The Pirates today made the following roster moves:
Twins place Nick Gordon on 10-day injured list
Club recalls Kyle Garlick from Triple-A St. Paul
ANAHEIM, CA – The Minnesota Twins announced today that they have placed utility player Nick Gordon on the 10-day Injured List with a right tibia fracture (retroactive to May 18).
Gordon, who sustained the injury after fouling a pitch off his leg in the fifth inning of Wednesday afternoon’s game at Dodger Stadium, played in 34 games for the Twins this season, hitting .176 (16-for-91) with five doubles, one triple, two home runs, seven RBI, 13 runs scored and one walk.
To replace Gordon on the 26-man roster, the Twins have recalled outfielder Kyle Garlick from Triple-A St. Paul. Garlick, who will be making his second stint with the Twins this season, recently played in 18 games for the Saints, hitting .197 (13-for-66) with two doubles, one triple, three home runs, 10 RBI, 12 runs scored, 13 walks and a .329 on-base percentage. He played in three games for the Twins from April 13-19, going 1-for-7 with one home run.
Cubs conduct several roster moves
PHILADELPHIA – The Chicago Cubs today activated infielder Nico Hoerner from the 10-day injured list, recalled infielder Edwin Ríos from Triple-A Iowa and selected the contract of outfielder Mike Tauchman from Iowa. In corresponding moves, outfielder Cody Bellinger has been placed on the 10-day injured list (retroactive to May 16) with a left knee contusion, right-handed pitcher Keegan Thompson has been optioned to Iowa and infielder Eric Hosmer has been designated for assignment.
Hoerner, 26, is batting .303 (46-for-152) with six doubles, one triple, two home runs and 19 RBI in 35 games for Chicago prior to suffering a left hamstring strain May 8 vs. the Cardinals. His 12 stolen bases are the fourth-most in the N.L., while his 46 hits are tied for the 12th-most. The right-handed hitting infielder reached safely in 26-straight games from April 2-May 2, the longest streak by a Cub since Kris Bryant reached in 26-straight games in 2019.
The Cubs’ first round selection in 2018 out of Stanford University, Hoerner in parts of five MLB seasons is batting .281 (272-for-968) with 43 doubles, seven triples, 15 home runs and 120 RBI in 282 games. He was the first member of the 2018 draft class to make his MLB debut when he was promoted from Double-A Tennessee, Sept. 9, 2019.
Ríos, 29, has split the 2023 campaign between Chicago and Iowa, appearing in 12 games for the Cubs and seven for Iowa. After signing a one-year contract with Chicago in February of 2023, Ríos made Chicago’s Opening Day roster and played in 12 games, batting .100 (2-for-20) with a double, a home run and two RBI prior to being optioned to Iowa May 5. With the I-Cubs, Ríos has played in seven games, going 4-for-21 (.190) with two doubles, one home run and one RBI.
The sixth-round selection of the Dodgers in 2015 out of Florida International University, Ríos has played in parts of five MLB seasons with the Dodgers (2019-22) and Cubs, hitting .211 (59-for-280) with 10 doubles, one triple, 21 home runs and 45 RBI in 124 career games, averaging one home run every 13.3 at-bats. In 505 career minor league games, Ríos owns a .290 average (545-for-1,880) with 134 doubles, four triples, 105 home runs, 366 RBI and an .881 OPS.
Tauchman, 32, is batting .278 (22-for-79) with four doubles, three home runs, 15 RBI, 21 walks and a .427 on-base percentage in 24 games for the I-Cubs this season. A non-roster invitee to the Cubs major league Spring Training in 2023, Tauchman last appeared in the major leagues in 2021, when he split 75 games between the San Francisco Giants and New York Yankees. In 257 career major league games with the Rockies (2017-18), Yankees (2019-21) and Giants (2021), Tauchman is 134-for-580 (.231) with 30 doubles, two triples, 17 home runs and 78 RBI.
A Palatine, Ill., native, Tauchman was drafted by Colorado in the 10th round in 2013 out of Bradley University. In 700 minor league games, he has batted .301 (771-for-2,565) with 151 doubles, 40 triples, 52 home runs and 350 RBI.
Bellinger, 27, is batting .271 (39-for-144) with nine doubles, one triple, seven home runs and 20 RBI in 37 games for the Cubs in 2023. The left-handed hitting outfielder signed a one-year contract with the club in December 2022.
Thompson, 28, is 2-2 with a 4.22 ERA (10 ER/21.1 IP) in 15 games out of the bullpen for Chicago this season. Twice this season he has tossed at least 3.0 scoreless innings of relief.
Hosmer, 33, appeared in 31 games for the Cubs during the 2023 campaign, batting .234 (22-for-94) with three doubles, two home runs and 14 RBI. He signed a one-year contract with the Cubs in January 2023.
Red Sox reinstate RHP Kutter Crawford from 15-day injured list
BOSTON, MA — The Boston Red Sox today reinstated right-handed pitcher Kutter Crawford from the 15-Day Injured List.
Chief Baseball Officer Chaim Bloom made the announcement.
Crawford, 27, was placed on the Injured List on May 5 (retroactive to May 4) with a left hamstring strain. He made his lone rehab appearance Tuesday with Triple-A Worcester, allowing one run on three hits in 3.0 innings against Lehigh Valley, striking out four batters and walking none. The right-hander owns a 3.51 ERA (10 ER/25.2 IP) in seven outings (two starts) this season, including a 1.08 ERA (2 ER/16.2 IP) in five relief appearances. In 29 career outings (15 starts) with Boston (2021-23), Crawford has a 5.31 ERA (62 ER/105.0 IP).
Yankees acquire OF Greg Allen
The New York Yankees today announced that they have acquired OF Greg Allen from the Boston Red Sox in exchange for minor league RHP Diego Hernández and cash considerations.
Allen, 30, has hit .232 (165-for-712) with 103R, 30 doubles, 7 triples, 10HR, 67RBI, 45BB and 45SB in 282 career games over parts of six Major League seasons with the Cleveland Guardians (2017-20), San Diego Padres (2020), the Yankees (2021) and Pittsburgh Pirates (2022). He has played all three outfield positions in his career (CF – 136G/101GS, LF – 108G/54GS, RF – 51G/27GS).
The switch-hitting outfielder has played in 37 games this season with Triple-A Worcester, batting .250 (29-for-116) with 25R, 8 doubles, 1 triple, 2HR, 15RBI, 21BB and 23SB. His 23SB are the second-most among Triple-A batters. Allen was signed by the Red Sox as a minor league free agent on January 13, 2023.
The San Diego, Calif., native was originally drafted by Cleveland in the sixth round of the 2014 MLB First-Year Player Draft. He was acquired by San Diego from Cleveland along with RHP Mike Clevinger and a player to be named later (Matt Waldron) in exchange for INF Gabriel Arias, LHP Joey Cantillo, C Austin Hedges, INF Owen Miller, INF/OF Josh Naylor and RHP Cal Quantrill on August 31, 2020. Allen was then acquired by the Yankees from San Diego on January 6, 2021 in exchange for LHP James Reeves. He hit .270 (10-for-37) with 9R, 4 doubles, 1 triple, 2RBI, 5BB and 5SB in 15 games with the Yankees. Allen was then claimed off waivers by the Pittsburgh Pirates on November 15, 2021.
Hernández, 18, made his professional debut in 2022 with the DSL Bombers, going 4-2 with a 2.10 ERA (34.1IP, 24H, 16R/8ER, 14BB, 48K, 2HR) in 12 games (five starts). The Heroica Puebla de Zaragoza, México, native was originally signed by the Yankees as a non-drafted free agent on January 20, 2022.
MLS Preview: Orlando City SC (4-4-4) at Inter Miami FC (5-7-0)
All three of Inter Miami FC’s wins in its 10 meetings with Orlando City SC in all competitions have come at home, including a 4-1 victory last October. Orlando City SC has recorded at least one win against its in-state rivals in each of Inter Miami FC’s first three MLS seasons.
Inter Miami FC has won four of its first six home matches this (L2) including each of the last two. Inter Miami FC has won 14 of its last 20 home league matches (D2 L4) dating back to early April 2022 as only Los Angeles Football Club (47) and the Philadelphia Union (45) have more home points than inter Miami FC (44) in that time.
Orlando City SC played New York City FC to a 1-1 draw on Wednesday, a match in which they were outshot, 14-10, by New York City FC. Orlando City SC is unbeaten (W4 D4) when having fewer shots than its opponent this season while losing all of four of its MLS matches when outshooting the opposition.
Josef Martinez has scored eight goals in 10 career matches against Orlando City SC, tied for the most any player has scored against Orlando City SC since Martinez joined MLS in 2017 (I. Piatti). Only two players have more goals against a single opponent in that time (C. Vela 10, R. Ruidiaz 9, both vs the Los Angeles Galaxy).
Ercan Kara has scored three of Orlando City SC’s last five goals in MLS play including a header against New York City FC on Wednesday. of Orlando City SC’s last eight headed goals in MLS play dating back to last April, half have been scored by Kara.
NFL Transactions 5-19-23
The following are the NFL transactions for Friday, May 19. Transactions will be published each day after they are circulated to NFL clubs. This public version will include waiver requests, assignments via waivers, terminations, free agent signings, reserve list and practice squad additions and deletions, and trades.
| WAIVER SYSTEM TRANSACTIONS | |||||
TERMINATIONS VIA WAIVER SYSTEM | |||||
CAROLINA | |||||
| Eason, Jacob | QB | Washington | |||
LAS VEGAS | |||||
| Martin, Brock | DE | Oklahoma State | |||
NEW ENGLAND | |||||
| Cajuste, Yodny | T | West Virginia | |||
ACTIVE LIST ADDITIONS | |||||
FREE AGENT SIGNINGS | |||||
ARIZONA | |||||
| Cobbs, Brian | WR | Utah State | |||
LAS VEGAS | |||||
| Van Roten, Greg | G | Pennsylvania | |||
LOS ANGELES CHARGERS | |||||
| Williams, Nicholas | DT | Samford | |||
NEW ENGLAND | |||||
| Tavai, Justus | DT | San Diego State | |||
SELECTION LIST SIGNINGS | |||||
ARIZONA | |||||
| Williams, Garrett | DB | Syracuse | (3-72)* | ||
HOUSTON | |||||
| Horton, Dylan | DE | Texas Christian | (4-109)* | ||
KANSAS CITY | |||||
| Anudike-Uzomah, Felix | DE | Kansas State | (1-31)* | ||
WASHINGTON | |||||
| Daniels, Braeden | T | Utah | (4-118)* | ||
| Stromberg, Ricky | C | Arkansas | (3-97)* | ||
*Round and Overall Selection Number in 2023 Draft. | |||||
MLB Preview: Boston Red Sox (24-20) at San Diego Padres (20-24)
BOSTON RED SOX NOTES:
No release available.
SAN DIEGO PADRES NOTES:
Padres fall 4-3 to Royals on Wednesday, drop 4th straight series
- On Wednesday vs. Kansas City, Yu Darvish allowed 4 runs (earned) on 6 hits in 5.1 innings…the SD offense stranded 12 runners and twice loaded the bases with fewer than 2 outs without scoring.
- The Padres have lost 9 of their last 11 and haven’t won consecutive games since May 3-5…their 9 losses since May 6 tie with the A’s for the most losses of any team in that time.
Armed Forces Weekend
- This weekend, MLB and all clubs will demonstrate their appreciation of military service men, women, and their families this weekend in commemoration of Armed Forces Day…on Friday and Saturday, the Padres will wear the officially licensed army green hats and socks with their home white pinstripe uniforms…on “Armed Forces Day” on Sunday, May 21st, the Friars will wear the Armed Forces gear with their military green camo uniforms.
Machado is placed on IL for 1st time since 2014 with left hand fracture
- Manny Machado was diagnosed with a fractured metacarpal bone in his left hand after he was hit by a pitch on Monday night…Machado had not been placed on an Injured List since 2014 with Baltimore with a right knee sprain (has gone over 8 years without being placed on the IL).
Problem with runners in scoring position
- San Diego’s .196 clip with RISP this year is the lowest in MLB, and it’s the club’s lowest mark with RISP through their 1st 44 games of a season since their .186 clip in 2014…in the Expansion era (since 1961), the lowest AVG of any team with RISP in a season was the Padres’ .201 clip in 1969 (SD’S 1st season)… in the Expansion Era, the lowest AVG with RISP before the All-Star break was the Padres’ .198 in 2014.
Padres look for 1st-ever series win over Boston in San Diego
- The Padres host the Boston Red Sox for the 1st time since 2019, and they’ll look for their 2nd-ever series win over Boston (sole series win so far was when they took 2 of 3 in Boston back in 2011).
- Xander Bogaerts, facing his former club for the 1st time since being signed by SD, will receive his ’22 Silver Slugger Award pregame on Saturday.
STARTING PITCHER – BLAKE SNELL 4
Snell makes 9th start of the season vs. former AL East foe
30-year-old left-hander Blake Snell is set for his 13th career start vs. the Boston Red Sox, which will tie for the 2nd-most starts he’s made against any club (also: TOR)…it will be his first time facing the Red Sox as a member of the Padres, with his last starts vs. BOS coming in 2020 w/ TB…he’s made 10+ starts against 3 other clubs: 18 vs. NYY, 11 vs. LAD and 10 vs. COL…his 7 winning decisions vs. BOS are the most he’s earned against any team, 3 ahead of the next closest teams (4 vs. each of ARI, CWS, NYY and TOR).
Snell stringing together quality outings
Tonight, Snell will be in search of his 4th consecutive quality start, which would tie for the 2nd-longest quality outing streak of his career from his Cy Young 2018 campaign (June 19-July 7)…he posted a career-high 6 consecutive quality outings earlier in 2018 from April 10-May 8…he had 3 streaks last year of tossing back-to-back quality starts, but he has just 1 other stretch of 3-straight QS as a Padre (August 25-September 7, 2021).
Welcome to Snel-LA
Snell faced off against the Dodgers in both of his last 2 starts, allowing just 5 hits, 1 HR and 4 runs scored, but received just 2 total runs of support…including the Postseason, they were his 13th and 14th career starts vs. the Dodgers, and among all active pitchers who have made at least 10 career starts vs. LAD, his .176 opp. AVG vs. LAD hitters ranks 1st, and his 2.55 ERA ranks T-2nd among all active pitchers with Max Scherzer, slightly behind only Jacob deGrom (2.50)…using the same qualifications, his 1.07 WHIP ranks 6th.
Limit the free passes
Snell’s lone winning decision came in his only start this season with 0 walks on Mon, May 1 vs. CIN…it was the 12th time in his career he’s issued 0 walks across 6.0+ innings, and he is now 10-0 with a 1.29 ERA in such outings…it was his first career start vs. the Reds, leaving his former team, the Tampa Bay Rays, as the only team he is yet to square off against.
More on the walks
Snell has issued 3+ walks in 6 of his 8 starts so far this year, including 4 such starts in a row from April 6-25…this season, he’s issued 25 BB to the 183 batters he’s faced across 41.0 IP…he has the 7th-hightest BB/9 IP ratio (5.49) and 8th highest BB/BFP (.137) – min. 8 starts.
Call him ‘Swing and Miss Snell’
Snell has caused opponents to swing and miss 32.6% of the time, the 5th-highest swing and miss rate among all ML starters and 3rd-highest in the NL (min. 8 starts), trailing only Spencer Strider (40.0%) and Edward Cabrera (33.2%)…among all ML pitchers who have made at least 55 starts since 2021, which was Snell’s first season with the Padres, his 32.3 whiff % is the 4th-highest, trailing only Corbin Burnes (35.4%), Shane McClanahan (33.6%) and Dylan Cease (33.0%).
Can’t stay ahead if you don’t get ahead
Snell is getting ahead in counts on the first pitch a little over half the time…his 51.9 first-pitch strike percentage is 3rd-lowest in the Majors (min. 8 starts), ahead of only KC’s Brad 10:15 PM ET
MLB Preview: Miami Marlins (23-21) at San Francisco Giants (20-23)
MIAMI MARLINS NOTES:
MARLINS MINUTE
The Marlins today play begin a three-city, 10-game road trip with the first of three at San Francisco. Following this weekend, 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 against Washington.
- The Marlins have won 6 of their last 7 series finales.
- Miami is in a current stretch of 13 straight days with games until their next off day on Memorial Day (May 29).
YESTERDAY’S RECAP
Miami won their fourth straight game on Thursday afternoon with a 5-3 victory over Washington to secure their second sweep of the season. RHP Eury Perez earned his first Major League win after 5.0 innings of 1 run ball with 6 strikeouts, allowing just 3 hits. The Marlins scored 1 run in five different innings, including 3 2-out RBI from CF Xavier Edwards (2×4), 1B Garrett Cooper (1×3) , and C Nick Fortes (2×4). LF Bryan De La Cruz (1×4) extended his career-high hitting streak to 12 games with a solo homer, and 3B Jean Segura (1×4) continued his season-high hitting streak to 5 games. RHP Dylan Floro notched his fourth save.
FISH OUT OF WATER
Miami now stands at 23-21 through the club’s first 43 games, improving to a .522 winning pct. Marks the latest in a non-shortened season the club has owned a winning record since August of 2017.
DE LA CRUZIN’
OF Bryan De La Cruz extended his career-high hitting streak to 12 games yesterday. In this 12-game span, is batting .362 (17×47) with 8 runs scored, 4 doubles, 2 HR, 6 RBI, 3 walks, and a .974 OPS. His 10 multi-hit games rank 2nd on the team behind only Arraez’s 16.
- Has hits in 13 consecutive starts dating back to May 2.
CLIMBING THE LADDER
RHP Sandy Alcantara has recorded 677 strikeouts in 118 starts as a Marlin, passing Anibal Sanchez for the fifth most in club history. Marked the fastest in Marlins history to record 670+ many strikeouts through as many starts; A.J. Burnett had 663 through 118 starts.
- Alcantara sits at 12th in club history at 35 wins in his Marlins career, trailing Tom Koehler’s 36.
- Also has pitched 759.0 innings with the club, just 0.2 innings behind Ryan Dempster’s 759.2 innings which currently rank 8th in club history.
TAKING CARE OF BUSINESS
The Marlins secured their fourth sweep of the Nationals since the start of the 2022 yesterday and have won six of their last seven series vs. Washington with an 18-4 record over this span.
- Marked Miami’s second series sweep of the season (other, 3 gms vs. CHC, April 28-30).
- Became just second team in MLB, alongside Tampa Bay, to sweep Washington in a three-game series.
HE’S HERE AND HE’S PERFECT
RHP Eury Perez made his second Major League start yesterday vs. Washington, earning his first career win after going 5.0 innings in which he allowed 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 last Friday at 20 years and 27 days, becoming the youngest pitcher in Marlins history. The previous youngest pitcher was Jose Fernandez, who debuted at 20 years and 250 days.
- Became the second youngest player (position / pitcher) to debut with the Marlins in club history, behind only INF Edgar Renteria who debuted at 19 years and 277 days.
- Became the youngest Dominican-born starting pitcher to debut in MLB, and the third-youngest DR-born pitcher (reliever / starter) at the time of his debut behind Elvis Luciano (TOR, 2019, (19 yrs, 44 days) and Jose Rijo (CIN, 194, 18 yrs, 328 days).
GOOD FIRST IMPRESSIONS
2B Luis Arraez leads MLB with his .378 batting avg. (56×148), ranks 3rd with his .433 on and 56 hits, and is tied for 3rd with 16 multi-hit games. Has struck out only 9 times in 164 PA (.054 K/PA), the lowest mark in MLB among qualified batters.
- Is the highest average through 40 games to a season since Cody Bellinger’s .394 avg. through 40 games with the Dodgers in 2019.
- With two hits on Wednesday night, reached the 500-hit plateau, becoming the seventh active player to reach 500 hits within their first 428 career games. Joined Bo Bichette (407), Mookie Betts (408), Mike Trout (423), Jose Altuve (426), and Whit Merrifield (426), and Jose Abreu (428).
DANCING ON A THIN LINE
Thus far in 2023, Miami is 22-2 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 failed to reach in yesterday’s game but has hit safely in 10 of his last 13 games, including 4 multi-hit efforts. Is still batting .300 (15×50) with 6 home runs and 14 RBI in this span. With home runs on Tuesday and Wednesday vs. Washington, marked the 16th time in his career he has homered in back-to-back games, just the second time as a Marlin, and the first time since May 14-15, 2022.
- 7 of his 11 home runs this season have tied the game or given the Marlins the lead.
DON’T LOOK NOW
3B Jean Segura reached safely in the all 6 games of the past homestand and has recorded a hit in his last 5 starts. During this stretch, is batting .350 (7×20) with 1 run, 1 triple, 2 RBI, 5 walks, and a .930 OPS.
- His fifth inning triple on Wednesday was the 46th of his career (8th most among active players) and first since July 9, 2021 at BOS.
GROWING THE GAME
The Miami Marlins, the Miami Marlins Foundation, and City of Hialeah today held a special ceremony at Babcock Park in Hialeah, announcing the location as the Marlins Youth Academy programming headquarters. The partnership will add programming to the services already provided by the City of Hialeah Parks and Recreation Department at Babcock Park. The Marlins will introduce their plan for new educational programs for participants in the youth baseball and softball offerings that give children a place to learn, a place to play the game of baseball and softball, and a place to develop social and emotional competencies. The Marlins will continue with their extensive Youth Baseball and Softball satellite programming throughout Monroe, Miami-Dade, Broward, and Palm Beach counties.
TODAY’S STARTER – #22 SANDY ALCANTARA
- The reigning NL Cy Young Sandy Alcantara will make his seventh career start (8 apps.) against the San Francisco Giants tonight. Will mark his ninth start of the season.
- In his last start vs. San Francisco on June 2, 2022, earned a win, tossing 7.0 innings and allowing 0 runs on 3 hits with 8 strikeouts on 111 pitches (73 strikes).
- In his most recent start on Saturday, May 13 vs. Cincinnati, went 7.2 innings and allowed 6 runs on 7 hits with 9 strikeouts.
- Alcantara’s fourth career shutout on April 4th marks the fourth time in club history that a Marlins pitcher has thrown a complete game shutout in the first six team games of the regular season (Dontrelle Willis and Josh Beckett, 2005 and Brad Penny, 2002).
- Since the start of the 2022 season, has gone 5-6 with a 3.51 ERA (125.2 IP/49 ER) and 117 strikeouts in 19 starts away, while posting a 2.16 ERA (154.1 IP/37 ER) with 139 strikeouts in 21 starts at home.
- Alcantara currently has 118 starts with the Marlins, the ninth-most in club history (9th on Marlins’ all-time list behind R. Dempster – 121).
- Alcantara finished his historic 2022 season with 32 starts going 14-9 with a 2.28 ERA and 207 strikeouts in 228.2 innings, along with 6 complete games, a 0.98 WHIP, and a .212 opponents’ batting average in 32 starts. He led Major League Baseball in innings pitched and complete games and led all NL pitchers with an 8.1 WAR (Baseball Reference). During Alcantara’s entire life (born Sept. 1995) only two pitchers reached the same statistical totals since the 1996 season: Felix Hernandez, SEA (2010) and Pedro Martinez, MON (1997).
- Won Baseball Digest’s MLB Pitcher of the Year Award. Became the second Marlin to win this honor (Dontrelle Willis, 2005). Was named the second an
SAN FRANCISCO GIANTS NOTES:
DUEL OF THE FATES: The Giants are back from an off day and host the Marlins to resume this seven-day, six-game homestand…SF looks to even out the season series against Miami after dropping the first two games of a three-game series at loanDepot on April 17-19…the Giants are 3-0 so far in the homestand after sweeping the Phillies from Monday-Wednesday.
MOVEMENTS IN THE FORCE…: C Patrick Bailey (#14) and RHP Ryan Walker (#74) were selected from Triple-A Sacramento this morning…OF Cal Stevenson was designated for assignment and OF Heliot Ramos was recalled from Triple-A Sacramento and placed on the 60-day IL with a right oblique strain…additionally, C Joey Bart was placed in the 10-day IL (retroactive to May 18) with a left groin strain and RHP Ross Stripling was placed in the 15-day IL (retroactive to May 18) with a low back strain.
YOU MUST LEARN THE WAYS OF THE FORCE: With the two new selections in Bailey and Walker, SF could have six rookies make their debuts before the end of May with Beck, Sabol, Schmitt and Wisely having done so already…last year, the Giants saw a total of nine players make their MLB debuts (Sean Hjelle, Bryce Johnson, Jason Krizan, Yunior Marte, Michael Papierski, Ford Proctor, Heliot Ramos, David Villar and Cole Waites).
YOUNG PADAWAN: Bailey, who started the year with Richmond, made just 14 appearances at the Double-A level before earning a swift promotion to Triple-A on April 26…the 23-year-old hit .276 with four homers, 16 RBI and 13 walks in 28 games between Richmond and Sacramento this season.
THE NOT SO PHANTOM MENACE…: Since 2015, the Giants have gone 22-27 (.449) 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.
RETURN OF THE JEDI: Giants starters given up 102 runs this year, tied with the Astros for fourth-fewest in MLB behind the Rays (67), Twins (90) and Braves (93)…coincidentally, Marlins have the third-fewest amount of runs scored off their opponents’ starting pitchers this year with just 94, trailing Detroit (91) and Cleveland (93) (Stats, LLC).
ORACLE PARK IS KINDA LIKE KAMINO?: The three-game sweep of the Phillies put the Giants at 13-10 at Oracle Park this season compared to a 7-13 record on the road…the winning home record is also due to the fact that the Giants have won 11 of their last 15 contests on the shores of McCovey Cove dating to April 22…during this stretch of solid home play the Giants have averaged 4.6 runs per game…in its first eight home games, SF was 2-6 and averaged 3.0 runs per game.
EASY AS DUNKING A MON CALAMARI: No team scores more of their runs via the long ball than the Giants this season, with 53.2% of SF’s runs coming via the homer…the percentage is highest in the Majors ahead of the Dodgers (52.7%) and Braves (52.2%)…last season, the Giants scored 41.6% of their runs from home runs, which ranked 13th in MLB (Stats, LLC)… SF has 63 homers this year, second-most through the team’s first 43 games behind the 2000 Giants (64)…the Giants’ 63 homers in 2023 are sixth-most in MLB.
A NEW HOPE: IF Casey Schmitt notched his 15th career hit with a single on Wednesday, the third-most hits by a Giant in their first nine career games…Schmitt has at least one hit in eight of his first nine career games and has successfully hit in each of his five home games…according to Stats, LLC, since moving to SF in 1958, the longest Giants home hit streak to start a career is seven games, done by Pablo Sandoval (2008) and Willie McCovey (1959)
Giants, Most Hits Through First Nine Games of Career – Since 1901
Player Hits
Al Gallagher (1970) 17
Sammy Strang (1901) 16
Casey Schmitt (2023) 15
Player Hits
Jim Davenport (1958) 15
Willie McCovey (1959) 15
Mike Schemer (1945) 15
HOPE YOU ENJOYED THAT TRIP TO MOS EISLEY’S CANTINA: Tonight’s game starts another 13-game stretch with no days off for SF…the club’s next off day is June 1 here at home… SF is in a stretch where they are playing 26 games in 27 days from May 5-May 31…thus far, the Giants are 7-6 in the first 13 games of this run.
WHAT IS LaMONTE’S MIDICHLORIAN COUNT?: IF LaMonte Wade Jr. is hitting .308 (24-for-78) with 16 runs scored, three doubles, one triple, six homers, 12 RBI, .a 432 OBP and a 1.034 OPS since April 20…his .435 OBP this season is second-best in the Majors behind ATL’s Ronald Acuña Jr. (.437) while his 162 wRC+ is tied for seventh-best in MLB and third-best in the NL behind Acuña (180) and STL’s Nolan Gorman (173).
TODAY’S STARTER – ANTHONY DeSCLAFANI RHP #26
2023 RECORD: 3-3, 3.06 ERA
TODAY’S OUTING: Gets the nod to make his ninth start of the season tonight against Miami…the veteran, who returns from an injury-plagued 2022, is in his ninth Major League season and third in a Giants uniform.
LAST TIME OUT: Suffered his second consecutive loss on Saturday at Arizona in SF’s 7-2 defeat to the Dbacks…matched a season-low 5.0 innings and allowed three runs on five hits with a walk…threw 77 pitches, his lowest since throwing 73 in his first start of the season (April 3 at CWS)…he was removed from the game due to injury after allowing the first three batters of the 6th inning to reach…it was revealed after the game that the nail on his left big toe was about to fall off and he’d been grinding through the pain for the first five innings…four weeks prior he was playing the piano with his son, Cru, and when he went to lift him off the piano bench the bench slammed directly down on his left big toe.
VS. MIAMI: Is slated to face Miami for the seventh time in his career tonight…the former Marlin is 2-2 with a 2.97 ERA and 36 strikeouts in the six career outings (33.1ip) against them…though originally drafted by Toronto in 2011, DeSclafani was traded to the Marlins on November 19, 2012 in a 12-player deal and made his MLB debut with Miami in 2014…he appeared in 13 games (five starts) for the Marlins that season, posting a 2-2 record with a 6.27 ERA…the right-hander was then dealt to Cincinnati at the end of that season and spent five years with the Reds before joining the Giants in 2021.
YOU SHALL NOT PASS: DeSclafani has been in control around the zone all season, issuing just five walks with 35 strikeouts in his first seven starts this year…his 0.90 walks-per-nine average is second-lowest in MLB behind SEA’s George Kirby (0.70), while his 7.00 strikeout-to-walk ratio ranks fifth in the Majors and the third-highest by a Giant in their first eight starts of the season since 1901.
PRESSURE POINT: DeSclafani has been outstanding this season with two strikes, holding batters to 11 hits in 91 at-bats (.121) with just three extra-base hits and three RBI…opponents have a .334 OPS off him with two strikes.
FIRST AND FOREMOST: Hasn’t walked any of the 72 batters he faced in his first time through the lineup this year…is the only player in MLB to have faced as many hitters without issuing a walk
QUALITY…AND QUANTITY: The veteran has reached the 5.0-inning threshold in each of his starts this season, with five of his eight outings so far this year earning the quality start status.
LUCKY CHARM: Since joining the Giants in 2021, SF is 28-16 (.636) when DeSclafani takes the hill, winning 12 of his last 19 starts.
MLB Preview: Oakland Athletics (10-35) at Houston Astros (24-49)
OAKLAND ATHLETICS NOTES:
ABOUT THE A’S: Lost two of three to the Diamondbacks to close out the last homestand and have lost nine of the last 11 games…are 4-12 (.250) in May after going 5-23 (.179) in April…are 10-35 (.222) overall, which is the worst record in the majors (Royals, 14-31/.311)…it is the worst record in Athletics history after 45 games and is tied for seventh worst by an AL, NL or FL team since 1901…it is the worst since the 2006 Royals also started the year 10- 35…the lowest winning percentage in American League history is .235 by the 1916 Philadelphia A’s (36-117)…are 1-13-0 in series play and have been swept six times…lost each of the first 10 series, won two of three at Kansas City from May 5-7, and have lost each of the last three series.
OFFENSE: The A’s have the fifth lowest batting average in the majors (.229), the seventh lowest OPS (.693), eighth lowest slugging percentage (.383) and ninth lowest on-base percentage (.311)…have the most strikeouts (424), are tied for the fourth fewest doubles (62), have the fifth fewest runs (173) and the ninth fewest extra base hits (121)…have the most sacrifice hits (11), the second most hit by pitches (27), are tied for fourth in intentional walks (7) and rank ninth in walks (156)…the seven intentional walks match the A’s season total from last year…have been shut out twice in the last seven games and six times overall, which is tied for third most in the majors (Mets and Royals, 7)…A’s pinch hitters are 10-for-39 (.256) with eight walks (.383 onbase percentage)…lead the majors in pinch walks and rank third in pinch hits.
PITCHING: The A’s have compiled a 6.08 ERA (98 er in 145.0 ip) in May after posting a 7.97 ERA in April…have a 7.13 ERA for the season, which is the highest in the majors (White Sox, 5.26)…according to the Elias Sports Bureau, the highest ERA by an AL or NL team since the earned run became an official stat is 6.70 by the 1930 Philadelphia Phillies…the A’s have allowed 334 runs, which is an average of 7.4 per game…are on pace to allow 1202 runs and the modern Major League record is 1199 by the 1930 Phillies…also have the highest opponents OPS (.882), batting average (.285), on-base percentage (.378) and slugging percentage (.504) in the majors this year…lead the majors in most walks (219) and hit batters (33), are tied for the lead in most wild pitches (24) and have the sixth fewest strikeouts (342).
THE LONG BALL: The A’s have allowed at least one home run in each of the last 21 games (36 home runs total), which is the longest streak in Athletics history (previous: 17, July 26-Aug. 14, 1964)…the longest in AL or NL history since 1901 is 26 (three times, last: Orioles from June 1-28, 2017)…have yielded 79 home runs for the season, which is the most in the majors (White Sox, 67)…have six grand slams, which are the most in the majors (three teams with 3) and tied for fifth most in a season in Athletics history (8 in 1993 and 1999, 7 in 1954 and 1997).
STARTING PITCHING: A’s starting pitchers are 0-7 with a 6.59 ERA (42 er in 57.1 ip) in the 11 games since recording their only two wins of the season on May 5 and 6 at Kansas City…are 2-23 with a 7.54 ERA for the season…the ERA is the highest in the majors (Reds, 6.21) and no other team has fewer than six wins from its starters…are tied for the seventh fewest innings pitched (219.2)…went 0-16 over the first 32 games.
THE BULLPEN: The A’s bullpen has a 6.62 ERA, which is the highest in the majors (White Sox, 5.54)…is 4-for-13 (30.8%) in save opportunities…has the lowest save percentage and fewest saves and the nine blown saves are tied for fourth most…has allowed 41-of-93 (44.1%) inherited runners to score, which is the fifth highest percentage…has the second most inherited runners (Reds, 95)…has 179.1 innings pitched, which is second most (Rays, 194.0).
ON THE BASES: The A’s are 42-for-52 (80.8%) in stolen base attempts…rank third in the majors in stolen base attempts and fourth in stolen bases…the 42 steals are the most by an A’s team over the first 45 games since 1992 (49)…A’s opponents are 38-for-53 (71.7%) in stolen base attempts, which is the ninth lowest success rate in the majors…the 15 caught stealings are second most (Rockies, 18) but the A’s are tied for the fifth most stolen bases allowed…A’s pitchers have four pickoffs, which is tied for third most in the majors (Brewers and Royals, 5).
HOME AND AWAY: The A’s begin a seven-game road trip to Houston (three games) and Seattle (four games) tonight…went 2-4 on the last road trip to Kansas City (2-1) and New York-AL (0-3) and are 5-15 (.250) on the road, which is the worst road record in the majors (White Sox, 7-16/.304)…went 2-5 on the last homestand against Texas (1-3) and Arizona (1-2) and are 5-20 (.200) at home, which is the lowest home winning percentage in the majors (Royals, 6-17/.261)…have compiled a 5.99 ERA at home compared to 8.73 (161 er in 166.0 ip) on the road…are hitting .212 with 82 runs in 25 home games (3.3 runs per game) compared to .250 (171-for-685) with 91 runs in 20 road games (4.6 runs per game).
WINNING LATE: The A’s have scored the winning run in their final at bat in seven of their 10 wins…have five wins when tied after seven innings, three when trailing after seven innings and two when leading after seven inning… lead the majors in wins when tied after seven innings and are tied for sixth in wins when trailing after seven innings…however, no other team has fewer than 11 wins when leading after seven innings…are 3-4 (.429) in extra inning games…are tied with the Mariners and Twins for the most extra inning games in the majors (7), are tied for the second most losses and rank fifth in wins…have four walk-off wins, which is tied for the most in the majors (Blue Jays, Red Sox)
RUN DIFFERENTIAL: Seven of the A’s 10 wins have been by one run and Oakland is 7-7 (.500) in one-run games…are tied for ninth in the majors in one-run games (14) and tied for 10th in wins and losses…however, have lost six games by 10 or more runs, which matches the A’s combined total from the previous four seasons and is the most since 2008 when they had eight such losses…have a run differential of -161, which is the lowest in the majors (White Sox, -63)…the lowest in Athletics history is -344 by the 1915 Philadelphia A’s and the lowest by an AL or NL team since 1901 is -349 by the 1932 Boston Red Sox.
NIGHT AND DAY: The A’s are 9-17 (.346) in night games and 1-18 (.053) during the day…are batting .259 (236-for-911) with 125 runs in 26 night games (4.8 runs per game), .183 (111-for-605) with 48 runs in 19 day games (2.5 runs per game)…have the lowest day batting average in the majors and the ninth best night batting average.
PLAYERS USED: The A’s have used 42 players, which is the most in the majors (Mets, 40)…Lucas Erceg would be the 43rd…employed a franchise record 64 players last year…27 of the 42 have been pitchers, which is also the most in the majors (Rays, 25)…tied an Athletics record with 34 pitchers last year…11 of the 42 are rookies after using an Oakland-record 34 rookies last year…six have made their Major League debuts…had 23 do that last year.
THIS AND THAT: The A’s placed Zach Jackson on the injured list today and have now used the IL 14 times, including 10 times for pitchers…currently have nine players on the IL, including seven pitchers…did not commit an error in the three-game series against Arizona after making a season-high four errors last Sunday against Texas…have 30 errors overall, which is tied for second most in the majors (Angels, 31)…have nine outfield assists, which is tied for second most (Royals, 10)…have an average time of game of 2:49, which is the longest in the majors by five minutes (Padres, 2:44)…however, have not averaged under 2:53 per game since 2010 (2:43).
A’S VS. ASTROS
- The A’s lost the season series last year for the seventh time in the last eight years last year.
- Are now 59-84 (.413) against Houston dating back to 2015 after winning each of their first four season series against the Astros (31-13,
.705). - Have lost six of the last seven games, all of which have been at Minute Maid Park…have won three straight and four of the last five in Oakland.
Year Home Road Totals
2023 0-0 0-0 0-0
2022 4-5 3-7 7-12
Oakland History: 90-97
at the Coliseum: 50-46
at Minute Maid Park: 40-51
TODAY’S TIDBITS
Ryan Noda leads Major League rookies in on-base percentage (.400) and walks (30), ranks fourth in OPS (.821), sixth in runs (22), tied for sixth in doubles (8), tied for eighth in extra base hits (13), ninth in slugging (.421) and tied for 10th in RBI (14)…Brent Rooker leads the majors in OPS (1.042) and slugging (.624), ranks fifth in on-base percentage (.418) and tied for fifth in home runs (11)…Esteury Ruiz leads ML rookies in hits (49), stolen bases (20), doubles (12) and hit by pitches (10), ranks fourth in batting (.277), tied for fourth in RBI (22), tied for sixth in extra base hits (14), ninth in on-base percentage (.340) and 10th in OPS (.713).
TODAY’S STARTING PITCHER: Ken Waldichuk (1-2, 7.02 ERA)
FOR STARTERS: Is scheduled to make his ninth start of the season…took the loss in each of his first two starts, allowing 14 runs on 17 hits in 8.2 innings (14.54 ERA)…is 1-0 with a 5.01 ERA (18 er in 32.1 ip) in six starts since then… has walked 11 batters in his last two starts (10.0 ip) after issuing 12 free passes in his first six starts (31.0 ip).
RANKINGS: Is tied for third in the majors in home runs allowed (12) and tied for seventh in most runs (33)…based on a minimum of 40 innings pitched, he has the highest opponents OPS (.999) and slugging percentage (.601) in the majors, the third highest on-base percentage (.398), fourth highest ERA (7.02) and tied for the fourth highest batting average (.310).
OPPONENTS BATTING: His .310 opponents batting average breaks down to .227 (5-for-22) against left-handed hitters and .322 (47-for-146) against right-handers…his career splits are .176 (9-for-51) against lefties, .302 (75- for-248) against righties…11 of the 12 home runs he has allowed this year and 16 of the 17 in his career have been to right-handed hitters…has allowed a .386 (34-for-88) batting average with the bases empty compared to .225 (18-for-80) with runners on base…eight of the 12 home runs he has allowed have been solo shots…opponents are 11-for-48 (.229) with runners in scoring position…20 of the 33 runs he has allowed have scored on home runs… has a .241 (14-for-58) opponents batting average the first time through the order, .345 (38-for-110) after that.
HOME AND AWAY: Is 0-1 with a 5.06 ERA (12 er in 21.1 ip) and .909 opponents OPS in four starts at home compared to 1-1 with a 9.15 ERA (20 er in 19.2 ip) and 1.098 OPS in four starts in the road…has surrendered eight of his 12 home runs on the road.
THIS AND THAT: Has been the starting pitcher in five of the A’s 10 wins…has left with the lead in three of his eight starts, only to have the bullpen blow the save (April 12, April 24, April 30)…the A’s have been shutout in two of his other starts…is scheduled to start on six days rest today…has just two starts on four days rest and is 0-1 with a 10.61 ERA (11 er in 9.1 ip) in those two starts…has tossed five innings or fewer in four of his eight starts and never more than 6.1 innings…has allowed one run in the first inning (8.0 ip, 1.13 ERA) but has yielded 11 of his 33 runs in the second inning (10 er in 8.0 ip, 11.25 ERA).
IN APRIL: Went 0-2 with a 7.26 ERA and .976 opponents OPS in six starts in April…had the highest opponents OPS (.976) and slugging percentage (.598) in the majors in April, the fourth highest on-base percentage (.378) and the fifth highest ERA and batting average (.307)…the ERA was the highest April ERA in Athletics history among pitchers with 30 or more innings…allowed 10 home runs, which were the most in the majors and matched Gil Heredia (2001) for the most home runs in April in Athletics history.
2023 DAY-BY-DAY: Allowed six runs on a career-high nine hits in his first start of the season on April 2 against Los Angeles (AL) and was the losing pitcher in the A’s 6-0 loss…surrendered a three-run home run to O’Hoppe in the fourth to snap a career-high 14.0-inning scoreless streak dating back to last year…allowed three home runs against the Angels and a career-high four in his next start on April 7 at Tampa Bay…the seven home runs in back-toback starts match the most in Oakland history by a pitcher over a two-game stretch…Mike Fiers (Sept. 3-9, 2019) is the only other one to do it over the last 25 years…allowed a career-high eight runs in a season-low 3.0 innings in the start against the Rays…tossed a season-high 6.1 innings April 12 at Baltimore but had a no decision in the A’s 8-4 win…left with a 4-2 lead but Familia blew the save…tossed 5.0 scoreless innings in his fourth start on April 18 at Chicago (NL) but had a no decision as the A’s were shutout 4-0…struck out a season-high seven batters in 5.2 innings on April 30 against Cincinnati…walked a career-high six batters and tossed a career-high 114 pitches on May 6 at Kansas City but picked up his first win of the season in the A’s 5-4 victory.
LAST START: He had a no decision in the A’s 9-7, 10-inning win over Texas last Friday in Oakland…had a 1-0 lead when he allowed a RBI double to Duran in the second…had a 2-1 lead before allowing a Grossman RBI double in the third and a Taveras sacrifice fly in the fourth…the A’s tied the game with a run in the bottom of the fourth, he allowed a Heim RBI single in the fifth, the A’s tied the game in the bottom of the fifth and he allowed a solo home run to Grossman in the sixth…left trailing 5-4 but the A’s tied the game in the eighth to get him off the hook.
HOUSTON ASTROS NOTES:
TONIGHT’S GAME: The Astros continue their 6-game home- stand tonight with the first game of a three-game set vs. the visiting Oakland A’s…RHP Brandon Bielak (0-1) will make his third start of the season as he takes on A’s LHP Ken Waldichuk (1-2)…tonight will be Bielak’s second career start and fifth overall appearance vs. OAK…his last start/app. vs. them 9/24/21 at OAK (loss, 3.0 IP, 3 ER)…the Astros defeated Waldichuk in his only career start/app. vs. them on 9/18/22 in HOU (11-2 final, 2.2 IP, 5 ER).
ALTUVE’S RETURN: Astros second baseman Jose Altuve is scheduled to be activated from the Injured List…Altuve has been on the IL since fracturing his right thumb on Mar. 18 while playing for Venezuela in the World Baseball Classic…Altuve played in a combined five games for Triple A Sugar Land and Double A Corpus Christi during his rehab assignment…to make room on the roster for Altuve, IF David Hensley was optioned to Triple A Sugar Land.
QUEST FOR 2000 RESUMES: Jose Altuve enters today needing 65 hits to reach 2,000…he would be the third player in franchise history to reach this milestone, joining Craig Biggio (3,060) and Jeff Bagwell (2,314)…his 1,935 hits since entering the league are 2nd to Freddie Freeman’s 1,955 (Freeman has 229 more ABs in that span).
VS. THE A’s: The Astros are taking on the A’s for the first time in 2023…HOU was 12-7 vs. OAK last season with a 7-3 mark here at Minute Maid Park…excluding the pandemic-shortened 2020 season, the Astros have won the season series vs. the A’s in seven consecutive years (2015-22).
RECENT STROS: The Astros have won four straight and seven of their last eight games…they are 3-0 on the current homestand.
LOTS OF LEFTIES: With the A’s scheduled to start three southpaws in the current series, the Astros are scheduled to face five consecutive left-handed starters (previous two starters in the Cubs series were left-handers)…per Elias, the Astros have not faced five consecutive left-handed starters since facing five straight, 5/24-28 of 2019 (3 vs. BOS, 2 vs. CHC, respectively)…HOU was 4-1 in that span…the opposing starters and end result in those five games were as follows: 5/24 vs. BOS-C. Sale (W); 5/25 vs. BOS-D. Price (W); 5/26
vs. BOS-E. Rodriguez (L); 5/27 vs. CHC-C.Hamels (W), 5/28 vs. CHC-J. Lester (W).
A GAME OF FIRSTS: In Wednesday night’s 7-6, comeback win over the Cubs, the Astros reached a number of firsts for the season:
- first walkoff win since 9/7/22 vs. TEX (4-3 win).
- the win after trailing 6-1 marked the largest comeback since overcoming a 5-0 deficit in a 7-6 win on 7/4/22 vs. KC.
- first time scoring 4 or more 9th-inning runs in a comeback win since scoring 6 in the 9th inning of an 8-7 win on 7/11/21 vs. NYY.
- Tucker’s GW, 2-run single in the 9th was his 3rd career walkoff hit and his 1st since an RBI-single on 5/22/22 vs. DET.
SWEEPSTAKES: With the Astros sweep over the Cubs earlier this week was their second sweep of the season (other was a 3g sweep in ATL, 4/21-23)…it was also the Astros first sweep vs. the Cubs since taking a three-game series in Houston, 5/21-23 of 2012.
AT THE HELM: Astros skipper Dusty Baker is in his 26th season as a manager and his fourth in Houston…Baker, who ranks ninth all-time in managerial wins with 2,117, has an outside shot of moving up to sixth all time by seasons end…he immediately trails Hall of Famer Joe McCarthy (2,125) for eighth place on that all-time list.
PITCHING IN: The Astros have the lowest team ERA in the Majors with a 3.36 clip…the Astros also lead the Majors in strikeouts per 9.0 (9.81).
Lowest Team ERA – MLB
- Houston: 3.36
- Tampa Bay: 3.38
- Minnesota: 3.41
BULLPEN WEAPONS: RHP Phil Maton and RHP Bryan Abreu have been outstanding this season…Maton has allowed just nine hits and two runs in his first 18 appearances (21 IP) for a 0.86 ERA…opponents are hitting just .127 (9×71) against him, including a .125 (5×40) average by left-handers and a .129 (4×31) average by righties…meanwhile, Abreu has tallied 36 strikeouts in his 21.1 IP while allowing just three earned runs for a 1.27 ERA, and also posting a .151 opponent average (15.10 SO/9IP ratio ranks 3rd in the AL).
LATE ATTACK: The Astros offense has come alive late in games this season, producing a ML-best 81 runs in the 7th inning or later.
Most Runs – 7th inning or later
- Houston: 81
- Tampa Bay: 80
- Texas: 79
STREAKS SNAPPED:LF Yordan Alvarez had both of his streaks snapped in Wednesday’s 7-6 win over the Cubs:
- his franchise-record streak of reaching base in 36 games to start a season was snapped…the last Major Leaguer with a longer start-of-season streak was OF Odúbel Herrera (41g) for the 2018 Phillies.
- his career-long 13 game hit streak was snapped…during the streak, which ran from 5/2-16, he hit .354 (17×48) with 3 HR and 12 RBI while posting a 1.061 OPS (.646 SLG).
STUFF OF NIGHTMARES: LF Yordan Alvarez has been at his best in the big moments in his career, especially this season…he’s hitting .500 (15×30) with RISP, .588 (10×17) with RISP and two outs, .571 (4×7) with the bases loaded, and .375 (9×24) in close and late situations.
AMERICAN LEAGUE RANKINGS: Among AL players, LF Yordan Alvarez ranks second in RBI (39), fifth in OPS (.939) and sixth in SLG (.551)…3B Alex Bregman ranks third in walks (27) and third in plate apps. per strikeout (10.61)…additionally, 2B Mauricio Dubón ranks seventh in batting average (.309).
HECTOR’S HOT STREAK: RHP Hector Neris has not allowed a run in his last 14 appearances (12.0 IP)…that is the 2nd-longest streak of innings by an Astros hurler to RHP Luis Garcia’s 13.0-inning scoreless streak.
HOME-COOKIN: The Astros are 3-0 thus far on the 6-game homestand after sweeping the Cubs…after this 3-game series vs. OAK, they’ll hit the road for a 6-game trip to MIL (3g) and OAK (3g), respectively…HOU’s 13-8 (.619) road record is T-1st in the AL.
TONIGHT’S ASTROS STARTER: RHP BRANDON BIELAK
LAST START – 5/13 AT CWS in his 2nd start of the season, he allowed 1 run on 8 hits with 4 strikeouts in 5.0 innings…has allowed 2 earned or fewer in all 3 (2 starts) of his appearances this season.
WHAT A RELIEF: came on in relief on May 1 vs. SF after RHP Luis Garcia was removed in the 1st inning after 8 pitches…matched his career-high with 6 strikeouts, tossing 4.0 IP and allowing 2 runs, 2 hits and 3 walks… was the longest relief outing from an Astros pitcher this season and was the longest from an Astros pitcher since RHP Peter Solomon on 9/29/21 vs. AZ….had been recalled earlier in the day following the placement of RHP José Urquidy on the 15-day IL.
BACK IN THE BIGS: is making his first stint in the Majors this season and has appeared at the MLB level in each of the last 4 seasons (all with the Astros)… continues to serve in a hybrid starter-relief role…prior to his start on May 1, he had not made a start at the Major League level since 9/24/21 at OAK.
STARTER VS. RELIEVER: will be making his 11th career start in what is his 49th career MLB appearance…has gone 1-4 with a 5.59 ERA (23ER/327P) as a starter vs. going 5-4 with a 4.56 ERA (36ER/71.0IP) as a reliever…of his 38 appearances as a reliever, has tossed at least 2.0 IP on 18 occasions.
