)…team totaled 7 wins streaks of 3+ G in all of 2022.

  • At 29-17 (.630), TEX owns the 3rd-best record in A.L. and T3rd-best in MLB (see chart)…club’s 29 wins rank T3rd in A.L./MLB (34-TB, 31-BAL, 29–TEX/ATL/LAD/NYY).
  • The 29-17 start marks Rangers’ best 46-G start to a season since 1998 (30-16), and is T2nd-best start in club history.
  • TEX is a season-high 12 G above .500 for the 1st time since the end of 2016 (95-67), and May 21 is earliest date in a season to be 12-over since 2013 (May 15)…from 2020-22, TEX spent a total of one day above .500 (10-9 on 8/15/20).

BEST RECORDS IN MLB, 2023
Win Pct. Team W-L
.708 Tampa Bay 34-14
.660 Baltimore 31-16
.630 Texas/Atlanta 29-17
.604 Los Angeles-NL 29-19

STANDINGS: Rangers hold a 2.0-game lead in the A.L. West for a 5th straight day over 2nd-place HOU…have had a lead of 2-or-more games in the division for 14 straight days (last +1.0 GA on 5/6)…TEX has had sole possession of 1st place in the West for 16 straight, 23 of 24, and 36 of the last 38 days beg. 4/14…season-best +4.0-G lead on 5/14 was largest since end of 2016 (+9.0 GA), just 6th season in TEX history to have a lead of 4.0+ G in the West as early as 5/14…TEX has been alone or tied atop the division for 51 of the season’s first 52 days (exception: 4/8).

SERIES STUFF: By completing a 3 G sweep against the Rockies yesterday, TEX has won all games of a series for a 3rd time this campaign (3-0, 3/30-4/2 vs. PHI; 3-0, 4/17-19 at KC; 3-0, 5/19-21 vs. COL)…club has gone 5-1-1 in last 7 series and 9-2-1 in last 12…team is 10-4-1 overall in series this year, going 6-2-1 at home 4-2-0 on the road…club did not win a 10th series in 2022 until 7/8-10 vs. MIN…TEX won 4 straight series 4/10-23, longest such span since going 5-0-0 from 6/15-7/1/18…TEX is now 4-1-1 in last 6 series at Globe Life Field.

ON THE ROAD: TEX tonight begins a 9-G, 10-day road trip that takes the team thru the end of May…it marks the Rangers’ 2nd-consecutive 3-city road trip (7-3 from 5/5-14 at LAA/ SEA/OAK), and the 2nd of a trio of 3-city trips in 2023 (also 8/21-30 at ARI/MIN/NYM)…club has won 3 consecutive road series for 1st time since 6/9-25/17 at WAS/HOU/NYY…team has won 4 of 5 and 7 of 9 on road after a season-long 4-G away losing skid…club is 13-9 (.591) on road, 3rd-best away win pct. in A.L., 4th in MLB…the only time that TEX has been swept this season came on a 3-day trip to CIN from 4/24-26.

VS. PITTSBURGH: The Rangers are 13-9 all-time vs. Pittsburgh, including a 5-3 record at PNC Park…only previous visits to Pittsburgh came in 2002, 2007 and 2019…TEX was 10-2 in 1st 12 meetings (winning 1st 6-consecutive matchups), but are 3-7 vs. Pirates since 2013.

  • TEX is 9-8 in Interleague play in 2023, winning 4 of last 5 G…are 1-5 on the road vs. N.L. after going 1-2 at CHC (4/7-9) and 0-3 at CIN (4/24-26).

LIGHTING IT UP: TEX leads MLB w/ 6.46 R/G and 297 R… yesterday was club’s MLB-leading 12th game with 10+ runs in ’23, just the 7th time in the Modern Era (beg. 1901) for a team to post at least 12 G with 10+ runs within its first 46 G of a campaign: 13-1930 Brooklyn Robins/1901 Baltimore Orioles/1901 Chicago White Sox, 12-2023 Texas Rangers/2000 Colorado Rockies/1936 New York Yankees/1901 St. Louis Cardinals…TEX’s also leads MLB with 14 inn. of 5+ runs.

  • Club’s 31 runs scored this past series vs. COL marked the team’s most in any 3-game set since 8/31-9/2/18 vs. MIN (32 R) and the most-ever in a 3-game series at Globe Life Field.
  • The 297 runs scored by TEX this season are the 2nd-most over the first 46 G of a season in franchise history (301-1998)…the last ML club with 295+ R over its 1st 46 G of a season? 2000 St. Louis Cardinals (307).

THAT’S WHAT MAKES US DIFFERENT: TEX posted wins by 5, 6 and 10 runs in recent 3 G series vs. COL…club’s 15 wins by 5+ R this year lead MLB…the 15 such wins are already 2nd-most for TEX in the past 4 seasons and just 4 shy of last year’s total: 15-2023, 19-2022, 13-2021, 3-2020.

  • The Rangers’ season-best +108 run differential ranks 2nd in MLB (TB is +124), and is the club’s best figure at any point in any season since finishing 2012 at +101.

SEAGER TO IMPRESS: Corey Seager has batted .438 (7-16) with 2 HR, 3 2B, and 8 RBI in 4 G since being activated from the 10-day Injured List on Wed., starting 2 G apiece at SS and DH…Seager has posted consecutive games with 3 H, the 1st Ranger to do so since Marcus Semien on 9/12-13/22 (also 2 straight 3-hit G)…his 8 RBI since being activated lead the A.L. and rank T1st in MLB (also NYM’s Pete Alonso, but in 5 G played during that span).

DANE IS ON THE CASE: Dane Dunning enters tonight’s start with a 4-0 record and a 1.69 ERA (7 ER/37.1 IP) in 11 G/3 GS this season, with his season ERA being the 2nd-lowest in MLB among pitchers with 35+ IP (1.64-MIN’s Sonny Gray)…Dunning also has the 2nd-most innings (37.1) of any MLB pitcher without allowing a HR in 2023 (49.1 IP – MIN’s Sonny Gray)…since sliding into the rotation on 5/5, Dunning owns a 2-0 record with a 1.59 ERA (3 ER/17.0 IP) in 3 starts.

  • Dunning’s 1st outing vs. PIT came in his 4th career game/ start with the White Sox on 9/9/20 at PNC Park, accounting for his 1st Major League win.

UPDATES: Mitch Garver and Travis Jankowski are expected to begin injury rehabilitation assignments with Round Rock tomorrow when they play in Albuquerque…Garver has been out since 4/10 (retro to 4/9) with a mild left knee sprain, missing 38 games…Jankowski has been out since 5/9 (retro. to 5/8) with a right hamstring strain, missing 13 games so far.

SHORTS: Yesterday was the Rangers’ 6th straight win in a day game, as team leads MLB with a .765 win pct. in such contests…TEX owns a 3-3 record on Monday games and an 8-7 record in series openers…Rangers’ MLB-high .339 BA w/ RISP is 48 points higher than the next-closest team
(BOS-.291)…Marcus Semien is tied for the A.L. lead with 18 multi-hit games this season (also TOR’s Bichette)…Andrew Heaney has gone 1-1 with a 1.93 ERA (4 ER/18.2 IP) over his last 3 starts, cutting his season ERA from 5.52 to 4.13… TEX starters have now allowed 3-or-fewer runs in 5 straight starts, as rotation’s 2.59 ERA (24 ER/83.1 IP) over last 13 G beg. 5/8 ranks 1st in A.L. and 3rd in MLB.

TONIGHT’S STARTING PITCHER – #33 Dane Dunning, RHP
(4-0, 1.69)

TONIGHT: The 28-year-old right-hander is scheduled to make his 12th appearance/4th start of the season in tonight’s road trip opener in Pittsburgh…has made 3 starts this month since moving to the rotation after Jacob deGrom went on the IL: 2-0, 1.59 (3 ER/17.0 IP) w/ 2 BB/12 SO…Dunning’s 1.69 ERA for the season is 2nd-lowest in MLB among pitchers with 35+ IP (1.64-MIN’s Sonny Gray)…has 2nd-most innings (37.1) of any MLB pitcher without allowing a HR in 2023 (49.1 IP – MIN’s Sonny Gray)…among A.L. pitchers with 35+ IP this season, ranks among leaders in ERA (2nd, 1.69), opp. BA (6th, .195), and GB pct. (8th, 51.4%)…earned win in last start on Tues. va. ATL (see below), the Rangers’ only win in that series…ranks among staff leaders in wins (T3rd, 4), innings (5th, 37.1), and strikeouts (6th, 23)…has yet to allow a HR in ‘23 and is scoreless in 6 of 11 G…began season with 18.0 scoreless innings…established career highs in many categories last season, ranking 2nd on the Texas staff in starts (29), innings (153.1), and strikeouts (137)…missed time in 2022 for a pair of IL stints: 7/11-25/22 (right ankle impingement) and 9/27/22-end of season (right hip surgery)…had season-ending surgery on 9/26/22 for a right hip labral repair, with the surgery performed by Dr. William Robertson in Arlington…has gone 13- 18 with a 4.14 ERA for Rangers over the last 3 seasons (2021-23) since being acquired from the Chicago White Sox in a 3-player trade involving RHP Lance Lynn on 12/8/20…pitched 3 seasons at the University of Florida, helping the Gators to College World Series appearances in both 2015 and 2016…is a native of the Jacksonville, Fla. area…Texas is 2-1 in Dunning’s 3 starts in 2023.

LAST START: Earned win in last start on Tues. vs. ATL (W, 6.0 IP, 6 H, 1 R-ER, 0 BB, 4 SO, 0 HR, 1 HBP, 92 pitches/60 strikes) in a 7-4 Texas victory, Rangers’ lone win in the series against the Braves…season-high 92 pitches…permitted baserunners in each of 1st 5 innings, but only run allowed came in 2nd inning on a Orlando Arcia 2-out single…Arcia also doubled in the 4th inn., only XBH against Dunning on the night…induced GIDP from Sean Murphy to end threat in the 5th inning.

VS. PITTSBURGH: Only outing vs. PIT came in his 4th career game/start with the White Sox on 9/9/20 at PNC Park, accounting for his 1st ML win (W, 6.0 IP, 3 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 3 SO, 78 pitches/51 strikes)…game was played in an empty stadium in the pandemic season…came out for the 7th and permitted a leadoff double to Colin Moran, as Gio Gonzalez entered in relief…Sox won 8-1 behind a pair of HR from C James McCann.

  • Has gone 4-1, 3.52 (21 ER/53.2 IP) over 12 G/9 GS in his career in Interleague play, incl. 1-0, 2.45 (3 ER/11.0 IP) over 4 G/1 GS in 2023…is 4-1, 3.51 (19 ER/48.2 IP) in 9 starts vs. N.L. clubs, quality starts in 4 of last 5 starts…his win over the Pirates is the lone Interleague road win of his career.

AS A STARTER: Has gone 2-0, 1.59 (3 ER/17.0 IP) in his 3 starts for TEX in ‘23, spanning his last 3 outings, exiting all 3 starts with Texas holding a multi-run lead…made 8 straight relief app. to open the year, but a majority of Dunning’s Major League appearances (64 of 74) have come as a starter…he owns a lifetime 13-18 record and 4.29 ERA (152 ER/319.0 IP) in those 64 career starts, with opponents batting .260/.334/.412/.746 (318-1223)…he went 4-8, 4.46 ERA (76 ER/153.1 IP) in 29 starts for Texas in 2022, registering an A.L.-high 17 no-decisions…the 17 ND’s were T3rd-most in MLB and a WSH/TEX franchise record for a starting pitcher…Dunning’s 56 starts in a Rangers uniform over the last 3 seasons (beg. 2021) are tied for the most by a Ranger with LHP Martín Pérez (56 starts).

ON THE ROAD: Dunning earned the win in his last road app./start on 5/10 at SEA (6.0 IP, 2 R-ER), ending a span in which he had gone winless in 27 consecutive road starts with CWS and TEX, the 2nd-longest winless road span as a starter in modern era behind only COL’s Scott Elarton (29 from 2001-05)…only previous career road win as a starter was w/ CWS on 9/9/20 at PIT…the drought set a Texas franchise record, surpassing Pete Broberg in 1972-73 (15)…has performed well both on road (2-0, 1.89) and at home (2-0, 1.47) in ‘23, but fared better at home (4-2, 3.59, .232/.307/.421/.728 in 16 GS) than on the road (0-6, 5.62, .312/.390/.470/.860 in 13 GS) last season.

2023: Opponents have batted .195/.250/.241/.491 (26-133) with 6 extra-base hits (all doubles), incl. opp. BA’s of .172 (10-58) vs. LHB and .213 (16-75) vs. RHB…3 wins are T3rd-most on club (5-Eovaldi/Pérez, 4-Dunning/Gray)…20.1 relief innings still lead all Rangers (all in April)…has 3 relief app. of 3.0+ SHO IP, tied for most in MLB (also TB’s Josh Fleming)…earned win on 4/17 at KC (4.1 SHO IP, 1 H, 1 BB, 5 SO), as he and Jacob deGrom (4.0 SHO IP) became just the 2nd Rangers duo in the last 40 years (beg. 1984) to each have at least 4.0 SHO IP in the same game (also 5.0-Kameron Loe, 4.0-C.J. Wilson on 8/26/05 vs. MIN)…his win on 5/10 at SEA ended a span in which he had gone winless in 27 consecutive road starts with CWS and TEX, the 2nd-longest winless road span as a starter in modern era behind only COL’s Scott Elarton (29 from 2001-05).

PITTSBURGH PIRATES NOTES:

THE PIRATES: lost two of three games against the Diamondbacks in their series this past weekend..Have lost back-to-back games since winning three of their previous four games…Won seven straight games from 4/17-23, their longest winning streak since 2018 (11 games)…Are 1.0 game out of first place in the National League Central behind the Brewers.

KEEPING UP WITH CUTCH’S MILESTONES: Andrew McCutchen comes into today just one hit shy of 1500 in his career as a member of the Pirates (he will become the 12th player in club history to reach that milestone)… McCutchen ranks 12th on the team’s all-time hits list coming into today…Roberto Clemente leads the way with 3000 hits while Tommy Leach is 11th (1603)… McCutchen is also 16 hits shy of 2000 and three doubles shy of 400 for his career.

ABOUT TONIGHT’S STARTER: Luis Ortiz will make this third start with the Pirates since being promoted from Triple-A Indianapolis on May 9…Ortiz entered this season rated as Pittsburgh’s No. 4 prospect according to Baseball America… Ortiz went 2-1 with a 2.23 ERA (32.1ip/8er), 11 walks allowed, 29 strikeouts, two home runs allowed, .174 batting average against and 0.96 WHIP in seven starts this season at Triple-A…At the time of his promotion to the big leagues, Ortiz ranked second in the International League in ERA and first in both batting average against and OPS.

ON Q: Righthander Quinn Priester tossed 5.0 scoreless innings yesterday in Indianapolis’ 5-1 win against Iowa…Priester is now 4-0 with a 1.13 ERA (24.0ip/3er), 19 strikeouts, 0.96 WHIP and .214 batting average against in four starts this month…Priester ranks second among all pitchers in MiLB in ERA this month with at least 21.0 innings pitched.

WINNING STARTS HERE: Pittsburgh’s starting pitching staff ranks first in the National League and third in all of MLB with nineteen…Tampa Bay’s starting pitching staff ranks first in MLB with 21 wins followed by the Rangers (20)…Last year Pittsburgh’s starting rotation won a total of 21 times for the entire season.

GETTING ON: Andrew McCutchen comes into today with an 11-game on-base streak, going 12-for-37 (.324) with a home run, four RBI, seven walks and .432 on-base percentage…McCutchen’s 11-game on-base streak is the fifth-longest by a Pirate this season…Jack Suwinski has the longest on-base streak by a Pirate this season (17 games from April 9-29).

AGAINST THE RANGERS: This is the first series between Texas and Pittsburgh since a two-game set at PNC Park from May 7-8, 2019…The Pirates have hosted the Rangers for just three series (eight games) since interleague play began in 1997.

THE RENEGADE: David Bednar worked a scoreless ninth inning on Saturday while lowering his ERA to 0.53, which is the lowest among National League relievers and ranks second in MLB behind Baltimore’s Yennier Cano (0.38)…Bednar also ranks third among all relievers in MLB in walks per 9.0 innings (0.53) and strikeout-to-walk ratio (22.00).

EARLY OFFENSE: The Pirates have scored 32 runs in the second inning this season, including one yesterday against Arizona…Pittsburgh’s 32 runs scored in the second inning are tied for the fourth-most in MLB along with the Nationals… The only three teams to score more runs in the second inning are the Braves (40), Rangers (36) and Red Sox (33).

THE OUTFIELD: Pittsburgh’s outfielders are tied for seventh in MLB, and second overall in the National League, with 78 RBI…The only six teams to have more RBI produced from their outfielders are the Rays (95), Red Sox (94), Rangers (94), Astros (85), Dodgers (82) and Mariners (79).

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

COMING THROUGH IN THE CLUTCH: The Pirates rank fifth in all of MLB with a .281 batting average with runners in scoring position…The only four teams to record a higher batting average with runners in scoring position are the Rangers (.339), Red Sox (.291), Cardinals (.284) and Rockies (.282).

AGAINST THE AL WEST: Tonight is the first of six straight games for the Pirates against teams from the American League West…The Bucs will also visit Seattle for just the fourth time in interleague play this upcoming weekend…Pittsburgh’s only other series against the AL West this season came against Houston from April 10-12.

TODAY’S STARTING PITCHER – 48 – RHP LUIS ORTIZ
LUIS ORTIZ: The 24-year-old righthander will be making his third start of the season tonight after being promoted from Triple-A Indianapolis on 5/9…Allowed four runs (3er) in 3.0-plus innings while losing a 4-0 decision to Detroit’s Michael Lorenzen in his last start on Tuesday at Comerica Park…Struck out 138 batters in 134.1 innings between Indianapolis and Double-A Altoona in 2022… Entered 2023 as Pittsburgh’s No. 4 prospect by Baseball America.

vs. TEXAS: Has never faced the Rangers.

White Sox recall Jesse Scholtens from Triple-A Charlotte

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White Sox recall Jesse Scholtens from Triple-A Charlotte

CLEVELAND – Prior to tonight’s series opener at Cleveland, the Chicago White Sox recalled right-handed pitcher Jesse Scholtens from Class AAA Charlotte. Scholtens takes the roster spot of right-hander Mike Clevinger, who was placed on the 15-day injured list yesterday (retroactive to May 18) with right wrist inflammation.

Scholtens is 2-2 with a 3.99 ERA (17 ER/38.1 IP), .230 (32-139) opponents average and 42 strikeouts (9.86 per 9.0 IP) over seven starts with Charlotte this season. He appeared in two games with the White Sox in April, going 0-1 with a 3.00 ERA (1 ER/3.0 IP) and four strikeouts.

NHL Morning Skate: Stanley Cup Playoffs Edition – May 22, 2023

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NHL Morning Skate: Stanley Cup Playoffs Edition – May 22, 2023

* Chandler Stephenson played the role of hero for Vegas in what was the fourth comeback overtime win of the 2023 Conference Finals – a round that has seen all of its 324:25 of gametime feature teams tied or within a one-goal margin.

* Matthew Tkachuk and the Panthers can achieve several NHL firsts Monday, while the Hurricanes hope to become the ninth team in League history and second in as many years to win a best-of-seven Conference Finals/Semifinals series after dropping each of the first two games. Click here to read the May 22 edition of #NHLStats: Live Updates, which features the full list of clubs to achieve the feat.

* The 2023 Stanley Cup Playoffs marks the first time the penultimate round of the postseason has featured both series require overtime for Games 1 and 2.


GOLDEN KNIGHTS RALLY AGAIN TO MATCH NHL MARK AND SNAG 2-0 SERIES LEAD

Jonathan Marchessault (1-1—2) tied the game with 2:22 remaining in regulation and Chandler Stephenson (1-1—2) scored 1:12 into overtime as the Golden Knights captured their fourth consecutive comeback win and now travel to America Airlines Center with a 2-0 lead in the Western Conference Final. Vegas, the first team to hand Jake Oettinger consecutive losses this postseason, tied the longest stretch of consecutive comeback wins in Stanley Cup Playoffs history.


* Stephenson’s heroics, which marked his third-game-winning goal of the 2023 postseason, comes two days after Brett Howden found the back of the net 1:35 into overtime in Game 1 to lead the Golden Knights to victory. Vegas has scored within the opening two minutes of overtime for the fourth time since entering the NHL in 2017-18 – the most among all teams through that span. The only other teams to do so multiple times are Montreal (3x) and Colorado (2x).

* The Golden Knights became the fourth team in NHL history to score in the opening two minutes of overtime in consecutive playoff games (single postseason) joining the 1980 Islanders (Game 1 of 1980 QF and 2 of 1980 QF) 1993 Canadiens (Game 2 of 1993 SCF and Game 3 of 1992 SCF) and 2022 Avalanche (Game 4 of 2022 CF and Game 1 of  2022 SCF).

* Marchessault was the second player in as many games to score a late game-tying goal in this series after Jamie Benn (58:01) helped Dallas send Game 1 to overtime. The 2023 Western Conference Final is just the second Conference Finals/Semifinals series to feature a game-tying goal within the final three minutes of regulation in each of the first two games (also Games 1 and 2 of the 1969 SF, both by MTL).

* Game 2 between the Golden Knights and Stars was the fourth overtime game of the Conference Finals and the 22nd overall in the 2023 Stanley Cup Playoffs. This marks the first time the penultimate round of the postseason has featured both series require overtime for Games 1 and 2.



QUICK CLICKS


* Aleksander Barkov‘s fancy goal wows Wayne Gretzky, inspires Panthers in Game 2 OT win
* Matthew Tkachuk showing style, swagger with Panthers 2 wins from Cup Final
* Hurricanes not deviating from game plan ahead of Game 3
* Kaapo Kakko working to become ‘better player’ amid changes with Rangers

FLORIDA AIMS FOR 3-0 LEAD AS CONFERENCE FINALS SHIFT TO EDGE OF EVERGLADES

The Panthers look to move within one win of their second Stanley Cup Final appearance in franchise history as the Eastern Conference Final shifts to Sunrise for Game 3 on Monday. The contest is carried on TNT in the U.S. as well as on Sportsnet, TVA Sports and CBC in Canada.

* Matthew Tkachuk followed up his quadruple-overtime goal in Game 1 by scoring the winner just 1:51 into extra time Saturday to give Florida a 2-0 series lead. He can become the first player in Stanley Cup Playoffs history with an overtime goal in three consecutive games and four overall during a single postseason.
 
* The Panthers have earned overtime wins in each of their past three contests dating to Game 5 of the Second Round when Nick Cousins had the series clincher against the Maple Leafs. Florida can become the first team in Stanley Cup Playoffs history with an overtime victory in four consecutive contests during a single postseason.

NBA Western Conference Finals Game 4 Preview: Denver Nuggets (3-0) at Los Angeles Lakers (0-3)

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NBA Western Conference Finals Game 4 Preview: Denver Nuggets (3-0) at Los Angeles Lakers (0-3)

The top team in the Western Conference during the regular season is looking every bit the part of an elite squad as the Denver Nuggets are poised to sweep their way into the first NBA Finals in franchise history.

The Nuggets will get their first chance to advance Monday in Game 4 of the Western Conference finals against the host Los Angeles Lakers. Denver won its third consecutive game in the series Saturday with a 119-108 victory at Los Angeles.

The Lakers erased all of a double-digit deficit in the first half to lead 94-93 with 7:48 remaining before the Nuggets went on a decisive 13-0 run to take a 106-94 lead on a Nikola Jokic shot inside with 4:50 left. It was a three-minute stretch that brought Denver to the brink of where it has never been before.

Jokic scored 24 points with eight assists and six rebounds, with his effectiveness diminished by early foul trouble. The effort ended his run of four consecutive playoff triple-doubles. Jamal Murray stepped up with 30 first-half points and 37 in the game, while former Laker Kentavious Caldwell-Pope had 17.

The Nuggets essentially get four chances to advance, with two of those at home, if necessary. If the Lakers can earn a victory in Game 4, the series would shift to Denver for Game 5 on Wednesday.

The Lakers’ impressive run through the postseason looks to have run out of steam. They needed to get through the play-in tournament just to get into the playoff field and then got through the No. 2-seeded Memphis Grizzlies in the first round and the defending champion Golden State Warriors in the second round.

And while the Lakers have been competitive in all three games of the Western Conference finals, they have lacked the finishing kick needed to take a game so far.

Davis scored 28 points with 18 rebounds in Game 3, while LeBron James and Austin Reaves each scored 23. James added 12 assists. On defense, the Lakers watched the Nuggets shoot 60.0 percent in the fourth quarter. Denver also recorded 30 assists and committed just six turnovers.

NHL Eastern Conference Finals Game 3 Preview: Carolina Hurricanes (0-2) at Florida Panthers (2-0)

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NHL Eastern Conference Finals Game 3 Preview: Carolina Hurricanes (0-2) at Florida Panthers (2-0)

CAROLINA HURRICANES NOTES:

FIRST ROUND
The Hurricanes defeated the New York Islanders in six games, with a 2-1 record at home and on the road. Sebastian Aho (4-3—7) and Brent Burns (0-5—5) led the team in scoring, while Paul Stastny scored three goals in the series, including his third career playoff overtime goal to clinch the series in Game 6. Carolina went 5-for-25 (20.0%) on the power play, as Stefan Noesen paced the team with two goals on the man-advantage, and the team’s league-leading 94.4% penalty kill rate (17-for-18) established a new franchise record for a single playoff series. Antti Raanta (3-2) and Frederik Andersen (1-0) each made appearances in net, as Andersen made his Hurricanes playoff debut in Game 6 and recorded his first series-clinching win since 2015.

SECOND ROUND
Carolina defeated the New Jersey Devils in five games, with a 3-0 record at home and a 1-1 record on the road. Jordan Martinook tallied a team-high 10 points (3g, 7a), tying the franchise record for points in a playoff series and becoming the second player in NHL history to post double-digit points in a series after being held off the scoresheet in his team’s previous round that postseason. Jesper Fast (3-3— 6), Jesperi Kotkaniemi (3-2—5) and Martin Necas (3-0—3) matched Martinook for the team lead in goals, as Fast scored the Hurricanes’ second overtime, series-clinching goal of this postseason. Frederik Andersen made all five starts in net, earning a 4-0 record, 2.01 goals-against average and .918 save percentage.

GAME ONE
The Hurricanes suffered a 3-2 loss against the Panthers in quadruple overtime at PNC Arena on Thursday, losing a playoff overtime game for the first time since 2021 in the longest contest in franchise history (139:47). Frederik Andersen set a franchise playoff record with a career-high 57 saves on 60 shots, and 17 of Carolina’s 19 players set new career highs for ice time. Seth Jarvis and Stefan Noesen each scored on the power play, and Jarvis tallied an assist on Noesen’s goal for his fifth career postseason multi-point outing.

GAME TWO
Carolina again fell to Florida in overtime, 2-1, at PNC Arena on Saturday. Jalen Chatfield scored the team’s only goal with assists from Sebastian Aho and Stefan Noesen, and Antti Raanta made his first start since Game 5 of the First Round, stopping 24 of 26 shots faced in defeat.

INJURY REPORT
Jake Gardiner, upper-body, missed 95 games (10/12-5/20)
Ondrej Kase, concussion, missed 94 games (10/14-5/20)
Max Pacioretty, torn Achilles, missed 50 games (1/21-5/20)
Andrei Svechnikov, torn ACL, missed 31 games (3/12-5/20)
2022-23 Regular-Season Man-Games Lost Due to Injury: 334
2023 Playoffs Man-Game Lost Due to Injury: 69

UPCOMING GAMES
DATE OPPONENT TIME TV RADIO
May 22 at Florida 8 p.m. TNT/SN/CBC/TVAS Sports USA/HRN
May 24 at Florida 8 p.m. TNT/SN/CBC/TVAS Sports USA/HRN
May 26 (if nec.) Florida 8 p.m. TNT/SN/CBC/TVAS Sports USA/HRN
May 28 (if nec.) at Florida 8 p.m. TNT/SN/CBC/TVAS Sports USA/HRN

  • All times are Eastern | BSSO = Bally Sports South | HRN = Hurricanes Radio Network

UPCOMING PRACTICE SCHEDULE
DATE DAY LOCATION TIME
May 22 Monday FLA Live Arena 11:30 a.m.
May 23 Tuesday FLA Live Arena 1:15 p.m.
May 24 Wednesday FLA Live Arena 11:30 a.m.
May 25 Thursday PNC Arena 12 p.m.
May 26 Friday PNC Arena 10:30 a.m.

  • All times are local. Times and locations are subject to change.

HURRICANES vs. PANTHERS SERIES NOTES
— Carolina is facing Florida in the playoffs for the first time in franchise history, marking the 15th different opponent to face the Whalers/Hurricanes in the postseason.

— The Hurricanes and Panthers have met 138 times in their regular-season histories. Carolina holds a 71-46-11-10 overall record, including a 44-17-3-5 home record and a 27-29-8-5 road record.

— The two teams have also previously spent 15 seasons as divisional foes (Southeast Division, 1998-13; Central Division, 2020-21), with Carolina earning a 50-25-9-7 record against Florida during those campaigns (Florida: 32-37-9-13).

— The Hurricanes won the regular-season series 2-1-0 in 2022-23 (Panthers: 1-2-0).

— Carolina suffered a 3-0 loss against Florida at FLA Live Arena on 11/9. Antti Raanta stopped 34 of 36 shots faced in net.

— The Hurricanes posted a 4-0 win over the Panthers at PNC Arena on 12/30. Brent Burns (2a), Seth Jarvis (2a) and Jesperi Kotkaniemi (1g, 1a) recorded two points, while Antti Raanta stopped all 19 shots faced in net for his second shutout of the season.

— Carolina clinched a second straight Metropolitan Division title with a 6-4 win over Florida at FLA Live Arena on 4/13. Sebastian Aho (1g, 1a), Brent Burns (2g), Shayne Gostisbehere (1g, 1a) and Seth Jarvis (2a) all registered two points, while Frederik Andersen made 30 saves in net.

— Shayne Gostisbehere is a native of Pembroke Pines, Fla., and ranks first all-time in points among all NHL players born in Florida. He attended Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland for two years (2007-09) before transferring to South Kent Prep in
Connecticut.

— Hurricanes Assistant Coach Jeff Daniels played 10 games with Florida from 1994-95.

— Panthers Assistant GM Paul Krepelka served as the Hurricanes’ Vice President of Hockey Operations for two seasons from 2018-20.

— Panthers Head Coach Paul Maurice served in the same capacity with Hartford/Carolina over two stints from 1995-03 and 2008-11. Maurice earned a 384-391-99-46 regular-season record and holds the franchise records for games coached and wins in the regular season. He also added a 25-28 record in the playoffs, leading the Hurricanes to two Conference Finals (2002, 2009) and one Stanley Cup Final (2002).

— Panthers Assistant Coach Tuomo Ruutu registered 216 points (90g, 126a) in 378 games with the Hurricanes from 2008-14. He was acquired from Chicago in exchange for Andrew Ladd on 2/26/08 and traded to New Jersey in exchange for Andrei Loktionov on 3/5/14.

— Zac Dalpe was selected by Carolina in the second round (45th overall) of the 2008 NHL Draft and recorded 10 points (5g, 5a) in 41 NHL games with the Hurricanes from 2010-13. He also played parts of four AHL seasons with Albany/Charlotte from 2010-13, earning 139 points (68g, 71a) in 180 games. Dalpe was traded to Vancouver along with Jeremy Welsh in exchange for Kellan Tochkin and a fourth-round pick in the 2014 NHL Draft (Josh Wesley).

— Gustav Forsling was acquired from Chicago along with Anton Forsberg in exchange for Calvin de Haan and Aleksi Saarela, and he tallied 26 points (8g, 18a) in 57 AHL games with Charlotte in 2019-20. Forsling was claimed on waivers by Florida on 1/9/21.

— Eetu Luostarinen was drafted by the Hurricanes in the second round (42nd overall) of the 2017 NHL Draft and recorded one assist in eight games with Carolina in 2019-20. He was traded to Florida on 2/24/20 along with Erik Haula, Lucas Wallmark and Chase Priskie in exchange for Vincent Trocheck.

— Alex Lyon played in the Hurricanes’ organization in 2021-22. He spent most of the season with Chicago (AHL), posting an 18-7-3 record, 2.16 goals-against average, .912 save percentage and three shutouts in 30 regular-season games before going 9-3-0 with two shutouts in the playoffs to help lead the Wolves to a Calder Cup championship. Lyon also made two appearances with Carolina, earning a 1-0-1 record, 2.93 goals-against average and .908 save percentage.

— Two of Jordan Staal’s brothers, Eric and Marc, play for Florida. Eric previously spent parts of 12 seasons with Carolina (2003-16), helping the Hurricanes win the Stanley Cup in 2006 and captaining the team from 2009-16. He registered 775 points (322g, 453a) in 909 games with Carolina and ranks first in team history (since relocation) in games played, goals, assists, points, power-play goals (105), power-play points (252) and game-winning goals (47). Jordan’s third brother, Jared, also serves as an assistant coach for the Charlotte Checkers, Florida’s AHL affiliate.

BACK AGAINST THE WALL
Carolina is down 2-0 in a best-of-seven series for the 10th time in franchise history, having won two of the previous nine such series (2006 ECQF vs. MTL: 4-2, 2019 ECFR vs. WSH: 4-3). The Hurricanes are 1-1 in series after losing the first two games on home ice, as they won the next four games to defeat the Canadiens en route to their first Stanley Cup. Hartford/Carolina has posted a 10-20 record in the third game of a best-of-seven series (5-10 on the road), with a 4-5 record after losing the first two games. The Whalers/ Hurricanes cut the series deficit to 2-1 with Game 3 wins in the 1992 Adams Division Semifinal vs. MTL, 2006 Eastern Conference Quarterfinal at MTL, 2019 Eastern Conference First Round vs. WSH and 2021 Central Division Second Round at TBL. In that win over the Lightning in 2021, Sebastian Aho factored on all three of Carolina’s goals (1g, 2a), including Jordan Staal’s overtime winner.

ON THE ROAD AGAIN
The Hurricanes are hitting the road for Game 3 against the Panthers, and they have posted a 3-2 record away from home during this postseason, with wins in three of their last four road games (4/23-5/9). Carolina is seeking to win four road contests in a single postseason for the fourth time in franchise history (2002: 7-5, 2006: 6-5, 2009: 4-6). Sebastian Aho (3g, 2a) and Jordan Martinook (2g, 3a) have registered a team-high five points on the road during these playoffs, while Aho, Seth Jarvis (3g, 1a) and Martin Necas (3g) rank tied for the team lead in road goals. Aho paced all Hurricanes skaters with 41 points (21g, 20a) in 38 contests away from home during the regular season, and he holds the franchise playoff records for road playoff goals (12) and points (26).

FLORIDA PANTHERS NOTES:

BAPTIST HEALTH INJURY REPORT

  • F Patric Hornqvist | Games Missed: 14
    Total Playoff Man Games Lost Due to Injury: 25
    Total Regular Season Man Games Lost Due to Injury: 239

LAST GAME
Panthers 2, Hurricanes 1 [OT] – May 20 – PNC Arena
FLA Goals: Barkov (4), Tkachuk (7-OTPPG)
CAR Goals: Chatfield (1)
FLA Goalie: Bobrovsky (W) – 37 Saves
CAR Goalie: Raanta (L) – 24 Saves
FLA Shots: 38
CAR Shots: 26
Notes: Matthew Tkachuk scored in overtime for the second consecutive game, his 3rd OT winner of the 2023 playoffs…Tkachuk’s 3 OT winners are the most in one postseason run in club history and tied for the most by one player in one year in NHL history…With his goal, Tkachuk leads FLA with 7 goals and his 18 points are a new franchise postseason record, surpassing Dave Lowry’s 17 in 1996…Sergei Bobrovsky stopped 37 shots to extend his win streak to three games and road win streak to seven games…Aleksander Barkov tallied a goal for the second consecutive game, now tied for the second-most all-time postseason goals in franchise history with Ray Sheppard and Dave Lowry (10)…Sam Bennett notched an assist on a Matthew Tkachuk OT winner for the second consecutive game…Florida won their third straight game and eighth consecutive road game, the second-longest postseason road win streak in NHL history…The Cats improved to 6-0 in overtime in the 2023 playoffs and have won nine consecutive postseason OT games dating to Round 1, Game 3 at TBL in 2021…Five of FLA’s six OT wins in the 2023 playoffs have come on the road…FLA PP: 1-3, FLA PK: 3-3

RECENT TRANSACTIONS:

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

PANTHERS vs. HURRICANES
ALL-TIME vs. CAR: 56-56-11-15
ALL-TIME HOME vs. CAR: 56-56-11-15
2022-23 vs. CAR: 1-2-0

PANTHERS PLAYOFF LEADERS
Goals: Tkachuk (7)
Assists: Tkachuk (11)
Points: Tkachuk (18)
Shots: Montour (56)
Hits: Gudas (64)

ROUND 1 – FLA (4) vs. BOS (3)
GAME 1 – FLA 1, BOS 3
GAME 2 – FLA 6, BOS 3
GAME 3 – BOS 4, FLA 2
GAME 4 – BOS 6, FLA 2
GAME 5 – FLA 4, BOS 3 [OT]
GAME 6 – BOS 5, FLA 7
GAME 7 – FLA 4, BOS 3 [OT]

ROUND 2 – FLA (4) vs. TOR (1)
GAME 1 – FLA 4, TOR 2
GAME 2 – FLA 3, TOR 2
GAME 3 – TOR 2, FLA 3 [OT]
GAME 4 – TOR 2, FLA 1
GAME 5 – FLA 3, TOR 2 [OT]

ECF – FLA (2) vs. CAR (0)
GAME 1 – FLA 3, CAR 2 [4OT]
GAME 2 – FLA 2, CAR 1 [OT]

MAKING THEIR MARK
FLORIDA PANTHERS ALL-TIME PLAYOFF LEADERS
GOALS ASSISTS POINTS

  1. Carter Verhaeghe | 14 1. Aleksander Barkov | 23 1. Aleksander Barkov | 33
    T-2. Aleksander Barkov | 10 2. Jonathan Huberdeau | 16 2. Carter Verhaeghe | 29
    T-2. Ray Sheppard | 10 3. Carter Verhaeghe | 15 3. Jonathan Huberdeau | 21
    T-2. Dave Lowry | 10 4. Sam Bennett | 12

GAMES PLAYED WINS POWER-PLAY GOALS

  1. Aleksander Barkov | 40 1. Sergei Bobrovsky | 15 T-1. Ray Sheppard | 4
  2. Ed Jovanovski | 34 2. John Vanbiesbrouck | 13 T-1. Dave Lowry | 4
  3. Aaron Ekblad | 33 T-3. Sam Reinhart | 3

CLOCKING OVERTIME
Matthew Tkachuk scored overtime goals in both Game 1 and Game 2 of the Eastern Conference Final at PNC Arena, leading Florida to its third consecutive overtime win (dating to Round 2, Game 5 at TOR). Each of Florida’s past four wins have come in overtime, and six of their 10 playoff wins in 2023 have come in sudden death. The Panthers are 6-0 in the extra frame in the 2023 postseason, becoming the second team in NHL history to win each of their first six games that required overtime in a single postseason, joining the 2003 Ducks (7 GP). The Panthers are also 9-0 in overtime contests dating to Round 1, Game 3 in 2021 at TBL, the second-longest multi-season OT win streak in NHL history behind only MTL from 1993-1998. Tkachuk’s three OT winners in the 2023 postseason are the most in one postseason run in club history, tied with Carter Verhaeghe for most in franchise history all time, and are tied for the most in one playoff year in NHL history with Corey Perry (3 in 2017), Maurice Richard (3 in 1951) and Mel Hill (3 in 1939). Five of Florida’s OT wins this postseason have come on the road. Per NHL stats, the only teams in NHL history with as many victories are the 1993 Canadiens (6) and 1980 Islanders (5). Tkachuk has factored on four OT goals (3-1-4) in the 2023 postseason, tied with Jarome Iginla (4 in 2004 w/ CGY), Adam Oates (4 in 2003 w/ ANA) and Ray Ferraro (4 in 1993 w/ NYI) for the most in one run in NHL history. Sergei Bobrovsky has been in nine for all nine of Florida’s prior OT wins.

FEELS LIKE ‘96
The Panthers return to FLA Live Arena tonight for South Florida’s first Eastern Conference Final matchup since Game 6 against PIT of the 1996 playoffs. In that game, Rob Niedermayer scored at 13:58 of the third period at Miami Arena to break a 3-3 tie to force a seventh game in Pittsburgh, which the Cats would go on to win 3-1 to send the club to its first-ever Stanley Cup Final appearance.

HOME SWEET HOME
Florida has won two of its past three games at FLA Live Arena, scoring 11 goals over that span. Matthew Tkachuk leads Florida skaters with six points (3-3-6) over the Panthers five home playoff games in 2023, while Sam Reinhart has scored a team-high four goals (4-0-4) at home. Brandon Montour paces Cats blueliners with four home points (1-3-4) in the playoffs.

CATS VS. CANES
Florida face off against Carolina in the postseason for the first time. The two clubs share several connections, notably:

  • The series will be the first to feature three brothers (Eric, Marc and Jordan Staal) since Brent Sutter (CHI) defeated Rich & Ron Sutter (STL) in the 1992 Norris Division Semifinals. Jared Staal serves as an assistant coach for Florida’s AHL affiliate, the Charlotte Checkers.
  • Eric Staal, a first-round selection (2nd overall) by Carolina in the 2003 NHL Draft, led the Canes to the club’s first Stanley Cup in 2005-06, posting a team-high (and franchise record) 28 playoff points (9-19-28) during their run. The team was captained by current Carolina head coach Rod Brind’Amour. Eric would go on to serve as the Hurricanes captain from 2009-10 to 2015-16.
  • Florida Head Coach Paul Maurice served as bench boss for the Hurricanes franchise for 13 total seasons (1995-96 to 2003- 04, 2008-09 to 2011-12), including their first year in Raleigh after moving from Hartford prior to the 1997-98 season. Maurice coached the franchise to the 2002 Stanley Cup Final and 2009 Eastern Conference Final.
  • Florida Assistant Coach Tuomo Ruutu skated in 378 games with Carolina from 2007-08 to 2013-14, amassing 216 points (90-126-216).

NWSL Match Preview: NJ/NY Gotham FC (4-2-1) at OL Reign (4-2-1)

NWSL Editor
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NWSL Match Preview: NJ/NY Gotham FC (4-2-1) at OL Reign (4-2-1)

Lumen Field | Seattle, Washington – Sunday, May 21 at 6:00 PM ET

Players to watch:

OL Reign attacker Megan Rapinoe has scored 13 career goals against Gotham FC, equaling the second most by any player against a single opponent in NWSL history behind only Christine Sinclair vs. Chicago (16). Rapinoe has five goals in her last three matches against Gotham, including braces in each of the last two at home. Leading the charge up front in the scoring department is not Rapinoe though, but instead forward Bethany Balcer and midfielder Jess Fishlock, each of whom have scored three goals on the year so far. 

Both OL Reign and Gotham have conceded just six times this season, tied for the second-best defense in NWSL this year behind only leads Washington (5). Gotham goalkeeper Abby Smith has saved 83.9 percent of the shots on goal she’s faced this season (26/31), the best mark in the league. In attack, forwards Lynn Williams and Midge Purce have contributed 85 percent of the team’s goals (Williams – 4, Purce – 2), with only teammate Jenna Nighswonger’s one goal coming from outside that dynamic duo.

Match facts: OL Reign return home to face Gotham FC in the last of six games across the league this weekend. The Reign have won all three of their home contests to date, outscoring their opponents 8-2 in that run while collecting two shutouts along the way. Meanwhile, Gotham is back to two games unbeaten after a win against Chicago was followed up by a 0-0 draw against Orlando last week.

OL Reign’s seven-match unbeaten run in all competitions ended Sunday with a 1-0 defeat to North Carolina. The Reign haven’t lost consecutive matches in a single season since June to July 2021, with one of those defeats coming at home against Gotham. Lumen Field has been very good to OL Reign in 2023 as well, with the club going three-for-three against San Diego, Chicago, and Houston.

Gotham FC’s scoreless draw with Orlando on Sunday took it to 13 points on the season (W4 D1 L2), equaling its total from all of last season. With victories already at Angel City, Orlando, and Chicago, Gotham has matched its away win total from 2022 and is the only team with three regular season road wins this year. On the road in total this year, Gotham has picked up nine points (W3 L1) in its four games away, the most of any team. 

OL Reign has won four straight matches against Gotham FC, including a 2-0 road victory on April 1. This is OL Reign’s second four-match winning streak over Gotham, also recording four straight wins in 2018-19. Gotham avoided defeat in all five matches between those two Reign winning streaks (W3 D2, all competitions). 

NWSL Match Preview: Chicago Red Stars (1-5-1) at Portland Thorns FC (3-1-3)

NWSL Editor
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NWSL Match Preview: Chicago Red Stars (1-5-1) at Portland Thorns FC (3-1-3)

Providence Park | Portland, Oregon – Sunday, May 21 at 5:00 PM ET

Players to watch:

Portland forward Christine Sinclair has scored 16 goals against the Red Stars, three more than any other player against a single opponent in NWSL history. Sinclair didn’t score against Chicago in either meeting last year, only her second regular season without a goal against the Red Stars (3 games in 2014). Sinclair has scored just once this season, though, with teammates Sophia Smith and Crystal Dunn having scored four times each to lead the way. Portland has more goalscorers in its seven games than any other team (9), a list that also includes the lone goalkeeper in shotstopper Bella Bixby.

Chicago forward Penelope Hocking attempted eight of Chicago’s 12 shots in its defeat at Louisville on Friday night, Hocking’s seventh career regular season appearance after being drafted earlier in 2023. Only one player has attempted more shots in one of their first 10 career NWSL games: OL Reign forward Megan Rapinoe (9) in her second league game in June 2013. Hocking and fellow forward Ella Stevens lead the way in the scoring charts for the Red Stars, each contributing two goals in the same amount of games played.

Match facts: The Portland Thorns FC aims to get back to winning ways when the club hosts the Chicago Red Stars at Providence Park for the first of two games on Sunday evening across the league. The Thorns return home after losing their first of the season last weekend, while Chicago enters after two straight losses and three in their last four in the regular season. 

The Thorns saw their 11-match regular season unbeaten run come to an end with a 2-1 loss at Houston on Friday, despite leading at halftime. It was the first time Portland lost a match when leading at half since August 2017 as the Thorns had been unbeaten in 57 straight when ahead at halftime in all competitions. 

Chicago has lost a club-record six straight road matches in all NWSL competitions, conceding multiple goals in all six defeats. The Red Stars have managed just one win in their last 11 away from home, recording a 4-0 win at Louisville in August last year. Chicago has now been outscored 14-4 in their last four games (D1 L3) as well, giving up five to OL Reign in one game and only scoring more than a single goal in a game once in that stretch.

Portland hasn’t lost any of its last 11 regular season home matches against Chicago (W8 D), though the Red Stars did knock them out of the 2021 playoffs with a 2-0 road win. The only longer regular season home unbeaten streak by one team against another is Portland’s 12-game run against Washington.

Yankees make single roster move

MLB Editor
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Yankees make single roster move

Prior to today’s game, the Yankees returned from rehab and reinstated RHP Luis Severino (#40) from the 15-day injured list.

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