The Orioles have made the following roster moves:
- Reinstated RHP Mychal Givens from the 15-day Injured List (left knee inflammation).
- Optioned LHP Cole Irvin to Triple-A Norfolk.
Orioles make several roster moves
White Sox announce two roster moves
CHICAGO – Prior to today’s series finale vs. Kansas City, the Chicago White Sox selected the contract of outfielder Clint Frazier from Class AAA Charlotte and designated outfielder Jake Marisnick for assignment.
Frazier, 28, is hitting .375 (21-56) with five doubles, seven home runs, 13 RBI, 13 runs scored and a 1.317 OPS in 16 games with Charlotte after signing as a minor-league free agent on April 28. He opened the season in the Texas organization and appeared in 15 games with Class AAA Round Rock before his release on April 24. Frazier will wear uniform No. 15.
The 5-foot-11, 210-pound Frazier is a career .238/.329/.427 (177-247) hitter with 44 doubles, five triples, 29 homers, 98 RBI and 104 runs scored in 247 games over six major-league seasons with the Yankees (2017-21) and Cubs (2022). He has appeared at all three outfield positions in his career, and was a finalist for the 2020 American League Gold Glove Award in right field with New York. Frazier originally was selected by Cleveland in the first round (fifth overall) of the 2013 First-Year Player Draft.
Marisnick, 32, is 0-2 with a run scored in nine games with Chicago this season.
Following the moves, the Sox 40-man roster remains at 40.
Colorado Rockies conduct multiple transactions
The Colorado Rockies announced today that they have selected right-handed pitcher Matt Carasiti to the Major League roster and have designated left-handed pitcher Fernando Abad for assignment. Carasiti will wear #62.
White Sox place Mike Clevinger on injured list
CHICAGO – Prior to today’s series finale vs. Kansas City, the Chicago White Sox placed right-handed pitcher Mike Clevinger on the 15-day injured list (retroactive to May 18) with right wrist inflammation.
Clevinger is 3-3 with a 4.56 ERA (24 ER/47.1 IP) and 40 strikeouts in nine starts this season, his first with the White Sox.
The White Sox will make a corresponding roster move prior to tomorrow night’s series opener at Cleveland.
Yankees make an additional roster move
Following today’s game, the Yankees optioned RHP Jhony Brito to Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre.
Dodgers recall Wander Suero
LOS ANGELES – The Los Angeles Dodgers have recalled right-handed pitcher Wander Suero and placed left-handed pitcher Julio Urías on the 15-day injured list with a left hamstring strain, retroactive May 19.
Suero, 31, returns for his second stint with the Dodgers after appearing in three games his first time with the club. In three games, he allowed three runs on one hit in 4.2 innings. With Triple-A Oklahoma City, he was 3-0 with a 1.32 ERA (2 ER/13.2 IP) with 11 strikeouts and was 6-for-6 in save chances. He has been in the Major Leagues parts of four seasons with Washington (2018-2021) and Los Angeles (2023) and he is a combined 14-13 with a 4.64 ERA (98 ER/190.0 IP) and 204 strikeouts in 188 Major League games. He was originally signed by the Washington Nationals as an amateur free agent out of Sabana Larga, Dominican Republic on February 2, 2010.
Urías, 26, pitched on Thursday, allowing six runs on six hits in 3.0 innings. The left-hander is 5-4 with a 4.39 ERA (27 ER/55.1 IP) and 53 strikeouts in 10 starts this season. In eight seasons with the Dodgers, he is a combined 54-21 with a 2.95 ERA (215 ER/655.0 IP) and 646 strikeouts in 147 games (111 starts). Last season, he led the National League with a 2.16 ERA after posting a 17-7 record. He was originally signed by the Dodgers on August 17, 2012 as an international free agent.
Twins place Jorge Polanco on the 10-day injured list
Edouard Julien recalled from Triple-A St. Paul
ANAHEIM, CA – The Minnesota Twins announced today that they have placed infielder Jorge Polanco on the 10-day Injured List with a left hamstring strain (retroactive to May 18).
Polanco has played in 23 games for the Twins this season, hitting .284 (27-for-95) with seven doubles, four home runs, 14 RBI, a .327 on-base percentage and an .811 OPS. This marks Polanco’s second stint on the Injured List in 2023 after missing the club’s first 19 games of the season with left knee inflammation.
To replace Polanco on the 26-man roster, the Twins have recalled infielder Edouard Julien from Triple-A St. Paul. Julien played in 22 games during his most recent stint with the Saints from April 21-May 19, hitting .286 (22-for-77) with seven doubles, two home runs, seven RBI, 17 runs scored, 20 walks, a .450 on-base percentage and a .905 OPS. This marks the 24-year-old’s second stint with the Twins this season, after playing in eight games with Minnesota from April 12-21, hitting .222 (6-for-27) with two home runs and four RBI, including making his major league debut on April 12 vs. the Chicago White Sox.
MLB Preview: Minnesota Twins (25-21) at Los Angeles Angels (24-23)
MINNESOTA TWINS NOTES:
THE TWINS: Have gone 2-3 through five games on their six-game, seven-day road-trip, going 1-2 at Dodger Stadium this week followed by a loss and a win the last two nights at Angel Stadium…today, the Twins will complete the trip/series with the three-game series finale in Anaheim…after today’s game, the Twins will travel home to begin a six-game, seven-day homestand with three against the San Francisco Giants from Monday-Wednesday, followed by an off-day on Thursday, then three against the Toronto Blue Jays next weekend…the Twins have gone 14-8 at Target Field and 11-13 on the road.
HOWDY PARTNER, TWINS EVEN UP COUNTRY WEEKEND IN ANAHEIM: The Twins beat the Angels last night by a score of 6-2…Louie Varland (2-0) was the starter and winner, allowing two runs on six hits in 5.0 innings pitched with one walk and four strikeouts…the bullpen combined for 4.0 scoreless innings with two hits allowed, no walks and six strikeouts…the offense recorded 12 hits, three from Kyle Farmer, who drove in one run and scored twice… Joey Gallo hit his team-leading 11th home run in the sixth inning.
SEEING RED: Today marks the third of six meetings with the Angels this season…these two teams will continue the season series at Target Field for three games from September 22-24… Twins are just 5-10 vs. the Angels since the start of 2021, including 3-5 at Angel Stadium.
Since 2021, the Angels have won 10 of 15 games vs. the Twins, including five of eight in Anaheim.
Carlos Correa is hitting .302 (104-for-344) with 24 doubles, 17 home runs, 68 RBI, a .383 on-base percentage, a .520 slugging percentage and a .903 OPS in 93 career games against the Angels…the 68 RBI are his most vs. any opponent and the 17 home runs are his second most (Texas – 20)…additionally, his 68 RBI are tied for fifth most among actives.
The Twins have faced Shohei Ohtani twice in his career…the first was on May 13, 2018 as the Angels won 2-1…the lineup that day was Brian Dozier – 2B, Max Kepler – CF, Eduardo Escobar – 3B, Eddie Rosario – LF, Mitch Garver – DH, Logan Morrison – 1B, Robbie Gross- man – RF, Gregorio Petit – SS, Bobby Wilson – C // Fernando Romero – P…the second was on September 23, 2022 at Target Field as the Angels won 4-2…the Twins lineup that day was: Luis Arraez – DH, Jose Miranda – 1B, Nick Gordon – 2B, Gio Urshela – 3B, Jake Cave – LF, Gary Sánchez – C, Matt Wallner – RF, Mark Contreras – CF, Jermaine Palacios – SS // Louie Varland – P.
GETTING OFFENSIVE: The Twins have 81 hits in their last seven games (11.6 H/G), 34 going for extra-bases (.543 SLG)…below are the Twins first 39 games from March 30-May 12 and their last seven games since May 13:
AVG R/G H 2B HR RBI BB K OBP SLG OPS
FIRST 39 .218 4.2 281 58 47 157 131 367 .298 .381 .679
LAST 7 .301 7.6 81 18 15 50 29 78 .375 .543 .918
NOTE: Since May 13, the Twins lead baseball in hits (81), batting average (.301), on-base (.375), slugging (.543) and OPS (.918).
TOUCHING BASE WITH ‘LOS: After drawing three more walks last night, Carlos Correa has now walked six times in nine plate appearances this series…Correa has reached safely in each of his last 10 games, posting a .413 on-base percentage in that span (9 walks and 9 hits).
KIRILLOFF THE HOOK: Since being recalled from Triple-A St. Paul on May 5, Alex Kirilloff has hit .350 (14-for-40) with six walks, a .458 on-base percentage and an 1.033 OPS in 13 games.
Kirilloff is back in the starting lineup today for the first time since Wednesday afternoon at Dodger Stadium…against right-handed pitching this season (with Minnesota), he is hitting .394 (13-for-33) with six walks, a .500 on-base percentage and a 1.167 OPS… against lefties, he is hitting .143 (1-for-7).
LAND OF 10,000 RAKES: After hitting one home run last night, the Twins have now hit 15 homers in their last seven games…they have homered 62 times on the season, the third most in the AL and seventh most in baseball…52 of their home runs have come in their last 34 games since April 13, tied for fourth in baseball since that date.
Today’s starter, Pablo López, is the man behind the “Land of 10,000 Rakes” home run celebration fishing vest and pole…López went to a sporting goods store after a day game on April 29, buying the vest along with a Paw Patrol kids fishing pole…the next day the Twins won over the Royals 8-4 as Byron Buxton hit a 453-foot homer, becoming the first to wear the new celebration attire…Twins have hit 25 home runs since the vest’s debut, homering in all but three games.
SERIES FINALE: The Twins are looking to win their eighth series of the season today, going 7-6-1 in series play in 2023 (results to the right)…they have gone 1-5-1 in seven road series this season; their one win was a three-game sweep of Kansas City to open the season…a victory today would mark the Twins’ first series victory over the Angels since a three-game sweep in Anaheim from May 20-23, 2019, going 0-4-0 since.
JOEY LONGBALLS: Joey Gallo hit his team-leading 10th home run of the season last night…he has a hard hit percentage of 60.6%, third best in baseball, trailing Matt Chapman (62.7%) and Aaron Judge (61.1%)…additionally, he ranks eighth in baseball in barrels-per-plate appearance percentage at 12.1% and ninth in average exit velocity at 93.7 mph.
Gallo has a .976 OPS against right-handed pitching, compared to .642 vs. lefties.
STARTING PITCHER – PABLO LóPEZ 49
2023: 2-2, 4.00 ERA CAREER: 30-33, 3.94 ERA
Making his 10th start and appearance and sixth road start of 2023 in his sixth major league season (Miami – 2018-22)…also his 104th career appearance (all starts).
Facing Los Angeles-AL for the first time in his career; marks the 26th team he has faced since his debut in 2018.
Acquired by the Twins from Miami on January 20, 2023, along with infielder Jose Salas and outfielder Byron Chourio, in exchange for infielder/outfielder Luis Arraez
LAST TIME OUT: Did not factor into the decision in the Twins 9-8 defeat in 12 innings vs. the Los Angeles Dodgers on May 15 at Dodger Stadium, opposite Noah Syndergaard; marked his third-straight no-decision…pitched 4.2 innings, allowing five earned runs on five hits, with no walks and four strikeouts…allowed a career-high-tying three home runs, a two-run shot by catcher Will Smith in the first inning and two homers from infielder Max Muncy (solo homer in the first inning, two-run homer in the third)…was relieved by Brock Stewart with two outs in the bottom of the fifth inning and the Twins trailing 5-2; marked his second-shortest start of 2023 (4.0 innings pitched vs. Washington on April 22)…Twins scored five runs in the final three innings to force extras; both teams scored one run in the 10th and failed to score in the 11th, but the Twins fell in the 12th inning when Jorge López issued a bases-loaded walk to designated hitter Trayce Thompson.
Did not issue a walk for the first time in a start this year; last start in which he did not issue a walk was on September 27, 2022 at New York-NL.
Tied his career-high with three home runs allowed, for the fourth time and first since May 24, 2022 at Tampa Bay.
Through nine starts this season, López is among the American League leaders in several statistical categories, including strikeouts (66 – T-5th), WHIP (1.07 – 13th), WAR (1.0 – 16th) and FIP (3.83 – 17th).
TWO STARTS AGO: Took a no-decision in the Twins 4-3 victory in 11 innings vs. the San Diego Padres at Target Field on May 10…pitched opposite right-hander Seth Lugo, who also did not factor into the decision…López went 6.1 innings, allowing one earned run and two hits, issuing a season-high four walks and striking out eight batters…issued one walk in each of his first three innings but held the Padres scoreless through his first 6.0 innings of work…allowed his first hit in the top of the fifth inning when shortstop Xander Bogaerts reached on an infield single…benefitted from two double plays, a 7-3 DP in the first inning and a 3-unassisted DP in the fourth…yielded a solo home run to leftfielder Juan Soto to lead off the seventh inning…was relieved by Brock Stewart with one out in the seventh and Minnesota leading 2-1 after López struck out Bogaerts to end his outing…San Diego evened the score at 2-2 in the eighth inning via third baseman Manny Machado’s sacrifice fly off Jorge López…each team scored once in the 10th inning, and the Twins won in the 11th on a walk-off RBI single by leftfielder Alex Kirilloff.
Recorded six-or-more strikeouts in nine-straight starts from October 4, 2022 – May 10, 2023, the longest streak of his career…his eight-start streak from March 30 – May 10, 2023 is the second longest in baseball this season, trailing only Atlanta’s Spencer Strider (9).
CALLING ALL ANGELS: Facing Los Angeles-AL for the first time in his career; Angels will become the 26th team he has faced since he debuted in 2018 and his third new opponent of the season (April 5 at Miami and April 11 vs. Chicago-AL); yet to face Detroit, Boston, Seattle and Minnesota in his career…in 25 previous starts when facing an opponent for the first time, López is 9-6, 3.33 ERA (146.0 IP, 54 ER) with 30 walks and 142 strikeouts; since the start of 2020, he is 4-1, 2.42 ERA (52.0 IP, 14 ER) with 13 walks and 58 strikeouts in nine starts against new teams.
In three career starts vs. American League West opponents, López has gone 1-1, 4.11 ERA (15.1 IP, 7 ER) with seven walks and 16 strikeouts; started at Houston, vs. Texas and at Oakland during the 2022 season with Miami.
WRAPPING UP THE ROADTRIP: Tonight is López’s sixth road start of the year…Minnesota has gone 2-3 in his five road starts, with López going 1-1, 3.00 ERA (30.0 IP, 10 ER) with six walks and 35 strikeouts…in his four home starts this season, López has gone 1-1, 5.25 ERA (24.0 IP, 14 ER) with eight walks and 31 strikeouts, with the Twins winning three of those four starts…over his career, López is 15-17, 4.36 ERA (256.0 IP, 124 ER) with 69 walks and 256 strikeouts in 49 road starts…in 54 home starts, he is 15-16, 3.59 ERA (308.0 IP, 123 ER) with 87 walks and 299 strikeouts.
Looking for his first road win since earning the Opening Day victory at Kansas City on March 30 (5.1 IP, 0 R/ER, 2 H, 3 BB, 8 K).
Pitching at Angel Stadium for the first time in his career; will become the 25th ballpark he has appeared at since debuting in 2018…is 10-5, 3.49 ERA (136.2 IP, 53 ER) with 34 walks and 142 strikeouts in 24 previous starts at a new venue.
LEFT/RIGHT: López has limited right-handed hitters to a .217 (26-for-120) batting average this season…left-handed hitters are batting at a .231 (18-for-78) clip…his 43 strikeouts against righties are eighth most in the American League…overall, opposing hitters are batting .222 (44-for-198) vs. López this year, tied for the 15th-lowest opponent batting average among qualified American League pitchers…over his career, he has better numbers against right-handed hitters (.662 OPS) than left-handed hitters (.745 OPS).
PITCH BREAKDOWN: Used a five-pitch mix in his first nine starts this season, according to Baseball Savant…has exclusively used his sinker against right-handed hitters, favoring his changeup and curveball when facing left-handed hitters…recorded three strikeouts with his four-seam fastball and one strikeout with his sweeper in his last start on May 15 at Los Angeles-NL…here is a look at his 2023 arsenal:
PITCH (AVG. MPH) PCT. (# OF PITCHES, VS. RHB/LHB) RESULTS
4-Seam Fastball (94.9)……………..35.5% (298 pitches, 156/142)….. .233 (14-for-60), 3 2B, 5 HR, 22 K
Changeup (88.2)………………………22.0% (185 pitches, 74/111) …… .098 (5-for-51), 1 2B, 1 HR, 21 K
Sweeper (83.7)…………………………21.7% (182 pitches, 165/17) .. .205 (8-for-39), 1 2B, 1 3B, 1 HR, 14 K
Sinker (94.3) ………………………………11.7% (98 pitches, 98/0) ……………. .308 (8-for-26), 2 2B, 2 K
Curveball (81.4)…………………………..9.2% (77 pitches, 8/69) …….. .409 (9-for-22), 1 3B, 1 HR, 7 K
Lopez’s changeup has accumulated a run value of -7 this year, tied with ARI’s Merril Kelly for the best run value on a changeup in baseball, according to Baseball Savant (min. 25 plate appearances).
In his first nine starts, López has an average fastball velocity of 94.8 mph, a 2.1 mph increase from last season and the largest year-to-year jump of his career.
SHAKY STARTS, THEN SMOOTH SAILING: López allowed three runs on three hits, including two home runs, in the first inning of his last start at Los Angeles-NL on May 15; marked the sixth time in his nine starts this year that he allowed at least one run in the first inning…nine of López’s 24 runs allowed (37.5 percent) this season have come in the first inning…here are his numbers in the first inning compared to all other innings combined:
STATISTIC 1ST INNING #s 2ND-8TH INNING #s
ERA ………………………………………………………… 9.00 ………………………………………………………. 3.00
Opponent Batting Average…………………………. .395 ……………………………………………………….. .181
Opponent OPS …………………………………………. 1.152 ………………………………………………………. .575
Home Runs-Per-9.0 Innings……………………….. 3.00 ………………………………………………………. 1.00
Hits-Per-9.0 Innings…………………………………. 15.00 ……………………………………………………… 5.80
LOS ANGELES ANGELS NOTES:
LEADING OFF: Today, the Angels play the third (1-1) of nine games on a homestand against the Minnesota Twins (1-1; May 19-21), Boston Red Sox (May 22-24) and Miami Marlins (May 26-28)…Halos went 3-4 on last road trip to Cleveland (1-2) and Baltimore (2-2)… LAA was 2-4 on last homestand against the Rangers (1- 2) and Astros (1-2).
TODAY’S TRANSACTIONS: Today the Angels reinstated LHP Aaron Loup from the injured list and selected the contracts of RHP Reyes Moronta (#52) and RHP Jacob Webb (#71)…In corresponding moves, the Angels optioned RHP Jimmy Herget, RHP Andrew Wantz and RHP Zack Weiss to Triple-A Salt Lake.
WALSH IS BACK: Yesterday, the Angels reinstated INF Jared Walsh (headaches and insomnia) from the injured list after missing the first 46 games of the year…He played seven games on rehab assignment with Triple-A Salt Lake and hit .440 (11/25) with nine runs scored, one double, one home run, six RBI, seven walks and a 1.176 OPS…In a corresponding roster move, OF Brett Phillips was designated for assignment.
ABOVE .500: With a 24-23 record, Halos are looking to avoid falling back to exactly .500 on the season for an 11th time (previously 1-1, 5-5, 7-7, 8-8, 9-9, 10-10, 11- 11, 12-12, 14-14 & 22-22).
DINGER DUO: Thursday at Baltimore was the 25th time that Mike Trout and Shohei Ohtani homered in the same game…It’s the fourth highest total among duos in Angels history (club record is 48 games – Trout/ Pujols).
LEAD ASSISTANT: Hunter Renfroe is tied for the American League lead with five outfield assists this season…Sine 2017, his 61 outfield assists lead the Majors (Starling Marte is second with 51 assists).
LATE COMEBACKS: Halos have three wins this season when trailing after eight innings, which matches the Angels total from each of the last two seasons…Last time LAA had more than three wins in a season when trailing after eight frames was 2017 (5).
ESTÉVEZ ENDING: This season, Carlos Estévez is pitching to a 1.29 ERA (21 IP – 3 ER) and has converted all 11 of his save opportunities…He was the first Angels pitcher to convert his first 10 save opportunities of a season since Ernesto Frieri converted his first 12 chances in 2012.
LEAGUE LEADER: Shohei Ohtani, leads the Majors in opponent batting average (.145), and ranks fifth in strikeouts (71) and WHIP (0.91).
VS. MINNESOTA: Today is the third (1-1) of six matchups this season between the Angels and Twins… In addition to the current series, the teams will meet again Sept. 22-24 at Target Field…Last season, Halos went 4-2 against Minnesota to take the season series for a second consecutive year.
PLAY FROM AHEAD: Halos have held leads in 38 of 47 games played this year.
SINGLE HANDED: Gio Urshela has hit 42 singles this year plus six extra-base hits (five doubles & one home run)…Urshela is tied with Toronto’s Bo Bichette (42), for the American League lead in singles.
ALL OVER THE INFIELD: Gio Urshela is one of six players in the Majors to appear at all four infield positions this season…He has made 16 starts at first base, 15 starts at third base, eight at shortstop and one at second base.
UNEARNED: Angels have allowed 26 unearned runs this season, which is the second-most in the Majors (Colorado has allowed 28 unearned runs)…Halos have committed 32 fielding errors this season, which is tied with Atlanta for the most in the Majors.
ON THE BOARD: Halos have not been shut out since Aug. 21, 2022 at Detroit…Current streak of 88 games without being shut out is the longest active streak in the Majors and fifth-longest streak in Angels history (fourth longest streak was 90 games in 1995).
LEAD OFF MICK: Mickey Moniak has hit leadoff home runs in two of his five starts for the Angels this season… Friday night, he finished a home run shy of the cycle… He’s one of seven players in the Majors with multiple leadoff HR this year and became the first player in MLB history to make his season debut on his birthday and hit a leadoff home run
ANOTHER DAY, ANOTHER SHO: Monday night at Baltimore, Shohei Ohtani became the first pitcher to reach base safely five times in a game since Mel Stottlemyre for the Yankees on Sept. 26, 1964 at Washington…He finished a double shy of becoming the first starting pitcher in MLB history to hit for the cycle.
MORE HISTORY: Shohei Ohtani reached the 400 career innings pitched threshold on Monday night… According to ELIAS, his 509 strikeouts in his first 400 innings as a starter are the second-most all-time (Corbin Burnes had 539 strikeouts through his first 400 IP for Milwaukee).
NET-OW: Zack Neto has been hit by seven pitches this season, which is tied for fourth-most in the Majors… Since 1901, Neto’s seven HBP through his first 15 career games are the most in MLB…He also was the first player in Angels history to be hit a pitch in four consecutive games (April 18-21).
IN THE COMMUNITY: The Angels will host two Adopt-A-School visits this week: Tomorrow at Acacia Elementary School in Fullerton and Tuesday at Orange Grove Elementary School in Whittier.
RED SOX ON DECK: Following the current series vs. Minnesota, the Angels will continue the homestand with a three game series against the Boston Red Sox… Angels went 1-3 against Boston during trip to Fenway earlier this season from April 14-17.
TODAY’S STARTING PITCHER – RHP SHOHEI OHTANI
5-1, 3.23 ERA
Leads the Majors with a .145 (26/179) opponent batting average this season
- SHO TIME: Making 10th pitching start of the year and fifth at home…Is in sixth Major League season with LAA.
- LEAGUE LEADER: Enters today’s start leading the Majors in opponent batting average (.145) and ranks fifth in strikeouts (71) and WHIP (0.91).
- LAST TIME ON THE MOUND: Earned the win in last start on Monday at Baltimore after tossing 7.0 innings and allowing five earned runs on four hits with two walks and five strikeouts.
- PASSING THE BABE: With seven strikeouts on May 9 vs. Houston, surpassed the career total for Babe Ruth (according to ELIAS, Ruth had 501 career pitching strikeouts)…Ruth and Ohtani are the only players with 500+ pitching strikeouts and 100+ home runs in a career.
- 10 K: Has three starts this season with 10+ strikeouts (tied for second-most in Majors)…Recorded 10+ strikeouts in 10 starts last season, which was the most such games in the A.L.; joined Nolan Ryan as the only pitchers in franchise history with 10+ strikeouts in at least six consecutive games.
- UNFAMILIAR: This season, is holding opponents to an .088 (6/68) average the first time through the order, a .250 (14/56) average the second time through the order and an .096 (5/52) average the third time through.
- VS. MINNESOTA: In two career starts against Minnesota, is 1-0 with a 2.38 ERA (11.1 IP – 3 ER) and 18 strikeouts… Last season, won only start vs. Twins on Sept. 23, 2022 at Target Field (W; 5 IP, 3 H, 2 ER, 6 BB, 7 SO).
- AT ANGEL STADIUM: In 37 career starts at The Big A, is 18-6 with a 2.10 ERA (223 IP – 52 ER) and 284 strikeouts…This season, is 3-1 with a 2.67 ERA (27 IP – 8 ER) and 32 strikeouts after four starts…In 14 starts last season, was 7-4 with a 1.82 ERA (89 IP – 18 ER)…In 2021, went 6-0 with a 1.95 ERA (78.1 IP – 17 ER) and 93 strikeouts after 13 home starts.
- 500K: Reached 500 total MLB strikeouts for career with a 13 strikeout performance on May 3 at St. Louis…Fourth game in MLB history where a pitcher recorded 13+ strikeouts in 5.0-or-fewer innings (also, Jacob deGrom in 2022,
Alex Cobb in 2013 and Zack Greinke in 2012). - HOME SWEET HOME: Has a career 2.10 ERA (223 IP – 52 ER) in home games, which is the second lowest total of the last 100 years (min. 30 GS)…Only Miami’s José Fernández (1.49 ERA; 272.1 IP – 45 ER) has a lower home ERA.
- OFF THE BOARDS: Had franchise record streak of 12 straight pitching starts allowing two-or-fewer runs snapped on April 27 vs. Oakland (Nolan Ryan had previous record with nine game streak across the 1972-73 seasons)… Overall, has yielded two-or-fewer runs in 21 of last 26 starts and one-or-fewer runs in 18 of last 26 starts.
- CAN’T HIT THIS: Had streak of 10 straight pitching starts allowing three-or-fewer hits from Sept. 17, 2022 – April 27, 2023…The streak was snapped May 3 at St. Louis and finished tied with Jacob deGrom (10 game streak for Mets in 2021) for the longest streak all-time (excluding Openers).
- SCORELESS AT THE BIG A: Had streak of 35.0 consecutive scoreless innings pitched at Angel Stadium snapped April 27 by A’s…Finished as second longest streak in ballpark history, behind a 36.2 IP streak by Mark Clear in 1979.
MLB Preview: Miami Marlins (24-22) at San Francisco Giants (21-24)
MIAMI MARLINS NOTES:
MARLINS MINUTE
The Marlins today play the final game of a three-game series at San Francisco. Wraps up the first stop on a three-city, 10-game road trip. Following today’s game, the trip continues with four games at Colorado, and wraps up back in California with three games at Los Angeles (AL). Are coming off a six-game homestand in which Miami took the final of three vs. Cincinnati before sweeping a three-game series from Washington.
- Miami is in a current stretch of 13 straight days with games until their next off day on Memorial Day (May 29).
- Are looking to win their first series in San Francisco since 2017, when they swept a 3g series.
YESTERDAY’S RECAP
Miami returned to the win column with a 1-0 victory at San Francisco. LHP Braxton Garrett tossed 6.1 scoreless innings, holding the Giants to just 1 hit (to the first batter) and 1 walk while striking out 8. Retired his final 15 batters faced. RF/LF Garrett Hampson (0x3) reached on an error to start the eighth, advanced on a sacrifice bunt, and scored on a single by 3B Jon Berti (1×3) for the game’s lone run. LF Bryan De La Cruz (1×4) extended his hitting streak to 14 games.
LUZARD(N)O
LHP Jesus Luzardo has held opponents to one or no runs in four of his nine starts this season. Is one off the lead for most such starts in the NL this season (Stroman, Smyly, Oviedo, Gallen, Elder each with 5).
UNEARNED SHUTOUT
The lone run scored in yesterday’s 1-0 shutout win was unearned, marking only the second time in franchise history the Marlins won a game 1-0 on an unearned run – also Sept. 24, 2001 vs. Atlanta (E2 allowed Preston Wilson to score).
- Yesterday’s win was Miami’s second shutout of the season – both coming in the form of 1-0 wins. Prior to this year, hadn’t won a 1-0 game since Aug. 5, 2020 at Baltimore.
CLOSE CALLS
The Marlins have had each of their last seven games decided by two runs or less. Each of their last three road games have been one-run contests. Overall, Miami is 15-2 (.882) in games decided by one run, the best such win pct. in the Majors. The 17 one-run contests are tied for the fourth most among Major League teams. Miami went 24-40 in one-run games in 2022.
FINISH STRONG
The Marlins have won each of their last four series finales and six of their last seven. Miami is 3-0 this season in the third game of a three-game series when splitting the first two contests. Have won their last three Sunday contests.
NINER ON THE DRUMS
On Monday, prior to the Panther’s home game – Game 3 of the NHL Eastern Conference Finals – Marlins alum and Special Assistant to the Chairman and Principal Owner Jeff Conine will bang the ceremonial drum at FLA Live Arena, joining local luminaries such as Udonis Haslem during the Cats’ 2023 playoff run.
DE LA CRUZIN’
OF Bryan De La Cruz extended his career-high hitting streak to 14 games yesterday. Marks the longest streak by a Marlins player this season and the second-longest hitting streak in the National League this year behind PHI Bryson Stott’s 17-gamer to start the season. Over the 14-game span, is batting .364 (20×55) with 9 runs scored, 5 doubles, 3 HR, 9 RBI, 3 walks, and a 1.015 OPS. His 11 multi-hit games rank 2nd on the team behind only Arraez’s 17.
- Has hits in 15 consecutive starts dating back to May 2.
- Matches the longest streak by a Marlin since Garrett Cooper’s 14-game streak from June 6-23, 2019. The last Marlins hitter to have a longer streak was Dee Strange-Gordon (17 G, Aug. 27-Sept. 14., 2017).
FISH OUT OF WATER
Miami stands at 24-22 through the club’s first 46 games. Marks the latest in a non-shortened season the club has owned a winning record since August of 2017. MIami is 17-5 in games in which they steal at least one base, and have gone 10-2 in games with multiple steals.
GOOD FIRST IMPRESSIONS
2B Luis Arraez leads MLB with his .387 batting avg. (60×155) and a .442 OBP and is tied for 3rd with 60 hits. Is also tied for 3rd with 17 multi-hit gms (Acuna & Freeman, 19 each, have more). Has struck out 9 times in 172 PA (.052 K/PA), the lowest mark in MLB among qualified batters.
- Is the highest avg. through a players first 42 gms to start a season since Cody Bellinger’s .409 avg. through his first 42 gms with the Dodgers in 2019. Only Dee Gordon (68) has more hits for a Marlins player through his first 42 games of a season.
- With two hits on Wednesday, reached the 500-hit plateau, becoming the seventh active player to reach 500 hits within their first 428 career gms. Joined Bo Bichette (407), Mookie Betts (408), Mike Trout (423), Jose Altuve (426), Whit Merrifield (426), and Jose Abreu (428).
- Is batting a Major League-best .420 (29×69) on the road this season. Has hit safely in 16 of 18 games away from Miami.
DANCING ON A THIN LINE
Thus far in 2023, Miami is 23-3 when limiting opponents to 4 runs or less and has gone 1-19 when allowing 5 or more runs.
PODER SOLER
DH/OF Jorge Soler has hit safely in 11 of his last 15 games, including 4 multi-hit efforts. Has reached base in 13 of the contests since May 4. Has collected 6 home runs and 14 RBI in this span.
- 7 of his 11 home runs this season have tied the game or given the Marlins the lead.
- Has homered in 6 of Luzardo’s 9 starts this season, including 2 multi-HR games. Is batting .457 with 8 HR, 18 RBI, 10 runs scored and a 1.701 OPS in games started by Luzardo this year.
HE’S HERE AND HE’S PERFECT
RHP Eury Perez made his second Major League start Wednesday vs. Washington, earning his first career win after going 5.0 innings in which he held the Nats to 1 run on 3 hits with 6 strikeouts. Became the youngest starter in MLB to win a game since LAD’s Julio Urias at 19 years and 321 days on June 28, 2016. Marks the fourth-youngest pitcher to earn a win in the Majors since 1993, behind SEA’s Felix Hernandez (19 yrs and 123 days on Aug. 9, 2005), Urias, and LAD’s Edwin Jackson (20 yrs and 0 days on Sept. 9, 2003).
- Made his Major League debut on May 12 at 20 years and 27 days, becoming the youngest pitcher in Marlins history. The previous youngest pitcher was Jose Fernandez, who debuted at 20 years and 250 days.
- Became the second youngest player (position / pitcher) to debut with the Marlins in club history, behind only INF Edgar Renteria who debuted at 19 years and 277 days.
- Became the youngest Dominican-born starting pitcher to debut in MLB, and the third-youngest DR-born pitcher (reliever / starter) at the time of his debut behind Elvis Luciano (TOR, 2019, (19 yrs, 44 days) and Jose Rijo (CIN, 194, 18 yrs, 328 days).
TODAY’S STARTER – #44 JESUS LUZARDO
- Jesus Luzardo, 25, will make his 10th start of the 2023 season and fourth career start against the San Francisco Giants today. Last faced on April 17 at home; took a no-decision, went 4.1 innings and allowed 3 runs on 6 hits with 2 walks and 6 strikeouts.
- In his most recent start on Tuesday, May 9 at Arizona, went 6.0 innings and allowed 1 runs on 7 hits with 5 strikeouts and 2 walks.
- In his most recent start on Tuesday, May 16 vs. Washington, made his second consecutive outing of 6.0 innings and 1 run allowed. Struck out 7.
- Made 1 start at Oracle Park in 2020 – went 3.1 innings and allowed 6 runs on 9 hits as an Oakland A.
- In 2023, is 2-1 with a 4.41 ERA (16.1 IP/8 ER) in 3 away starts with 16 strikeouts vs. 1-1 with a 2.57 ERA (35.0 IP/10 ER) with 39 strikeouts in 56 starts at home. For his career, has gone 11-11 with a 4.08 ERA (187.1 IP/85 ER) in 40 gms (33 apps.) at home and a 5-9 record and 4.75 ERA (130.2 IP/69 ER) in 30 gms (21 apps.) away.
- 5 of 8 outings this year have been quality starts, the most among Marlins starters. In these outings is 2-1 with a 2.02 ERA (31.1/8 ER) with 33 strikeouts.
- Lefties are hitting .250 (11×44) vs. Luzardo in 2023 with 1 home run and a .653 OPS while right-handed batters are hitting .271 (42×155) with 5 home runs and an .806 OPS.
SAN FRANCISCO GIANTS NOTES:
TODAY’S GAME: SF looks to claim a victory in the finale of this three-game series and six-game homestand this afternoon… the Giants are 2-3 in rubber games thus far this season… today’s game also ends a stretch where the Giants have played 12 of their 16 games at Oracle Park dating to May 5…the Giants are 7-4 in the previous 11 home games in this stretch.
THINGS THAT MAKE YOU GO HMMMM…: The Giants lost yesterday’s game 1-0 with the one run being unearned…it’s the second time in the last two seasons the Giants have lost a game 1-0 without the run being earned…they did so on July 1, 2022 vs. the White Sox here at Oracle Park when he unearned run scored in the 9th inning…prior to that, the last two times it happened to the Giants both came in 2010.
FISH, OFF: Since 2015, the Giants have gone 23-28 (.451) vs. the Marlins, the club’s third-lowest winning percentage against a National League opponent in that span…SF has only fared worse against the Cardinals (21-30, .412) and Dodgers (65-81, .445) in that stretch.
FILET-O-FISH: LHP Alex Wood has been superb against the Marlins in his career with one of the lowest WHIPs against Miami in its franchise history (see below)…over his last 13 games (12 starts) against Miami, Wood is 8-2 with a 1.60 ERA (13er, 73.1ip)…his teams have gone 9-4 in those 13 games
HOW DO WE DIAL LONG DISTANCE AGAIN?: SF has not homered in its last four games, matching the longest streak of homerless games for the Giants since 2018 when they failed to homer in six consecutive games from September 10-16…SF had two such four-games stretches without a HR last season.
WE MUST PROTECT THIS HOUSE: The Giants are 14-11 at Oracle Park this season compared to a 7-13 record on the road…the Giants have won 12 of their last 17 contests on the shores of McCovey Cove dating to April 22…the Giants .706 home winning percentage in this stretch third-best in the Majors behind the Rays (10-3, .769) and Dodgers (11-1, .917).
EVERYTHING YOU OWN IN THE BOX TO THE LEFT: The Giants enter play today having won six of their last seven games when facing a left-handed starter and seven of their last nine games vs. a LHSP…overall, the Giants are 8-6 vs. a lefty starter this year…vs. left-handed pitchers overall (starters or relievers), SF has a .653 OPS, 28th in the Majors…since April 22 it’s been a bit better at .722, tied for 20th of 30 MLB teams…the Giants have faced today’s Miami starter Jesús Luzardo once already this year, scoring three runs on six hits in 4.1 innings off him back on April 17 in Miami.
BOUNCE BACK: After a rough four-game series in Arizona last weekend for the Giants bullpen, they’ve really dialed in during this homestand…in the four-game series in the desert they had a 9.24 ERA (13er, 12.2ip), allowed 18 hits, walked seven and struck out nine…in five games on this homestand they’ve posted a 1.61 ERA (4er, 22.1ip), allowed 13 hits, walked eight and struck out 28.
TODAY’S STARTER – ALEX WOOD LHP #57
2023 RECORD: 0-0, 2.87 ERA
WITH THE GIANTS: Is in his third season with the Giants…signed a two-year Major League contract with San Francisco on December 1, 2021 after spending the 2021 season in a Giants uniform…today will mark his 246th game and 195th start in his career.
LAST START: Did not factor in the decision against the Phillies last Monday night as he tossed 4.2 innings and allowed four hits, two runs, one walk and four strikeouts.
VS. MARLINS: Has been outstanding against the Marlins in his career, posting one of the lowest WHIPs against Miami in its franchise history (see below)…has faced the Marlins 19 times in his career (16 starts) and has a 8-5 record with a 2.58 ERA (28er, 97.2ip), allowing 83 hits, 88 strikeouts and 20 walks…over his last 13 games (12 starts) against Miami, Wood is 8-2 with a 1.60 ERA (13er, 73.1ip)…his teams have gone 9-4 in those 13 games
GET ‘EM BITING: Wood’s first pitch strike percentage is 54.8% after five games this season…batters are swinging at that first pitch 21.9% of the time and have an overall swing and miss rate of 28.6%…last year Wood threw a first pitch strike 63.5% with batters swinging at the first pitch 33.8% of the time…opposing batters had a swing and miss rate of 24.8% overall last season vs. Wood.
HOME SWEET HOME: Since joining SF in 2021, Wood is 10-7 with a 3.92 ERA (68er, 156.0ip) in 29 home starts…SF is 20-9 in those 29 games…in his last five starts here at home, Wood is 0-2 with a 5.33 ERA (15er, 25.1ip) with a batting average against of .250 (24-for96)…SF is 3-2 in those five games.
TURN LEFT: Wood dominated left-handed batters last season, holding them to a .193 average (23-for-119) with five walks and 36 strikeouts…he allowed just three extra-base hits against lefties (one HR and two doubles) all year and posted a .464 OPS overall… right-handers hit .283 (109-for-385) with a .800 OPS…so far this season is dominating LHH to an average of .111 (2-for-18) with just one extra-base hit (double).
MY SALES PITCH: His go-to pitch last season was the sinker, as he used the pitch 45.5% of the time…he recorded 68 of his 131 strikeouts last year with his sinker…that was in contrast to his first season with SF in 2021 where he still used the sinker about the same percentage of the time (46.4%) but his main strikeout pitch was the slider as he recorded 91 of his 152 strikeouts (59.8%) that year.
ORDER UP…: In 2022, Wood limited opposing hitters to a .645 OPS and a .241 average the first time through the order…the second time through those numbers went up to a .706 OPS and a .256 average…the third time through opponents had a .941 OPS and a .326 average off Wood…this season opposing hitters have a .814 OPS and a .229 batting average and a .653 OPS and .280 batting average second time around.
PACING: Averaged 15.1 seconds between pitches when the bases were empty during the 2022 season, 25th-quickest in the Majors last year (league average is 18.1 seconds)…with runners on however, Wood slows it down a bit, averaging 21.3 seconds between pitches…that rate was still well under league average (23.3 seconds).
MLB Preview: Colorado Rockies (19-27) at Texas Rangers (28-17)
COLORADO ROCKIES NOTES:
WHAT’S BEEN HAPPENING LATELY
- The Colorado Rockies wrap-up their short three-game road trip this afternoon against the Texas Rangers … are looking to avoid being swept for the fourth time this season, the third time on the road.
- Following today’s game, the Rockies return home for a seven-game homestand against the Miami Marlins (May 22-25) and New York Mets (May 26-28).
- The Rockies are in the midst of a stretch of 17 straight games without an off-day from May 19-June 4, their longest stretch without an off day this season.
- Colorado has won four of their last six series since May 2 and five of their last eight series since April 24 … had lost or split each of their first seven series of the season prior to this stretch.
- The Rockies have won 11-7 over their last 18 and 13-10 through their last 23 since April 24, a .565 winning percentage that is tied for the fourth-best mark in the NL over that span.
MAY FLOWERS
- The Rockies are 10-7 in May, a .588 winning percentage that is tied for second in the NL with Arizona behind the Dodgers (13-5, .722) … Colorado went 9-20 in April, their worst record in the month of April in franchise history.
- Colorado’s 3.87 team ERA (149.0 IP, 64 ER) this month is the sixth-lowest in the NL … the bullpen has logged six wins and posted a 2.69 ERA (70.1 IP, 21 ER) with 37 walks, 78 strikeouts and five home runs allowed in May, the third-lowest bullpen ERA in the Majors this month.
- Rockies hitters are slashing .271/.330/.427 in May, the fourth-highest average in the Majors … are batting .343 (47-for-137) with runners in scoring position, the highest in the Majors this month … the club hit .251 with runners in scoring position through the end of April.
- After committing 21 errors in their first 29 games through April, tied for the most in the Majors, the Rockies’ six miscues this month are tied for the sixth-fewest in the Majors.
UPPER ECHELON
- Rockies Manager Bud Black is sitting at 436 wins with the Rockies since his first season with the club in 2017, four wins shy of tying Don Baylor for the second-most managerial wins in franchise history … Baylor, the Rockies’ first manager in franchise history, went 440-469 in six seasons at the helm from 1993-98.
DOYLE DOES
- Over his last five games, rookie outfielder Brenton Doyle has gone 7-for-20 with six runs, one double, one triple, three home runs and seven RBI.
- On Monday, Doyle connected on two home runs, his third and fourth of the season, while going 3-for-4 with three runs scored, one double and three RBI … his 10 total bases were the most in franchise history out of the ninth spot in the order, and tied for the fourth-most by a Rockies rookie in franchise history, the most since Ben Paulsen’s 12 on July 26, 2015 vs. Cincinnati.
- Despite playing in only 21 games, Doyle’s four home runs are tied for sixth-most among NL rookies while his six stolen bases are tied for the fourth-most among all NL rookies.
BEHIND THE DISH
- Catcher Elias Díaz ranks third in the Majors with a .326 batting average and fifth in the Majors with a .436 batting average (17-for-39) with runners in scoring position.
- Has appeared in 39 games at catcher, tied for the most in the Majors … his 10 catcher caught stealing are tied for second in the Majors, while his 44.0 caught stealing percentage ranks second (min. 20 games).
THROW THE BALL
- Jake Bird ranks first among Major League relievers with 31.0 innings pitched … his 31 strikeouts are tied for the fifth in the Majors among relief pitchers … has posted a 0.71 ERA (25.1 IP, 2 ER) with eight walks and 27 strikeouts over his last 16 appearances since April 11.
- Brent Suter’s 27.2 innings of relief are fourth in the Majors and second in the NL behind Bird … his 0.98 ERA (27.2 IP, 3 ER) is the eighth-lowest in the Majors among relievers … it is also the third-lowest through a Rockies pitcher’s first 18 games (min. 10 IP) with the club, trailing John Axford (0.53, 2015) and Chuck McElroy (0.96, 1998).
ODDS AND ENDS
- The Rockies are the only team in the Majors to have an undefeated record after seven innings, sitting at 18-0 when leading after seven thus far … alternatively, the Rockies are 0-23 when trailing after seven innings.
- Colorado has gone 2-14 combined on Saturday and Sunday, 17-13 on all other days.
YEEHAW
- The Rockies are looking to avoid their first ever sweep at the hands of the Rangers.
- Have gone 10-8 against Texas since 2020, including 5-5 at Globe Life Field since it opened in 2020.
ROCKIES STARTING PITCHER – #43 CONNOR SEABOLD RHP
STARTING THINGS OFF
- Laguna Hills, Calif., native is in his seventh professional season, his first with the Rockies organization.
- Selected by Baltimore in the 19th round of the 2014 First Year Player Draft but did not sign.
- Selected by Philadelphia in the third round of the 2017 First-Year Player Draft out of Cal. State Fullerton.
- On Aug. 21,2020 was traded by the Philadelphia Phillies with Nick Pivetta to the Boston Red Sox for Heath Hembree and Brandon Workman.
- Designated for assignment by Boston, Jan. 12, 2023 … acquired by Colorado via trade for cash considerations or a player to be named later, Jan. 17.
- Rated by Baseball America as having the best changeup in the Red Sox system in 2021 and best control in 2022 … also ranked by Baseball America as one of the Red Sox top prospects in 2021 (No. 11) and ‘22 (No. 21).
- Made his Major League debut with the Red Sox on Sept. 11, 2021 vs. Chicago-AL.
COLORADO CONNECTION
- Lived in Colorado for five years during his youth.
- During that stretch, he pitched once at Coors Field while attending Castle View High School in Castle Rock (less than an hour south of Denver) before moving back to California.
START YOUR ENGINES
- The Rockies have won each of his first three starts since joining the rotation the first week of May … has tossed 14.1 innings, allowing 10 runs (eight earned) for a 5.02 ERA with 18 hits, six walks and seven strikeouts.
- Did not factor into the Rockies’ 9-8 win over the Reds his last time out, May 15 at Coors Field … allowed six runs (four earned) on a season-high eight hits in 4.1 innings, his shortest start of the season.
- Earned his first Major League win May 9 at Pittsburgh … allowed one run on three hits with a career-high three walks and three strikeouts across five innings in the 10-1 Rockies win.
- Made his first start of the season May 4 vs. Milwaukee at Coors Field … did not factor into the Rockies’ 9-6, allowing three runs on seven hits with no walks and one strikeout in five innings … all three runs came on solo home runs … exited the game with the Rockies trailing 3-0 before Colorado scored four in the seventh and five in the eighth in the comeback win.
LONE START STATE
- Making his first career start against the Rangers.
- Has made two career starts and one relief appearance in Interleague play … tossed 1.1 scoreless innings of relief at Seattle on May 15 in his only appearance vs. an American League team this year.
ARM BARN
- Made seven relief appearances across two stints this season before joining the rotation … allowed eight runs on 18 hits across 13.2 innings (5.27 ERA).
- Has allowed 1.45 walks per nine on the year.
- Opponent’s hitting .321 (25-for-78) against the righty.
- Made his first career Opening Day roster before being optioned on April 18 … recalled on April 28.
SPRING FLING
- Appeared in seven Cactus League games for the Rockies, posting a 6.17 ERA (11.2 IP, 8 ER).
- Walked just one during Spring Training while recording 14 strikeouts.
START ME UP
- Has made nine Major League starts in his career dating back to his Major
League debut on Sept. 11, 2021 going 1-4 with an 8.33 ERA (31.1 IP, 29 ER). - As a starting pitcher in the Majors he has struck out 26 and walked 16 while
allowing nine home runs.
DOING THE SPLITS
- Has posted a 5.30 ERA (18.2 IP, 11 ER) with five walks and 10 strikeouts over his career at Coors Field, allowing three home runs.
- Right handers have hit .344/.403/.584 against him in his career while lefties have slashed .360/.440/.640.
- In his career the first time through the lineup, opponents are hitting .302 (35-for-116) compared to .413 (31-for-75) the second time through and .400 (8-for-20) for the third.
TEXAS RANGERS NOTES:
WINS AND LOSSES: Texas beat the Rockies yesterday, 11-5, and club has a 3-2 record entering the finale of this 6-G, 7-day homestand vs. ATL (1-2) and COL (2-0 + today)… TEX has won 2 straight, 3 of 4, 4 of 6, 7 of 10 and 10 of last 14 G…TEX is an A.L.-best 14-6 (.700) in last 20 G beg. 4/28, 2nd-highest win pct. in MLB in that span (LAD is 16-5, .762)…TEX is 14-10 in last 24 G, but still 21-12 in last 33 G and 24-13 in last 37 G beg. 4/9…club has 5 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 28-17 (.622), TEX owns the 3rd-best record in A.L. and T3rd-best in MLB (see chart)…club’s 28 wins rank T3rd in A.L./T4th in MLB (34-TB, 30-BAL, 29-LAD, 28-TEX/ATL/NYY).
- The 28-17 start marks Rangers’ best 45-G start to a season since 2013 (29-16), one of the 4 best starts in club history.
- TEX is a season-high 11 G above .500 for the 1st time since the end of 2016 (95-67), and May 20 is earliest date in a season to be 11-over since 2013 (May 12)…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
.723 Tampa Bay 34-13
.652 Baltimore 30-16
.622 Texas/Atlanta 28-17
.617 Los Angeles-NL 29-18
WITH A WIN TODAY, Texas could:
- Reach 12 games above .500 for 1st time since the end of the 2016 campaign (95-67).
- Post one of the 3 best 46-game marks in Texas history (see chart; 30-16 in 1998 and 29-17 in 2013).
- Win all games of a series for a 3rd time in ‘23 (3-0, 3/30-4/2 vs. PHI; 3-0, 4/17-19 at KC).
- Stay undefeated on Sunday (enter today w/ 7-0 record in Sunday games).
STANDINGS: Rangers hold a 2.0-game lead in the A.L. West for a 4th straight day over 2nd-place HOU…have had a lead of 2-or-more games in the division for 13 straight days (last +1.0 GA on 5/6)…TEX has had sole possession of 1st place in the West for 15 straight, 22 of 23, and 35 of the last 37 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 50 of the season’s first 51 days (exception: 4/8).
SERIES STUFF: Having secured a series win this weekend, 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 GLF.
AT HOME: The Rangers are 15-8 (.652) at home, winning 2 straight, 3 of 4, and 9 of 13…the .652 home win pct. is T3rd-best in MLB (21-3, .875-TB; 17-7, .708-LAD; 15-8, .652- TEX/BAL…best 23-G start at home since 2019 (also 15-8 and won next game)…TEX has a 101-114 all-time record at
Globe Life Field (2020-23), but are 21-15 last 36 G here (beg. 9/11/22)…TEX leads MLB in R/G (6.52) at home in 2023, and 150 R are 2nd-most in the Majors (156-BOS).
VS. COLORADO: TEX has won 3 straight vs. Rox after 2-8 span…only time to go undefeated in a series vs. Rox: 2-0, 7/2-3/97 at TBIA…TEX is 8-8 in Interleague in ’23, winning 3 of 4…are 7-3 vs. N.L. at GLF, 12-5 at home beg. 4/30/22.
DON’T STOP ‘TIL YOU GET ENOUGH: TEX scored 11 runs yesterday, club’s MLB-high 11th game w/ 10+ runs in ’23 (11-TEX, 8-CHC, 7-TB, 6-LAD)…longest span without a double-digit run game this season is 7 G (twice)…the 2023 Rangers are just 5th team since World War II to post at least
11 G of 10+ R over the 1st 45 G of a season: 2000 COL (12), 1997 COL (11), 2000 LAD (11), 2000 STL (11)…last A.L. team to do it?: 1936 NYY (12), which would win the World Series in Joe DiMaggio’s rookie year.
- TEX leads MLB w/ 6.31 R/G, and 284 R rank 2nd in Majors, just 2 behind TB (286)…2023 Rangers are just the 8th team in last 69 years (beg. 1955) to score at least 284 R thru 45 G in a season, 1st since 2001 COL (290 R) and 1st in A.L. since 1999 CLE (317 R)…2nd-most runs in TEX history after 45 G (288 R in 1998).
PLUS/MINUS: TEX has posted wins by 5 and 6 runs to open this series, as club’s 14 wins by 5+ R this year are tied w/ TB for most in MLB…the 14 such wins are already 2nd-most for TEX in the past 4 seasons and just 5 shy of last year’s total: 14-2023, 19-2022, 13-2021, 3-2020.
- The Rangers’ season-best +98 run differential ranks 2nd in MLB (TB is +126), and is the club’s best figure at any point in any season since finishing 2012 at +101.
ADOLIS AND RBI: Adolis García enters today with a MLB-leading 49 RBI, 5 more than the next-closest player (44-BOS’ Rafael Devers)…entering team game no. 46 today, it’s worth noting that the last 3 players with at least 50 RBI thru 46 team games are CLE’s José Ramírez in 2022, DET’s Miguel Cabrera in 2013, and TEX’s Josh Hamilton in 2012… Hamilton (2008 and 2012) and Juan Gonzalez (1998) are the only Rangers to reach 50 RBI so quickly in a season.
DURAN DINGER: With his HR yesterday, Ezequiel Duran has 2 HR last 4 G and 3 HR his last 7 G, as 5 HR in May rank T7th in the A.L. and 2nd among Rangers to only Adolis García (6)…current MLB batters in age-24 or younger season with at least 7 HR/23 RBI in ’23: STL’s Nolan Gorman (13/39), TB’s Wander Franco (7/23), TOR’s Vladimir Guerrero Jr. (7/27), and Duran (7/23).
GRAY AGAIN: Jon Gray allowed one run in 5.0 IP yesterday to earn the win for a 3rd consecutive start…Gray over his last 3 starts: 3-0, 0.90 ERA (2 ER/20.0 IP), 4 BB/19 SO, .171 opp. BA…produced 17.0 consecutive scoreless innings from 5/8 (2nd inn.) thru last night (3rd inn.), longest span of his career and 2nd-longest by a Ranger in ’23 (Eovaldi-29.2 SHO IP).
- TEX starters have allowed 3-or-fewer runs in 4 straight starts, and rotation’s 2.79 ERA (24 ER/77.1 IP) over last 12 G beg. 5/8 ranks 4th in MLB: PIT-1.87, ATL-2.68, TB-2.75, TEX-2.79.
THESE DAYS: Yesterday was the Rangers’ 5th straight win in a day game, club’s longest daytime win streak since a 5-0 span from 7/17-8/9/16…last longer day win streak was franchise-record 10-0 run earlier that year, 5/22-6/26/16…TEX is 12-4 (.750) in day games, tied w/ TB (15-5, .750) for best win pct. in MLB…1st in MLB in day R/G (8.25), 2nd in R (132).
HEADED EAST: The Rangers are scheduled to fly to Pittsburgh after today’s game and begin a 9-G, 10-day road trip on Monday night at PNC Park…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)…TEX has won 3 straight road series for 1st time since 6/9-25/17 at WAS/HOU/NYY…Rangers are 13-9 all-time vs. PIT, including 5-3 at PNC, with only visits to Pittsburgh coming in 2002, 2007, and 2019…TEX was 10-2 in 1st 12 meetings, but 3-7 vs. PIT since 2013.
SHORTS: Texas is 3-0 in its powder blue uniforms in ’23… Rangers’ MLB-high .337 BA w/ RISP is 43 points higher than the next-closest team (BOS-.294).
TODAY’S STARTING PITCHER – #44 Andrew Heaney, LHP
(2-3, 4.71)
TODAY: The 31-year-old left-hander is scheduled to make his 9th appearance/start of the season in this afternoon’s 3-game series finale vs. the Colorado Rockies…took his 3rd no-decision in his last start on Sun. at OAK (6.0 IP, 4 H, R-ER, 2 BB, 9 SO, 93 pitches/57 strikes)…has 4 quality starts in last 5 games (T2nd on Rangers with Jon Gray), but has gone just 1-2 with a 4.60 ERA (15 ER/29.1 IP) in that span…team has only backed him with more than 3 runs in 1 of those starts… each of Heaney’s 2 victories on the season have come at home, as he enters play today with a 2-2 mark and 6.66 ERA (18 ER/24.1 IP) in 5 previous starts at Globe Life Field in 2023…in 1st win as a Ranger on 4/10 vs. KC, set a club record with 9 successive strikeouts, which matched the American League record…is one of 3 rotation members to make his Rangers debut in a start this season (also deGrom, Eovaldi), and he was the 26th and final member of TEX’s Opening Day roster to appear in 2023…Heaney is in his first season with Texas after signing a two-year free agent contract with the club on 12/9/22…is seeking to build on a 2022 campaign in which he produced career bests in ERA (3.10), WHIP (1.087), and strikeout rate (13.6 SO/9) with the Los Angeles Dodgers despite being limited by a pair of Injured List stints…from 2019-22, ranked among Major League pitchers (min. 350.0 IP) in strikeouts per 9 innings (9th, 11.07), swing-and-miss strike pct. (14th, 13.8%), strikeout pct. (15th, 28.8%), and strikeout-to-walk ratio (21st, 4.11)…the 9-year MLB veteran has appeared in 144 games/133 starts with Miami (2014), Los Angeles-AL (2015-21), New York-AL (2021), Los Angeles-NL (2022), and Texas (2023)…an Oklahoma City native, Heaney pitched collegiately at Oklahoma State University before being selected by the Miami Marlins in the first round (9th overall) of the 2012 MLB Draft…TEX has gone 4-4 in Heaney’s 8 starts this season.
LAST START: Did not factor into the decision of Texas’ 11-3 victory in Oakland last Sunday, May 14, despite twirling 6.0 innings of one-run ball (4 H, 2 BB, 9 SO)…marked his 3rd no-decision of the campaign, including his 2nd in his last 3 GS (since 5/3)…the lone run he surrendered came via a Shea Langeliers infield single in the 2nd; went on to retire 12 of the final 15 batters in the wake of the Langeliers knock and exited the contest after 6 innings complete with the Rangers ahead, 3-1…with the game tied at 3 in the 8th, the Texas offense exploded for 8 runs in a decisive top of the 8th, winning the 4-game series finale at the Coliseum by a score of 11-3…the one run allowed marked Heaney’s fewest in a start since a 5.0-inning scoreless performance on 4/16 at HOU…his 9 punchouts signified his most in a start since a season-high 10 SO on 4/10 vs. KC.
VS. COLORADO: Today will mark Heaney’s 6th career game/5th start opposite the Rockies, entering play with a 2-2 mark and 3.86 ERA (13 ER/30.1 IP) in his prior outings…this includes an 0-1 record and 5.40 ERA (6 ER/10.0 IP) in 2 prior games/1 start at home vs. the Rox…most recently faced Colorado on 10/4/22 as a member of the division-rival Los Angeles Dodgers, fanning 7 over a 4.0-inning relief appearance (5 H, 3 R/ER, 1 HR, 0 BB)…today signifies his 2nd Interleague start of the season, also having pitched vs. Arizona on 5/3 (ND, 4.2 IP, 4 H, 6 R/ER, 3 HR, 4 BB, 5 SO, 92 pitches/49 strikes)…owns a career 6-7 mark and 4.58 ERA (66 ER/129.2 IP) over 24 career Interleague games/23 starts; has not factored into the decision of each of his last 7 such games (6 starts), dating back to 7/28/21.
