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MLB Preview: Los Angeles Dodgers (28-16) at St. Louis Cardinals (18-26)

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MLB Preview: Los Angeles Dodgers (28-16) at St. Louis Cardinals (18-26)

LOS ANGELES DODGERS NOTES:

TONIGHT’S STARTER vs. CARDINALS: LHP JULIO URĺAS (5-3, 3.61 ERA in 9 GS)
2023 NOTES:

  • Over nine starts, the southpaw owns a 5-3 record with a 3.61 ERA (21 ER/52.1 IP) with 52 strikeouts and nine walks…has given up 10 homers and has produced a 1.07 WHIP
  • Pitched a season-high seven innings, striking out a season-best 10 batters on May 2 against the Phillies
  • He is tied for fourth in the NL with five wins, eighth in innings pitched (52.1) and ninth in WHIP (1.07)
  • In his last outing on May 13, he matched a season-high seven innings against the Padres, allowing just three hits, two runs and striking out four en route to his fifth win of the season
  • He is 4-1 with a 1.99 ERA (7 ER/31.2 IP) and 32 strikeouts in five starts at home this season
  • In his start against the Rockies on April 4, he hurled six innings of shut-out baseball, tabbing his 600TH career strikeout against Kris Bryant
  • Tossed six innings on Opening Day against the Diamondbacks, giving up four hits and two earned runs while sitting down six…was his first Opening Day nod of his career
  • Key participant in the World Baseball Classic for Team Mexico, firing 9.0 innings in two starts against Colombia and Puerto Rico…struck out nine batters and walked three while allowing just one earned run on two hits

VS. CARDINALS

  • He will make his first career start against the Cards and just his second appearance…last pitched against the club on September 15th, 2018, tossing a scoreless inning and striking out one
  • The lefty is 0-0 in his career against St. Louis with a 0.00 ERA (0 ER/1 IP) and one strikeout in just one appearance

ST. LOUIS CARDINALS NOTES:

RECENT REDBIRDS: The St. Louis Cardinals and visiting Los Angeles Dodgers play the opener of a four-game series tonight at Busch Stadium … Both the Cardinals and first place Dodgers are 8-2 in their last 10 games … St. Louis handed the Brewers a 3-0 shutout last night to win its third consecutive series (at Cubs, at Red Sox, vs. Brewers).

FLIGHT PATTERN: The Cardinals enter today in fifth place in the NL Central, 6.5 games behind first place Milwaukee and 1.5 games behind fourth place Cincinnati … Since May 6, St. Louis has won eight of their last 10 to improve 3.5 games in the division … The Cardinals have been in last place for 22 straight days (April 25-present). WHAT’S THE DIFFERENCE: The Cardinals (+9), Cubs (+22, 19-24 record), and Mariners (+19, 21-22 record) are the only three MLB teams with losing records but positive run differentials.

SURELY YOU CAN’T BE SERIES-OUS?: The Cardinals have won their last three series openers (at Cubs, at Red Sox, vs. Brewers) after establishing a franchise record of consecutive series-opening losses (11) to begin the season.

RBI GUYS: Nolan Arenado has hit safely and recorded an RBI in 10 of his last 11 games (.333/.353/.750, 6 HR, 18 RBI) since May 5 …Arenado’s seven-game streak of driving in a run (May 10-present) is MLB’s longest active, tying Ronald Acuña Jr. for MLB’s longest this season, and is one shy of his career best (8, Aug. 30-Sept. 5, 2015) … The last Cardinal to drive in a run in eight straight games was Carlos Beltrán (9, June 22-July 2, 2012) … Ripper Collins (12, June 17-29, 1935) holds the Cardinals record.

RARE COMPANY: Last night Nolan Arenado (307 HR, 1,000 HR) joined Hall of Famers Eddie Mathews (376 HR, 1,010 RBI) and Chipper Jones (301 HR, 1,002 RBI) as the third primary third baseman since 1920 with 300+ HR and 1,000+ RBI before playing their 1,500th game … Arenado’s first career RBI came on a two-run homer off Dodgers reliever Josh Wall at Dodger Stadium (April 29, 2013).

BURGER PHONE: The Cardinals have homered in a season-best six consecutive games (May 12-present), tied with the Rays for MLB’s longest active homer streak … The Cardinals 13 homers over their last six games is T-2nd in MLB behind the Braves (14) and Yankees (14), while their 26 long balls in the month of May ranks 3rd to the Yankees (31) and Braves (33) … This season, the Cardinals are 15-13 in games when they homer, 12-5 when they hit 2+ home runs, and 9-1 when they go yard 3+ times.

THE HEAT IS ON: The Cardinals (86.1, 31-for-36) boast the 3rd-best stolen base percentage in MLB, trailing only the Red Sox (87.1, 27-for-31) and White Sox (92.6, 25-for-27) … The Cardinals 86.1% success rate is currently their best single-season mark in franchise history, topping the 2021 Redbirds (89-for-111, 80.2%) … Overall this season, MLB teams are combining for a 78.8% stolen base success rate, highest in single-season history

TONIGHT’S STARTING PITCHER: RHP ADAM WAINWRIGHT (0-0, 7.20)
TONIGHT’S GAME

  • Makes his 3rd start of the season & 460th career appearance (393rd career start).
  • Missed the first 33 games of the season due to a groin injury he suffered while working out during the WBC Finals. Made two injury rehab starts for Springfield (AA) and one for Memphis (AAA).
  • This will be his 17th career start vs. the Dodgers and 20th career appearance. Is 6-2 with a 1.51 ERA in nine career starts (11 app.) vs. LAD at Busch Stadium.
  • Has departed with the lead in each of his first two starts before the bullpen blew a save. Cardinals rallied to win his second start after falling in extra innings in the first.
  • Tonight is Wainwright’s 393rd career start, ranking 3rd all-time among Cardinals pitchers: Bob Gibson (482) & Bob Forsch (401).
  • Waino’s 393 career starts, all with St. Louis, ranks 14th-most, exclusively with one organization in MLB history, while Gibson (482) ranks 6th. Walter Johnson of the Washington Senators leads at 666.
  • 2023 is his 18th season played with the Cards, 2nd only to Stan Musial (22) and Yadier Molina (19). His 19th season overall as a Cardinal, missing all of 2011 (elbow surgery).
  • Is five wins shy of 200 career, 15 wins from 210 (T-2nd all-time Cardinals history with Jesse Haines), and nine starts away from reaching 400 career.
  • At age 41, Waino is one of four active players age 40+ with Rich Hill (43), Nelson Cruz (42) and Miguel Cabrera (40).

LAST TIME OUT

  • Pitched 5.0 innings for the second consecutive start since returning from injury. Was his 40th career start above the age of 40, moving past Jesse Haines (39) into 2nd place Cardinals history. Cardinals rallied to win with a 9th inning rally, 8-6. DATE vs. RESULT DEC IP H R ER BB SO HR NP-S 5/12 @BOS W 8-6 — 5.0 7 4 4 2 2 2 86-54 2023
  • Became the 21st pitcher in MLB history with 300.0 or more career innings in Interleague play in his last start. Passed Jesse Haines (39) for 2nd place all-time among Cardinals with 40 starts over the age of 40. Trails only Grover Cleveland Alexander (80). Allowed back-to-back home runs for only the 9th time in his career. • Made his season debut vs. DET (5/6) and took a no decision the Cardinals lost in 10 innings.

MLB Preview: New York Yankees (25-20) at Toronto Blue Jays (25-18)

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MLB Preview: New York Yankees (25-20) at Toronto Blue Jays (25-18)

NEW YORK YANKEES NOTES:

AT A GLANCE: The Yankees continue their seven-game road trip tonight with the final game of a four-game set at Toronto (2-1 thus far)…will also play a three-game series at Cincinnati this weekend (Fri.-Sun.)…went 5-2 on their seven-game homestand, sweeping a three-game set vs. Oakland and splitting a four-game series vs. Tampa Bay.

Have won four of their last six games and seven of their last 10 games.

Are 10-5 (.667) in their last 15 games (since 5/2), the best record in the AL and tied with Colorado for the second-best record in the Majors in that span, trailing only Los Angeles-NL (11-3, .786).

Including their current series, have won or split four of their last five series (since 5/1) and 10 of their 14 series this season (going 7-4-2 in their 13 completed series).

Are 14 days into a 17-day stretch (5/5-21) without an off day (8-5 so far)…are also in a 34-day stretch with just one off day (4/18-5/21).

Are in a stretch of playing 11-of-14 games (5/5-18) and 14-of-20 games (5/5-25) against the AL East…are 5-5 so far.

YESTERDAY’S NEWS: The Yankees fell to the Blue Jays in a 3-0 “walk-off” loss in 10 innings on Wednesday…RHP Gerrit Cole (6.0IP, 7H, 0R, 2BB, 6K, 0HR) recorded his fourth scoreless start of the year, tossing 6.0 scoreless innings…Yankees batters recorded a season-low-tying 3H…RF Aaron Judge (1-for-3, 2BB/1IBB) reached base three times…CF Harrison Bader (1-for-4) and DH Willie Calhoun (1-for-3, 1BB) each picked up a hit…1B Anthony Rizzo (0-for-3, 1BB, 1HP) and 3B DJ LeMahieu (0-for-3, 1BB) both extended their season-high on-base streaks to 15 games…RHP Clay Holmes (1.0IP, 1K) tossed a scoreless seventh inning, stranding two inherited runners…RHP Jimmy Cordero (1.0IP, 2H, 1BB) tossed a scoreless eighth inning…RHP Michael King (1.0IP, 2BB) tossed a scoreless ninth inning…LHP Wandy Peralta (0.1IP, 1H, 3R/1ER, 1HR) took the loss after surrendering a “walk-off” three-run HR to Danny Jansen in the 10th inning.

DARTH BADER: OF Harrison Bader has reached base in 12- of-14 games this season with an AB, batting .300/.340/.560 (15-for-50) with 9R, 2 triples, 3HR, 12RBI, 2BB, 1HP and 2SB.

Has struck out just five times in 53PA this season.

GOT YOUR NUMBER: INF DJ LeMahieu is a career .438/.438/.625 (7-for-16) hitter with 3 doubles vs. Toronto’s RHP José Berríos…INF Anthony Rizzo has hit .409/.458/.727 (9-for-22) with 1 double, 2HR and 2BB in his career against Berríos…OF Aaron Judge has batted .316/.391/.526 (6-for19) with 1 double, 1HR and 3BB vs. Berríos.

LEMACHINE: INF DJ LeMahieu owns a season-high 15- game on-base streak (since 4/30)…marks his longest on-base streak since a 15-game streak from 4/12-29/22…his last longer on-base streak was a 37-game streak from 6/10- 7/28/21… is batting .291 (16-for-55) with 7R, 2 doubles, 2HR, 7RBI and 7BB over that stretch.

Has hit safely in 12 of his last 14 games (since 5/1).

Is a career .337 (89-for-264) batter with 42R, 20 doubles, 1 triple, 10HR, 31RBI, 22BB and 4SB in 68 games vs. the Blue Jays…is his second-highest BA against any opponent in his career (min. 10G)…in 65 games vs. Toronto as a Yankee, has hit .341 (87-for-255) with 42R, 19 doubles,
1 triple, 10HR, 31RBI and 22BB…owns the highest BA among players with at least 100PA against the Blue Jays as a Yankee (next: Oscar Gamble, .331, 48-for-145).

CALENDAR DAYS: The Yankees have hit 31HR in 16 games during the month of May, the second-most home runs in the Majors in that span (Atlanta – 33HR)…also rank fourth in May in runs scored (89) and SLG (.472), and sixth in OPS (.802) and runs scored per game (5.56).

Their 5.32 PA/K ratio in May is the best in the Majors.

BLANK SPACE: Yankees batters were shut out for just the second time this season on Wednesday (also 4/29 at Texas)… had scored at least 6R in each of their previous five games and nine of their previous 10 games.

Were held homerless on Wednesday after hitting multiple home runs in each of their previous five games, nine of their previous 10 games and 11 of their previous 14 games.

Were held to a season-low-tying 3H on Wednesday after recording at least eight hits in each of their previous five games and 13 of their previous 14G.

ALL RISE: OF Aaron Judge reached base three times on Wednesday at Toronto…has hit safely in each of his last five games, batting .368/.520/1.158 (7-for-19) with 5R, 5HR, 10RBI, 6BB/2IBB and 1SB.

Has 5HR in his last five games.

Has 5BB in his last three games, 7BB in his last six games and 9BB in his last nine games.

Has 10RBI in his last five games…has recorded 12RBI in nine games since returning from the I.L. (since 5/9).

Is hitting .333/.474/.867 (10-for-30) with 8R, 1 double, 5HR, 10RBI, 8BB/2IBB and 1SB in his last eight games (since 5/10).

His 31 career HR vs. the Blue Jays are his second-most against any club (37HR vs. Baltimore)…are tied with Jorge Posada for the most by any Yankee vs. the Blue Jays…are the third-most HR by any Major League player vs. a single opponent since 2017, trailing his own 37HR vs. Baltimore and Mike Trout’s 33HR vs. Seattle.

Ranks fourth in the Majors in SLG (.584, third in AL), fifth in OPS (.961, third in the AL) and tied for sixth in HR (11, tied for third in AL).

COLE TRAIN: RHP Gerrit Cole tossed 6.0 scoreless innings on Wednesday at Toronto…is 5-0 with a 2.01 ERA (62.2IP, 14ER) and 68K in 10 starts this season…his four scoreless starts this season are tied for the second-most in the Majors… his 18 scoreless starts as a Yankee since 2020 are tied for the third-most in the Majors in that span, trailing only Corbin Burnes (20) and Chris Bassitt (19).

His 2.01 ERA is the third-lowest ERA by a Yankee through his first 10 starts of a season in the last 25 years (since 1999), trailing Nestor Cortes’ 1.50 ERA in 2022 and his own 1.81 ERA in 2021.

Has allowed 2R-or-fewer in nine of his first 10 starts, the most such starts in the Majors this season.

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

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

Leads the Majors in innings pitched (62.2), ranks fourth in ERA (2.01, second in AL), sixth in strikeouts (68, third in AL) and tied for sixth in wins (five, tied for third in AL).

NOBODY BEATS THE RIZZ: INF Anthony Rizzo owns a season-high 15-game on-base streak (since 5/1), batting .339/.426/.576 (20-for-59) with 14R, 2 doubles, 4HR, 10RBI, 8BB and 1HP over that stretch…marks his longest on-base streak since a 17-game streak with the Cubs from 4/28-5/17/21.

Is tied for fifth in the AL this season in hits (49).

Was hit by a pitch on Wednesday for the sixth time this season…his 6HP are tied for the eighth-most in the Majors… his 207HP since entering the league in 2011 are the most in the Majors in that span (next: Starling Marte: 149)…his 207HP are also the eighth-most in Major League history.

Has 6RBI in his last five games.

Has multiple hits in five of his last nine games (since 5/8), batting .371/.450/.686 (13-for-35) with 10R, 2 doubles, 3HR, 8RBI, 4BB and 1HP in that span…also has multiple hits in seven of his last 14G (since 5/2).

Has reached base via H/BB/HP in 22-of-46 plate appearances over his last 10 games (14H, 7BB,1HP, 478 OBP).

Has reached base in 19 of his last 20 games and 38 of his 43 games this season.

Is batting .312/.391/.529 (43-for-138) with 24R, 6 doubles, 8HR, 19RBI, 13BB and 5HP in his last 36G (since 4/9).

Has hit safely in 12 of his last 14G and 16 of his last 20G.

Has reached base multiple times in four of his last five games, eight of his last 10 games and 10 of his last 14 games.

Five of his last seven hits have been XBH (2 doubles, 3HR).

KING OF THE HILL: RHP Michael King tossed a scoreless ninth inning on Wednesday…has not allowed a run in 11 of his last 13 appearances (since 4/4), recording three saves and posting a 1.64 ERA (22.0IP, 4ER) in that span.

PEN PAL: RHP Clay Holmes tossed a scoreless inning of relief and stranded two inherited runners on Wednesday…has not allowed a run in his last seven appearances (7.1IP, 6H, 1BB, 11K).

TONIGHT’S STARTING PITCHER: LHP NESTOR CORTES (3-2, 5.53 ERA)
LHP Nestor Cortes will make his ninth start of the season in tonight’s series finale at Toronto…the 28-year-old will make the start on regular four days’ rest…made his last start on Saturday vs. Tampa Bay, allowing 6ER over 4.1IP without recording a decision (7H, 2BB, 3K, 1HR)…marked his shortest outing of the season and shortest since 9/8/22 vs. Minnesota (4.0IP)…according to Elias, his 2.44 ERA in 2022 was the third-lowest by a Yankees pitcher in a single season in the Divisional Era since 1969 (min. 25 games started), trailing only Ron Guidry’s 1.74 ERA in 1978 and Steve Jack Kline’s 2.40 ERA in 1972…was signed by the Yankees as a minor league free agent on 12/10/20…was originally selected by the Yankees in the 36th round of the 2013 Major League Baseball First-Year Player Draft…was selected by the Baltimore Orioles from the Yankees in the 2017 Rule 5 Draft and returned to the Yankees on 4/13/18…was acquired by the Seattle Mariners from the Yankees in exchange for International bonus pool money on 11/25/19…over parts of five Major League seasons, has played with Baltimore (2018), the Yankees (2019, ’21- 22) and Seattle (2020).

LAST TIME OUT: Made his last start on Saturday vs. Tampa Bay, allowing 6ER over 4.1IP without recording a decision (7H, 2BB, 3K, 1HR)…marked his shortest outing of the season and shortest since 9/8/22 vs. Minnesota (4.0IP)…retired 11 of his first 15 batters before loading the bases and surrendering a grand slam to Yandy Díaz in the fifth inning.

Has walked at least two batters in three consecutive starts, matching the second-longest streak in his career…walked two-or-more batters in four straight starts from 9/14-10/1/22…has walked 11 batters over his last five starts after walking just two batters in his first three starts.

His 7H allowed matched his season high (also 7H on 4/3 vs. Philadelphia).

IN A GROOVE: Has tossed at least 5.0IP with 2R-or-fewer allowed in four of his eight starts this season.
Has allowed 2R-or-fewer in 10 of his last 14 starts (since 8/21/22), going 6-2 with a 3.69 ERA (75.2IP, 31ER) and 77K over that stretch.

Has tossed at least 5.0IP with 2R-or-fewer allowed in eight of his last 12 starts (since 9/14/22)…the Yankees are 9-3 in those starts.

Allowed 3ER-or-fewer in 17 consecutive starts from 7/14/22-4/25/23…his 17 start streak was tied with Spud Chandler (17GS from 7/7/43-4/22/44) and Bob Shawkey (17GS from 6/15-9/18/1917) for the fourth-longest by a Yankees pitcher since 1913 (when ER became an official stat)…over his last 19 starts, has gone 8-3 with a 3.01 ERA (107.2IP, 36ER) in that span…has allowed 3R-or-fewer in 17 of those starts, 2R-or-fewer in 14 of those starts and 1R-or-fewer in eight of those starts…has tossed at least 7.0IP in four of those starts and 6.0IP-or-more in nine of those starts.

NASTY NESTOR: Has allowed 3R-or-fewer in 43-of-50 starts since the beginning of 2021 and 2R-or-fewer in 36 of those starts…in 58 appearances (50 starts) since the beginning of 2021, has gone 17-9 with a 3.03 ERA (293.2IP, 99ER), 308K and a .209 (226-for-1,081) opponents’ BA…his 3.03 ERA in that span is the ninth-lowest in the AL (min. 200.0IP)…his 1.03 WHIP in that span is the fifth-lowest in the AL.

Allowed 2R-or-fewer in nine consecutive starts from 8/21/22-4/14/23…matched the longest such streak by a Yankees starting pitcher in franchise history (excludes Chad Green’s 12-start streak as an opener from 6/11/17-8/12/19-G2)…in addition to Cortes’ other nine-start streak from 9/25/21-5/15/22, Luis Severino (9/12/18-4/20/22), Michael Pineda (4/5-9/5/14) and Art Ditmar (7/26-9/9/59) also recorded nine-start streaks… was 5-0 with a 1.78 ERA (50.2IP, 10ER) in that span.

In 52 career starts, is 17-10 with a 3.35 ERA (276.2, 103ER) and 283K…his 3.35 ERA as a starter is the seventh-lowest ERA by a Yankees starting pitcher (min. 50GS) in the last 49 years (since 1975).

Allowed 3R-or-fewer in 16 straight starts from 7/14/22-4/20/23, tied with Luis Severino (16GS from 4/16-7/7/18) for the third-longest such streak in franchise history…trailed only Russ Ford (20GS from 8/9/1910-G2-5/27/1911-G2) and his own 19-start streak (8/15/21-6/2/22-G1)…went gone 8-1 with a 2.32 ERA (93.0IP, 24ER) in that span…tossed at least 7.0IP in four of those starts and 6.0IP-or-more in nine of those starts.

Allowed 3ER-or-fewer in 17 consecutive starts (7/14/22-4/25/23), tied with Spud Chandler (17GS from 7/7/43-4/22/44) and Bob Shawkey (17GS from 6/15-9/18/1917) for the fourth-longest by a Yankees pitcher since 1913 (when ER became an official stat).

Since the beginning of 2022, has gone 15-6 with a 3.09 ERA (200.2IP, 69ER) and 205K…among Major League pitchers in that span, ranks 10th in opponents’ OBP (.260, sixth in AL)…also ranks sixth in the AL in opponents’ OPS (.607) and WHIP (1.01) and seventh in opponents’ BA (.205).

Over his last 45 starts since 8/15/21, has gone 17-8 with a 3.09 ERA (250.1IP, 86ER), 262K and a .209 (193-for-923) opponents’ BA…has allowed 3R-or-fewer in 39 of those 45 starts, including 2R-or-fewer in 32 of those starts…his 3.09 ERA over that span is the ninth-lowest in the AL (min. 200.0IP).

VS. TORONTO: Has made 10 career appearances (four starts) vs. the Blue Jays, going 1-2 with a 3.66 ERA (32.0IP, 13ER) and 33K.

Is 0-2 with a 6.14 ERA (7.1IP, 5ER) and 8K in three career games (one start) at Rogers Centre.

In four career starts vs. the Blue Jays, is 0-1 with a 2.21 ERA (20.1IP, 5ER), 18K and a .213 opponents’ BA (16-for75)…has allowed 2R-or-fewer in each of those starts and 1R-or-fewer in two of those starts.

Went 0-1 with a 1.88 ERA (14.1IP, 3ER) and 13K in three starts vs. Toronto in 2022.

ON THE ROAD AGAIN: Will be making his fourth road start of the season…made his last road start on 4/30 at Texas, taking his second loss of the season after allowing a season high 7R over 4.2IP (5H, 4BB, 7K, 3HR)…made his second road start on 4/25 at Minnesota, taking the loss after allowing 4R/3ER over 5.0IP (5H, 1BB, 6K, 1HR)…made his first start on the road on 4/9 at Baltimore, earning the win after allowing 2ER in 5.1IP (4H, 2BB, 5K).

Is 1-2 with a 7.20 ERA (15.0IP, 12ER) and 18K on the road this season.

In 13 road starts in 2022, went 6-3 with a 3.06 ERA (70.2IP, 24ER) and 74K…allowed 1BB-or-fewer in nine of his 13 road starts, including 0BB in six of those starts.

In 23 road starts since the beginning of 2021, is 8-7 with a 3.51 ERA (123.0IP, 48ER) and 130K…has allowed 3R-or-fewer in 17 of those 23 starts…has allowed 1ER-or-fewer in 11 of those starts.

In 25 career road starts, has gone 8-8 with a 4.08 ERA (125.2IP, 57ER) and 133K.

LEFT OUT TO DRY: Left-handed batters are hitting .160/.222/.320 (4-for-25) against him this season.
 Lefties hit just .110/.180/.159 (9-for-82) against him in 2022…among left-handed pitchers vs. left-handed
batters (min. 65BF), owned the lowest OPS (.338), ranked second in opponents’ batting average (second in AL),
OBP (first in AL) and third in opponents’ SLG (second in AL).

Has retired 21-of-27 left-handed batters faced this season (4H, 2BB, 6K). 2023: Is 3-2 with a 5.53 ERA (42.1IP, 43H, 27R/26ER, 13BB, 42K, 7HR, 3HP) in eight starts this season.

Has allowed 3R-or-fewer in five of his eight starts, including 2R-or-fewer in four of those starts.

Has recorded at least 7K while tossing 6.0IP-or-more in two of his starts this season.

Has gone 2-0 with a 4.61 ERA (27.1IP, 14ER) and 24K in five home starts compared to a 1-2 record with a 7.20 ERA (15.0IP, 12ER) in three road starts this season.

Has posted a .160/.222/.320 (4-for-25) slash line vs. left-handed batters compared to a .281/.344/.489 (39-for139) slash line vs. right-handed batters.

Has allowed 0HR in four of his eight starts.

Has received 2R-or-fewer of run support in each of his last four starts.

TORONTO BLUE JAYS NOTES:

THE LATEST: The Blue Jays played scoreless baseball with the Yankees through nine innings last night before claiming a 3-0 win in the 10th…Marked their 4th walkoff win of the year…Improved to 4-2 in extra-innings… Have pitched seven shutouts this season, tied with the Rays for the most in the Majors. Toronto has now won seven of its last 11 games and 16 of its last 26…Needs a win tonight to remain undefeated in home series (5-0-0 so far).

CONSISTENTLY CLUTCH: Danny Jansen crushed a walk-off, three-run homer in the bottom of the 10th inning to win last night’s game…Marked his 2nd career walk-off homer, his 4th career walk-off hit, and 2nd walk-off hit of this homestand (also: two-run single on May 14 vs. ATL)…
The two team games played between walk-off hits ties George Bell (two games in Sept. 1988) for the fewest in team history. The catcher’s blast was the first extra-inning homer by a Blue Jay since Marcus Semien on May 24, 2021 vs. TB (10th inn. off Jeffrey Springs)…Has gone 7-for-27 (.259) with three doubles, a homer, and eight RBI in his last seven games…Has registered a hit in all five of his games vs. NYY this season, now 5-for-16 (.313) with two doubles, two home runs, and seven RBI.

HOUNDING HISTORY: Chris Bassitt tossed 7.0 shutout frames, scattering three hits, a walk, and a hit batter with seven strikeouts… Extended his career-best scoreless innings streak to 27.0 frames, now the 2nd-longest single-season streak in franchise history (Roger Clemens – 33.0 IP from Aug. 15-Sep. 5, 1998), and the 3rd-longest overall (Dave Stieb – 34.0 IP from Sept. 13, 1988-April 5, 1989). Over his last eight starts, the righty has posted a 5-1 record and a 1.71 ERA (10 ER/52.2 IP)…Has fanned 48 batters over that stretch for a 0.89 WHIP and a .136
opponents’ average, 2nd-best in team history over an eight-start span (Marco Estrada – .130 in 2016)… Among AL hurlers for the season, is now 4th in AVG (.175), 6th in innings pitched (56.0), 9th in WHIP (1.02), and 11th in ERA (3.05).

BB’S FOR BB: Brandon Belt went 1-for-2 on a single and two walks last night…Over his last 11 games, has batted .419 (13- for-31) with four doubles, a homer, four RBI, and six walks (.526 OBP, .645 SLG).

BICHETTE HAPPENS: Bo Bichette picked up a single and reached on an error last night…Has gone 58-for-182 (.319) with 10 doubles, eight homers, and 28 RBI while playing in all 43 games this season (.870 OPS). The shortstop leads the AL with 58 hits (2nd: Marcus Semien/Alex Verdugo – 51) and is tied with Ronald Acuña Jr. for the overall MLB lead…Now leads the AL with 92 total bases (2nd: Luis Robert Jr. – 90) and trails only Yandy Díaz’s .321 mark for the AL lead in batting average.

FEELING RIGHT AT HOME: Jordan Romano pitched scoreless 9th and 10th innings to earn the win last night (now 3-2), issuing an intentional walk while striking out a pair of batters… Tossed 2.0 frames for the 1st time this season and the 6th time in his career. The native of Markham, ON, has not allowed a run in his eight home appearances this year, tossing 9.0 scoreless frames with three hits, two walks, and 11 strikeouts…Has gone 5-for-5 in save opportunities while keeping a 0.56 WHIP and a .100 opponents’ average.

AT DOME FOR DAYS: The Blue Jays are on a 10-day, 10-game homestand (4-2 so far)…Have gone 13-5 this season at Rogers Centre, tied for their 2nd-best record through 18 home contests in team history (14-4 in 1992)…The .722 win% at home is 2nd best in MLB (TB – .864)…After completing this four-game series with the Yanees tonight, will host the Orioles (28-15) for three contests over the weekend. Toronto batters rank 4th in the AL in home AVG (.262), while sitting 4th in home OBP (.337), 8th in home OPS (.734), and 10th in home SLG (.397)…The pitching staff ranks 2nd among AL teams with a 2.82 home ERA (TB – 2.52), 2nd in home opponents’ average (.191), and 2nd in home WHIP (1.11).

KIRK CONNECTS: Alejandro Kirk singled and doubled to finish 2-for-5 last night…Both knocks came off starter Gerrit Cole, upping his lifetime average to .438 (7-for-16) vs. the righty (four extra-base hits, three RBI).

MATT’S STATS: Matt Chapman picked up a single last night…Among AL batters, is currently 1st in doubles (18), T-1st in extra-base hits (23), 3rd in AVG (.318), 3rd in OBP (.402), 4th in hits (50), 6th in OPS (.931), 9th in SLG (.529), and T-9th in total bases (83). The third baseman also continues to lead all MLB hitters in barrel rate (15.1%) and hard-hit percentage (64.0) this season (2nd: Aaron Judge – 14.6% & 61.7) while T-4th in hard-hit balls (71) and 7th in average exit velocity (94.5 MPH).

HITTING IT: The Blue Jays have notched 384 hits so far this season, 5th most in the AL…Are sitting 4th in the AL in team OBP (.330), 5th in AVG (.258), 6th in OPS (.740), and 7th in SLG (.409). The Blue Jays are one of two AL teams who have scored in every game this season (also: LAA)…Have gone 61 straight games without being shut out, the 2nd-longest active streak in the Majors (LAA – 85G).

DIVISIONAL DETAILS: The Blue Jays have now gone 5-8 against divisional opponents this season…Have won 28 of their last 46 games vs. AL East foes, dating back to Aug. 17, 2022…Went 43-33 (.566%) in divisional play in 2022, the 2nd-best winning percentage within the division (NYY – .618).

VS. THE YANKEES: All-Time: 318-387
2023: 3-3 Home: 168-184
Home: 1-2 Rogers Centre: 130-130
The Blue Jays won two of the three games the last time they met the Yankees, in the Bronx last month… Went 3-6 vs. the Pinstripes in nine games here at Rogers Centre last season…Have gone 27-27 overall against the Yankees since the start of 2020.

Vladimir Guerrero Jr. went 4-for-11 with a double, two home runs, and four RBI during the three-game series in New York…In 70 career games vs. NYY, is 78-for-268 (.291) with 16 doubles, two triples, 15 homers, and 47 RBI (.882 OPS).

Bo Bichette batted .286 (22-for-77) in his 18 games against the Yankees last season…Owns a career .308 (72-for-234) average across 57 meetings, including 19 doubles, 10 home runs, and 35 RBI (.864 OPS). Danny Jansen recorded a hit in all three games in New York last month, including a pinch-hit homer on April 22, Toronto’s first pinch-hit longball since the 2019 season…Has gone 33-for-117 (.282) with seven doubles, nine home runs, and 25 RBI in his 38 career games vs. New York (.961 OPS).

STARTING PITCHER – José Berríos, RHP #17
TODAY’S GAME: Making his 9th start of the season and his 4th at Rogers Centre…Took a no-decision his last time out, on 5/13 vs. ATL, giving up 2 runs on 6 hits and 3 walks over 5.2 innings with 3 strikeouts. The Blue Jays have won each of his 3 home starts this season…The team owns a 19-2 record in Berríos’ last 21 starts at Rogers Centre. Owns a career record of 15-6 in the month of May (.714), the 3rd-best mark among active pitchers, min. 30 starts. Has made 148 starts since the beginning of 2018, tied for the 3rd most among MLB hurlers (Aaron Nola – 152, Gerrit Cole – 150).

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

NHL Morning Skate: Stanley Cup Playoffs Edition – May 18, 2023

NHL Editor
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NHL Morning Skate: Stanley Cup Playoffs Edition – May 18, 2023

* The puck drops for Game 1 of the 2023 Eastern Conference Final between the Hurricanes and Panthers tonight at 8 p.m. ET on TNT, Sportsnet, CBC and TVA Sports.
 

* The Panthers, who entered the postseason as the lowest-seeded team, aim to match the second-longest road win streak in Stanley Cup Playoffs history when they take on the NHL’s second-best team from the regular season.
 

* The Hurricanes, who enter the penultimate round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs with home-ice advantage for the third time, eye their first win in the Conference Finals since 2006 – a postseason that concluded with the franchise’s first and only Stanley Cup.

PANTHERS-HURRICANES SHOWDOWN COMMENCES CONFERENCE FINALS

The Hurricanes, coming off their third consecutive division title, and the Panthers, who rebounded from a Second Round exit following their 2021-22 Presidents’ Trophy-winning season, are ready to drop the puck for Game 1 of the 2023 Eastern Conference Final at PNC Arena in Raleigh, N.C.


* The Panthers enter the 2023 Eastern Conference Final with six consecutive road victories dating to Game 2 of the First Round and can become the eighth team in Stanley Cup Playoffs history to extend their road win streak to seven games – they would join the 2012 Kings (10 GP), 2022 Avalanche (7 GP), 2010 Blackhawks (7 GP), 1999 (Avalanche), 1995 Devils (7 GP), 1982 Islanders (7 GP) and 1980 Islanders (7 GP).
 
*Defenseman Brandon Montour has been an offensive force for the Panthers on the road, leading the club with five goals in seven games (5-0—5 in 7 GP) and trailing only Leon Draisaitl (9 in 6 GP) and Connor McDavid (7 in 6 GP) for the most among all players. After posting a career-high 73 points during the regular season, Montour sits one goal shy of tying the NHL record for most road goals by a blueliner in a single postseason (Brent Burns: 6 in 2016 w/ SJS & Brian Rafalski: 6 in 2001 w/ NJD).

* Matthew Tkachuk, who has accumulated 1-8—9 through Florida’s streak, is leading the club in points this postseason (5-11—16 in 12 GP) after also doing so during the regular season (40-69—109 in 79 GP) – he is just two points shy of passing Dave Lowry (10-7—17 in 22 GP) for the most in a playoff year in Panthers history.


* The 2023 Stanley Cup Playoffs marks the third time the Hurricanes have entered the Conference Finals with home-ice advantage following 2002 (4-2 W vs. TOR) and 2006 (4-3 W vs. BUF). During their Stanley Cup-winning campaign in 2006, Cory Stillman (3-7—10 in 7 GP) found the score sheet in every contest and collected an assist on Rod Brind’Amour’s lone career series-clinching goal for the franchise in Game 7. Stillman was the second player in NHL’s expansion era (since 1967-68) to find the score sheet in every game of a Conference Finals/Semifinals that required seven games (also Doug Gilmour: 4-9—13 in 1993 CF w/ TOR).

* The Conference Finals will partially take place in Raleigh, N.C., a city that also hosted 56,961 fans to watch the Hurricanes defeat the Capitals at Carter-Finley Stadium for the 2023 Navy Federal Credit Union NHL Stadium Series. Carolina can become the fourth team in five seasons to advance to the Stanley Cup Final after appearing in an outdoor game earlier in the season (TBL in 2022, DAL in 2020 & BOS in 2019).


* Unlikely hero Jordan Martinook (3-7—10 in 11 GP) enters the Eastern Conference Final tied with Sebastian Aho (5-5—10 in 11 GP) for the most points among Hurricanes skaters this postseason and enters the penultimate round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs tied for the longest postseason assist streak in franchise history. Martinook’s recent success comes on the heels of a stretch without a point during each of the team’s six games in the First Round against the Islanders.


CONFERENCE FINALS TRENDS
 

* Teams that take a 1-0 lead in a best-of-seven series in the round before the Stanley Cup Final go on to win the series 68% of the time (110-53, .675 W%).


* At least one lower-seeded team has won Game 1 of the penultimate round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs seven times since the NHL realigned in 2014: NY Islanders (2021), Dallas (2020), Washington (2018), Ottawa (2017), Nashville (2017), Tampa Bay (2016) and NY Rangers (2014). The Stars, Capitals, Predators and Rangers were the only ones to advance to the Final.

* In every postseason since 2014, at least one series in the penultimate round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs has required six or more games. Five years through that span have had both series require six-plus contests: 2021, 2017, 2016, 2015 and 2014. 

* Carolina has won eight of its 21 all-time games in the Conference Finals and is looking for its first win in the round since Game 7 in 2006. Conversely, Florida has won four of seven such contests, all of which came during its 1996 series against Pittsburgh.

STANLEY CUP PLAYOFFS RESOURCES BY #NHLSTATS

* 2023 Stanley Cup Playoffs Information Guide (updated through Second Round)

* #NHLStats Round Recaps: First Round | Second Round

* MATCHUPS: #NHLStats Matchup Notes for the 2023 Stanley Cup Playoffs

* #NHLStats: Water Cooler Questions Entering 2023 Stanley Cup Playoffs

* CLINCHED: #NHLStats Packs for Teams in the 2023 Stanley Cup Playoffs

QUICK CLICKS

* NHL announces multiyear partnership with ServiceNow

* Panthers, Heat supporting one another with Conference Finals on tap

* 2023 Stanley Cup Playoffs: Hurricanes vs. Panthers Eastern Final preview

* Bobrovsky vs. Andersen goalie matchup in Eastern Conference Final

* Willie O’Ree receives honorary doctorate degree from University of New Brunswick

Red Sox option left-handed pitcher Ryan Sherriff to Triple-A Worcester

MLB Editor
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Red Sox option left-handed pitcher Ryan Sherriff to Triple-A Worcester

BOSTON, MA – Following last night’s game against the Seattle Mariners, the Boston Red Sox optioned left-handed pitcher Ryan Sherriff to Triple-A Worcester.

Chief Baseball Officer Chaim Bloom made the announcement.

Sherriff, 32, pitched a scoreless eighth inning last night, allowing one hit and issuing one walk. He was signed by the Red Sox as a minor league free agent on January 21 with an invite to Major League Spring Training and did not allow an earned run in 6.2 innings over seven Grapefruit League outings. The left-hander began the season with Worcester and posted a 3.00 ERA (5 ER/15.0 IP) in 15 appearances. In 46 career Major League games with the St. Louis Cardinals (2017-18), Tampa Bay Rays (2020-21), and Boston Red Sox (2023), Sherriff owns a 3.50 ERA (18 ER/46.1 IP).

MLB Preview: Cleveland Guardians (19-23) at Chicago White Sox (16-28)

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MLB Preview: Cleveland Guardians (19-23) at Chicago White Sox (16-28)

CLEVELAND GUARDIANS NOTES:

GUARDS DROP SECOND STRAIGHT TO SOX
The Guardians fell to the White Sox by a 5-run margin for a second consecutive contest, dropping a 7-2 decision on Wednesday night at Guaranteed Rate Field…Cleveland’s current record (19-23) matches the club’s mark through the first 42 games of 2022.

Chicago’s offense replicated its 3-homer output from Tuesday night – all coming against Guards rookie PEYTON BATTENFIELD (4.1IP, 9H, 5R-ER, BB, 2SO, 3HR, 75 pitches) – while Gavin Sheets (2nd inning solo shot) and Jake Burger (4th inning 2-run shot) both went deep for a second straight night…Andrew Vaughn added a solo homer off Battenfield in the ChiSox’s 3-run 4th inning…Mike Clevinger held his former club to a pair of runs despite ample traffic on the bases over a 6.0-inning quality start (6.0IP, 6H, 2R-ER, 4BB, 5SO, 95 pitches…JOSH BELL drove in both Cleveland runs, giving the club an early 1-0 lift with his 1st-inning RBI-double ahead of drawing a run-scoring walk for Cleveland’s only tally in a 7th inning that saw the Guardians load the bases with no outs…Guardians offense went 0-for-11 with runners in scoring position.

Coming off a 5-4 homestand, the Guardians are 0-2 to begin a 6-game trip thru Chicago-AL & New York-NL…Guardians have split their last 10 decisions (5-5), though club has still dropped 17 of last 27 overall since starting year 9-6…Guardians (19-23) hold sole possession of 3rd place in AL Central, 4.0 games behind 1st-place Minnesota (24-20) and one half-game behind 2nd-place Detroit (19-22)…last season, club went 9-12 in April & 12-12 in May.

AVOIDING THE SOX SWEEP
With two straight losses to Chicago-AL, the Guardians lost their first series to the White Sox since losing 3 of 5 in Chicago from September 23-26, 2021…Cleveland has not been swept by the White Sox since July 23-26, 2015 when Chicago-AL won all four games in Cleveland…they were last swept in Chicago from May 26-28, 2014 in a 3-game set…Cleveland (111-72, .607) has the 3rdhighest win percentage among all AL teams to face the White Sox since 2013, trailing New York-AL (36-23, .610) and Los Angeles-AL (40-22, .645)…Chicago-AL has a 1,117-1,111 all-time series lead.

The Guardians have not been swept in any series since September 2-4, 2022 against Seattle in a 3-game set at Progressive Field…the last time Cleveland was swept in a road series was July 4-6, 2022 in Detroit where they lost 4 straight.

OUR BRAND OF BASEBALL
Cleveland’s 43 steals currently rank 3rd in MLB behind Pittsburgh (50) and Tampa Bay (47)…the last time a Cleveland team had 43-or-more steals through the team’s first 42 games was 1996 (49)…that team went on to win the AL Central…the Guardians 13 multi-steal games this season is 2nd in MLB behind Pittsburgh (15)…the Guards hold an 11-2 (.846) record in such games, holding the highest win percentage among teams with 9-or-more multi-steal games…since 2022, Cleveland leads MLB with 162 stolen bases, ahead of Texas (157) and Miami (157).

Since the start of 2019, Cleveland’s 165 sac flies rank 2nd in the AL and 3rd in MLB behind Los Angeles-NL (171) and Houston (178)…JOSÉ RAMÍREZ (25) is T3rd and JOSH BELL (21) is T12th in MLB during that stretch…the Guardians have 15 sacrifice flies this season, ranking 3rd in the AL and 7th in MLB.

The Guardians 41 infield hits rank 2nd in the AL behind Tampa Bay (46) and T5th in MLB with San Diego…Cleveland is pacing MLB with 357 infield hits since the start of 2021, 13 ahead of Tampa Bay (344)…AMED ROSARIO (59) is 2nd and MYLES STRAW (48) is T7th in MLB over that period…both Rosario and Straw lead the club with 6 infield hits this season.

PITCH TO YOUR STRENGTHS
The Guardians pitching staff has allowed the fewest walks (114) of any MLB team this season…TANNER BIBEE is T5th in MLB/ T2nd in the AL for fewest walks among pitchers with 22+ innings, allowing just 4 walks so far this season…since 2013, Cleveland’s pitching has allowed the 2nd-fewest walks (4,395) of any MLB pitching staff, behind Los Angeles-NL (4,159).

Cleveland pitchers rank 1st in the league with 17 saves this season…EMMANUEL CLASE leads MLB with 14 saves this year, 3 more than any other MLB closer…his 56 saves since 2022 are 6 more than any other MLB closer, ahead of Kenley Jansen (50)… Cleveland’s staff also ranks 1st in MLB with a 22.2% inherited runners score rate…NICK SANDLIN ranks T7th/T4th in MLB this season with a 14.3% inherited runner scoring rate and is 1 of 4 MLB pitchers to inherit 14+ runners and allow 2-or-fewer to score…since 2013, Cleveland’s 27.1% inherited runner score rate is 2nd in MLB, trailing Los Angeles-NL’s 26.9%.

PUT 4 ON THE BOARD
Cleveland is 13-3 when scoring 4-or-more runs and 6-20 when scoring 3-or-fewer runs in 2023…their .813 (13-3) win percentage when scoring 4+ runs ranks 3rd in the AL this season…since the start of last season, the Guardians are 91-16 (.850) when scoring 4+ runs, holding the 4th-highest win percentage among MLB clubs.

WIN % WHEN SCORING 4+ RUNS, AL TEAMS IN 2023
TEAM WIN% RECORD
Tampa Bay .875 28-4
Houston .815 22-5
Cleveland .813 13-3
New York-AL .808 21-5
Detroit .800 16-4

Cleveland is 700-183 (.792) when scoring 4+ during the Terry Francona era (since 2013), holding the 2nd-highest win percentage in MLB behind Los Angeles-NL (764-154, .832)…during that span, Cleveland is 164-511 (.243) when scoring 3-or-fewer runs, good for the 3rd-best winning percentage in the AL and 6th-best in MLB… despite this record, Cleveland has scored 4-or-fewer runs in all but one game during the month of May including an 11-game streak from April 30 to May 12, the 2nd-longest streak in MLB behind Pittsburgh’s 14-game streak that lasted from April 30 to May 16… marked the longest streak by a Guardians club since another 11- game stretch from July 20-July 31, 2010.

WIN % WHEN SCORING 4+ RUNS, SINCE 2013
TEAM WIN% RECORD
Los Angeles-NL .832 764-154
Cleveland .793 700-183
New York-AL .783 729-202
St. Louis .780 700-197
Houston .777 696-200

TODAY’S STARTER – 41 LOGAN ALLEN LHP
ALLEN ON THE ROAD
W-L ERA G GS IP H R ER BB SO
2023 0-1 3.60 1 1 5.0 4 2 2 2 8
Career 0-1 3.60 1 1 5.0 4 2 2 2 8

ALLEN’S MLB CAREER
W-L ERA G GS IP H R ER BB SO
2023 1-1 3.43 4 4 21.0 24 8 8 7 24
Career 1-1 3.43 4 4 21.0 24 8 8 7 24

TODAY’S START
The 24-year-old left-hander is making his fifth career MLB start, second on the road, in the finale of this 3-game set with the Chicago White Sox.

Looking to bounce back from his shortest start of the season (4.1IP) on Friday against Los Angeles-AL…opened his career with 3 straight starts of 5.0+ innings with 2-or-fewer earned runs.

Allen was originally selected by Cleveland in the 2nd Round (56th overall) of the 2020 MLB Draft out of Florida International University…entered the season as Cleveland’s #8 prospect according to MLB.com…he is starting on five days of rest.

LAST TIME OUT
He last toed the rubber on Friday in a 5-4 defeat to the Los Angeles-AL…he did not factor into the decision, working his shortest outing of the season, allowing 3R/ER over 4.1 innings… the left-hander worked through the first 3.0 innings without allowing a run, notably getting back-to-back strikeouts against Mike Trout and Shohei Ohtani with runners on first and second in the 3rd frame…he would give up all 3 of his runs in a 4-hit 4th inning…after allowing the first three batters of the 5th inning to reach, Allen struck out the next batter before being pulled…with 3R/ER allowed, he is the first Cleveland pitcher since TRISTON MCKENZIE in 2020 to allow 3-or-fewer runs in their first 4 starts.

THE ALLEN WRENCH
After striking out 8 in his start on April 30 at Boston, he became the 2nd pitcher in franchise history to record 8+ strikeouts in their first 2 starts (16SO, 11.0IP), last done by Herb Score (18SO, 17.0IP) in 1955…he is the 16th pitcher in MLB history to begin a career with 2 consecutive starts of 8+ strikeouts, last accomplished by Tampa Bay’s Taj Bradley earlier this season.

In his first career start, a 7-4 victory against the Marlins on April 23, Allen’s 8 strikeouts were the 4th-most in Cleveland franchise history for a Major League debut…the left-hander also became the third pitcher in franchise history to throw 6.0+ innings, record 8+ strikeouts and hold an opponent to one-or-zero runs in an MLB debut, the first since TRISTON MCKENZIE on August 22, 2020…Luis Tiant first
accomplished the feat on July 19, 1964, in a complete game shutout.

FROM TOP TO BOTTOM
Allen has had success against the top half of the lineup through his first 4 career starts, holding the first four hitters to a combined .186 (8-for-43) average with 13 total strikeouts and 3 RBI…for comparison, the last five hitters in the lineup have a .364 (16-for44) average with 11 strikeouts…batters in the second spot of the lineup are 1-for-12 and cleanup hitters are 2-for-12 when facing the rookie…batters in the eighth and ninth spot are 7-for-15 off the left-hander through his first 4 starts.

CHICAGO WHITE SOX NOTES:

WHITE SOX AT A GLANCE
The Chicago White Sox have won two in a row but lost six of 11 and 17 of 26 as they continue a nine-game, 10-day homestand today with the series finale vs. the Cleveland Guardians.

RHP Dylan Cease, who worked 6.0 scoreless IP in his last outing on 5/13 vs. Houston, is scheduled to start for Chicago.

he White Sox have taken the first two games vs. Cleveland after losing two of three vs. Houston to open the homestand.

Following today’s matinee vs. the Guardians, Chicago will conclude the homestand this weekend vs. Kansas City before taking a seven-game trip to Cleveland (5/22-24) and Detroit (5/25-28).

The Sox went 3-4 on their last trip at Cincinnati (2-1) and Kansas City (1-3) from 5/5-11 and 3-4 on their last homestand vs. Tampa Bay (1-3) and Minnesota (2-1) from 4/27-5/4.

TONDAY’S STORYLINES
The White Sox are looking to match their season-high winning streak (three), record their first sweep of the season and first over Cleveland since 9/11-13/20 at Guaranteed Rate Field.

White Sox starters own a 3.03 ERA (12 ER/35.2 IP), .217 (28-129) opponents average and 30 strikeouts over the last six games … they have allowed three earned runs or less five times.

The Sox are 21-29 vs. Cleveland since the start of the 2020 season, including 11-13 at Guaranteed Rate Field.

Dylan Cease is 2-0 with a 0.51 ERA (1 ER/17.2 IP), 16 strikeouts and one homer allowed in his last three starts vs. Cleveland.

Jake Burger has homered in three straight games (second time this season), and is hitting .346/.397/.962 (18-52) with three doubles, a triple, nine homers and 18 RBI at home in 2023 … 17 of his 19 career homers have come at Guaranteed Rate Field.

Luis Robert Jr. has hit safely in 13 of 15 games in May, going 20-53 (.377) with five doubles, seven home runs, 15 RBI, five walks, six multi-hit eff orts and a 1.327 OPS.

LAST NIGHT’S RECAP
The White Sox scored in four of the first six innings, and hit three home runs, en route to a 7-2 win over Cleveland.

The Sox scored a run in the second, three in the fourth, one in the fifth and two in the sixth, including home runs by Gavin Sheets, Andrew Vaughn and Jake Burger.

Mike Clevinger snapped his six-start winless stretch after allowing two runs on six hits with five strikeouts over 6.0 IP.

Reynaldo López, Joe Kelly and Kendall Graveman combined to strikeout three over 3.0 scoreless and hitless IP in relief.

Burger homered in his third consecutive game and Sheets homered in his second straight as the Sox recorded back-to-back games with three-plus home runs for the fi rst time this season.

GUARDIAN OF THE GALAXY
Dylan Cease is 4-2 with a 2.70 ERA (11 ER/36.2 IP), 34 strikeouts and two home runs in his last seven starts vs. Cleveland … he has allowed one run or less fi ve times, including four scoreless outings, during the seven-start span.

He is 2-0 with a 0.53 mark (1 ER17.0 IP), .224 (13-58) average and 11 strikeouts lifetime at Guaranteed Rate Field (3 GS).

LUIS DIGS THE LONG BALL
Luis Robert Jr. ranks second in the American League in home runs (12) and ranks second in MLB with nine homers of 400-plus feet, trailing Atlanta’s Ronald Acuna Jr. (10).

He is averaging 407 feet and a 107.2 mph EV on his 12 homers in 2023 … his maximum homer values this season are 430 feet on 5/9/23 at Kansas City, and a 113.6 mph EV on 5/14 vs. Houston.

Robert Jr. has recorded 400-plus foot distances on 34 of his 48 career home runs … he leads the White Sox since the start of the 2020 season with homer averages of 412 feet and 107.6 mph exit velocity (minimum 10 home runs).

HOORAY FOR MAY
Luis Robert Jr. is hitting .377/.459/.868 (20-53) with fi ve doubles, seven homers (averaging 421 ft. and 109.2 mph EV), 15 RBI, 17 runs scored, five walks and a 1.327 OPS in May (15 G).

He ranks among AL May leaders in on-base percentage (1st), slugging percentage (1st), OPS (1st), runs scored (1st), total bases (1st, 46), home runs (1st), extra-base hits (1st, 12), RBI (2nd), average (3rd) and hits (T4th).

The last White Sox to win American League Player of the Month honors was 1B José Abreu in August 2021.

POSTING PUNCHOUTS
Chicago pitchers rank second in MLB with 419 strikeouts, trailing Minnesota (432) … White Sox starters rank second in the major leagues in strikeouts (252), trailing the Twins (280).

WHITE SOX VS. CLEVELAND GUARDIANS
Chicago is 2-0 this season with five games remaining at Guaranteed Rate Field and six at Progressive Field.

The two clubs play six times over nine days from 5/16-24.

The White Sox are hitting .373/.397/.680 with six homers, own a 1.50 ERA (3 ER/18.0 IP) and a 15-5 edge in runs scored.

The White Sox went 7-12 last season, going 3-6 at Guaranteed Rate Field and 4-6 at Progressive Field.

Chicago has lost three of five overall and five of the last eight at home since 2022 and is 19-21 overall since the start of 2021.

CENTRAL DIVISION DYNAMICS
Chicago is 6-6 vs. the American League Central … it currently is in a stretch of 13 straight games vs. the division (2-0 record).

The White Sox went 37-39 vs. the AL Central in 2022 (18-19 at home; 19-20 on the road) after going 69-47 from 2020-21.

The Sox recorded three straight winning seasons vs. the division from 2019-21, their longest streak since 1997-2009.

LONGBALL LOGISTICS
The White Sox have not hit three-plus homers in three or more consecutive games since 7/27-29/10 (also three).

Chicago has homered in 14 of its last 16 games since 4/30 (24 total homers), and hit 27 over its last 19 contests since 4/27.

The Sox have recorded nine multi-homer efforts and been held without a home run just three times over the last 19 games.

Jake Burger leads MLB with a 7.90 AB/HR ratio this season (minimum 80 plate appearances) … he is averaging 405 feet on his 19 career home runs, and 13 have recorded 400-plus feet.

REST WHEN YOU CAN
The Sox currently are in a stretch of 16 straight games without a day off and are 9-7 during the current stretch of 29 games in 30 days from 5/2-31 (only off days in May are 5/1 and 5/15).

The 29-game stretch includes 15 games at home, 14 on the road and 20 vs. the American League Central … the White Sox play six of seven series from 5/5-28 vs. teams below .500 (at Cincinnati, at/vs. Kansas City, vs./at Cleveland and at Detroit).
SOUTHPAW SUCCESS
Chicago is 23-60 (.383) in the last 10 games vs. LHP.

The White Sox are batting .273/.339/.443 vs. left-handed pitching since the start of the 2019 season … during that span, the Sox lead MLB in average, rank second in on-base percentage, fourth in OPS (.782) and sixth in slugging percentage.
Tim Anderson owns a .350/.379/.555 (143-409) slash line vs. LHP since 2019, and Hanser Alberto is hitting .346/.366/.493 (172-497) … Anderson and Alberto rank 1-2 in MLB in average vs. left-handers since the start of 2019.

Luis Robert Jr. is 9-25 (.360) with three homers and seven RBI vs. LHP in 2023 and hitting .351/.414/.611/1.025 lifetime.

NO RISP, NO REWARD
The White Sox rank seventh in the American League and 13th in MLB with a .260 (91-350) RISP average. The Sox are hitting .232/.313/.436 with 66 RBI and a .749 OPS with RISP over the last 24 games.

AS TA GOES, SO GO THE WHITE SOX
Since the start of the 2020, the Sox are 157-118 when Anderson is in the starting lineup and 68-85 when he does not start.

During that span, the Sox are 129-78 when Anderson records a hit, 75-32 when he records a multi-hit eff ort, 96-47 when he scores a run and 27-3 when he homers.

Anderson ranks second in MLB since the start of 2019 with 53 three-hit games (Sox are 37-16), trailing Freddie Freeman (60).

Anderson needs three homers to become the fourth player in White Sox history to record 100 homers and 100 stolen bases.

REINFORCEMENT ON THE MEND
RHP Liam Hendriks currently is on an injury rehab assignment with Class AAA Charlotte … he has made fi ve appearances with Charlotte, allowing five earned runs on six hits, including two home runs, with four strikeouts over 4.0 IP.

Hendriks began 2023 on the IL to continue his recovery from Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma (announced on 4/20 he is cancer free).

ON DECK: VS. KANSAS CITY ROYALS
Kansas City won three of four from 5/8-11 at Kauffman Stadium.

Chicago is hitting .212/.271/.333 with three home runs, owns an 7.29 ERA (27 ER/33.1 IP) with two quality starts and has been outscored by a 27-13 margin vs. the Royals this season.

The White Sox are 19-23 vs. the Royals since the start of the 2021 season (outscored 169-159) after going 9-1 in 2020.

STARTER – #84 DYLAN CEASE RHP
CEASE AT A GLANCE
Is scheduled to make his 10th start of the season (100th career), sixth at home and first vs. the Cleveland Guardians.

Has allowed one run or less while tossing 5.0-plus IP in 24 starts since 2022 … the 24 starts are the most in baseball ahead of the Dodgers’ Julio Urías (23), the Angels’ Shohei Ohtani (20) and Rangers’ Martín Pérez (20).

Is 0-2 with a 6.60 ERA (22 ER/30.0 IP) and .315 (39-124) opponents average in his last six starts.

The White Sox are 5-4 in his starts this season … has recorded three quality starts.

Needs two wins for 40 in his career.

According to STATS, he is the fastest White Sox pitcher to reach 600 career strikeouts (495.1 IP).

Ranks second in MLB since 2021 in SO/9.0 IP (11.52), fourth in strikeouts (507), is tied for sixth in wins (29) and ranks 10th in opponents average (.211).

Established career bests last season in ERA (2.20), strikeouts (227), wins (14), IP (184.0), WHIP (1.11) and opponents average (.190).

Was the 2022 AL Cy Young Award runner up and has been named American League Pitcher of the month twice in his career (June and July 2022).

LAST START
Received a no decision on 5/13 vs. Houston, allowing four hits with two walks and five strikeouts over 6.0 scoreless IP … marked his first scoreless start of the season … tossed 6.0-plus IP for just the third time … retired 15 of the last 18 batters faced.

Departed the game in the seventh with the White Sox leading, 1-0 … threw 97 pitches (58 strikes) … the White Sox would go on to win, 3-1.

Owned a 69.6 first-strike percentage and 13.4 swinging-strike percentage (13 swing and misses) vs. 23 batters … threw 44 four-seam fastballs (95.4 mph avg; 97.8 mph max), 42 sliders (85.8 avg; 88.3 max), eight knuckle curveballs (80.7 avg; 82.2 max) and three changeups (77.9 avg; 79.3 max).

35TH AND SHIELDS
Is 5-4 with a 2.09 ERA (25 ER/107.2 IP), .194 (75-387) opponents average and 118 strikeouts in his last 18 starts at home dating back to 5/29/22 … his 2.09 ERA is the fourth-lowest by a White Sox pitcher over a 18-start span in Guaranteed Rate Field history.

Owns a 15-8 record, 2.96 ERA (80 ER/243.1 IP), .202 (178-880) opponents average and 297 strikeouts in 44 starts (22 quality) at Guaranteed Rate Field since 2020.

Ranks among American League home leaders since 2020 in strikeouts (2nd), ERA (4th), opponents average (5th) and wins (T8th).

LIGHTS OUT IN THE SUN
Is 10-4 with a 1.71 ERA (24 ER/126.1 IP), .185 (85-460) opponents average and 155 strikeouts (11.04 per 9.0 IP) over 22 day starts since the start of last season.

His 1.71 ERA in day games since 2022 is the fifth-lowest in baseball and third-lowest among pitchers with at least 10 starts during the day.

UNDER PRESSURE
Opponents are hitting .250 (10-40) with RISP, .174 (4-23) with RISP/two outs and .143 (1-7) with the bases loaded this season.

Owns a career .211 (90-426) opponents average with RISP, the fifth-lowest mark in the majors since 2019.

THE 2023 OPENER
Was the 70th pitcher and 41st right-hander to start on Opening Day for the White Sox.

Became the first White Sox to start OD following a Top 2 Cy Young finish since Jack McDowell in 1994 … McDowell won the American League Cy Young in 1993.

Tied a franchise OD record with 10 strikeouts (also McDowell in 1991).

Joined Walter Johnson (1916), Mike Mussina (1998) and Jared Weaver (2012) as the only pitchers in MLB history to record 10-plus strikeouts and no walks on OD.

VS. CLEVELAND GUARDIANS || A.L. CENTRAL
Is scheduled to make his 10th career start against Cleveland and fourth at Guaranteed Rate Field.

Has allowed just one run over 17.0 IP in three career home starts vs. Cleveland.

Is 3-1 with a 1.59 ERA (5 ER/28.1 IP), .257 (28-109) opponents average and 28 strikeouts over his last five starts against the Guardians … three of those starts were scoreless efforts.

Has gone 1-1 with a 7.20 ERA (12 ER/15.0 IP), .274 (17-62) opponents average in three starts vs. the American League Central this season, but is 7-3 with a 1.84 ERA (17 ER/83.1 IP), .205 (62-303) opponents average and 96 strikeouts over his last 17 starts vs. the division.

MLB Preview: Tampa Bay Rays (32-12) at New York Mets (21-23)

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MLB Preview: Tampa Bay Rays (32-12) at New York Mets (21-23)

TAMPA BAY RAYS NOTES:

ANYTHING CAN HAPPEN IN NEW YORK — The Rays held leads of 5-2 in the ninth inning and 7-5 in the 10th but were unable to stave off the Mets in an 8-7 extra-inning defeat on Wednesday in New York…CF Jose Siri (1-for-5, HR, RBI, R) homered for the second straight game in the seventh frame before 2B Brandon Lowe (2-for-3, 2B, HR, 2RBI, 2R, 2BB) halted a 15-game homerless drought with a go-ahead two-run shot in the eighth to break a 2-2 tie…RF Josh Lowe (2-for-5, 2B, RBI, R, BB, SB), who started in the lead-off spot for the fourth time in his career, and 1B Isaac Paredes (2-for-5, 2B, RBI) both recorded RBI-doubles in the loss.

LHP Josh Fleming (5.0IP, 3H, 0R, 2BB, 2SO) made his second start of the season, working 5.0 scoreless frames…it marked his first start of 5.0+ scoreless innings since 5/16/21 vs. the Mets (5.0IP, H, 0R, 5SO).

Rays relievers were charged with three blown saves in the loss…it matched the bullpen’s most blown saves in a game in club history (3x, also: 5/20/22 at BAL & 9/25/03 vs. TOR).

EASY FOR ISAAC — On the heels of a 2-for-28 (.071) skid from 4/14-23, Isaac Paredes is slashing .379/.453/.636 (25-for-66) with eight doubles, 3 HR and 18 RBI over his last 20 games…he ranks among qualified MLB leaders in that span (since 4/24) in average (1st), OBP (3rd), OPS (3rd, 1.089) and SLG (6th)…it marks his highest batting average and on-base pct. over any 20-game span in his career.

Paredes has a pair of 5+ RBI games this season (4/27 at CWS & 5/16 at NYM), joining BAL Ryan Mountcastle and TEX Adolis García (2G each) as only major leaguers with multiple such games in 2023.

SIGNS OF LIFE — With a pair of extra-base hits yesterday, Brandon Lowe has recorded multiple hits in back-to-back games for the first time since 8/4-5, 2022 at Detroit… following a 2-for-43 (.047) slump from 4/28-5/12, Lowe has hit safely in four straight games, batting .462 (6-for-13) with two doubles, one HR, three walks and 4 RBI in that span…during the streak (since 5/13), Lowe’s 5.00 pitches per plate appearance are tied with KC Michael Massey and KC MJ Melendez for the major league lead (min. 15PA).

TAKE FIVE — The Rays have scored 5+ runs in each of their last six games, their second-longest streak of the season behind an eight-game run from 4/1-9…all other major league clubs have combined for three such streaks streaks of 6+ games in 2023 (ARI, ATL, BOS).

The Rays have 11 players with 5+ home runs this season, most in the majors, ahead of San Francisco (8 players)…per Elias, Tampa Bay is the first team in MLB history to have 10 or more players with 5+ home runs before reaching the 50-game mark in a season.

Isaac Paredes’ 5-RBI game on 5/16 at New York-NL marked the fourth individual instance of a Rays hitter recording 5+ RBI this season, tied with Texas for most in MLB…in 2022, the Rays saw just one such performance (Randy Arozarena, 6RBI on 9/23/22 vs. TOR).

BAG BANDITS — The Rays swiped seven stolen bases in yesterday’s loss, marking just the third time in club history Tampa Bay has recorded 7+ steals in a game (also: 8SB on 5/3/09 vs. BOS; 7SB on 9/16/11 at BOS)…Tampa Bay has been successful on each of its last nine stolen base attempts, its longest streak since swiping 11 straight from 4/29-5/2…the Rays 22 stolen bases in May are most in MLB, ahead of Boston and Milwaukee (16SB each).

Wander Franco (2G) and Taylor Walls (2G) are two of eight AL players to record multiple games with 2+ stolen bases this season.

FIRST FRAME FEATS — The Rays are outscoring opponents 36-11 (+25) in the first inning this season, the best first-inning run differential in the majors, ahead of Atlanta (+18)… Tampa Bay hitters lead MLB in several major categories in the opening frame, including average (.313), OBP (.394), OPS (.966), hits (57) and runs scored (T1st, 36)…meanwhile, Rays pitchers have the lowest opponents’ average (.187) and second-lowest ERA (2.25) behind Miami (1.88) in the first inning.

When the Rays score in the opening frame, they have posted a 15-3 mark, including a 14-game winning streak in those contests to open the season.

INTERLEAGUE RUNDOWN — The Rays 9-2 (.818) mark against NL clubs signals the best Interleague record in MLB, ahead of Detroit (10-3, .769)…Tampa Bay is outscoring NL foes, 72-35 (+37), and has held the opposition to two or fewer runs in seven of its 11 Interleague contests…following a seven-game losing streak from 6/28-8/10, 2022, Tampa Bay has won 11 of its last 13 Interleague matchups dating back to 8/30/22.

Rays pitching has recorded a 2.84 ERA (98.1IP, 31ER) against the NL, the fifth-lowest Interleague ERA in the majors…this includes a 1.65 ERA (49.0IP, 9ER) by Tampa Bay starters.

Meanwhile, Rays hitters are slashing .283/.353/.545 with 26 homers against the NL…they pace the majors in Interleague AVG, SLG and OPS (.897).

THE BAY BOMBERS — The Rays have hit a major league-best 86 home runs, the third-most long balls through a club’s first 44 games in MLB history (since 1901), trailing only the 2000 St. Louis Cardinals (92HR) and 1999 Seattle Mariners (87HR)…the 2000 Cardinals also hold the record for most homers through 44 games (94HR), followed by the 1999 Mariners (91HR) and 2019 Minnesota Twins (87HR).

Tampa Bay has out-homered opponents 86-39 (+47)…its 39 homers allowed are fourth-fewest in the majors…the Rays have gone deep in 39 of 44 games.

The Rays have an MLB-best 25 multi-homer games, ahead of Los Angeles-NL (21G)… this includes 14 games with 3+ homers, most in the majors.

Tampa Bay’s 26 go-ahead home runs lead the AL and trail only Angeles-NL (27) for the MLB lead…60 of the Rays 86 total homers (69.8%) have been solo shots.

LEADING THE PACK — The Rays pace the majors in runs scored (275) while surrendering the fewest runs (153)…Tampa Bay’s +122 run differential is the seventh-best mark through the first 44 games of a season in MLB history (since 1901), including the best since the 1939 New York Yankees (+139).

BATTER UP — Rays hitters lead MLB in batting average (.275), OBP (.350), SLG (.509), OPS (.859), homers (86), extra-base hits (176), total bases (768) and at-bats per HR (17.56). IN THE BIG APPLE—With a win today, the Rays will secure their fourth consecutive series victory at Citi Field…Tampa Bay has won five of six, eight of 10, and 10 of its last 13 matchups with New York-NL…the two clubs last met from 5/14-16, 2021 when the Rays recorded a three-game sweep at Tropicana Field.

The Rays are 9-8 all-time at Citi Field and have won each of their last three series in this venue dating back to 2009, going 7-4 in that span.

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

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

SMOOTH SAILING — Bradley improved to 3-0 to begin his major league career after tossing 5.0 innings on 4/24 vs. Houston, allowing three runs on four hits and two home runs with no walks and six strikeouts. Ê Bradley’s 23 strikeouts are the second most by any Rays pitcher through their first three career appearances, trailing only Chris Archer (25, 6/20-9/8, 2012)…the franchise record for most strikeouts through four career appearances is held by Jake Faria (29 SO from 6/7-24, 2017).

NEW YORK METS NOTES:
METSCELLANEOUS: The Mets defeated the Rays, 8-7, in 10 innings, walk-off fashion last night..The Mets are seeking their sixth series victory and the third series victory at home…With a win today, the Mets would snap a streak of seven series without a victory…The Mets continue a six-game homestand (1-1) against Tampa Bay (1-1) and Cleveland (three games).

RUBBER BAND: The Mets are 2-2 in rubber game this year and 20-6 in rubber games dating to the start of 2022.

EXTRA, EXTRA: The Mets improved to 2-0 in extra-inning games this year…Since the start of last season, the Mets are a major league-best 12-2 in extra-inning games.

THE ICEMEN COMETH: Pete Alonso iced last night’s 8-7, walk-off win with a three-run home run in the 10th inning…It was his fourth career walk-off blast and his fourth career extra-inning home run… Alonso is a lifetime .417 (10-24) hitter with a 1.442 OPS in extra innings…Alonso has 31 extra-base hits, including 17 home runs, in the ninth or later in his career (both marks lead the majors since 2019)…His 42 RBI in the ninth or later are surpassed only by Brandon Crawford (44) since Alonso’s debut…In addition to Alonso, Brandon Nimmo and Starling Marte have also made the most of their late-inning opportunities over the last five years:

Player OPS in Extras
Jeimer Candelario 1.500
PETE ALONSO 1.442
Manny Machado 1.391
STARLING MARTE 1.387
Matt Olson 1.348
Player OPS in 9th/Extras
Christian Yelich 1.164
Aaron Judge 1.129
PETE ALONSO 1.123
Juan Soto 1.100
BRANDON NIMMO 1.043
BEST OPS IN LATE-GAME SITUATIONS SINCE 2019

WALK IT LIKE I TALK IT: Pete Alonso recorded his fourth career walk-off home run last night…It was the first walk-off victory by the Mets in 2023…Alonso’s four career walk-off home runs tie a franchise record with Chris Jones, Kevin McReynolds, Cleon Jones, Mike Piazza and Wilmer Flores.

FIRST TIME IN FOREVER: The Mets hit three home runs last night in the seventh inning or later when down by two runs to tie the game or take the lead in each instance…They are the only team to do in a single game over the last 50 years…Hat tip to OptaSTATS.

FOR PETE’S SAKE: Pete Alonso has homered in back-to-back games…He owns the major league lead with 15 home runs…His 36 RBI are tied for fourth in The Show and lead the National League… Alonso ranks 12th in franchise history with 416 career RBI…Next up is Kevin McReynolds (456) and Keith Hernandez (468). CITI BOMBS: Alonso has 69 homers at Citi Field, the second-most in the ballpark’s history…Lucas Duda is first with 71.

STRIKE THAT: The Mets recorded a season-high 17 strikeouts last night…It was also the highest total for the Rays this season…Kodai Senga set a career-high with 12 strikeouts…It was the first double-digit-strikeout game by a Mets pitcher this season and the most strikeouts by a Japanese-born pitcher in Mets history…Senga now has a 1.57 ERA (4 ER/23.0 IP) in his first four career home starts, the best mark by a Mets starter..He has 55 strikeouts through his first eight games of his career, the third-most by a Met…Only Nolan Ryan (64) and Dwight Gooden (59) have more.

INTERLEAGUE PETE: Pete Alonso has hit 33 home runs in Interleague Play since the 2019 season…His 33 home runs against the American
League is a franchise record, and the most among any player since 2019…Mike Piazza was the previous record holder with 28 Interleague home runs.

ATTTABOY ÁLVAREZ: Francisco Álvarez tied the game with a three-run homer in the ninth inning last night…He became the fourth Met to hit a game-tying three-run home run when down to the last out… Carl Everett (September 13, 1997 vs. Montreal – Grand Slam), Victor Diaz (September 25, 2004 vs. Chicago-NL – three-run homer) and Daniel Murphy (September 13, 2015 at Atlanta – three run homer) are the others to accomplish the feat.

ON THE MARK: In his first major league game of the year, Mark Vientos homered…He became the seventh-youngest Met (23 years, 157 days old) to homer in his first game of a season…Darryl Strawberry is the youngest at 22 years, 21 days (1984)…Courtesy of Mathew Brownstein.

THEY’RE OUT OF MY LEAGUE: The new schedule format has New York playing a total of 43 Interleague games in 2023, more than double their previous high for a single season (20)…The Mets are 4-4 against the American League this year…Overall, New York owns a 239-231 record in Interleague play…The team’s .509 winning percentage is the second-best among National League clubs.

FEELING A LITTLE DRAFTY: The Mets have a homegrown player on their roster from the 2019 (Brett Baty), 2018 (Tylor Megill), 2017 (Mark Vientos, Josh Walker), 2016 (Pete Alonso), 2013 (Luis Guillorme, Jeff McNeil), 2012 (Tomás Nido) and 2011 (Brandon Nimmo) drafts.

IN THE CITI: The Mets are 8-9 at Citi Field this year…The team’s 17 home games are the fewest in the major leagues…The team won 54 games at home last year…That was their highest total at Citi Field in franchise history…The last time the team won more than 50 games in New York was in 2000 when they went 55-26…Overall, the Mets went 54-27 at Citi Field…The team’s .667 winning percentage was the fourth-highest in team history…Only the 1988 (56-24, .700), 2000 and 1986 teams (both 55-26, .679) had a better home winning percentage.

AND THEY’RE OFF: Starling Marte is tied for 12th in the majors and tied for sixth in the NL with 11 steals…He ranks third among active players with 325 career steals…Only Elvis Andrus (340) and Billy Hamilton (326) have more…The Mets are fourth in the National League with a 82.4% success rate in steals this season…The Mets are ninth the NL with 28 steals this season.

TODAY’S STARTING PITCHER – TYLOR MEGILL RHP #38
2023 STATS: 4-2, 4.57 ERA

MEGILL’S PITCH ARSENAL
Pitch Type Usage Rate vs. LHB vs. RHB Avg. Velocity
Four-Seam Fastball 54% 58% 50% 94.3 mph
Slider 21% 8% 34% 83.4 mph
Changeup 16% 20% 11% 88.5 mph
Curveball 9% 14% 5% 77.0 mph

LAST TIME OUT: Earned the win in the Mets’ 3-2 victory over the Washington Nationals on May 12…Pitched 5.0 innings, allowed one earned run on four hits, four walks and four strikeouts

BIG DRIP VS THE RAYS: Today, Megill will make his first career start against the Rays…In four career Interleague games (three starts), Megill is 2-0 with a 2.16 ERA (4 ER/16.2 IP) and 19 strikeouts…Is 2-0 with a 1.38 ERA (2 ER/13.0 IP) in two career starts against NL East opponents.

THE GAME OF RISP: This season, Megill is holding opposing batters to a .158 average (6-38) with runners in scoring position, the fourth-best mark in the NL and the seventh-best mark in the majors…Megill also ranks fourth in the NL and seventh in the majors with a .451 opponent’s OPS with runners in scoring position (Min. 40 batters faced w/RISP).

NO PLACE LIKE NEW YORK: This season, Megill is 2-1 with a 3.38 ERA (8 ER/21.1 IP) in four home starts this season…In four road starts this season, Megill is 2-1 with a 4.74 ERA (10 ER/19.0 IP)…In 20 career home games (18 starts), Megill is 6-4 with a 4.30 ERA (44 ER/92.0 IP) and in 21 career road games (17 starts), Megill is 6-6 with a 4.85 ERA (46 ER/85.1 IP).

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

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

FLORIDA PANTHERS NOTES:

BAPTIST HEALTH INJURY REPORT

  • F Patric Hornqvist | Games Missed: 12
  • F Ryan Lomberg | Games Missed: 8
    Total Playoff Man Games Lost Due to Injury: 23
    Total Regular Season Man Games Lost Due to Injury: 239

LAST GAME
Panthers 3, Maple Leafs 2 [OT] – May 12 – Scotiabank Arena
FLA Goals: Ekblad (1-PPG), Verhaeghe (5), Cousins (2-OT)
TOR Goals: Rielly (4), Nylander (4)
FLA Goalie: Bobrovsky (W) – 50 Saves
TOR Goalie: Woll (L) – 40 Saves
FLA Shots: 43
TOR Shots: 52
Notes: Nick Cousins scored his first career playoff overtime goal, the second series-clinching overtime goal in franchise history, to propel the Panthers to their first Eastern Conference Final since 1996…Florida improved to 4-0 in overtime in the 2023 postseason, including 3-0 on the road…The Cats won their sixth consecutive playoff road game, just the 14th team in NHL history to post such a streak…Sergei Bobrovsky posted the second 50-save playoff win in club history for his 13th postseason win with Florida, matching John Vanbiesbrouck for the most playoff wins in club history…Bobrovsky’s 50 saves were the most in a potential series-clinching game in FLA history…Carter Verhaeghe (1-1-2) scored a goal in a potential series-clinching game for the third time, tied with Bill Lindsay for the most in franchise history…Verhaeghe’s performance was his seventh multi-point playoff game with Florida, surpassing Aleksander Barkov for the all-time club record…Each of Florida’s past three series-clinching goals have come in overtime, the previous two scored by Verhaeghe…Aaron Ekblad posted two points (1-1-2)…Cousins led FLA with seven hits…Brandon Montour logged nine shots on goal, tied for the most in one playoff game in club history…FLA PP: 1-2, FLA PK: 2-2

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

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

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

PANTHERS PLAYOFF LEADERS
Goals: Montour, Reinhart (6)
Assists: Tkachuk (11)
Points: Tkachuk (16)
Shots: Montour (45)
Hits: Gudas (52)

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).

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.

CAROLINA HURRICANES NOTES:

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

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

INJURY REPORT
Jake Gardiner, upper-body, missed 93 games (10/12-5/11)
Ondrej Kase, concussion, missed 92 games (10/14-5/11)
Max Pacioretty, torn Achilles, missed 48 games (1/21-5/11)
Andrei Svechnikov, torn ACL, missed 29 games (3/12-5/11)
Teuvo Teravainen, broken hand, missed nine games (4/21-5/11)
2022-23 Regular-Season Man-Games Lost Due to Injury: 334
2023 Playoffs Man-Game Lost Due to Injury: 61

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.

MLB Preview: Washington Nationals (18-25) at Miami Marlins (22-21)

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MLB Preview: Washington Nationals (18-25) at Miami Marlins (22-21)

WASHINGTON NATIONALS NOTES:

ONE MORE FOR THE ROAD
The Washington Nationals close out this three-game series against the Miami Marlins on Thursday afternoon…Following the game, the Nationals will travel back to D.C. where they will open a six-game homestand against the Detroit Tigers and San Diego Padres on Friday night.

  • Corey Dickerson returned to the lineup last night and clubbed a two-run home run on his first swing of the bat…He added a single later in the game.
  • Washington is looking to avoid its second three-game sweep of the season on Thursday…The Nationals were swept by the Marlins three times in 2022.

THE CANDY MAN
Jeimer Candelario has reached base safely in nine of his last 12 plate appearances, going 8-for-11 (.727) with two doubles, a triple, one RBI, one walk and three runs scored across his last three games…He has at least one extra-base hit in all three games.

  • The eight hits in three games match a career-best (2x) and the most hits he’s had in a four-game span is nine (2x, last: April 17-20, 2018).
  • From Monday vs. New York (NL) through last night, Candelario reached safely in eight straight plate appearances.

STREAKS ON STREAKS
Some streaks to keep your eyes on:

  • Lane Thomas has reached safely in 14 straight games – matching a career-high – and has hit safely in 12 of the 14…Thomas is hitting .328 (19-for-58) with two doubles, a triple, four homers, eight RBI, three walks, one hit by pitch, two stolen bases and 12 runs scored during this streak.
  • Joey Meneses has reached safely in 10 straight games, going is 16-for-42 (.381) with four doubles, a homer, 12 RBI, three walks and six runs scored during the streak…It is the second-longest on-base streak of his career behind his 11-game streak from Aug. 5-17, 2022.

DON’T FORGET ABOUT DOM
In his last 18 games, Dominic Smith is hitting .355 (22-for-62) with a .431 on-base percentage (8 BB, HBP, 8 SO)…He has posted multi-hit efforts in three of the last five

  • Smith has reached base safely in 10 consecutive games and 16 of 18 games during this stretch…The 10-game streak is the fourth-longest of his career (15 G, Aug. 5-25, 2020).

STINGY WITH THE LONG BALL
Washington’s starting pitchers have allowed just two home runs in nine games since May 8…The staff did not allow a homer in six games from May 10-16, tied for the the third-longest this season behind Pittsburgh (11 G) and Atlanta (8 G), per the Elias Sports Bureau.

  • The starting staff has pitched to a 3.33 ERA (18 ER/48.2 IP) during this nine-game stretch.

WINNING WAYS
The Nationals have won five of 10, eight of 15 and nine of their last 17 games…They are 13-12 (.520) dating to April 21 at Minnesota…The Nationals have won four of their last eight series with one split.

  • Washington is 17-19 (.472) after losing six of seven games to start the season…That stretch included series against the Atlanta Braves (1-2) and Tampa Bay Rays (0-3) as well as a 1-0 loss to the Colorado Rockies on their Opening Day.

DEFENSE NOT RESTING
Thanks to strong infield defense so far this season, Nationals opponents have a .229 batting average on ground balls, sixth-best in the National League (MLB avg: .243)…In 2022, the Nationals had the third-highest opponents’ batting average on ground balls in Major League Baseball (.260).

  • Washington ranks fifth in Major League Baseball with 43 double plays turned this season

TODAY’S STARTING PTICHER – #32 TREVOR WILLIAMS
Veteran right-handed starter signed a two-year contract with the Nationals in Dec. 2022…From 2018-21, Williams was exclusively a starter, but he transitioned to a versatile swingman in 2021 and 2022…He is 35-41 with a 4.33 ERA in 118 career starts and 3-3 with a 3.84 ERA in 41 relief outings…Was a second-round pick of the Miami Marlins in 2013 but was traded to Pittsburgh in 2015 while pitching in the Arizona Fall League.

LAST START
Tossed 2.1 innings of two-hit, one-run ball before rain delayed and eventually postponed his outing on May 12 vs. New York (NL).

vs. MIAMI
Faces yet another former club, as he was selected by the Marlins in the second round of the 2013 First Year Player Draft before eventually being traded to the Pittsburgh Pirates following the 2015 season… Williams is 1-1 with a 3.60 ERA in nine games (four starts) against the Marlins…In those four starts, he’s pitched to a 2.95 ERA (7 ER/21.1 IP)…He faced them four times (one start) in 2022, going 1-0 with a 2.45 ERA (3 ER/11.0 IP)…The lone start came on July 7, 2022 vs. Miami (7.0 IP, 2 H, 7 SO).

STRONG START
Williams opened the 2023 season going 1-1 with a 3.38 ERA (8 ER/21.1 IP) with 13 strikeouts and just four walks in his first four starts of the season…After allowing four earned runs on April 27 at New York (NL), he tossed 5.1 innings of four-hit, shutout ball on May 2 vs. Chicago (NL).

5.0 OF A KIND
Has thrown at least 5.0 innings in six of his eight starts this season…Has pitched to a 3.41 ERA (12 ER/31.2 IP) in starts of at least 5.0 innings.

MIAMI MARLINS NOTES:

MARLINS MINUTE
The Marlins today play the final of three games against the Nationals to wrap up a six-game homestand which began with the club going 1-2 against the Reds over the weekend before a scheduled off-day Monday. Following today’s game, will head out to the West Coast for a 10-game road trip that starts with three games at San Francisco, continues with four games at Colorado, and wraps up back in California with three games at Los Angeles (AL).

  • The Marlins have won 5 of their last 6 series finales.
  • Have won 6 of 9 getaway games.
  • 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 secured the series win with a 4-3 win over Washington, marking their 12th come-from-behind victory of the season. RHP Edward Cabrera struck out 6 batters without walking a batter over 5.0 innings in which he allowed 2 earned runs. RF Jorge Soler delivered the Marlins a 2-run go-ahead homer for the second consecutive game, putting Miami ahead for good in the fourth. The bullpen returned to form as RHP JT Chargois made his first appearance since coming off the IL (1.0 IP, 1 H, 2 SO) and RHP Dylan Floro secured his third save.

FISH OUT OF WATER (ALMOST)
Miami now stands at 22-21 through the club’s first 43 games, improving to a .512 winning pct. Marks the latest in a non-shortened season the club has owned a winning record since August of 2017.

PODER SOLER
DH/OF Jorge Soler has hit safely in 10 of his last 12 games, including 4 multi-hit efforts. Is batting .326 (15×46) with 6 home runs and 14 RBI in this span. With home runs on Tuesday and yesterday vs. Washington, marks 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.
  • His walk-off home run on Tuesday was also his 144th career home run, marking the most career HR before a walk-off RBI among all active players. The last player to have his first walk-off RBI with that many career HR was Lance Berkman in 2008 (285 HR) – Elias Sports Bureau
  • Soler has now hit 11 home runs through his first 41 gms of the season, matching his career-high set in 2022.
  • Is the first Marlins player to reach 11 home runs in their first 41 gms since Giancarlo Stanton and Marcell Ozuna and both did so in 2017. Stanton and Ozuna were both named All-Stars that season which took place here at loanDepot park. Stanton was also named the NL MVP that season.

GOOD FIRST IMPRESSIONS
2B Luis Arraez leads MLB with his .389 batting avg. (56×144) and .444 on-base pct., ranks 3rd with 56 hits, and is tied for 2nd with 16 multi-hit games. Has struck out only 9 times in 160 PA (.056 K/PA), the lowest mark in MLB among qualified batters.

  • His 56 hits are the second most for a Marlins player through their first 39 games of a season trailing only Dee Gordon’s 64 base knocks to start the 2015 season.
  • With two hits last 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).

HE’S HERE AND HE’S PERFECT
RHP Eury Perez 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).

ONE FOR THE RECORD BOOKS
The Marlins are now 14-1 in one-run games in 2023. Set an all-time record with the most consecutive wins (12) in games decided by one run to start a season (courtesy of Elias Sports Bureau). Surpassed the previous mark of 11-0 set by the 1972 New York Mets. Became the last team in MLB to lose a one-run game this season.

WALK IT LIKE I TALK IT
OF/DH Jorge Soler on Tuesday night delivered Miami’s first walk-off HR this season and first since last June 26 (Nick Fortes vs. NYM, off Adam Ottavino). Was the second walk-off win by the Marlins in 2023 (also, Jean Segura, April 28 vs. Cubs).

  • Marked the fifth time in club history that a Marlins player hit a walk-off homer on a full-count in the bottom of the ninth inning (L. Diaz, 9/19/21 vs. PIT; G. Cooper, 5/22/21 vs. NYM; M. Gonzalez, 9/2/09 vs. ATL; M. Kotsay, 6/30/99 vs. NYM).
  • It also marked the first time in Marlins history that the team won in walk-off fashion after trailing by 2+ runs with 2 outs and nobody on in the ninth inning or later.

DE LA CRUZIN’
OF Bryan De La Cruz extended his career-high hitting streak to 11 games last night (had two career 9-game hitting streaks – Sept. 18-28, 2022 and April 12-22, 2023). In this 11-game span, is batting .372 (16×43) with 6 runs scored, 4 doubles, 1 HR, 5 RBI, and 3 walks with a .948 OPS. His 10 multi-hit games rank 2nd on the team behind only Arraez’s 16.

  • Has hits in 12 consecutive starts dating back to May 2 (used as pinch-hitter on May 3 vs. ATL).

DON’T LOOK NOW
3B Jean Segura has reached safely in the first 5 games of this homestand, recording at least 1 hit in his last 4 starts. During this stretch, is batting .429 (6×14) with 1 run, 1 triple, 1 RBI, 5 walks, and two consecutive multi-hit efforts.

  • HIs fifth inning triple yesterday 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 tomorrow will hold a special ceremony at Babcock Park in Hialeah, announcing the locaiton 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 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.

DANCING ON A THIN LINE
Thus far in 2023, Miami is 21-2 when limiting opponents to 4 runs or less and has gone 1-19 when allowing 5 or more runs.

TODAY’S STARTER – #39 EURY PEREZ

  • Eury Rafael Perez made his Major League debut on Friday, May 12 vs. the Reds and became the youngest pitcher in Marlins history (20 years, 27 days), pitched 4.2 innings and allowed 2 runs on 4 hits with 7 strikeouts and 2 walks.
  • In his debut, recorded 7 strikeouts over 4.2 innings, the second-most for a pitcher in Club history in their debut with Anthony Desclafani (May 14, 2014 at LAD), Scott Olsen (June 25, 2005 at TB), and Dontrelle Willis (May 9, 2003 vs. COL). Falls one behind the club record of 8 set by Jose Fernandez on Apr. 7, 2013 vs. NYM and matched by Dillon Peters on Sept. 1, 2017 vs. PHI.
  • Pre-2023 was ranked Miami’s No. 1 prospect and the No. 13 overall prospect according to MLBPipeline. Was also named the No. 3 RHP prospect.
  • In 6 starts this season with the Blue Wahoos, went 3-1 with a 2.32 ERA (31.0/8 ER), allowing 5 home runs and striking out 42 batters against 9 walks.
  • In his last 2 starts with Double-A Pensacola combined to pitch 11.0 innings and allow 2 runs on 4 hits with 20 strikeouts.
  • Recorded a career-high 12 strikeouts on April 29, 2022 at Double-A Biloxi.
  • Participated in Major League Baseball’s 2022 Futures Game at Dodger Stadium and worked a perfect 2nd inning (10 pitches, 1 strikeout).
  • His fastball was ranked No. 1 in the Minors by Baseball America.

NBA Western Conference Finals Game 2 Preview: Los Angeles Lakers (0-1) at Denver Nuggets (1-0)

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NBA Western Conference Finals Game 2 Preview: Los Angeles Lakers (0-1) at Denver Nuggets (1-0)

Perfect at home in the playoffs so far, the Denver Nuggets are poised to take a 2-0 lead in their third consecutive series when they host the Los Angeles Lakers in Game 2 of the Western Conference finals Thursday.

The Nuggets used their familiar plan to perfection in the series opener Tuesday, getting heavy doses of two-time MVP Nikola Jokic and plenty from the supporting cast to earn a 132-126 victory.

The offensive output — led by Jokic’s triple-double of 34 points, 21 rebounds and 14 assists — gave the Nuggets their largest point total over 12 playoff games so far this spring. Denver is now 7-0 at home in the postseason.

Jokic nearly had his triple-double completed by the end of the first half, falling three assists shy, as Denver led by as many as 18 in the first two quarters and by 21 in the third quarter at 93-72. It was his second consecutive 30-point triple-double and his third in the past five games.

When Jokic made a contested step-back 3-pointer at the end of the third quarter with the Lakers’ Anthony Davis in his face for a 106-92 lead, he merely offered a shrug toward the Los Angeles big man.

It all fell into place for the Nuggets, who received 31 points from Jamal Murray, 15 points and 10 rebounds from Michael Porter Jr., and 21 points from former Laker Kentavious Caldwell-Pope.

Yet, the Lakers also will take optimism into Game 2. After opening with a smaller lineup of essentially three guards in D’Angelo Russell, Dennis Schroder and Austin Reaves, they went to a bigger look late in the game with Rui Hachimura playing the entire fourth quarter.

Twice the Lakers pulled within a possession late in the game, the second at 129-126 on a pair of LeBron James free throws with 1:12 remaining. James finished with 26 points, 12 rebounds and nine assists. After a slow start, Davis had 40 points and 10 rebounds for Los Angeles.

The Lakers shot 66.7 percent in the second half and outrebounded the Nuggets 17-11, although Denver still finished the game with a 47-30 rebounding advantage after dominating the boards with 36 in the first half.

Denver holds the 1-0 lead in the series, yet both teams came away eyeing a path to the NBA Finals.

MLB Preview: Los Angeles Angels (22-22) at Baltimore Orioles (28-15)

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MLB Preview: Los Angeles Angels (22-22) at Baltimore Orioles (28-15)

LOS ANGELES ANGELS NOTES:

LEADING OFF: Today, the Angels play the seventh (2-4) and final game on a road trip to Cleveland (1-2) and Baltimore (1-2; May 15-18)…Halos went 2-4 on last homestand against the Rangers (1-2) and Astros (1- 2)…LAA was 4-2 on last road trip at Milwaukee (1-2) and St. Louis (3-0).

.500 AGAIN: With a 22-22 record, Halos are back at .500 for a 10th time this season (also, 1-1, 5-5, 7-7, 8-8, 9-9, 10-10, 11-11, 12-12 & 14-14).

A LOOK AT THE STANDINGS: Angels enter play today in third place in the American League West standings (-4.5 games behind Texas; matches largest deficit of season)…Today Halos are looking to avoid a third straight loss, which would match longest losing streak of season (April 14-16).

LEAD OFF MICK: Mickey Moniak has hit leadoff home runs in two of his three starts for the Angels this season…He’s one of seven players in the Majors with multiple leadoff HR this year…He celebrated his 25th birthday on Saturday and became the first player in LB history to make his season debut on his birthday and hit a leadoff home run…Additionally, he was the first player in Angels history to hit a leadoff homer on his birthday.

ANOTHER DAY, ANOTHER SHO: Monday night, Shohei Ohtani became the first pitcher to reach base safely five times in a game since Mel Stottlemyre for the Yankees on Sept. 26, 1964 at Washington…He finished a double shy of becoming the first starting pitcher in MLB history to hit for the cycle.

MORE HISTORY: Shohei Ohtani reached the 400 career innings pitched threshold on Monday night… According to ELIAS, his 509 strikeouts in his first 400 innings as a starter are the second-most all-time (Corbin Burnes had 539 strikeouts through his first 400 IP for Milwaukee).

VS. BALTIMORE: Today is the fourth (1-2) of seven matchups this season between the Angels and Orioles…In addition to the current series in Baltimore, the teams will meet again Sept. 4-6 at Angel Stadium… Last season, Halos went 1-6 against Orioles…LAA has lost 10 of last 12 games vs. O’s.

STREAK SNAPPED: Angels victory Monday night snapped a six game losing streak at Camden Yards, which dated back to Aug. 24, 2021 (streak finished tied for Angels longest at the ballpark; also had six game losing streak at Camden Yards in 2003).

LEAGUE LEADER: Shohei Ohtani, leads the Majors in opponent batting average (.145), and ranks third in strikeouts (71) and sixth in WHIP (0.91). PLAY FROM AHEAD: Halos have held leads in 36 of 44 games played this year.

SINGLE HANDED: Gio Urshela has hit 38 singles this year plus six extra-base hits (five doubles & one home run)…Urshela ranks second, behind Toronto’s Bo Bichette (40), for the American League lead in singles.

FRESH BODIES: RHP Zack Weiss and INF Livan Soto are both looking to make their season debuts with the Angels…Weiss was recalled from Triple-A Salt Lake on Sunday and Soto was recalled from Double-A Rocket City on Monday.

ESTÉVEZ ENDING: This season, Carlos Estévez is pitching to a 1.42 ERA (19 IP – 3 ER) and has converted all nine of his save opportunities…Is looking to become first Angels pitcher to convert his first 10 save opportunities of a season since Ernesto Frieri converted his first 12 chances in 2012.

WALSH ON REHAB: Jared Walsh (headaches and insomnia) has played five games on his rehab assignment with Triple-A Salt Lake and is batting .412
(7/17) with four runs scored, one home run, four RBI and five walks.

THE INJURED LIST: Halos currently have 11 players on the injured list and have used the IL 14 total times this year.

ALL OVER THE INFIELD: Gio Urshela is one of six players in the Majors to appear at all four infield positions this season…He has made 16 starts at first base, 13 starts at third base, eight at shortstop and one at second base.

LATE COMEBACKS: Halos have three wins this season when trailing after eight innings, which matches the Angels total from each of the last two seasons…Last time LAA had more than three wins in a season when trailing after eight frames was 2017 (5).

UNEARNED: Angels have allowed 26 unearned runs this season, which is the most in the Majors…Halos have committed 31 fielding errors this season, which is also the most in the Majors.

ON THE BOARD: Halos have not been shut out since Aug. 21, 2022 at Detroit…Current streak of 85 games without being shut out is the longest active streak in the Majors and fifth-longest streak in Angels history (fourth longest streak was 90 games in 1995).

NET-OW: Zack Neto has been hit by seven pitches this season, which is tied for fourth-most in the Majors… Since 1901, Neto’s seven HBP through his first 15 career games are the most in MLB…He also was the first player in Angels history to be hit a pitch in four consecutive games (April 18-21).

TWINS ON DECK: Following the current series in Baltimore, the Angels will return home and begin a nine game homestand with a three game set against the Minnesota Twins…Last season, Halos went 4-2 against Minnesota to take the season series for a second consecutive year

TODAY’S STARTING PITCHER – LHP TYLER ANDERSON
1-0, 5.26 ERA
First career appearance vs. Orioles

  • TODAY’S GAME: Making eighth start of the season and fourth at home…Is in eighth Major League season and made seventh straight Opening Day roster…Signed a three-year contract with Angels, Nov. 16, 2022.
  • BACK ON TRACK: Pitched 6.0 scoreless innings in Angels debut on April 2 at Oakland, before allowing 5+ runs in each of next three starts…In last three starts, has a 3.06 ERA (17.2 IP – 6 ER) and 14 strikeouts.
  • LEFT OUT: This season, is holding left-handers to a .222 average (8/36) compared with a .301 (34/113) average against right-handers.
  • FASTBALL DAMAGE: This season, opponents are batting .333 (16/48) against his fastball, but are hitting .257 (26/101) against the rest of his arsenal.
  • LAST TIME OUT: Took no-decision in last start last on Friday at Cleveland after tossing 6.0 innings and allowing three earned runs on six hits with three walks and one strikeout…Marked third quality start of the season.
  • HURT BY THE HOMER: Nine of 24 runs allowed this season (37.5%) have scored on home runs.
  • VS. BALTIMORE: Today marks first career appearance vs. Baltimore…Orioles are one of three teams he has not faced in career (also, Twins and Pirates).
  • AT CAMDEN YARDS: Today is first career appearance at Camden Yards…Becomes 27th different ballpark with a pitching appearance.
  • HALO DEBUT: Earned the win in Angels debut on April 2 at Oakland after working 6.0 shutout frames, allowing four hits and two walks with four strikeouts.
  • GOOD DAY: Is 1-0 with a 5.40 ERA (10 IP – 6 ER) in two day game starts this season…Last year, made six starts in day games for Dodgers and pitched to a 2.70 ERA (33.1 IP – 10 ER) and 31 strikeouts.
  • THE CHANGE: Last season, held opponents to a .179 (41/229) average against his changeup

BALTIMORE ORIOLES NOTES:

YESTERDAY’S NEWS: The Orioles defeated the Angels last night, 3-1, in the third game of the four-game set at Oriole Park…The O’s lead the series, 2-1, and will look to clinch the victory in today’s finale.  Kyle Bradish earned the win after allowing one run on four hits (1 HR) with five strikeouts in a season-high 6.2 innings of work, his third quality start of the season and second in a row.

Austin Hays connected on his fifth home run of the season in the fifth inning, his first long ball since April 21 vs. Detroit.  Marked Baltimore’s 10th game allowing one or zero runs this season, fourth in the AL and tied for fifth in MLB; the O’s are 10-0 in such games.

WHAT’S TRENDING: The O’s have won 19 of their last 27 games, 22 of 31, and 24 of 34…The 28-15 overall record ranks second in MLB to start the season behind only the Tampa Bay Rays (32-12).

Last season, the Birds did not reach 28 wins until the 65th game on June 16 (28- 37); they did not reach 29 wins until the 66th game on June 17 (29-37).

The Orioles are 90-64 since June 1, 2022, a 95-win pace; the .584 winning percentage during that time is the second-best in the AL and fourth-best in MLB, trailing the Braves (.677, 105-50), Dodgers (.675, 106-51), and Astros (.632, 98-57).

AGAINST THE ANGELS: The O’s and Angels continue a seven-game season series today with the finale of a four-game set at Oriole Park…The Orioles will travel to Angel Stadium for three games from September 4-6…The Birds went 6-1 against the Angels in 2022, including sweeping a four-game series from July 7-10 at Camden Yards for the first time against the Angels since 2003.

FEELS GOOD TO BE HOME: The Orioles wrap up their longest homestand of the season today…The 11-day, 10-game homestand began with three games against the Rays from May 8-10 (2-1) before an off day on May 11 and continued with a three-game weekend series against the Pirates from May 12-14 (2-1) before the current four-game set against the Angels from May 15 through today (2-1)…The O’s are 6-3 through the first nine games and won four straight from May 9-13.

LOOKING AHEAD: The O’s hit the road for a seven-day, six-game road trip beginning tomorrow in Toronto, the first meeting between the O’s and Blue Jays this season… After an off day Monday, the Orioles make their first trip to Yankee Stadium this year with three games against the Yankees from May 23-25.

WHAT A RELIEF: The Baltimore bullpen owns an MLB-best 2.89 ERA (52 ER/161.2 IP)…Baltimore’s 2.22 reliever ERA (20 ER/81.0 IP) at home ranks second in the majors behind Toronto (2.12)…O’s relievers have 12 wins this season, tied with New York-AL for first in the AL and fourth in MLB, trailing Arizona, Cincinnati, and Miami (13)…The O’s are second in MLB with 192 strikeouts from the ‘pen, trailing Kansas City (207).

THE CANO SHOW: Yennier Cano has surrendered just four hits and one hit batter in 21.2 scoreless innings over 17 appearances to begin the season after being recalled from Triple-A Norfolk on April 14…He allowed his first extra-base hit of the year on a one-out double from ittsburgh’s Tucupita Marcano on Saturday…Opponents are slashing .061/.075/.076 (4-for-66) against him, all of which lead MLB pitchers with at least 15 appearances…His .150 OPS against is less than half of the next closest player (SD’s Josh Hader, .361).

Cano’s 17-game scoreless streak is the third-longest to begin a year by an O’s pitcher in team history (since 1954), trailing Donnie Hart (18 G) in 2016 and Will Ohman (25 G) in 2010.

His streak of 17 straight games without allowing a run or a walk is tied with Toronto’s Paul Quantrill (2001) for the second-longest to start a season since at least 1901, behind a 19-game streak by Houston’s Ryan Pressly to open the 2019 campaign.

He leads all O’s and ranks tied for eighth among all MLB pitchers with 1.9 bWAR, per Baseball Reference.

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

His changeup has a Run Value of -4 and a 45.3 percent Whiff Rate, per Statcast; the pitch also has the second-highest Put Away percentage on the team at 36.2 percent and he has yet to allow a base hit with it.

LET BRYAN BAKE: After allowing a career-high-tying three earned runs on Opening Day in Boston, Bryan Baker has allowed just one earned run over his last 20 appearances (19.2 IP)…Among pitchers with at least 18.0 innings pitched since March 31, Baker’s 0.46 ERA (1 ER/19.2 IP) ranks second in MLB, behind only teammate Yennier Cano (0.00) and ahead of fellow O’s hurler Félix Bautista, whose 0.95 ERA (2 ER/19.0 IP) in that span ranks fifth.

Baker’s 21 appearances lead the team, rank tied for fourth in the AL, and tied for fifth in MLB.

According to Statcast, Baker ranks in the top six percent of MLB in xBA (.174) and xSLG (.270), the top 10 percent in strikeout rate (32.1%), and the top 12 percent in Hard-Hit Percentage (30.2%).  His changeup has a 69.2 percent strikeout rate, tied with Bautista’s splitter for the highest on the team, and a .058 xBA, the lowest on a pitch by an Oriole in 2023; it also has a 46.2 percent Whiff Rate, the second-highest on a pitch by an O’s hurler behind Bautista’s splitter (59.4%).

TOP GUNN: Gunnar Henderson has hit safely in five straight games for the first time in his career and has also reached base safely in eight straight games since May 9…In 15 May games, he has slashed .205/.340/.477 (9-for-44) with two doubles, two triples, two home runs, eight runs scored, four RBI, and nine walks compared to .189/.348/.311 (14-for-74) with three doubles, two home runs, 15 runs scored, four RBI, and 17 walks in his first 23 games of the season…Owns an .817 OPS in May compared to a .659 OPS in March/April…Has a 94.1 mph average exit velocity this homestand, per Statcast; his season average was 90.8 mph entering this stretch.

TODAY’S STARTING PITCHER – #68 TYLER WELLS – RHP
QUICK HITS: Scheduled to make his ninth appearance (eighth start) of the season, fifth start at home, and fifth career appearance (second start) against the Angels this afternoon…Went 7-7 with a 4.25 ERA (49 ER/103.2 IP) in 23 starts for the O’s in 2022…Made his first career start on April 10, 2022 at Tampa Bay; dealt the loss after allowing four runs on three hits (1 HR) with two walks and two strikeouts in 1.2 innings…Did not walk a batter in five consecutive starts from April 21 to May 15, 2022, becoming the only Oriole starting pitcher in franchise history (since 1954) to not walk a batter in five consecutive games…Allowed three earned runs-or-fewer in 17 straight starts from April 16 to July 15, 2022…Ended the 2022 season on the 15- day Injured List with right shoulder inflammation…Also spent time on the Injured List with lower left side discomfort in 2022…Originally selected by Minnesota in the 15th round of the 2016 First-Year Player Draft out of Cal State, San Bernardino before being taken by the Orioles in the Rule 5 Draft on December 10, 2020.

LAST TIME OUT: Won his third straight decision on May 13 vs. Pittsburgh… Worked a career-high-tying 7.0 scoreless innings (also 4/21/23 vs. DET) on one hit with two walks and a career-high eight strikeouts…Set a career high with 17 swings and misses…Retired 17 batters in a row after Carlos Santana’s single in the second inning before issuing a two-out walk to Santana in the seventh; became the first Oriole to retire 17 in a row since Kyle Bradish set down the first 17 hitters of the game on September 22, 2022 vs. Houston… Marked his second start of the year of at least 7.0 scoreless innings (also 4/21 vs. DET); is the only O’s starter to go 7.0 scoreless frames this season and one of 12 MLB pitchers with at least two such starts in 2023…Threw 96 pitches, 59 strikes.

WATCH ME WHIP: Wells enters play today leading MLB with a 0.72 WHIP… Also ranks among qualified pitchers in opponent on-base percentage (1st, .201), batting average (2nd, .152), H/9 (2nd, 4.79), OPS (4th, .518), and BB/9 (10th, 1.72)…He posted a 0.72 WHIP in April, tied for the seventh-lowest mark by an O’s pitcher in a calendar month in club history (since 1954) and lowest since Scott McGregor recorded a franchise-record 0.61 WHIP in May 1978…Wells issued just three walks and allowed 18 hits in 29.0 innings through his first five appearances (four starts) in April.

CAREER AGAINST THE ANGELS: Making his fifth career appearance (second start) against the Angels…Did not factor into the decision in his last start against Los Angeles-AL on July 8, 2022 at Oriole Park, allowing three runs on six hits (1 HR) with two walks and three strikeouts in 4.0 innings of work… Threw 81 pitches, 49 strikes…Owns an 0-0 record with a 3.38 ERA (3 ER/8.0 IP) through his first four career appearances (one start) against the Angels.

CAREER AGAINST THE AL WEST: Making his 13th career appearance (fourth start) against the AL West today…Owns a 1-1 record with a 3.60 ERA (10 ER/25.0 IP) and one save through his first 12 career outings against the division…Opposing batters slashed .185/.227/.359 (17-for-97) in those games…Did not factor into the decision in his last appearance against the AL West on April 3 at Texas, working 5.0 scoreless innings with two strikeouts in relief…Threw 47 pitches, 33 strikes.

LOVING LEFTIES: Opposing left-handed batters are slashing .180/.221/.320 (58-for-322) against Wells through his first 75 career games (30 starts)…He has recorded more career strikeouts against lefties (86) than hits allowed (58)…Owns the third-lowest on-base percentage and fifth-lowest batting average to lefties in MLB since he debuted in 2021 (min. 300 BFP).

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