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NHL Morning Skate: Stanley Cup Playoffs Edition – May 21, 2023

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NHL Morning Skate: Stanley Cup Playoffs Edition – May 21, 2023

* Matthew Tkachuk played overtime hero for the second straight game, tying the record for most overtime winners in a postseason and helping Florida become the sixth lower-seeded team in the past 15 years to take a 2-0 lead in the Conference Finals.

* The 2023 Eastern Conference Final has been a tightly contested affair, with the Panthers and Hurricanes within a one-goal margin for all 201:38 of playing time – the fourth-highest total through the first two games of a series in NHL history.
 

* The 2023 Stanley Cup Playoffs is just the second in NHL history to have each of the first three or more games of the round before the Final require overtime with the only other instance coming over 90 years ago.
 

* The second Game 2 of the 2023 Conference Finals drops Sunday as Dallas aims to rally from a 1-0 series deficit for the third straight round while Vegas vies for a 2-0 lead.
 

DEJA VU: TKACHUK ENDS ANOTHER EASTERN CONFERENCE FINAL GAME IN OVERTIME

It was déjà vu at PNC Arena: the Panthers and Hurricanes required overtime to decide the winner with Matthew Tkachuk (1-0—1) scoring – again – to end Game 2, but this time just 1:51 of extra time was needed. Florida extended its road winning streak to eight contests, establishing the second-longest run in the postseason in NHL history trailing only Los Angeles during its 2012 Stanley Cup championship run (10 GP).

* Tkachuk scored his third overtime goal of the 2023 Stanley Cup Playoffs – and second in as many games – tying Corey Perry (3 in 2017), Maurice Richard (3 in 1951) and Mel Hill (3 in 1939) for the most in a single playoff year in NHL history. He also matched Carter Verhaeghe for the most in Panthers history.
 

* The Panthers became 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 2023 Eastern Conference Final has seen the teams contest 201:38 so far through Game 1 and 2 – all of which has been with the Panthers and Hurricanes within a one-goal margin of one another. Only three other series in NHL history have seen the first two contests as closely contested (tied or within one goal): 1936 Semifinal between the Red Wings and Maroons (233:28), 1951 Semifinals between the Canadiens and Red Wings (223:29) and 2020 First Round between the Lightning and Blue Jackets (201:54).
 

* The Panthers and Hurricanes became the fifth series in NHL history to see over 200 minutes of game time through the first two contests, joining the 1936 Semifinals (236:30; DET vs. MMR), 1951 Semifinals (223:29; MTL vs. DET), 2020 First Round (210:27; TBL vs. CBJ) and 2003 Conference Semifinals (202:32; ANA vs. DAL).
 

ICYMI: Aleksander Barkov scored a highlight-reelgame-tying goal. The Panthers captain tied Ray Sheppard and Dave Lowry (both w/ 10) for the second-most playoff goals in franchise history.


LEAGUE TRENDS FEATURED IN #NHLSTATS: LIVE UPDATES
The Saturday edition of #NHLStats: Live Updates featured a number of League trends as Game 2 of the Eastern Conference Final between the Panthers and Hurricanes became the third straight contest of the Conference Finals to require overtime.


‘CADCOOKS’ WINS EA SPORTS NHL 23 NORTH AMERICAN CHAMPIONSHIP

Samuel ‘CadCooks’ Landry, who represented the Blackhawks, won the EA SPORTS NHL 23 North American Championship at the District E Powered by Ticketmaster in Washington, D.C., punching his ticket to the NHL 23 World Final in Nashville. Click here for full details.
 

NHL PODCASTS WEEKLY ROUNDUP

* NHL Draft Class (May 15): Central Scouting’s J-F Damphousse on QMJHL prospects
* NHL Fantasy (May 16): Conference Finals preview

* NHL @ The Rink (May 16): Dallas Eakins joins to talk Conference Finals

* La Tasse de café LNH (May 16): Place au carré d’as
* The Chirp with Daren Millard (May 18): Colby Armstrong joins; Conn Smythe race, more 

QUICK CLICKS

* Mark Stone doing it all for Golden Knights in playoffs following injuries

*Jason Robertson hoping to turn corner for Stars following Game 1 of West Final

* Brent Burns‘ golden skate blades highlighted during Game 2

* NHL on TNT crew has perfect guest in Jon Cooper to talk long playoff games

*Mortiz Seider leading on, off ice for Germany at World Championship

STARS IN FAMILIAR PLACE, LOOK TO EVEN SERIES SUNDAY AFTERNOON
Game 2 of the Western Conference Final is set for Sunday afternoon on ABC and ESPN+ in the U.S. as well as Sportsnet, CBC and TVA Sports in Canada. The Stars will look to rally from a 1-0 series deficit for the third consecutive round, while the Golden Knights aim to take a 2-0 lead for the third time in franchise history – they have gone on to win the series in the two times they have done so to date.

* After falling to the Golden Knights in overtime of Game 1, the Stars find themselves in a similar situation to the first two rounds – they lost the opener to both the Wild and Kraken before evening the series in Game 2 and eventually eliminating their opponent. Only one team in Stanley Cup Playoffs history has trailed 1-0 in three different best-of-seven series before advancing to the Final in the same postseason – the Mario Lemieux-led Penguins did so in the 1991 Stanley Cup Playoffs before eventually winning the franchise’s first championship.

* Roope Hintz recorded his fifth three-point outing of the 2023 Stanley Cup Playoffs in Game 1, the most in a single postseason in Stars/North Stars history. Only four players over the past 30 years have more three-point contests in a single playoff year: Leon Draisaitl (7 GP in 2022), Wayne Gretzky (7 GP in 1993), Connor McDavid (6 GP in 2022) and Nikita Kucherov (6 GP in 2021).

* William Karlsson, who has been with the Golden Knights since their inaugural season, recorded a multi-goal outing in Game 1 to boost his 2023 Stanley Cup Playoffs totals to 7-3—10 (12 GP). He sits one goal shy of matching the most in a single postseason in franchise history, held by current teammate Jonathan Marchessault (8 in 20 GP; 2018) and Alex Tuch (8 in 20 GP; 2020).

* Vegas, which holds a 5-2 record on home ice in the 2023 Stanley Cup Playoffs, has made T-Mobile Arena a difficult venue for opposing teams since joining the League in 2017-18. The Golden Knights have an all-time home record of 27-14 in the postseason (including wins as the designated home team in 2020), more victories as the home team than six other current franchises despite being the second-newest team in the League.
 

NHL Western Conference Finals Game 2 Preview: Dallas Stars (0-1) at Vegas Golden Knights (1-0)

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NHL Western Conference Finals Game 2 Preview: Dallas Stars (0-1) at Vegas Golden Knights (1-0)

DALLAS STARS NOTES:

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

  • if necessary

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

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

DALLAS STARS POSTSEASON NOTES
TONIGHT’S GAME: After falling in OT in Game 1 for the third consecutive series, the Stars will look to even it up this afternoon in Game 2 of the Western Conference Final at T-Mobile Arena. (ABC, ESPN+, SN, CBC, TVAS, Radio: The Ticket 96.7-FM/1310-AM). This represents a rematch of the 2020 Western Conference Final, where the Stars earned a 4-1 series win en route to their first Stanley Cup Final in 20 years. Dallas is here after First Round and Second Round series victories over Minnesota (six games) and Seattle (seven games). Vegas, meanwhile, earned First Round and Second Round series wins over Winnipeg (five games) and Edmonton (six games).

STARS-GOLDEN KNIGHTS PLAYOFF HISTORY

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

VEGAS GOLDEN KNIGHTS NOTES:

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

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

DATE OPPONENT TIME (PT) TELEVISION RADIO SPANISH RADIO
May 21 vs. Dallas Stars 12 p.m. ABC Fox Sports 98.9 FM/1340 AM Deportes 1460 AM
May 23 at Dallas Stars 5 p.m. ESPN Fox Sports 98.9 FM/1340 AM Deportes 1460 AM
May 25 at Dallas Stars 5 p.m. ESPN Fox Sports 98.9 FM/1340 AM Deportes 1460 AM
May 27* vs. Dallas Stars 5 p.m. ABC Fox Sports 98.9 FM/1340 AM Deportes 1460 AM
May 29* at Dallas Stars 5 p.m. ESPN Fox Sports 98.9 FM/1340 AM Deportes 1460 AM
May 31* vs. Dallas Stars 6 p.m. ESPN Fox Sports 98.9 FM/1340 AM Deportes 1460 AM
*If Necessary

Game 1 Recap
May 19 – Vegas Golden Knights 4, Dallas Stars 3 OT
Brett Howden scored 1:35 into overtime to lift the Vegas Golden Knights to a 4-3 win against the Dallas Stars in Game 1 of the Western Conference Final on Friday night at T-Mobile Arena. Vegas leads the series, 1-0. Jason Robertson got Dallas on the board late in the first period as the visitors carried a 1-0 lead into the intermission. William Karlsson potted the only goal in the middle frame as his rebound tally made it a 1-1 game. Karlsson scored again early in the third, but a quick answer from Roope Hintz put Dallas right back in the game. Teddy Blueger’s goal with 10:40 to go gave the Golden Knights the lead again, but Jamie Benn tied the contest for the Stars in the final two minutes to send Game 1 to overtime. At 1:35 of the extra session, Howden banked the puck off Jake Oettinger to give Vegas the 4-3 overtime win.

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

2022-23 Season DAL Series: 0-1-2 (Home: 0-1-1, Road: 0-0-1)
Date Location Result Goaltenders GWG
Jan. 16 Vegas Vegas 0, Dallas 4 Logan Thompson (VGK) // Jake Oettinger (DAL) Jamie Benn (DAL)
Feb. 25 Vegas Vegas 2, Dallas 3 SO Laurent Brossoit (VGK) // Jake Oettinger (DAL) Jason Robertson (DAL) SO
Apr. 8 Dallas Vegas 1, Dallas 2 SO Jonathan Quick (VGK) // Jake Oettinger (DAL) Roope Hintz (DAL) SO

This is “Howie” Do It
Brett Howden was the overtime hero for the Golden Knights in Game 1 of the Western Conference Final as the Golden Knights topped the Stars, 4-3, at T-Mobile Arena. Howden’s score was his first since his two-goal performance in Round 1 against Winnipeg after he was limited to one point (1A) in the second round. The forward’s overtime winner on Friday night was his first career overtime goal (regular season or playoffs) and the first game-deciding goal of his playoff career.

Keeping it Cool
The Golden Knights have allowed the first goal in nine of their 12 playoff games this year. Vegas holds a record of 6-3 after allowing the first goal in the game. Vegas’ three games scoring first is the fewest among the final four teams in the 2023 playoffs. Additionally, the Golden Knights recorded their seventh comeback win of the postseason on Friday, the most of any team.

Magic Number
Vegas is 41-3 all-time when scoring at least three goals in the playoffs, including wins in each of the last 29 such instances. In all three losses this postseason, the Golden Knights have been held to a single goal.

Familiar Territory
The Golden Knights advanced to the Western Conference Final for the fourth time in their six seasons as a franchise. Vegas is the third club in NHL history to advance to the round before the Stanley Cup Final four times in their first six seasons behind the New York Rangers and St. Louis Blues. This is the second time that Vegas meets Dallas in the Western Conference Final after they were defeated by the Stars in 2020.

In the Winning Business
Vegas (47-31 in 78 GP) has a postseason winning percentage of .603, leading all NHL franchises. The Golden Knights’ 47 playoff wins are the second-most in the NHL since 2017-18, trailing only Tampa Bay’s 98 victories.

x – Marks the Spot
Vegas is the seventh franchise in NHL history to reach the Stanley Cup Playoffs five or more times in its first six seasons, after the Rangers (6 of 6), Blues (6 of 6), Oilers (6 of 6), original Ottawa Senators (5 of 6), Minnesota North Stars (5 of 6) and Quebec Nordiques (5 of 6)

NBA Playoffs Eastern Conference Finals Game 3 Preview: Boston Celtics (0-2) at Miami Heat (2-0)

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NBA Playoffs Eastern Conference Finals Game 3 Preview: Boston Celtics (0-2) at Miami Heat (2-0)

The Heat will look to continue their winning ways at home and push the Boston Celtics to the brink of elimination on Sunday when their Eastern Conference finals series shifts to Miami.

The eighth-seeded Heat have won all five of their home games in the playoffs thus far. They also have backed the second-seeded Celtics into a corner by winning the first two games of the best-of-seven series in Boston.

Jimmy Butler collected 27 points, eight rebounds and six assists in Miami’s 111-105 victory over Boston on Friday, while Bam Adebayo contributed 22, 17 and nine, respectively.

But they weren’t alone as Caleb Martin and Duncan Robinson added strong performances off the bench on Friday. Martin poured in 25 points on 11-of-16 shooting from the floor, while Robinson added 15 with a 6-for-9 effort.

Jayson Tatum led Boston in points (34), rebounds (13) and assists (eight) on Friday, however he failed to convert a field goal in the fourth quarter for the second straight game.

Tatum and Jaylen Brown combined to make just 4 of 17 attempts from 3-point range.

Celtics coach Joe Mazzulla was succinct when asked about his message to his team after it let a double-digit lead in the fourth quarter go by the boards on Friday.

And Boston also will need to be careful not to ignite a spark under Butler. Grant Williams unintentionally did that by getting in Butler’s face, with the latter later admitting that he was fueled by the heated exchange.

The Celtics will need to respond in Game 3. If they don’t, the Heat will be on the brink of advancing to the NBA Finals for the second time in four seasons.

Game 4 is slated for Tuesday night in Miami.

WNBA Preview: Chicago Sky (1-0) at Phoenix Mercury (0-1)

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WNBA Preview: Chicago Sky (1-0) at Phoenix Mercury (0-1)

Brittney Griner played just fine in her first WNBA game in more than a year and a half.

But her Phoenix Mercury team fared poorly in a 94-71 season-opening loss to the Sparks on Friday night in Los Angeles.

The Mercury will try to do better in their home opener when they face the Chicago Sky on Sunday afternoon. The Sky opened with a 77-66 victory against the Lynx on Friday in Minneapolis.

Griner, returning from a full-season absence while she was detained in a Russian prison on drug-related charges, scored a game-high 18 points and added six rebounds and four blocks in 25 minutes and helped Phoenix build an 11-point lead during the first quarter. But that quickly fizzled.

The Sky, who beat the Mercury in the 2021 WNBA Finals in Griner’s last action before Friday, took control by outscoring Minnesota 22-3 in the second quarter as the Lynx made just 1 of 15 shots from the floor and turned the ball over 11 times.

Kahleah Copper scored 20 points and Alanna Smith added 15 points for the Sky, who trailed 24-22 entering the pivotal second quarter.

WNBA Preview: Indiana Fever (0-1) at New York Liberty (0-1)

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WNBA Preview: Indiana Fever (0-1) at New York Liberty (0-1)

With lots of debuts out of the way, the Indiana Fever and New York Liberty will try to accomplish another first when they meet Sunday afternoon in New York.

One of these teams will pick up its first victory of the season.

Both teams lost season openers Friday night, with the Fever falling at home to the Connecticut Sun and the Liberty losing a road game to the Washington Mystics.

It could take time before these teams gel.

Guard Sabrina Ionescu collected 18 points and eight rebounds for the Liberty, however Breanna Stewart finished with just 12 points on 3-for-10 shooting from the field in her Liberty debut.

On Sunday, Stewart will play at home for her home-state team. She spent her entire pro career with Seattle.

The Liberty also might look for more from forward Jonquel Jones, who was limited to 19 minutes in the opener. Brondello said with Jones and Courtney Vandersloot still working back into full-time form, their playing time might be abbreviated early in the season.

The Fever have a star in the making in rookie Aliyah Boston, who was the overall No. 1 pick in last month’s draft. She provided 15 points and nine rebounds in her professional debut, a 70-61 setback to the Sun.

Boston, a college standout for South Carolina, is expected to make a big impact for the Fever.

Mitchell gave the Fever a game-high 20 points. The Fever, who were hindered by 33.3 percent shooting from the field, got minutes from 10 players in the opener.

First-year coach Christie Sides of the Fever is in search of her first victory. Her first game in charge was hindered by a 43-35 rebounding deficit and Indiana’s 19 turnovers.

The Liberty had good work on the boards against Washington, securing a 40-32 advantage in that category.

WNBA Preview: Washington Mystics (1-0) at Connecticut Sun (1-0)

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WNBA Preview: Washington Mystics (1-0) at Connecticut Sun (1-0)

The Washington Mystics firmly stood their ground against the WNBA’s newest super team to begin the 2023 season.

Meanwhile, the Connecticut Sun avoided a fourth-quarter collapse to spoil the debut of the league’s No. 1 overall pick.

Both squads will aim to build on Friday’s season-opening wins when the Mystics and Sun meet on Sunday in Uncasville, Conn.

Washington glided past the visiting New York Liberty 80-64 on Friday night behind a stout defensive display against a team many consider a title favorite.

The Mystics stifled former MVPs Breanna Stewart and Jonquel Jones, both of whom the Liberty acquired in the offseason, to a combined 17 points on 5-for-16 (31.3 percent) shooting.

Washington also forced four of New York’s 22 turnovers from newly acquired Courtney Vandersloot, the league’s all-time assists average leader, and held returning star Sabrina Ionescu to 18 points on a dreary 7-for-20 (35 percent) mark in the statement win.

Cloud and Ariel Atkins scored 14 points apiece to lead Washington, while Elena Delle Donne added 13 to begin what she hopes is her healthiest season in four years. Back injuries have limited Delle Donne to just 31 games since her MVP campaign during the Mystics’ 2019 championship run.

The Sun used a balanced scoring output from their core of DeWanna Bonner (19 points), Alyssa Thomas (18) and Brionna Jones (13) to hold off top pick Aliyah Boston and the Indiana Fever 70-61 on Friday in Indianapolis.

Connecticut never trailed en route to building a 19-point lead in the third quarter before the Fever surged back in the game’s closing minutes.

Boston’s layup trimmed the Sun’s lead to three with 2:25 remaining, but Thomas scored six straight points for her team down the stretch to lock up a win in head coach Stephanie White’s Sun debut.

Boston finished with 15 points on 6-of-10 shooting.

The Sun went 2-1 against the Mystics in last season’s matchups, all of which were won by the home team.

NHL Eastern Conference Finals Game 2 Preview: Florida Panthers (1-0) at Carolina Hurricanes (0-1)

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NHL Eastern Conference Finals Game 2 Preview: Florida Panthers (1-0) at Carolina Hurricanes (0-1)

FLORIDA PANTHERS NOTES:

BAPTIST HEALTH INJURY REPORT

  • F Patric Hornqvist | Games Missed: 13
    Total Playoff Man Games Lost Due to Injury: 24
    Total Regular Season Man Games Lost Due to Injury: 239

LAST GAME
Panthers 3, Hurricanes [4OT] – May 18 – PNC Arena
FLA Goals: Barkov (3), Verhaeghe (6), Tkachuk (6-OT)
CAR Goals: Jarvis (5-PPG), Noesen (4-PPG)
FLA Goalie: Bobrovsky (W) – 63 Saves
CAR Goalie: Andersen (L) – 57 Saves
FLA Shots: 60
CAR Shots: 65

Notes: Matthew Tkachuk scored his 2nd overtime goal of the playoffs at 19:47 of the fourth overtime period, ending the sixth-longest game in NHL history and the longest game in the histories of both Florida and Carolina…Tkachuk tied Dave Lowry for most points in a playoff year in club history (17)…Sergei Bobrovsky made 63 saves, the most saves in one game (regular season or playoff) in franchise history, his second consecutive game with at least 50 saves…Bobrovsky stopped all 55 shots he faced at even strength…Bobrovsky surpassed John Vanbiesbrouck for most all-time wins by a Florida goaltender (14)…Brandon Montour led all skaters with a franchise-record 57:56 time on ice, the ninth-most in NHL history since tracking began in 1997-98…Carter Verhaeghe (1-1-2) posted his second consecutive multi-point playoff game and eighth in his Panthers career, the most in club history…Aleksander Barkov posted two points (1-1-2)…Anthony Duclair notched two assists for his first career multi-point playoff game…Radko Gudas registered a franchise-record 12 hits…Florida improved to 5-0 in overtime in the 2023 playoffs, including four OT wins on the road…The Cats have won their past eight OT playoff games dating to Round 1, Game 3 at TBL in 2021, tied for the second-longest such streak in NHL history…Florida won their seventh consecutive road playoff game, tied for the second-longest such streak in NHL history…The Cats held their opponent to two goals against for the sixth consecutive game…FLA PP: 0-3, FLA PK: 4-6

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 ROAD vs. CAR: 22-40-3-4
2022-23 vs. CAR: 1-2-0

CLOCKING OVERTIME
In Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Finals, Matthew Tkachuk scored his second career Stanley Cup Playoffs overtime goal (and second in 2023, Round 1, Game 5 at BOS). With the goal, the Panthers improved to 5-0 in overtime in the 2023 postseason; four of the five extra frame victories have come on the road. Florida has won eight consecutive playoff games that have gone to overtime dating to Game 3 of Round 1 at TBL in 2021. The goal scorers of all eight tallies are currently active on the Cats (Carter Verhaeghe 3x, Matthew Tkachuk 2x, Nick Cousins, Sam Reinhart, Ryan Lomberg). Three of the goals have been series clinchers, which had not occurred in club history prior to Verhaeghe’s goal in Round 1, Game 6 at WSH in 2022. Tkachuk has factored on three overtime goals for the Panthers this postseason, one shy of the most by any player in a single playoff year in NHL history. Sergei Bobrovsky has earned the win in all eight OT games over the past three postseason runs.

ROAD WARRIORS
The Cats enter Game 1 against Carolina having won each of their past six road playoff games dating back to Game 2 at BOS, the longest playoff road win streak in club history. Only 13 teams in NHL history had won at least six consecutive road postseason games, most recently Colorado in 2022 and Los Angeles in 2012. Over their six-game road win streak, the Cats have outscored their opponents 24-15, including overtime wins in Games 5 and 7 at Boston and Game 5 at Toronto. Sergei Bobrovsky has started and won each of Florida’s past five road games, logging a cumulative .942 save percentage over Florida’s five road outings since Game 5 at Boston. Over that span, Carter Verhaeghe leads Florida with eight road points (3-5-8), one of three Cats to post a point per game average on the road (also: Matthew Tkachuk [1-6-7], Aleksander Barkov [1-4-5]). The Panthers lead all teams with six road wins in the 2023 Stanley Cup Playoffs, owning a 6-1 road record.

CATS VS. CANES
Florida will 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).

CAROLINA HURRICANES NOTES:

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.

INJURY REPORT
Jake Gardiner, upper-body, missed 94 games (10/12-5/18)
Ondrej Kase, concussion, missed 93 games (10/14-5/18)
Max Pacioretty, torn Achilles, missed 49 games (1/21-5/18)
Andrei Svechnikov, torn ACL, missed 30 games (3/12-5/18)
2022-23 Regular-Season Man-Games Lost Due to Injury: 334
2023 Playoffs Man-Game Lost Due to Injury: 65

UPCOMING GAMES
DATE OPPONENT TIME TV RADIO
May 20 Florida 8 p.m. TNT/SN/CBC/TVAS Sports USA/HRN
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

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

UPCOMING PRACTICE SCHEDULE
DATE DAY LOCATION TIME
May 20 Saturday No morning skate
May 21 Sunday PNC Arena 12 p.m.
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.

  • 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 in 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.

UP ALL NIGHT
Matthew Tkachuk scored the game-winning goal in Game 1 with just 0:13 remaining in the fourth overtime, ending the longest game in franchise history (139:47). Carolina’s previous record game lasted 114:47, as the Hurricanes fell to the Red Wings in Game 3 of the 2002 Stanley Cup Final. Thursday’s game also stood as the sixth-longest game in league history and marked the first quadruple overtime game since 8/11/20, when the Lightning defeated the Blue Jackets in the fifth overtime of Game 1 of the Eastern Conference First Round. Seventeen of Carolina’s 19 players set career highs in ice time, with Paul Stastny (24:11) and Derek Stepan (20:25) the only exceptions.

MLB Preview: Chicago Cubs (20-24) at Philadelphia Phillies (20-24)

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MLB Preview: Chicago Cubs (20-24) at Philadelphia Phillies (20-24)

CHICAGO CUBS NOTES:

The Cubs and Phillies face each other in six games this season … following the three contests this weekend, the teams will also play June 27-29 at Wrigley Field … Chicago last year picked up the season sweep of the Phillies for the first time in franchise history … the Cubs have won four of the previous five season series against Philadelphia.

THE CITY OF BROTHERLY LOVE: The Chicago Cubs today play the second of three games in Philadelphia in the final leg of a nine-game, three-city, 10-day road trip (2- 5), after winning game one of the series 10-1 … Marcus Stroman picked up his eighth quality start of the season, tied for the most in the majors, throwing 6.0 innings and allowing one run on three hits, two walks and four strikeouts.

With the win last night, Chicago snapped a season-high five-game losing streak, the longest such stretch since July 30-Aug. 42 of last season.

The Cubs went 10-3 in 13 games from April 4-19, but have gone 9-18 in 27 contests starting April 20 … Chicago has lost four-straight road series, with the last series victory coming April 17-19 at Oakland.

Today is the 21st game (6-14) of a stretch that sees the team on the road for 16 of 22 contests through May 21.

“IT’S ALWAYS SUNNY IN PHILADELPHIA” IS SO GOOD: The Cubs have won seven-straight games against the Phillies dating to July 22 of last season, including Chicago’s six-game season-sweep against the Phillies last year, the first in team history against Philadelphia … in these seven games, the Cubs have outscored Philadelphia 43-11 with Cubs hitters picking up 18 doubles, 11 homers and five stolen bases while Chicago pitchers have posted a 1.27 ERA (9 ER/64.0 IP) with a 1.05 WHIP.

The previous time the Cubs won at least seven-straight games against the Phillies was July 7, 1995-June 3, 1996 … the last time the Cubs won more than seven against the foes from Philly? … May 6-June 14, 1947, when they strung together nine consecutive wins.

The Cubs have also won four-straight at Citizens Bank Park, Chicago’s longest winning streak at this stadium … the last win streak of at least four games on the road against the Phillies in any ballpark came July 25, 2000-April 7, 2001 (5 games) at Veterans Stadium.

MORE FOR MOREL: Christopher Morel hit his sixth home run of the season last night in his ninth game of the year … Morel is the second Cub in franchise history (since 1901) to record six home runs in the first nine games of a season, joining Gabby Hartnett (1925) who also tallied six homers in that span.

Morel has scored at least one run in each of his first nine games of the season … the only other Cub since 1900 to do so was Hank Sauer in 1954, who held the streak for 13 games. (credit: Elias Sports Bureau).

What’s more? … Morel has also recorded at least one hit and one run in nine consecutive games … the last Cub to record a stretch of at least nine-straight games with a hit and a run scored was Starlin Castro July 31-Aug. 9, 2011 … Morel is the only Cub in franchise history (since 1901) to hold such a streak from the start of his season.

WELCOME BACK: Nico Hoerner last night returned from the injured list (left hamstring strain) and went 3-for-6 with two doubles and four RBI … he joined a list of three other Cubs hitters who found success in their returns … Seiya Suzuki hit a home run in his first game off the IL (April 14), also his first game of the year … in Cody Bellinger’s return from the Paternity List (April 28), he recorded his only triple of the year and first since Aug. 2, 2022 … and on May 10, Gomes went 3-for-3 with a home run, two RBI and a walk … all told, in Cubs returns, they are hitting .444 (8-for-18) with 2 doubles, a triple, two homers and seven RBI.

Hoerner’s four RBI tie his career-high … it is the fourth time in his career he has recorded four RBI in a game (also April 21, 2023, Sept. 13, 2019, and Sept. 9, 2019).

SEIYA LATER, BALL!: Between his ninth inning home run on Tuesday and home runs in the first and third innings on Wednesday, Seiya Suzuki went deep in three-straight plate appearances … according to Elias Sports Bureau, Suzuki is the first Cub to have a home run in three consecutive plate appearances since Kris Bryant May 17, 2019 … he is the first Japanese-born player to achieve the feat in the majors. © Seiya’s first home run on Wednesday was his 200th home run in the Nippon Professional Baseball organization (Japan) and Major League Baseball, combined.

Through the first seven games of this road trip, Suzuki is hitting .400 (10-for25) with three doubles, four home runs, seven RBI and five runs scored.

UNDER ATTACK EARLY: Chicago has allowed at least one run in the first inning of each of the previous six games (May 13-19), totaling nine runs by the opponents in that span … the last time the Cubs allowed a run in the first inning in six consecutive games was May 5-12, 2006.

The last time the Cubs gave up first-inning runs in seven-straight games? … Sept. 10-18, 1961 for eight games in a row … eight-straight is a club record and was also done in 1893 and 1890.

LIGHTING UP THE SCOREBOARD: The Cubs have scored at least one run in each of their first 44 games in 2023, just the second time in the expansion era (since 1961) the team has gotten on the board in each of its first 44 contests … the longest season-opening streak in this span: 47 G in 1995.

Chicago is one of four teams in the majors this season to have scored at least one run in every game played thus far (also the Diamondbacks, Angels and Blue Jays).

Below is a look at how each Cubs team stacks up through the first 44 games of their season-opening streaks with at least one run scored:

Year Record Win % R RA
2023 20-24 .455 216 185
1995 23-21 .523 197 189

Starting Pitcher – #50 RHP Jameson Taillon (0-2, 6.66)
Last Time Out
Jameson received his fourth-straight no-decision in his last outing May 15 in Houston … has allowed three-plus runs in three-straight starts for the eighth time in his career (last, Oct. 4, 2022-April 9, 2023) … his seven hits allowed tied his season-high … struck out one batter or fewer in a game for the fifth time in his career (last June 12, 2021 at Philadelphia).

Date Opp. Result IP H R ER BB SO PC-S Left
5/15 @HOU ND, 4-6 4.2 7 4 4 1 1 68-44 4-4, 1 on
2023 Splits and Season Notes
W-L ERA G GS IP H R ER BB SO
Home 0-2 8.49 3 3 11.2 18 12 11 4 14
Road 0-0 4.97 3 3 12.2 12 7 7 3 12
AVG vs. LHB: .326 (15-for-46) / AVG vs. RHB: .273 (15-for-55)

Jameson will make his seventh start of the 2023 season today … is looking for his first win as a Cub … has gone six-straight starts without a win to begin the 2023 campaign, the fourth time in his career that he has failed to earn a win in at least six-straight starts in the same season (last 8, May 7-June 18, 2021) … has walked two or fewer batters in 16-straight outings dating to Aug. 14, 2022, the fifth-longest active streak among major league starting pitchers … opposing hitters are batting .111 (2-for-18) with eight strikeouts against his curveball.

Began his stint on the 15-day injured list April 20 (retroactive to April 17) with a left groin strain … was activated on May 4.

Went 2-0 with a 3.93 ERA (8 ER/18.1 IP) with 23 strikeouts, compared to no walks, during Spring Training … was the only pitcher in the Cactus League with at least 10.0 IP to not walk a batter

PHILADELPHIA PHILLIES NOTES:

GAME #44 RECAP: The Phillies fell to the Chicago Cubs, 10-1, at a sold out Citizens Bank Park … Starter Ranger Suarez (L, 0-1) made his 2023 CBP debut and allowed 4 runs in 2.0 innings with 5 hits, 3 walks and 4 strikeouts … The Phillies jumped out to a 1-0 lead in the 1st inning but the Cubs scored 10 unanswered runs the rest of the night.

TIME TO POKE THE BEAR: Dating to last season, the Phillies have lost seven consecutive games against the Cubs which marks their longest losing streak to Chicago since another seven-game streak, July 7, 1995- June 3, 1996 … During this seven-game skid, the Phillies have scored a total of 11 runs (1.6 per game) and are slashing .201/.272/.271 with only 10 extra-base hits in 254 plate appearances … Philadelphia’s last win against the Cubs came on Sept. 16, 2021, in a 17-8 barnburner at CBP … The last time the Phillies lost eight straight games against the Cubs was a nine-game skid from May 6-June 14, 1947.

BEDLAM AT THE BANK: Through 19 games at Citizens Bank Park, the Phillies are averaging 39,543 in attendance per game which ranks 2nd among all clubs in MLB behind only the Dodgers (47,873) … Of Philadelphia’s first 19 games at home, 11 have been sellouts (58%) and 14 have been over 35,000 (74%).

A REAL UNICORN: Since the start of last season (regular and postseason combined), J.T. Realmuto has played a total of 1600.2 innings at catcher (188 G, 184 GS) … That is 275.2 innings (almost 31 full games) clear of HOU’s Martin Maldonado who ranks 2nd in MLB at 1325.0 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 .340/.374/.557 (.931 OPS) over his last 27 games (107 PA, since 4/14) … He carries an active 11-game on-base streak into play tonight (.419 OBP, since 5/5).

GO NOLES: Phils starter Aaron Nola has gone at least 6.0 innings in each of his last six starts (since 4/16) and seven of his last eight (since 4/5) … Nola has seven starts this season of at least 6.0 innings which ranks T-5th among all pitchers in MLB … Since 2018, Nola has gone 6.0 innings in 100 of his 152 total starts (65.8%) … His 100 games of at least 6.0 innings pitched since 2018 ranks 3rd among all pitchers in MLB – he trails only Gerrit Cole (115 such starts) and teammate Zack Wheeler (103 such starts) … Since 2018, the Phillies are 62-38 in those 100 games when Nola goes at least 6.0 innings (.620 win %) and when you add two runs or more of support in those games when Nola goes at least 6.0, the Phillies are 57-16 (.781 win %).

RIDING THE SEESAW: Since April 26, the Phillies have played 20 games and are two games under .500 at 9-11 … This 20-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) and an active five-game losing streak (since 5/14) … The Phillies have opened May with a 5-10 record: five losses to start, followed by five wins and now 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 57 plate appearances this season – after taking ball one, Castellanos is slashing .460/.526/.760 with a 1.286 OPS that ranks 4th out of 225 qualified players in MLB this year … He has nine extra-base hits (6 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 … Castellanos, slated to hit 2nd in the lineup today (1st time this season), did so on two occasions last year (5/4 vs TEX & 8/28 vs PIT) … In 2021, his last year with the Reds, Castellanos hit 2nd in 34 games and slashed .370/.418/.711 with 21 extra-base hits (8 2B, 3B, 12 HR) in 146 plate appearances.

RIPPING HEATERS: This season, Nick Castellanos has faced 154 four-seam fastballs – he is batting .459 with a .649 SLG against them and has whiffed on only 12.7% of his swings … Last year, Castellanos saw 546 four-seam fastballs and hit .265 with a .460 SLG and 25.7% whiff rate against them … In 2021, Castellanos saw 609 four-seamers and hit .355 with a .780 SLG and 17.2 % whiff rate … For context, Castellanos’ .459 AVG against four-seamers this season ranks 7th among 251 MLB players with at least 30 plate appearances against the pitch – in 2022 his .265 AVG ranked 122nd out of 266 players (min. 100 PA) and in 2021 his .355 AVG ranked 10th out of 269 players (min. 100 PA).

ON THE DOORSTEP OF HISTORY: Right-hander Craig Kimbrel has 1,125 career strikeouts which currently ranks 11th all-time among MLB relievers and he trails Hall-of-Famer Trevor Hoffman (1,133) by eight for 10th place all-time (Kenley Jansen ranks 12th at 1,124) … Over his last 12 appearances (since 4/16) Kimbrel has struck out 23 of the 42 batters he has faced (54.8%) while walking only three (7.1%) … Kimbrel is two saves away from 400 for his career as he looks to become only the 8th pitcher in MLB history to reach 400.

TODAY’S STARTER – AARON NOLA  RHP #27
2023: 3-3, 4.53 ERA Career: 81-65, 3.64 ERA

LAST START: 5/14 at COL: L, 7.0 IP, 6 H, 4 R, 4 ER, 1 BB, 4 SO, HR … Nola vs Freeland … The Phillies were unable to complete a 3-game sweep over the Rockies with a 4-0 loss in Denver on Mother’s Day … Nola’s 3-game win streak was snapped and was his 1st loss since 4/11 vs MIA … Was Nola’s 7th straight outing of at least 6.0 IP … Phils offense finished the game 0-for-14 with RISP and left 10 men on base.

TODAY’S START:
Philly Value: Since 2018, Nola is the only pitcher in baseball to accrue more than 20.0 fWAR (22.5) and pitch for only one team … In that span, he ranks 5th overall in fWAR behind only Jacob deGrom (27.1), Max Scherzer (25.6), Gerrit Cole (25.0) and Zack Wheeler (24.0) … His 30.9 fWAR as a Phillie is 8th-most in franchise history among pitchers and he trails Hall-of-Famer Jim Bunning (31.2) for 7th place.

2023 NL Ranks: Quality starts (T-8th; 5), IP (6th; 55.2), BB/9.0 IP (8th; 1.94), SO/BB ratio (11th; 3.58)

Home Body: Nola has a 2.13 ERA (10 ER, 42.1 IP) with 10 BB, 46 SO and has held opponents to a .216/.268/.333 slash line over his last 7 home starts (since 8/25/22) … Three of those starts have been scoreless

Caught Lookin’: Entering play today, Nola ranks T-6th among all ML pitchers this year in called strikeouts (18) … Since the start of the 2018 season, only Gerrit Cole (318) has more backwards K’s than Nola (316) … The next closest pitcher on that list in Sonny Gray who has 245 … Since 2018, 30% of Nola’s strikeouts have been called (316 of 1,050)

Top of the Class: Since 2018, Nola leads all ML pitchers in starts (152) and ranks 2nd in IP (927.1) and is 3rd in SO (1,050)

On the 5th Day, You Shall Rest: Nola, who has 5 days of rest, has made 92 career starts with 5 days of rest, and in those starts is 39-20 with a 3.08 ERA (195 ER, 569.0 IP) … He has a 4.27 ERA (276 ER, 582.0 IP) in 98 starts on 4 days rest

Walk Talk: Nola has not walked a batter in 3 of his 9 starts this season … His 1.94 BB/9.0 IP ranks 8th among NL pitchers … Since the start of last season, Nola’s 4.0% walk rate (41 BB, 1,031 BF) is 2nd lowest among all pitchers with at least 750 batters faced (TOR’s Gausman is 1st at 3.9%)

vs NL Central: 23-10, 3.31 ERA (99 ER, 269.1 IP) in 43 starts

HOME:
2023: 1-1, 4.34 ERA (9 ER, 18.2 IP) in 3 starts

Career: 45-25, 3.22 ERA (231 ER, 646.1 IP) in 104 starts

2023 SEASON:
Recorded his 1,400th career strikeout on 4/21 vs COL, the 5thyoungest to reach the mark among the 20 active pitchers to do so at the time

Made his 6th straight Opening Day, extending his MLB-best active streak of Opening Day starts

Was the first pitcher in baseball to make 6 straight Opening Day starts since Julio Teheran in made his 6th consecutive for ATL in 2019, and joins Robin Roberts (12) and Steve Carlton (10) as the only Phillies to do

MLB Preview: Colorado Rockies (19-26) at Texas Rangers (27-17)

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MLB Preview: Colorado Rockies (19-26) at Texas Rangers (27-17)

COLORADO ROCKIES NOTES:

WHAT’S BEEN HAPPENING LATELY

  • The Colorado Rockies continue their short three-game road trip this afternoon against the Texas Rangers.
  • Following this series in Texas, the Rockies return home for a seven-game homestand against the Miami Marlins (May 22-25) and New York Mets (May 26-28).
  • Colorado has won four of their last five series since May 2 and five of their last seven series since April 24 … the Rockies have also won each of their last three road series, including each of the last two after dropping the series opener… had lost or split each of their first seven series of the season prior to this stretch.
  • The Rockies have won 11-5 over their last 17 and 13-9 through their last 21 since April 24, a .591 winning percentage that is tied for the third-best mark in the NL over that span.

MAY FLOWERS

  • The Rockies are off to an 10-6 start in May, a .625 winning percentage that is tied for the fourth-best in the Majors, second overall in the NL behind the Dodgers (13-4, .765) … Colorado went 9-20 in April, their worst record in the month of April in franchise history.
  • Colorado’s 3.57 team ERA (141.0 IP, 56 ER) this month is the fifth-lowest in the Majors … the bullpen has logged six wins and posted a 2.52 ERA (64.1 IP, 18 ER) with 33 walks, 75 strikeouts and three home runs allowed in May.
  • Rockies hitters are slashing .266/.327/.427 in May, the sixth-highest average in the Majors … are batting .341 (42-for-123) 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’ five miscues this month are tied for the fourth-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 6-for-18 with six runs, one double, one triple, three home runs and six 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 20 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 .336 batting average and fifth in the Majors with a .459 batting average (17-for-37) with runners in scoring position.
  • Díaz is batting .364 (26-for-44) in May, including .538 (7-for-13) with runners in scoring position this month.
  • Has appeared in 38 games at catcher, tied for the most in the Majors … his 10 catcher caught stealing rank second in the Majors, while his 44.0 caught stealing percentage ranks fourth.

THROW THE BALL

  • Jake Bird ranks second among Major League relievers, first in the NL, with 29.0 innings pitched … his 30
    strikeouts are tied for the fifth in the Majors among relief pitchers … has posted a 0.77 ERA (23.1 IP, 2 ER)
    with eight walks and 26 strikeouts over his last 15 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).
    YEEHAW
  • The Rockies return to Arlington, where they have played each of the last three years since Globe Life Field
    opened in 2020 … have gone 5-4 in the new ballpark, including a two-game sweep April 11-12 of last season
    … the Rockies played in the inaugural game at Globe Life Field on July 24, 2020, losing 1-0.
  • Overall, the Rockies have gone 10-7 against the Rangers since 2020 … five of the Rockies’ seven losses over
    that span have been by two or fewer runs, including four one-run losses.

OLD FRIENDS

  • Today’s starting pitchers, Kyle Freeland (5th, 159) and Jon Gray (151, 7th), both rank in the top seven in Rockies franchise history in games started … this is the first starting pitching matchup in which both pitchers had 150 or more career starts for the Rockies entering the game … only twice before have two starting pitchers with at least 100 starts with the Rockies faced each other, both in 2005: Jamey Wright vs. the Padres’ Pedro Astacio on Aug. 28 and Jason Jennings vs. the Braves’ John Thomson on May 10, 2005.
  • A win today by Freeland would be the 54th of his career, passing Gray and Astacio for the seventh-most in franchise history

ROCKIES STARTING PITCHER – #21 KYLE FREELAND LHP
DENVER KID

  • Kyle Freeland will make his 10th start of the season today, his fourth on the road.
  • The 30-year-old Denver native graduated from Thomas Jefferson High School, 15 minutes south of Coors Field … selected in the first round of the 2014 First Year Player Draft (eighth overall), the third player in University of Evansville history to be drafted in the first round.
  • The Rockies announced on April 19, 2022 that they agreed to a five-year contract extension with Freeland covering the 2022-26 seasons … the extension includes two arbitration years and three years of free agency.

A BIRTHDAY GIFT

  • Last start came on May 14 vs. Philadelphia at Coors Field on his 30th birthday … earned his fourth win of the season, pitching six scoreless innings with four hits, one walk and a season-high eight strikeouts in a 4-0 Rockies win.
  • Became the fourth pitcher in franchise history to earn a win on his birthday, joining Brian Bohanon (1999), Mike DeJean (1997) and Kevin Ritz (1995).

DONUT

  • Has six games this season in which he has tossed at least five scoreless innings, already tied for the second-most such games in a single season in franchise history … his next game of five-plus scoreless innings will tie him with Ubaldo Jiménez in 2010 for the most in franchise history.

DEALING

  • Ranks among National League starting pitchers in quality starts (six, T-4th), innings pitched (51.1, T-16th), ERA (3.16, T-15th) and opponent batting average (.238, 20th).
  • Has allowed three or fewer runs in seven of his nine starts … allowed nine runs (seven earned) in 2.2 innings on April 17 vs. Pittsburgh … in five starts since, has gone 2-3 with a 2.70 ERA (30.0 IP, 9 ER), including 2-1 with a 1.00 ERA (18.0 IP, 2 ER) over his last three outings.

ROAD WARRIOR

  • Has tossed at least six innings in all three of his road starts this season, going 1-2 with a 2.84 ERA (19.0 IP, 6 ER).
  • Has gone 5-7 with a 3.04 ERA (106.2 IP, 36 ER) in 19 starts on the road over the past three seasons, the seventh-lowest road ERA in the NL over that span.
  • Posted a 2.23 road ERA (60.2 IP, 15 ER) in 10 road starts since last year’s All-Star Break, the second-lowest road ERA in the Majors over that span (min. 40 IP).

HOME IS WHERE THE HEART IS

  • Has gone 3-2 with a 3.34 ERA (32.1 IP, 12 ER) in six starts at home this season … quality starts in four of his six.
  • Career record of 31-26 (Rockies 49-35) with a 4.66 ERA (445.2 IP, 231 ER) in 84 appearances (81 starts) at Coors Field … ERA seventh all-time at Coors Field among pitchers with at least 40 starts.

GIDDY UP

  • Making his fourth career start against the Rangers, with all four coming in Arlington … has gone 1-0 (Rockies 2-1) with a 3.21 ERA (14.0 IP, 5 ER) in his three starts.
  • Left his last start against the Rangers on Sept. 1, 2021 after one inning with a left hip impingement.
  • Has a 5-3 record with a 3.20 ERA (70.1 IP, 25 ER) in 13 career starts in AL ballparks … has not allowed more than two runs in his last five starts in AL parks since 2020, going 2-1 with a 2.10 ERA (25.2 IP, 6 ER) with only one home run allowed.

TEXAS RANGERS NOTES:

WINS AND LOSSES: Texas defeated the Rockies in their series opener yesterday, 7-2, and are now 2-2 on this 7-day, 6-game homestand vs. ATL (1-2) and COL (1-0 + 2 G)…TEX has won 3 of 5, 6 of 9 and 9 of 13…TEX is 13-6 in last 19 G…TEX is 13-10 in last 23 G, but still 20-12 in last 32 G and 23-13 in last 36 G beg. 4/9…have a 24-17 record last 41 G since club’s 3-0 start to the season…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 27-17 (.614), TEX owns the 3rd-best record in A.L. and 5th-best in MLB (see chart)…club’s 27 wins rank T3rd in A.L./ T5th in MLB (33-TB, 29-LAD/BAL, 28-ATL, 27-TEX/NYY).
  • The 27-17 start marks Rangers’ best 44-G start to a season since 2013 (29-15), one of the 6 best starts in club history.
  • TEX is a season high-tying 10 G above .500 for the 3rd time this season (also 5/17 and 5/14)…this campaign’s 3 instances at the 10-over mark the club’s 1st time(s) to be 10-over since 6/28/19 (46-36), and 5/14 was the earliest date to reach 10-over in a season since 2013 (May 11).

BEST RECORDS IN MLB, 2023
Win Pct. Team W-L
.717 Tampa Bay 33-13
.644 Baltimore 29-16
.636 Atlanta 28-16
.630 Los Angeles-NL 29-17
.614 Texas 27-17

STANDINGS: Rangers hold a 2.0-game lead in the A.L. West after entering Monday with a season-best 4.0-G lead…this still marks the latest point in a season for Texas to hold a lead of 2.0+ G in the division since finishing the 2016 campaign 9.0 GA of 2nd-place Seattle…the 2.0-G lead over 2nd-place Houston is the smallest division advantage in the A.L. entering today and 2nd smallest in MLB (MIL and PIT are tied for the N.L. Central lead)…TEX has been alone or tied atop the division for 49 of the season’s first 50 days (exception: 4/8).

SERIES STUFF: TEX is now 8-7 in series openers in ’23… club has gone 4-1-1 in last 6 series and 8-2-1 in last 11… team is 9-4-1 overall in series this year, going 5-2-1 at home 4-2-0 on the road…club did not win a 9th series in 2022 until 6/27-29 at KC…TEX won 4 straight series 4/10-23, longest such span since going 5-0-0 from 6/15-7/1/18…TEX is 3-1-1 in last 5 series at GLF…club in winless (0-3-1) in last 4 series vs. N.L. clubs after season-opening sweep vs. PHI (3-0).

AT HOME: The Rangers are 14-8 (.636) at home this season, this after starts of 10-12 in 2022 and 2021 at GLF the last 2 years…the .636 home win pct. is T4th in A.L. and T5th in MLB (20-3, .870-TB; 17-7, .708-LAD; 15-8, .652-BAL; 13- 7, .650-TOR; 14-8, .636-MIN/TEX)…TEX has a 100-114 all-time record at Globe Life Field (2020-23), but are 20-15 last 35 G here (beg. 9/11/22)…TEX leads MLB in R/G (6.32) at home in 2023, and 139 R are 2nd-most in the Majors…team is also 3rd in MLB w/ 1.64 HR/G at home, this after ranking 9th in Majors at 1.25 HR/G at home in 2022.

VS. COLORADO: This 3-G weekend series at Globe Life Field marks the only meeting between the Rangers and Rockies in 2023…clubs have faced one another in each of the last 4 seasons (beg. 2020), with TEX going 7-10 in that span…COL leads the all-time series, 27-26, but Texas holds a 15-12 advantage in Arlington (4-5 at Globe Life Field).

  • TEX is 7-8 in Interleague play this season, losing 3 of 5 and 8 of last 12 G, but are 6-3 vs. N.L. at Globe Life Field in ‘23…club is 11-5 in last 16 Interleague games at GLF (beg. 4/30/22).

ROCKY REUNION: Jon Gray will face the Colorado Rockies for the 1st time since signing with the Rangers as a free agent in 2021…COL’s Opening Day starter in 2017 and 2018, Gray ranks among the Rockies’ all-time leaders in strikeouts (2nd, 849), starts (5th, 151), innings (6th, 829.1) and wins (T7th, 53)…he owns a .633 (31-18) career winning percentage at Coors Field, the 3rd-best mark among COL pitchers (min. 40 starts), and struck out 10+ batters in a game 15 times (tied with Pedro Astacio for most in club history)…he is also the only player in COL history to have 3 games of 12-or-more SO and 4 starts with double-digit SO and 0 BB.

BOMBI’S WORLD: Adolis García enters today’s slate leading the A.L. in both HR (14) and RBI (MLB-best 48), as his 48 RBI are the T3rd-most in WSH/TEX franchise history (beg. 1961) through the team’s first 44 G of a season (see chart)…García and Josh Hamilton in 2012 (18 HR/48 RBI)
are the only 2 players in Senators/Rangers history with 14+ HR and 48+ RBI over the club’s first 44 G of a campaign… García has homered in a career-high 3 straight games, all at GLF (4 total HR) and 4 of his last 5 G (5 total HR)… the 3-G run ties the longest HR streak by a Ranger in 2023 (also Marcus Semien from 4/16-18)…10 of his 14 HR this season have come at GLF, the most HR at home by any batter in MLB.

MOST RBI THROUGH FIRST 44 TEAM GAMES IN A SEASON, SENATORS/RANGERS HISTORY
beg. 1961
RBI Player Year
51 Juan González 1998
49 Josh Hamilton 2008
48 Adolis García 2023
48 Josh Hamilton 2012
46 Jeff Burroughs 1974

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

FAMILIAR FOES: Texas manager Bruce Bochy and Colorado manager Bud Black will face off for the 212th time in their careers (regular season) during tonight’s game…Bochy’s 105 wins and 211 games managed against Black are his most against an opposing manager.

BRUCE BOCHY’S MOST COMMON MANAGERIAL OPPONENTS (REG. SEASON)
Games Opp. Manager Record
211 Bud Black 105-106
194 Clint Hurdle 87-107
194 Dusty Baker 83-111
173 Jim Tracy 96-77
138 Felipe Alou 67-71

SHORTS: Corey Seager is 4-for-last-4, 6-for-last-7, and 13-for-last 19 against COL starter Kyle Freeland, with a career .619 BA and 1.446 OPS… Ezequiel Duran reached base a career-high 4 times last night (3-3, 2B, BB) and has batted .336/.377/.579/.956 (36-107) with 6 HR, 8 2B, and 21 RBI over his last 28 G (beg. 4/18) to raise his season BA from .150 to .307…TEX improved to a 3-1 record while wearing their Nike City Connect uniforms…today’s game is expected to be played with the roof closed…TEX is 8-4 at GLF with the roof closed vs. 6-4 with the roof open in 2023.

TODAY’S STARTING PITCHER – #22 Jon Gray, RHP
(3-1, 3.15)

TODAY: The 31-year-old right-hander is set to make his 9th appearance/start of the season in today’s middle game of this weekend set vs. Colorado…former Rockie (2015-21) is facing his former team for the 1st time (see below)…Gray has quality starts in 3 of last 4 outings, and is 2-0, 0.60 ERA (1 R-ER/15.0 IP) last 2 starts to drop season ERA from 4.40 to 3.15, lowest since 4/9 (3.00)… enters today with a streak of 14.0 consecutive scoreless innings…has logged at least 5.0 innings in 7 of 8 starts, as 45.2 IP are 3rd-most on club (60.1-Eovaldi, 49.1-Pérez)…6 of Gray’s 7 HR allowed in ‘23 have been solo shots…this is Gray’s 2nd season with Texas after signing a 4-year free agent contract with the club on 12/1/21…was hindered by several injuries last season, but still managed to post a 7-7 record, 3.96 ERA (56 ER/127.1 IP), and 134 strikeouts over 24 starts…prior to joining the Rangers, the right-hander had spent his entire pro career with Colorado, ranking 3rd in Rockies history with 849 strikeouts while also placing among the all-time team leaders with 151 starts, 829.1 innings, and 53 wins from 2015-21…was the 3rd overall selection by Colorado in the 2013 MLB Draft after pitching 2 seasons at the U. of Oklahoma…is a native of the Oklahoma City area, growing up in nearby Chandler…Texas is 4-4 in Gray’s 8 starts in 2023.

OF LATE: Gray has quality starts in 3 of last 4 outings, and is 2-0, 0.60 ERA (1 R-ER/15.0 IP) last 2 starts to drop season ERA from 4.40 to 3.15, lowest since 4/9 (3.00)…enters today’s start with 14.0 consecutive scoreless innings since last run allowed in 1st inn. on 5/8 at SEA (Ty France solo HR)…the current 14.0-IP scoreless streak is 3rd-longest active run in A.L. and matches the longest of his career (4x, also 5/1-13/18 w/ COL, and 6/12-22/22, 7/13-27/22 w/ TEX)…over his last 2 starts, has produced 2 of the 5 highest games scores of his Rangers career: 79 game score on Sat. at OAK (2nd-highest) and 73 game score on 5/8 at SEA (T4th-highest).

LAST START: Earned win in last start on Sat. at OAK, a 5-0 TEX victory (W, 8.0 IP, 3 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 5 SO, 95 pitches/66 strikes)…began the start w/ 6.2 hitless innings before a Jace Peterson 2-out single to RF in the 7th…it was the longest no-hit bid by a TEX starter since 4/15/18 at HOU, when Bartolo Colon retired the first 21 Astros before allowing a walk (Carlos Correa) and double (Josh Reddick) to open the 7th inning in an ESPN Sunday Night Baseball contest…Nathaniel Lowe hit a solo HR in the 4th inning that gave TEX a 3-0 lead, and Ezequiel Duran sealed the contest with a 2-R HR in the 9th…Gray surpassed 1000.0 career innings during the start, reaching the milestone when he recorded the 2nd but of the 6th inning.

ROCKY MOUNTAIN HIGH: Former Rockie (2015-21) still ranks among all-time COL franchise leaders in SO (3rd, 849), wins (T7th, 53), starts (7th, 151), and innings (8th, 829.1)…this will be the 1st time Gray has ever pitched against Colorado, the team that selected him in the 1st round (3rd overall) of the 2013 MLB Draft…Rox are last of the 30 active MLB franchises that Gray has yet to face in his career.

INTERLEAGUE: Has made 3 Interleague starts in 2023: 1-0, 4.76 (9 ER/17.0 IP), with TEX going 2-1 in those 3 contests…also has 3 career starts vs. N.L. at Globe Life Field w/ TEX in 2022-23: 1-0, 4.02 (7 ER/15.2 IP)…or his career, is 11-4, 3.75 (59 ER/141.2 IP) in 25 G/GS in Interleague play.

GLOBE LIFE FIELD / AT HOME: Gray is 0-1, 4.76 (9 ER/17.0 IP) in 3 starts at GLF in 2023, and has just 11 total home starts in his Rangers career spanning 2022-23: 4-2, 3.75 (25 ER/60.0 IP)…made season debut on 4/3 vs. BAL (6.1 IP, 2 R-ER), taking a loss despite a quality start in Rangers’ 2-0 defeat…left with a no decision on 4/21 vs. OAK where he matched a career high with 5 walks…in 2022, made twice as many starts on the road (16) than at Globe Life Field (8)…started the 2nd ever game at this facility on on 7/25/20 at TEX w/ COL (4.2 IP, 1 R-ER), a 3-2 Rockies win…retired first 8 BF prior to Mathis’ 2-out triple in the 3rd inning

  • Gray has seen far better results in 5 starts on the road (3-0, 2.20 ERA) than in his 3 starts in Arlington (0-1, 4.76 ERA) this season…despite calling hitter-friendly Coors Field home for the 1st 7 years of his MLB career (2015-21), still owns better lifetime marks at home (35-20, 4.44 ERA) than on the road (28-37, 4.45 ERA).

MLB Preview: Los Angeles Dodgers (29-17) at St. Louis Cardinals (19-27)

MLB Editor
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0
MLB Preview: Los Angeles Dodgers (29-17) at St. Louis Cardinals (19-27)

LOS ANGELES DODGERS NOTES:

TONIGHT’S STARTER at CARDINALS: RHP NOAH SYNDERGAARD (1-3, 5.94 ERA in 8 GS)
2023 SEASON NOTES:

  • Earned his first win as a Dodger in his start on April 30 against St. Louis, firing 5.1 innings, giving up eight hits and three runs…he is 1-3 on the season with a 5.94 ERA with 26 strikeouts
  • Struck out a season-high nine batters on April 14 vs. the Cubs
  • Pitched in five games (four starts) during spring ball, going 1-3 with a 5.79 ERA (12 ER/18.2 IP) with 13 strikeouts against just two walks…held a 1.13 WHIP

VS. CARDINALS:

  • He earned his first win as a Dodger in his start on April 30 against the Cardinals, tossing 5.1 innings and giving up eight hits and three runs
  • In his career against the Cardinals, he owns a record of 3-3 with a 4.22 ERA (20 ER/42.2 IP) and a 1.27 WHIP along with 41 strikeouts and eight walks in seven starts

ST. LOUIS CARDINALS NOTES:

RECENT REDBIRDS: The St. Louis Cardinals and Los Angeles Dodgers play the third game of a four-game series tonight at Busch Stadium … Both the Cardinals and first place Dodgers are an MLB best 9-3 in their last 11 games … St. Louis opened it’s seven-game homestand by taking two-of-three from division-rival Milwaukee for its third consecutive series win … After tomorrow’s homestand finale, the Cardinals embark on a seven-game Ohio road trip through Cinicnnati (May 22-25) and Cleveland (May 26-28).

FLIGHT PATTERN: The Cardinals enter today in fifth place in the NL Central, 6.0 games behind first place Milwaukee/Pittsburgh and 1.0 game back of fourth place Cincinnati … Since May 6, St. Louis has won nine of their last 12 to improve 4.0 games in the division … The Cardinals have been in last place for 24 straight days (April 25-present) … Tonight is the 8th of a season-high 19 consecutive games without an off-day (May 12-30).

ANGRY BIRDS: Since May 7, the Cardinals have gone 9-3 and paced MLB in runs (85), runs per game (7.08), RBI (81), slugging (.514), and OPS (.859), while ranking 2nd in homers (27), total bases (214), and stolen bases (15).

BURGER PHONE HOTLINE: The Cardinals are 5th in MLB in home runs (65) this season while ranking 3rd in the month of May (33) to the Yankees (35) and Braves (34) … St. Louis sports a 16-13 record in games when it homers this season, but 3-14 mark in homerless games.

GOING STREAKING WITH THE NOLANS: Nolan Arenado (15-41, .366/.400/.854) and Nolan Gorman (14-33, .412/.487/.941) are both riding 10-game hitting streaks, tied for the 5th-longest active hitting streaks in MLB … Gorman’s 10-gamer is a career best while Arenado’s hit streak ties for his longest in a Cardinals uniform (2021-present).

STORMIN GORMAN: Nolan Gorman, ranks among NL leaders in slugging pct. (.618, 1st), RBI (36, 2nd), OPS (1.000, 2nd), OPS+ (172, 2nd), wOBA (.419, 2nd), and wRC+ (170, 2nd) … Only Ronald Acuña Jr. has a higher OPS (1.043), OPS+ (1879), wOBA (.442), and wRC+ (179) than Gorman in the NL … Today is the one-year anniversary of Gorman’s Major League debut (May 20, 2022 at Pittsburgh).

THE HEAT IS ON: The Cardinals have swiped 20 consecutive stolen bases and now boast MLB’s top stolen base percentage (87.5, 35-for40), which currently is their best single-season mark in franchise history, topping the 2021 Redbirds (80.2%, 89-for-111).

GOLD RUSH: Last night, Paul Goldschmidt swiped his team-leading 7th bag of 2023 and his 30th consecutive stolen base without being caught (Aug. 11, 2019-present), longest stolen base streak among active Major Leaguers and the 2nd-longest in franchise history to Vince Coleman (50 straight stolen bases from Sept. 18, 1988-July 26, 1989) since caught stealing was first compiled in the NL in 1951 – Elias

CORNERSTONE COMBO: Paul Goldschmidt (33 HR, 103 RBI) and Nolan Arenado (30 HR, 97 RBI) are the top two active leaders in home runs and RBI against the Dodgers … The duo is attempting to continue where Hall of Famer Stan “The Man” Musial left off, the all-time MLB leader against the Dodgers in runs (299), hits (522), RBI (270) and 3rd in home runs (74) … Goldy’s 33 dingers are his most against any opponent.

TONIGHT’S STARTING PITCHER: RHP MILES MIKOLAS (2-1, 4.91 ERA)
TONIGHT’S GAME
NL Ranks: Hits Allowed (61, 2nd), ER allowed (26, T9th)

  • The 2022 N.L. All-Star is making his team-high 10th start of 2023, 153rd career appearance & 125th career start.
  • Enters off two straight starts allowing just one run. Has held his opposition to one run or less in 3 of his last 4 starts (2.01 ERA, 22.1 IP) after starting the season with a 7.46 ERA in his first five starts (25.1 IP).
  • Ranks 2nd behind only Adam Wainwright (2,578.0 IP) in most innings pitched (679.1) as a Cardinal among actives.
  • Leads all Cardinals pitchers with two wins since April 27.
  • Has received no more than three runs of support in 7 of his 9 starts this season.
  • Has allowed eight of his 27 runs in the 1st inning (8.00 ERA, .405 BA).
  • Since joining the Cardinals in 2018, Mikolas ranks 2nd in MLB (min. 600 IP) in fewest walks (125) behind only Justin Verlander (114). His 1.66 walks/9 IP in that span ranks 3rd tied behind Zack Greinke (1.63) and Verlander (1.62).
  • Was one of 10 MLB pitchers and two Cardinals (Wainwright) with a perfect 1.000 fielding pct. (31 total chances) in 2022. Hasn’t made an error since 8/2/18 vs. COL, and he’s 9th among MLB pitchers in fielding pct. (.986) since 2018. (min. 100 TC).
  • Signed a two-year contract extension through 2025 on March 24.

LAST TIME OUT

  • Posted his second straight start allowing just one run as the Cardinals rolled to a 9-1 win in a three-game sweep of Boston at Fenway Park. Did not strike out a batter of a start of 6.0 innings or more for the first time in his career and the 3rd pitcher to do that in 2023 (Kyle Gibson & Rich Hill). Was the first Cardinals pitcher since Adam Wainwright (6/5/22 at CHI), 7.0 IP, 0 SO.

DATE vs. RESULT DEC IP H R ER BB SO HR NP-S
5/14 @BOS W 9-1 W-2 6.0 4 1 1 2 0 0 98-63
2023

  • Has held his opposition to one run or less in 3 of his last 4 starts (2.01 ERA, 22.1 IP) after starting the season with a 7.46 ERA in his first five starts (25.1 IP).
  • Allowed at least 5 runs and 9 hits in each of his first three starts – first pitcher in MLB to begin a season with three such starts since Alex Cobb (2018, BAL). Became the 16th pitcher in Cardinals history to start a season allowing five or more runs in his first three starts and first since Brett Tomko (2003).
  • Received a no decision on 4/11 at COL, departing the game after 5.0 IP and trailing 6-2 after allowing three HR’s tying his career-high. Tied his season-high with 10 hits allowed
  • Recorded his 500th career strikeout in the National League on Opening Day.
  • Drew his 2nd career Opening Day start (3/30) and had a no-decision in the Cardinals 10-9 loss to Toronto that featured five lead changes.
  • Was a 3-0 with 0.00 ERA in three Grapefruit League starts this season, allowing just one unearned run in his 12.0 IP. 123 of his 133 pitches thrown this spring were strikes
  • Pitched for Team USA during World Baseball Classic, totaling 6.0 IP in two relief appearances, including a 4.0 inning stint in the American’s semi-final win over Cuba
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