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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)

MLB Editor
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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).

Minnesota Lynx waive Brea Beal

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Minnesota Lynx waive Brea Beal

MINNEAPOLIS/ST. PAUL – The Minnesota Lynx today announced the team has waived guard Brea Beal.

Beal was drafted 24th overall in the 2023 WNBA Draft by Minnesota. Prior to her being drafted, she was a 2022 NCAA National Champion with the South Carolina Gamecocks. She finished her collegiate career with 847 points, 685 rebounds, 214 assists and 105 steals.

A’s Acquire RHP Lucas Erceg from Milwaukee for Cash Considerations

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A’s Acquire RHP Lucas Erceg from Milwaukee for Cash Considerations

OAKLAND, Calif. — The Oakland A’s have acquired right-handed pitcher Lucas Erceg from the Milwaukee Brewers in exchange for cash considerations, the club announced today.

Erceg, 28, was originally drafted in the second round of the 2016 First-Year Player Draft as an infielder. Erceg converted to the mound partway through 2021 and is 5-2 with a save and a 4.28 ERA in 46 games at the Triple-A level spanning 54.2 innings of work. Overall, he is 8-11 with a 5.07 ERA in 84 career minor league appearances. Before converting, Erceg spent five seasons splitting time between third base and first base. He hit .256 with a .735 OPS in 503 games.

Yankees pitcher Germán disciplined

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Yankees pitcher Germán disciplined

Michael Hill, Major League Baseball’s Senior Vice President of On-Field Operations, announced today that New York Yankees pitcher Domingo Germán has received a 10-game suspension and an undisclosed fine for violating the prohibitions on foreign substances, which resulted in his ejection prior to the bottom of the fourth inning of his Club’s Tuesday, May 16th game against the Toronto Blue Jays at Rogers Centre. 

The suspension of Germán will become effective tonight, when the Yankees are to continue their series in Toronto.

Dodgers select Dylan Covey

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Dodgers select Dylan Covey

LOS ANGELES – The Los Angeles Dodgers selected the contract of right-handed pitcher Dylan Covey and optioned left-handed pitcher Justin Bruihl. In order to make room on the 40-man roster, the Dodgers transferred right-handed pitcher Jimmy Nelson to the 60-day injured list.

Covey, 31, was 1-0 with 4.22 ERA (15 ER/32.0 IP) and 28 strikeouts in seven games (six starts) for Triple-A Oklahoma City. The Southern California native has been in the Major Leagues parts of four seasons with Chicago-AL (2017-19) and Boston (2020) and he is a combined 6-29 with a 6.57 ERA (193 ER/267.1 IP) and 184 strikeouts in 71 games (45 starts). He made three appearances (one start) for the Dodgers during Spring Training, allowing two runs over 6.0 innings with eight strikeouts. He signed with the Dodgers as a minor league free agent on January 30, 2023.

Bruihl, 25, pitched two innings, allowed two runs on three hits last night. In nine games this season, he has posted a 2.53 ERA (3 ER/10.2 IP) and 12 strikeouts. In 54 games (two starts) for the Dodgers, he is 1-1 with a 3.23 ERA (19 ER/53.0 IP) and 36 strikeouts while limiting left-handed hitters to a .192 (20-for-104) batting average against with 20 strikeouts. The southpaw was originally signed as non-drafted free agent on July 15, 2017 after finishing his collegiate career at Cal Poly San Luis Obispo.

Washington Nationals recall infielder/outfielder Jake Alu

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Washington Nationals recall infielder/outfielder Jake Alu

The Washington Nationals recalled infielder/outfielder Jake Alu from Triple-A Rochester and placed first baseman/designated hitter Joey Meneses on the Paternity List on Wednesday. Nationals President of Baseball Operations and General Manager Mike Rizzo made the announcement.

Alu, 26, returns for his second stint with the Nationals. He made his Major League debut on May 9 at San Francisco and made three starts in left field before being optioned to Triple-A Rochester on May 15. Alu recorded his first Major League hit on May 12 vs. New York (NL), a line-drive single to left field.

In 22 games for the Red Wings, Alu hit .268 with six doubles, two homers, 12 RBI, eight walks, three stolen bases and nine runs scored. He went 3-for-5 with two doubles, two RBI and one run scored on Tuesday night at Buffalo (TOR). He appeared at third base (16 G), left field (3 G), designated hitter (2 G) and second base (1 G) with Rochester.

Alu was the 2022 “Nationals Way” Award winner after he led Washington’s Minor League system in average (.298), slugging percentage (.507), OPS (.872), doubles (40), extra-base hits (62) and total bases (252). He finished the season on a 20-game on-base streak, hitting in each of the final 14 games and tallying hits in 19 of 20 games during the streak. At third base, Alu led all of Minor League Baseball (infielders and outfielders) with 17 defensive runs saved, according to Baseball Info Solutions.

A former 24th-round pick from Boston College, Alu was added to Washington’s 40-man roster following the 2022 season.

Meneses, 30, hit .295 with 10 doubles, two homers, 22 RBI, eight walks and 16 runs scored in 41 games for Washington prior to being placed on the Paternity List. He is eligible to return to the active roster on Saturday.

NFL Transactions 5-17-23

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NFL Transactions 5-17-23

The following are the NFL transactions for Wednesday, May 17. Transactions will be published each day after they are circulated to NFL clubs. This public version will include waiver requests, assignments via waivers, terminations, free agent signings, reserve list and practice squad additions and deletions, and trades.

WAIVER SYSTEM TRANSACTIONS


WAIVER REQUESTS (All are NO RECALL)

GREEN BAY
    Franklin, BenjieDBTarleton State   

HOUSTON
    Doyle, JoePMemphis   
         Partially Guaranteed Contract


    CLAIMING DEADLINE: 4:00 p.m., N.Y. Time, Thursday, 5/18/23


TERMINATION OF VESTED VETERAN

PITTSBURGH
    Witherspoon, AhkelloDBColorado   


TERMINATIONS VIA WAIVER SYSTEM

CAROLINA
    Bolden, NicoDBKent State   

NEW YORK GIANTS
    Burgess, TerrellDBUtah   

PHILADELPHIA
    Williams, JarridTMiami   

WASHINGTON
    Himmelman, DrewTIllinois State   


ACTIVE LIST ADDITIONS


FREE AGENT SIGNINGS

GREEN BAY
    Whelan, DanielPCalifornia-Davis   

HOUSTON
    Murray, JordanTEHawaii   

JACKSONVILLE
    Taylor, WillieLBEastern Kentucky   

LOS ANGELES RAMS
    Hudson, TylerWRLouisville   
    Woodbey, JaidenDBBoston College   

NEW ORLEANS
    Lashley, ScottTMississippi State   

PITTSBURGH
    Barcoo, LuqDBSan Diego State   
    Butler, HakeemTEIowa State   
    Rudolph, MasonQBOklahoma State   


SELECTION LIST SIGNINGS

GREEN BAY
    Kraft, TuckerTESouth Dakota State(3-78)*  

INDIANAPOLIS
    Downs, JoshWRNorth Carolina(3-79)*  

MINNESOTA
    Addison, JordanWRSouthern California(1-23)*  

NEW ORLEANS
    Bresee, BryanDTClemson(1-29)*  
    Haener, JakeQBFresno State(4-127)*  


    *Round and Overall Selection Number in 2023 Draft.



RESERVE LIST ADDITION

JACKSONVILLE
    Moore, JaylonWRTennessee-Martin   
         Reserve/Injured; Does Not Count Against 90 Limit

MLB Preview: Atlanta Braves (26-16) at Texas Rangers (26-16)

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MLB Preview: Atlanta Braves (26-16) at Texas Rangers (26-16)

ATLANTA BRAVES NOTES:

TONIGHT’S GAME: The Braves and Rangers tonight conclude a three-game series in what is the only scheduled matchup between the clubs this season… The two teams played three games here in Arlington last season.

  • Texas beat Atlanta, 7-4, last night to set up the rubber game tonight.
  • The Rangers took two-of-three from the Braves last season…Atlanta and Texas are playing in back-to-back seasons for just the second time in history, after also doing so in 2002 and 2003.
  • Atlanta and Texas have played 26 games since the advent of interleague play in 1997, with the Braves going 12-14 (.462) all-time against the Rangers… However, Atlanta won each of the first six games between the clubs in 2002 & 2003, and has gone just 6-14 (.300) since 2005.
  • The Braves have not won a series with the Rangers since a three-game sweep in 2003.
  • Here in Arlington, Atlanta has lost six-of-eight dating to 2014, and is just 4-11 since 2005.
  • RH Spencer Strider has never started against Texas, but did pitch in relief against the Rangers last season…The 6-foot-0, 205-pound right-hander pitched 3.2 scoreless innings here in Arlington on April 30, walking one and striking out five…Strider took his first loss of the season in his last start, May 12 at Toronto, but is 4-1 with a 2.51 ERA (13 ER/46.2 IP) through eight starts this season.
  • RH Nathan Eovaldi has made 15 career starts against Atlanta, and is 3-3 with a 2.82 ERA (29 ER/92.2 IP) and 81 strikeouts versus the Braves… The 6-foot-2, 225-pound native of Houston, TX, pitched against the Braves once last year while with Boston, and allowed six hits and three runs over 6.1 innings in a no-decision…In eight starts for the Rangers this season, he is 5-2 with a 2.70 ERA (16 ER/53. 1 IP).

LOSS: Atlanta jumped out to a second-inning lead last night, but Texas rallied to win, 7-4…The Braves lost for just the seventh time this season when scoring the opening run of the game.

  • Atlanta has scored the first run of the game 31 times this season, the most such games in the majors…The Braves are 24-7 (.774) when scoring first, the seventh-best record in baseball.
  • Ronald Acuña Jr. and Sean Murphy both homered for Atlanta, the 10th of the season for each of them…The Braves fell to 14-3 (.824) when hitting at least two home runs, although two of the three losses have come on this road trip…Atlanta hit three homers in the loss at Toronto on Sunday.
  • The Braves fell to 7-9 in interleague play with the loss, and are in the middle of 14 consecutive games against the American League…Atlanta hosts Seattle at Truist Park this weekend before playing another N.L. team (Los Angeles).

RUBBER GAME: Atlanta and Texas have split the first two games of this series, setting up the rubber game tonight…The Braves have won their only rubber game of the season, beating Baltimore on May 7.

  • The Braves were swept in Toronto over the weekend, and are looking to avoid losing back-to-back series for the first time this
    season…Atlanta has lost just three series on the season in total, a four-game set to San Diego and sweeps to the Astros and Blue Jays.
  • Atlanta has not lost back-to-back series since last September, when it dropped two-of-three in both Seattle and San Francisco.
  • The Braves entered this road trip with a 15-3 (.833) record away from Truist Park, but have gone just 1-4 through the first five games…Despite the losses, Atlanta’s 16-7 (.696) record in road games is still best in the majors.

STRIDER STRIKEOUTS: Spencer Strider enters tonight’s start with 79 strikeouts on the season, most in the majors…No Atlanta pitcher has led the majors in strikeouts since John Smoltz in 1996 (276).

  • Strider’s 79 strikeouts are the most by a pitcher in franchise history through eight starts…In Smoltz’s Atlanta Braves (26-16) at Texas Rangers (26-16) league-leading 1996 season, he had 67.
  • Strider has struck out double-digits in three of his last four starts, including 12 in his last turn on May 12 at Toronto.
  • He induced 32 swings-and-misses in his last start at Toronto, a new career high…The 32 swings-and-misses are the most by a Braves pitcher in the pitch-tracking era (since 2008), and Strider now owns four of the top six swing-and-miss performances for Atlanta in that span.
  • He got 31 swings-and-misses in his start earlier this season, April 24 vs. Miami, and 24 such swings twice last season (June 15 at Washington, July 2 at Cincinnati)…The only other Braves pitchers with 24 swings-and-misses in a game since 2008 are Ervin Santana (April 14, 2014 at Philadelphia) and Julio Teheran (October 2, 2016 vs. Detroit).

SEAN MURPHY: Went 1-for-4 with a home run and two RBI last night…His 34 RBI on the season are most in the National League.

  • Murphy is already over halfway to surpassing his career-high totals in homers (18) and RBI (66), both set last season.
  • Through 42 team games, he is on pace for 39 homers and 131 RBI…The 131 RBI would easily set the franchise record from a catcher.
  • Just one catcher in franchise history has hit 39 homers in a single season…Javy López hit a franchise-record 43 in 2003.
  • Murphy leads all catchers in homers (10), RBI (34), extra-base hits (tied, 19) and runs (tied, 25), and ranks second in on-base (.400) and OPS (.975)

Tonight’s Starting Pitcher – #99 Spencer Strider
RHP • 6-0 • 195 • 24 yrs
2023 Record: 4-1, 2.51 ERA • 2022 Record: 11-5, 2.67 ERA
vs. RHB: .172 (15-87), 1 HR • vs. LHB: .165 (13-for-79), 1 HR
Home: 1-0, 3.13 ERA (8 ER/23.0) • Away: 3-1, 1.90 ERA (5/23.2)

Today’s Game

  • Strider is set to make his ninth start this year, first against Texas and second appearance of his career.
  • Struck out 12 hitters while allowing two runs, one earned, five hits and one walk in his last turn against Toronto, and extended his streak of eight or more strikeouts to 12 consecutive games.
  • It is the longest active streak in baseball and tied for the seventh longest streak in the live ball era, tied with Hall-of-Famers Nolan Ryan and Randy Johnson.
  • Only Hall-of-Famers Ryan, Johnson, Pedro Martínez and active pitchers Corey Kluber and Shane Bieber have longer streaks.
  • Seven of the 12 strikeouts were recorded with his slider, tied for the second most of his career.
  • After his last start, Strider’s nine games of at least 10 strikeouts is the most through a player’s first 41 appearances in franchise history. (1901)
  • The next closest are Brandon Beachy, Tommy Hanson, and Julio Teheran with three each in their first 41 outings.
  • Tied with Noah Syndergaard, Kerry Wood, and Al Downing for seventh most in MLB history (dating to 1901) through a player’s first 41 games.
  • Leads all qualified starters with a rate of 15.24 strikeouts per nine innings this season.
  • Dating to 1901, his 15.24 K/9 rate is the highest through eight starts to open a season.
  • The next closest were Tyler Glasnow (’20), Jacob deGrom (’21), Kerry Wood (’98), and Corbin Burnes (’21) through their first eight starts in a season dating to 1901.
  • His swing and miss rate of 40.4% is the highest in the majors (among QS).
  • Strider’s 57.4% rate of pitches in the zone is the third highest among qualifiers; trails only Seattle’s George Kirby and Pittsburgh’s Mitch Keller.

2023 Recap

  • On May 1 against New York (NL) Strider snapped his streak of nine consecutive games with at least nine strikeouts that begun on September 1, 2022.
  • It is tied for third-longest such streak in the modern era (since 1900).
  • Passed Hall-of-Famer John Smoltz for the longest streak in franchise history.
  • Carried a perfect game into the seventh inning in his last start against Miami until he lost his bid on a Matt Olson error.
  • Maintained a no-hitter through 7.1 innings; broken up on a single by Jean Segura.
  • Struckout a season-high 13 hitters and finished with two hits allowed over 8.0 innings pitched.
  • Started the second game of the season for Atlanta and earned the win, fanning nine hitters while pitching 6.0 scoreless innings against Washington.

TEXAS RANGERS NOTES:

WINS AND LOSSES: Texas beat the Braves last night, 7-4, and are now 1-1 on this 7-day, 6-game homestand vs. ATL (1-1 + 1 G) and COL (3 G)…TEX has won 3 of 4, 5 of 7 and 7 of 10…TEX is 8-3 in last 11 G and 12-5 in last 17 G…TEX is 12-8 in last 20 G, but still 18-10 in last 28 G and 22-12 in last 34 G beg. 4/9…have a 23-16 record last 39 G since club’s 3-0 start to the season…club has 5 different win streaks of 3+ G in 2023 (season-best 4-0 both 4/16-19 and 4/28-5/2)… team totaled 7 wins streaks of 3+ G in all of 2022.

  • At 26-16 (.619), TEX owns the 3rd-best record in A.L. and T4th-best in MLB (see chart)…club’s 26 wins rank 3rd in A.L. T4th in MLB (32-TB, 27-LAD/BAL, 26-TEX/ATL).
  • The 26-16 start marks Rangers’ best 42-G start to a season since 2013 (27-15), one of the 5 best starts in club history.
  • TEX is a season high-tying 10 G above .500 for the 2nd time this year (also 25-15, 5/14)…this campaign’s 2 instances at the 10-over mark the club’s 1st time to be 10-over since 6/28/19 (46-36), and 5/14 is the earliest date to reach 10-over in a season since 2013 (May 11).

BEST RECORDS IN MLB, 2023
Win Pct. Team W-L
.744 Tampa Bay 32-11
.643 Baltimore 27-15
.628 Los Angeles-NL 27-16
.619 Texas/Atlanta 26-16

WITH A WIN TONIGHT, Texas could:

  • Climb to season-best 11 G above .500 for 1st time since 6/4/16 (33-22), their most recent division-winning campaign.
  • Move to 27-16, which would be one of the 4 best 43-G starts in Texas Rangers history.
  • Earn a series win, moving club to 9-1-1 in its last 11 series.
  • Improve to a 5-0-0 record in rubber games this season.

STANDINGS: Rangers hold a 3.0-game lead in the A.L. West for the 2nd consecutive day after entering Monday with a season-best 4.0-G lead…this still marks the latest point in a season for Texas to hold a lead of 3.0+ G in the division since finishing the 2016 campaign 9.0 GA of 2nd-place Seattle… club currently holds a 3.0-G lead over 2nd-place Houston… the 3.0-G lead is the smallest division advantage in A.L. entering today (TB is +4.5 GA in A.L. East and MIN is +3.5 GA in A.L. Central)…TEX has been alone or tied atop the division for 46 of the season’s first 47 days (exception: 4/8).

SERIES STUFF: TEX is looking to win their 4th straight series for the 2nd time this season, having gone 4-0-1 in last 5 series and 8-1-1 in last 10…club is 4-0 in rubber games, 1-0 at home after win vs. OAK on 4/23…team is 5-0-0 in series against A.L. West foes in 2023…team is 9-3-1 overall in series this year, going 5-1-1 at home 4-2-0 on the road…club did not win a 9th series in 2022 until 6/27-29 at KC…TEX won 4 straight series 4/10-23, longest such span since going 5-0-0 from 6/15-7/1/18…TEX is 3-0-1 in last 4 series at GLF, as lone series loss at home in ‘23 was 4/3-5 vs. BAL (1-2).

AT HOME: The Rangers are 13-7 (.650) at home this season, this after starts of 8-12 (in 2022) and 10-10 (in 2021) at GLF the past 2 years…the .650 home win pct. is 4th in A.L. and 5th in MLB (19-3, .864-TB; 12-5, .706-TOR; 16-7, .696-LAD; 14-7, .667-BAL; 14-8, 13-7, .650-TEX)…TEX has
a 99-113 all-time record at Globe Life Field (2020-23), but are 19-14 last 33 G here (beg. 9/11/22)…TEX leads MLB in R/G (6.35) at home in 2023, and 127 R are 4th-most in the Majors…team is also 5th in MLB w/ 1.66 HR/G at home, this after ranking 9th in Majors at 1.25 HR/G at home in 2022.

VS. ATLANTA: Rangers and Braves are playing at Globe Life Field for a 2nd straight year, as TEX took 2 of 3 from 4/29-5/1/22…Rangers lead 14-12 all-time, winning 3 of 4 and 10 of last 14…since going 0-6 in 1st 2 meetings in 2002-03, Rangers are 14-6 beg. 2005 vs. ATL, winning each of last 6 series between the clubs.

  • TEX is 6-7 in Interleague this season, losing 7 of last 10 G, but are 5-2 vs. N.L. at Globe Life Field in ‘23…club is 10-4 in last 14 Interleague games at GLF (beg. 4/30/22).

WELCOME BACK, COREY: The Rangers this afternoon announced that SS Corey Seager has been activated from the 10-day Injured List…to make room for Seager on Texas’ active roster, C Sam Huff has been optioned to Round Rock (AAA).

  • Seager owned a .359 BA (14-39) with 1 HR and 4 RBI in 11 games before being placed on the IL with a left hamstring strain on April 12…he has reached base safely via H/BB in 23 of 49 PA this season…when placed on the IL, he ranked among A.L. leaders in BB (T3rd, 9), BA (7th) and OBP (8th, .469)…during a 3-G rehab assignment with Frisco (AA) from Thurs.-Sat., he batted .250 (2-8) with a 2B, 1 BB and 2 RBI.

RANGER BLUE STREAK: Nathan Eovaldi tonight will look to extend his career-best 28.2 consecutive scoreless innings streak (dating back to 4/24), this after posting 8.2 scoreless innings and a career-high 12 SO in his last start on Thurs. at OAK…it is the longest scoreless streak in MLB in 2023, longest in Majors since ARI’s Zac Gallen had 44.1 IP from 8/8-9/11/22, and 7th-longest in Rangers history (see chart)… Eovaldi has at least 8.0 SHO IP in 3 straight starts…during that stretch: 25.2 IP, 11 H, 0 R, 3 BB, 25 SO, .131 opp. BA… according to STATS, Eovaldi is just the 6th pitcher in the modern era (since 1900) to have a 3-start span with 25.0+ scoreless innings, 25+ SO, and 3-or-fewer walks, joining Walter Johnson as only A.L. pitchers to ever accomplish the feat.

LONGEST SCORELESS STREAKS, RANGERS HISTORY
IP Pitcher Dates
39.0 Kenny Rogers 5/6-6/1/95
36.0 Charlie Hough 8/23-9/14/83
33.1 Yovani Gallardo 6/10-7/7/15
31.0 Kenny Rogers 4/27-5/20/05
29.2 Jeff Zimmerman 5/25-8/2/99
29.0 Fergie Jenkins 8/27-9/8/74
28.2 Nathan Eovaldi 4/24/23-current

KINGDOM OF DANE-MARK: After last night’s quality start (W, 6.0 IP, 6 H, 1 R-ER, 0 BB, 4 SO, 92 pitches/60 strikes), Dane Dunning improved to 4-0 on the season, and has now registered a QS in each of his last 2 outings (also 6.0 IP, 2 ER on 5/10 at SEA)…has gone 2-0 with a 1.59 ERA (3 ER/17.0 IP) and 12 SO/2 BB in 3 starts since slotting into the rotation at the beginning of this month…his 1.69 ERA this season is 4th-best among MLB qualifiers…joins MIN’s Sonny Gray as the only 2 pitchers with 35.0+ IP and no HR allowed this year.

LEADERS AND STREAKS: Marcus Semien collected his 600th-career RBI last night with a 7th inning single and has hit safely in 13 of 14 G in May at .351/.441/.509/.950 (20-57), ranking among A.L. leaders for the month in times on base (1st, 30), hits (T2nd), RBI (T4th, 12) and BA (6th)…Adolis García launched a 2-R HR in the 4th inning last night, raising his MLB-leading RBI tally to 44…Jonah Heim extended his career best and MLB-leading 14-game hitting streak last night with an RBI single in the 6th inn…the hitting streak is tied for longest by a Ranger this year (Grossman, 4/16-5/6).

TONIGHT’S STARTING PITCHER – #17 Nathan Eovaldi, RHP (5-2, 2.70)
TONIGHT: The 33-year-old right-hander (pronounced ee-VAHL-dee) is scheduled to make his 9th start/appearance of the season in tonight’s series finale opposite the Atlanta Braves…after tossing 8.2 SHO IP in his most recent outing on May 11 at OAK, has crafted a career-best 28.2 consecutive scoreless innings streak (since 4/24), marking the longest scoreless streak in MLB in 2023…his last outing also marked his 3rd consecutive start of 8.0+ SHO IP (also: 5/6 at LAA – 8.0 SHO IP & 4/29 vs. NYY – CG SHO)…totals during that stretch: 25.2 IP, 11 H, 0 R, 3 BB, 25 SO, .131 opp. BA…has 5.0+ IP in all 7 starts, allowing 3-R-or-less in 6 of 8 outings…has made 5 straight quality starts (4-0, 1.19 ERA, 5 ER/37.2 IP) to drop season ERA from 6.32 to 2.70…his 1.96 FIP figure is the 4th-lowest among MLB qualifiers to ATL’s Spencer Strider (1.63), ARI’s Zac Gallen (1.78), and MIN’s Sonny Gray (1.90)…also ranks among A.L. qualifiers in HR/9 (2nd, 0.17), BB/9 (T3rd, 1.35) and SO/BB (4th, 7.00)…Eovaldi signed a 2-year free agent contract with the Rangers on 12/27/22…in 2022, his final season with Boston, went 6-3 with a 3.87 ERA (47 ER/109.1 IP) over 20 G/GS… ranked among A.L. leaders (min. 100.0 IP) in SO/BB (8th, 5.15) and BB/9 (9th, 1.65)…was slowed by a pair of IL stints: 6/9-7/14 (low back inflammation) and 8/19-9/28 (right shoulder inflammation)…the Texas native is seeking a return to his 2021 form, when he was an All-Star with the Red Sox and finished 4th in A.L. Cy Young Award voting…his Red Sox stint included a historic postseason stretch during the team’s 2018 World Series run…has 247 games/228 starts with LAD (2011-12), MIA (2012-14), NYY (2015-16), TB (2018), BOS (2018-22) and TEX (2023)…joined Hall of Famer Nolan Ryan as the only graduates of Alvin (TX) High School to reach the Major Leagues…Texas is 5-3 in Eovaldi’s 8 starts.

BROUGHT HIS “A” GAME: Earned his staff-leading 5th victory of the campaign on 5/11 at Oakland after twirling 8.2 SHO IP (3 H, 0 R 1 BB, 12 SO, 113 pitches/78 strikes)…fanned a career-high 12 hitters (prev: 11 SO, 5/22/22 vs. SEA), marking the most punchouts by a Rangers starter in 2023 and most overall since Jon Gray (also 12 SO) on 6/1/22 vs. TB…has now posted at least 8.0 SHO IP in 3 straight starts (since 4/29), becoming just the 3rd pitcher in TEX history with 3 consecutive outings of at least 8.0 scoreless innings, joining Martín Pérez (3, 4/13-23/14) and Charlie Hough (3, 8/28-9/7/83)…is currently riding a career-best 28.2-inning scoreless streak (since 4/24), marking the longest scoreless streak in MLB in 2023, longest in Majors since ARI’s Zac Gallen had 44.1 IP from 8/8-9/11/22, and 7th-longest in Rangers history.

BLANKED THE YANKS: Tossed 1st 9-inn. CG SHO of his career on 4/29 vs. NYY (9.0 IP, 3 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 8 SO, 113 pitches/78 strikes)…was 1st CG SHO by a Ranger since Martín Pérez on 5/20/22 at HOU (9.0 SHO IP), and the 1st CG SHO ever thrown by a Texas pitcher at Globe Life Field…1st native Texan to throw a CG SHO for the Rangers since Roger Pavlik on 9/7/95 vs. CWS (9.0 SHO IP, 3 H, 4 BB, 5 SO)…1st CG SHO by a Ranger vs. NYY since Derek Holland on 6/27/13 at Yankee Stadium, just 4th CG SHO ever by a Ranger against the Yankees in Arlington.

VS. ATLANTA: Owns a career 3-3 record with a 2.82 ERA (29 ER/92.2 IP) across 15 career games/starts against the Braves, with his teams going 7-8 over those outings…most recently pitched against Atlanta on May 11, 2022 at SunTrust Park as a member of the Boston Red Sox (ND, 6.1 IP, 6 H, 3 R/ER, 1 HR, 1 BB, 6 SO)…is 1-0 with a 1.84 ERA (6 ER/29.1 IP) over 4 career home starts vs. ATL, posting a quality start in each of those outings…despite his home success opposite the Braves, his clubs have mustered just a 2-2 mark in those contests.

After facing the Braves 12 times from the 2011-14 seasons, Eovaldi has matched up with Atlanta only thrice since 2015…was traded by MIA to NYY following the 2014 campaign and has pitched for strictly A.L. clubs ever since.

HOME COOKING: Is 2-1 with a 4.26 ERA (9 ER/19.0 IP) over 3 home starts in 2023 thus far, including a CG SHO on 4/29 vs. NYY (3 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 8 SO, 113 pitches/78 strikes) in his most recent home outing…this compared to his 3-1 mark and 1.83 ERA (7 ER/34.1 IP) away from Globe Life FIeld this season…has fanned 21 compared to 2 walks at home in 2023 (10.50 SO/BB), marking the 8th-highest home SO/BB among A.L. hurlers (min. 15.0 IP)…has traditionally performed better at home (32-32, 3.96 ERA) than on the road (40-38, 4.24 ERA) in his career.

PUNCH OUT: Has struck out 56 of 206 (27.2%) batters faced in 2023, as his 9.45 strikeouts-per-9.0 innings figure ranks 18th among A.L. qualifiers…would be near the highest full-season SO/9 mark of his career (9.63 in 2021 w/ BOS)…has issued just 8 walks through 8 starts this season, joining Cliff Lee (58 SO/4 BB thru 8 GS in 2010) as the only pitchers in WSH/TEX franchise history with 56+ SO and 8-or-fewer BB in their first 8 outings with the club.

2023: Opponents have batted .231/.263/.344/.607 (45-195) with 16 extra-base hits (HR, 4 3B, 11 2B), incl. opp. BA of .202 (18-89) vs. LHB and .255 (27-106) vs. RHB…batters are 9-for-20 (.450) w/ 5 XBH when putting 1st pitch into play, also 5-for-22 (.227) with a 0-2 count…has 56 strikeouts/8 walks, as he ranks among A.L. qualifiers in HR/9 (2nd, 0.17), BB/9 (T3rd, 1.35) and SO/BB (4th, 7.00)… recorded season-high 19 swing-and-miss strikes (Statcast) on 5/11 at OAK (8.2 IP, 3 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 12 SO)…run support has been high (6+ R 4x) and low (one-or-zero R 2x)…made Rangers debut in 16-3 Texas victory on 4/1 vs. PHI (W, 5.0 IP, 6 H, 3 R-ER)…became 1st Rangers starting pitcher to be awarded a win in his first start with the club since A.J. Alexy on 8/3/21 vs. COL…the Alvin, TX native 9.45 strikeouts-per-9.0 innings figure ranks 18th among A.L. qualifiers…would be near the highest full-season SO/9 mark of his career (9.63 in 2021 w/ BOS)…has issued just 8 walks through 8 starts this season, joining Cliff Lee (58 SO/4 BB thru 8 GS in 2010) as the only pitchers in WSH/TEX franchise history with 56+ SO and 8-or-fewer BB in their first 8 outings with the club.

2023: Opponents have batted .231/.263/.344/.607 (45-195) with 16 extra-base hits (HR, 4 3B, 11 2B), incl. opp. BA of .202 (18-89) vs. LHB and .255 (27-106) vs. RHB…batters are 9-for-20 (.450) w/ 5 XBH when putting 1st pitch into play, also 5-for-22 (.227) with a 0-2 count…has 56 strikeouts/8 walks, as he ranks among A.L. qualifiers in HR/9 (2nd, 0.17), BB/9 (T3rd, 1.35) and SO/BB (4th, 7.00)… recorded season-high 19 swing-and-miss strikes (Statcast) on 5/11 at OAK (8.2 IP, 3 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 12 SO)…run support has been high (6+ R 4x) and low (oneor-zero R 2x)…made Rangers debut in 16-3 Texas victory on 4/1 vs. PHI (W, 5.0 IP, 6 H, 3 R-ER)…became 1st Rangers starting pitcher to be awarded a win in his first start with the club since A.J. Alexy on 8/3/21 vs. COL…the Alvin, TX native became the 5th native Texan ever to earn a win in his TEX debut (last Kip Wells on 8/2/06 at MIN.

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