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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.

MLB Preview: Washington Nationals (18-24) at Miami Marlins (21-21)

MLB Editor
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MLB Preview: Washington Nationals (18-24) at Miami Marlins (21-21)

WASHINGTON NATIONALS NOTES:

OPPONENT – MIAMI MARLINS
The Nationals and Marlins will play 13 times this season (7 in D.C., 6 in MIA)…Trevor Williams (2nd rd., 2013) and Stone Garrett (8th rd., 2014) were drafted by the Marlins…Hunter Harvey’s dad, Brian, saved 45 games and was an All-Star for the Marlins in 1993, his first of three seasons with them (1993-95)…Corey Dickerson spent two seasons (2020-21) in Miami…Bullpen coach Ricky Bones capped his 11-year MLB career with the Florida Marlins (2000-01).

MOVING ON
The Washington Nationals fell to the Miami Marlins, 5-4, in the first game of this three-game series on Tuesday night…Following this series, Washington will return to D.C. for a seven-game homestand against the Detroit Tigers and San Diego Padres starting Friday.

  • Josiah Gray tossed 7.0 innings for the second consecutive start…He allowed one earned run on seven hits with three walks and five srikeouts…After last night’s outing, Gray now ranks ninth in the National League with a 2.73 ERA.
  • Jeimer Candelario (3-for-3, 2B, RBI, BB, R) and Dominic Smith (2-for-4, 2 RBI) each posted multi-hit efforts while Lane Thomas hit his fifth homer of the season.

SPEAKING OF DOM…
In his last 17 games, Dominic Smith is hitting .362 (21-for-58) with a .441 on-base percentage (8 BB, HBP, 8 SO)…He has two RBI in back-to-back games and has posted multi-hit efforts in three of the last four.

  • Smith has reached base safely in nine consecutive games and 15 of 17 games during this stretch.

STREAKS ON STREAKS
Some streaks to keep your eyes on:

  • Joey Meneses has reached base 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.
  • Lane Thomas has reached safely in 13 straight games and hit safely in 11 of the 13…Thomas is hitting .333 (18-for-54) 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…It is the third-longest on-base streak of his career (14 G, 2x).

NO HOMERS CLUB
Washington’s starting pitchers have not allowed a home run in six straight games and have allowed just one in eight games since May 8…It is the longest streak for Washington’s starting staff since Aug. 5-11, 2020 (6 games)…Washington’s last seven game streak was April 3-10, 2017.

  • According to the Elias Sports Bureau, it is the longest active streak for a starting rotation in Major League Baseball and is tied for third-longest this season behind Pittsburgh (11) and Atlanta (8).
  • The starting staff has pitched to a 2.91 ERA (14 ER/43.1 IP) during this eight-game stretch.

WINNING WAYS
The Nationals have won five of eight, eight of 13 and nine of their last 15 games…They are 13-10 (.565) dating to April 21 at Minnesota…The Nationals have won four of their last seven series with one split.

  • Washington is 17-17 (.500) 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.

CJ IN DC
CJ Abrams is 6-for-16 (.375) with a double, two homers, five RBI, one stolen base and three runs scored over his last four games…He posted multi-hit efforts in a career-high three straight games, May 13-15.

  • Abrams is hitting .302 with a .476 slugging percentage in 19 games since April 26.
  • He leads the Nationals (with Joey Meneses) and is third among NL shortstops with 22 RBI.

DEFENSE NOT RESTING
Thanks to strong infield defense so far this season, Nationals opponents have a .230 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 tied for fourth in Major League Baseball with 42 double plays turned this season.

STARTING PITCHER – #1 MACKENZIE GORE
Left-handed starter was acquired by Washington at the 2022 Trade Deadline…Entered 2020 as the No. 6 prospect in all of baseball and 2021 as the No. 10 prospect, according to Baseball America …Was cited by Baseball America as having the “Best Fastball” in San Diego’s system entering the 2022 season and the “Best Slider” in 2021 and 2018…Was the 2017 Gatorade Male High School Athlete of the Year, just the second baseball player to win the award at the time (Dylan Bundy in 2011; Bobby Witt Jr. in 2019).

LAST START
Tossed 4.0 shutout innings with three strikeouts, two walks and four hits allowed on May 12 vs. New York (NL)…Was lifted after the fourth inning due to a high pitch count (96 pitches).

LAST TWO STARTS
Gore has allowed two earned runs in 10.0 innings (1.80 ERA) across his last two starts…He’s struck out 12 batters while walking just three.

vs. MIAMI
Faces the Marlins for the first time his career.

RANKS
Gore ranks second among all Major League left-handed pitchers, ranks sixth in all of Major League Baseball (3rd in the NL) with 11.20 strikeouts per 9.0 innings (min. 40.0 IP)…His 51 strikeouts rank 11th in the National League.

SWING AND A MISS
Gore ranks sixth among all MLB left-handed pitchers with 106 swings and misses this season, according to MLB Statcast…On April 19 vs. Baltimore, he induced a career-high 18 swings and misses in 6.0 innings pitched.

TROUBLE WITH THE CURVE
Gore’s curveball boasts a 41.1% whiff rate, third-best among all MLB left-handed pitchers (min. 25 PA)…His .171 opponents’ batting average (7-for-41) also ranks third among MLB lefties.

EARNING THE CAPITAL K IN MacKenzie
Gore’s 51 strikeouts through eight starts are the third-most in Nationals history (2005-pres.) by any pitcher in his first eight starts with the club behind Max Scherzer (66 SO in 2015), Gio Gonzalez (60 SO in 2012) and Patrick Corbin (58 SO in 2019).

  • Gore needs 22 strikeouts today to pass Scherzer (72 in 2015) for the most strikeouts through a pitcher’s first nine starts with the club.

WELCOME TO D.C.
Earned the win in his Nationals debut on April 2 vs. Atlanta…Allowed one earned run on three hits with six strikeouts and four walks…With the win, Gore became the seventh Nationals pitcher (2005-pres.) to win his debut with the team while allowing three hits or less in at least 5.0 innings of work.

MIAMI MARLINS NOTES:

No release available.

MLS Preview: Inter Miami FC (5-6-0) at Nashville SC (5-3-4)

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MLS Preview: Inter Miami FC (5-6-0) at Nashville SC (5-3-4)

Nashville SC has lost only one of its six all-time meetings with Inter Miami FC (W3 D2, including the play-in game in 2020). Nashville SC has conceded against Inter Miami FC at home, outscoring the Herons, 4-0, in the three meetings in Tennessee (W2 D1).

Nashville SC has won four straight home matches in all competitions for the first time in club history, outscoring opponents, 9-1, at GEODIS Park. In league play, Nashville SC has won each of the last seven times its scored multiple goals at home but it winless the last eight times its been held under two (D4 L4).

Inter Miami FC is the third team in MLS history to immediately follow a losing streak of sox or more matches with a three-match winning streak (New England Revolution in 2001, Colorado Rapids in 1997). Only the Colorado Rapids in 1997 (5 straight including playoffs) recorded a winning streak of four-plus games right after a losing streak of six-plus.

D. C. United scored with its only shot on target against Nashville SC in the 1-2 draw on Saturday. It’s usually taken many more shots on target to beat Joe Willis, who has saved 84.1 percent of the shots on target he’s faced this year, the best of any goalkeeper to face five or more shots on target in 2023.

Josef Martinez has scored in each of Inter Miami FC’s last two MLS matches after failing to find the net in his first seven league matches for the club. Martinez has recorded six separate streaks of three or more consecutive MLS games with a goal but hasn’t done so since July-August 2021.

MLS Preview: Houston Dynamo FC (4-4-2) at Minnesota United FC (3-5-3)

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MLS Preview: Houston Dynamo FC (4-4-2) at Minnesota United FC (3-5-3)

Minnesota United FC have won five straight meetings with the Houston Dynamo FC, the Loons longest winning streak against a single opponent in the club’s MLS history. The Houston Dynamo FC has just one longer losing streak against a single opponent, losing six in a row to the Seattle Sounders FC from 2017 to 2021.

The Minnesota United FC have lost five of its last six MLS games ((D1) and are coming off a 3-0 loss to Sporting Kansas City. The one point is tied for the club’s fewest in a six-match span (with spans in 2018 and 2022), as the Loons have only earned fewer than four points in a seven-game span once (2 from July-September 2018).

The Houston Dynamo FC fell, 2-1, to San Jose Earthquakes back in April in their only away match this season against a conference opponent. Since joining the West in 2015, Houston Dynamo FC has nine wins in 94 regular-season road games (D26 L59) against Western Conference foes, fewer than 13 other teams in that time including New York City FC and New York Red Bulls.

Jeong Sang-Bin had his first-half penalty kick saved by Tim Melia in the 3-0 loss to Sporting Kansas City. He also earned the shot after being fouled by Melia, becoming the first Loons player to be fouled by the opposing goalkeeper in the area only to have his penalty kick saved by the same goalie.

Both Hector Herrera and Amine Bassi were sent off in Houston Dynamo FC’s 1-0 loss to the Seattle Sounders FC, the team’s first time having multiple players sent off in the same match since August 2018 against Sporting Kansas City. Since the beginning of last season the Houston Dynamo FC players have received nine red cards, tied with Sporting Kansas City for most in MLS.

MLS Preview: Vancouver Whitecaps FC (3-3-5) at FC Dallas (5-3-3)

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MLS Preview: Vancouver Whitecaps FC (3-3-5) at FC Dallas (5-3-3)

The Vancouver Whitecaps FC are unbeaten in their last five matches at FC Dallas (W2 D3) after losing each of their first eight away matches in the series. This run equals Vancouver’s longest road unbeaten run against any opponent in the club’s MLS history (5 straight at Colorado from 2017-2021).

FC Dallas has conceded exactly once in each of its last nine home matches (including playoffs) dating back to a 1-0 win over the Philadelphia Union last August. FC Dallas hasn’t allowed more than one goal in a club-record 15-straight home matches, with the Vancouver Whitecaps FC (0-2 last June) the last visitors with multiple goals at Toyota Stadium.

The Vancouver Whitecaps FC are winless in 13 straight road MLS matches (D7 L6), the second-longest active winless run away from home in MLS (San Jose Earthquakes – 14 straight). Vancouver’s last road win in league play was a 2-0 victory over FC Dallas last June.

Jesus Ferreira’s 89th-minute goal against Austin FC on Saturday turned one point into three for FC Dallas. Ferreira’s six goals have earned FC Dallas 10 additional points this season, more than any other player in MLS (C. Espinoza – 9 for the San Jose Earthquakes).

The last 11 non-own goals scored by the Vancouver Whitecaps FC in MLS play have been scored by Americans (10) or Canadians (1), the longest run of consecutive goals for a team scored by players from the United States or Canada since Toronto FC had 13 straight in 2016.

MLB Preview: New York Yankees (25-19) at Toronto Blue Jays (24-18)

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MLB Preview: New York Yankees (25-19) at Toronto Blue Jays (24-18)

NEW YORK YANKEES NOTES:

AT A GLANCE: The Yankees continue their seven-game road trip tonight with the third game of a four-game set at Toronto (2-0 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 five games and seven of their last nine games.

Are 10-4 (.714) in their last 14 games (since 5/2), the best record in the AL and the second-best record in the Majors in that span, trailing only Los Angeles-NL (10-3, .769).

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 13 days into a 17-day stretch (5/5-21) without an off day (8-4 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-of20 games (5/5-25) against the AL East…are 5-4 so far.

YESTERDAY’S NEWS: The Yankees defeated the Blue Jays, 6-3, on Tuesday at Rogers Centre…RHP Domingo Germán (3.0IP, 0H, 0BB, 2K) made his ninth start of the season and retired all 9BF before being ejected in the fourth inning…2B Gleyber Torres (2-for-4, 2RBI, 1SF) hit an RBI single in the third and a sac fly in the ninth inning…3B Isiah Kiner-Falefa (2-for-3, 3R, 1 double, 1HR, 1RBI, 1BB) reached base a season-high three times and hit his first HR of the season with a solo shot in the fifth…DH Aaron Judge (1-for-5, 1R, 1HR, 2RBI) hit a go-ahead two-run HR in the eighth inning…C Jose Trevino (3-for-3, 1R) tied his season high in hits…RHP Ian Hamilton (0.2IP, 1H, 2BB, 2K) exited the game with right groin tightness…RHP Ron Marinaccio (1.0IP, 4H, 3ER, 1HR, 1K) allowed a career-high-tying 3ER…RHP Ryan Weber (2.1IP, 3H) earned his first win of the season after tossing 2.1 scoreless innings…RHP Clay Holmes (1.0IP, 1H, 1K) tossed a scoreless eighth…LHP Wandy Peralta (1.0IP, 1BB) earned his third save of the season with a scoreless ninth.

BRONX BOMBERS: The Yankees have hit 65HR this season, the second-most home runs in the AL and the fourth-most in the Majors.

Have hit multiple home runs in a season-high five straight games, their longest streak since a five-game streak from 7/29-8/2/22…with 2HR tonight, it would mark their longest streak since a six-game stretch from 9/9-14/21.

Have hit multiple HR in nine of their last 10 games (since 5/7) and 11 of their last 14 games (since 5/2).  Have at least 3HR in four of their last five games, five of their last seven games and six of their last nine games…prior to this nine-game stretch, had hit 3HR in just four of their first 35 games of the season.

Have hit 14HR in their last 5G and 25HR in their last 10G.  Have recorded at least eight hits in each of their last five games and 13 of their last 14G.

Have scored at least 6R in each of their last five games, matching their longest such streak in the last four seasons (since 2020)…also had five-game streaks from 7/29-8/2/22 and 9/15-19/20…their last longer streak was a seven-game streak from 8/3(G1)-8/19.

Have scored at least 6R in nine of their last 10 games (since 5/7), scoring 72R and averaging 7.20 runs per game in that span…had averaged 3.91 runs per game over their first 34 games of the season.

COLE TRAIN: RHP Gerrit Cole will make his 10th start of the season tonight…is 5-0 with a 2.22 ERA (56.2IP, 14ER) and 62K in nine starts this season…has allowed 2R-or-fewer in eight of his first nine starts…his eight such starts are tied with Tampa Bay’s Shane McClanahan and San Francisco’s Alex Cobb for the most in the Majors.

Is one of three pitchers to go 5-0-or-better this year…joins Tampa Bay’s Shane McClanahan (7-0) and Toronto’s Yusei Kikuchi (5-0).

The Yankees are 8-1 in his starts this season…is one of two starting pitchers this season to have his team win at least eight of his starts (also Tampa Bay’s Shane McClanahan – club is 8-1 in 9GS).

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

His nine-start undefeated streak is the third-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 and Masahiro Tanaka’s 10-start streak to begin the 2016 season (Chad Green went undefeated in his first 11 starts as an opener in 2019).

Is tied for fourth in the Majors in innings pitched (56.2, second in AL), is sixth in ERA (2.22, fourth in AL), tied for sixth in wins (five, tied for third in AL) and ninth in strikeouts (62, fifth in AL).

ALL RISE: OF Aaron Judge hit a go-ahead two-run HR in the eighth inning on Tuesday at Toronto…six of his 11 home runs this season have given the Yankees the lead… since the start of 2019, 72 of his 148HR have tied the game (14) or given the Yankees the lead (58).

Has 5HR in his last four games…has homered in consecutive games for the first time this season and for the 36th time in his career (first since 10/4/22(G2)-3/30/23)… with a HR tonight, it would mark the 10th time in his career he has homered in at least three straight games (last: 4G from 9/3-7(G1)/22).

The Yankees have gone 151-50 in his career when he homers…since 2020, the Yankees are 79-21 in those games.

His 231 career HR are the most by any Major League player through his first 763 career games (previous: Ryan Howard227HR).

Has 10RBI in his last four games…has recorded 12RBI in eight games since returning from the I.L.

Is hitting .333/.455/.926 (9-for-27) with 8R, 1 double, 5HR, 10RBI and 6BB/1IBB in his last seven 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 fifth in the Majors in SLG (.590, third in AL), tied for fifth in HR (11, tied for second in AL) and ranks seventh in OPS (.960, fourth in AL).

CALENDAR DAYS: The Yankees have hit 31HR in 15 games during the month of May, the most home runs in the Majors in that span…also lead the Majors in May in runs scored (89) and SLG (.497), rank second in OPS (.834), third in runs scored per game (5.93), fifth in OBP (.337) and extra-base hits (53).

Their 5.50 PA/K ratio in May is the best in the Majors.

LEMACHINE: INF DJ LeMahieu owns a season-high 14-game on-base streak (since 4/30)…marks his longest on-base streak since a 15-game streak from 4/12-29/22…is batting .308 (16- for-52) with 7R, 2 doubles, 2HR, 7RBI and 6BB over that stretch.

Has hit safely in 12 of his last 13 games (since 5/1).

Is a career .341 (89-for-261) batter with 42R, 20 doubles, 1 triple, 10HR, 31RBI, 21BB and 4SB in 67 games vs. the Blue Jays…is his second-highest BA against any opponent in his career (min. 10G)…in 64 games vs. Toronto as a Yankee, has hit .345 (87-for-252) with 42R, 19 doubles, 1 triple, 10HR, 31RBI and 21BB…owns the highest BA among players with at least 100PA against the Blue Jays as a Yankee (next: Oscar Gamble, .331, 48-for-145).

NOBODY BEATS THE RIZZ: INF Anthony Rizzo owns a season-high 14-game on-base streak (since 5/1), batting .357/.429/.607 (20-for-56) with 14R, 2 doubles, 4HR, 10RBI and 7BB 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 fourth in the AL this season in hits (49).

Has 6RBI in his last four games.

Has multiple hits in five of his last eight games since 5/8, batting .406/.457/.750 (13-for-32) with 10R, 2 doubles, 3HR, 8RBI and 3BB in that span…also has multiple hits in seven of his last 13G.

Has reached base via H/BB/HP in 20-of-41 plate appearances over his last nine games (14H, 6BB, .488 OBP).  Has reached base in 18 of his last 19 games and 37 of his 42 games this season.

Is batting .319/.391/.541 (43-for-135) with 24R, 6 doubles, 8HR, 19RBI, 12BB and 4HP in his last 35G (since 4/9).

Has hit safely in 12 of his last 13G and 16 of his last 19G.

Has reached base multiple times in three of his last four games, seven of his last nine games and nine of his last 13 games.

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

GLEYBER DAY: INF Gleyber Torres owns a season-high 12- game on-base streak (since 5/5), his longest such streak since a 20-game streak from 9/5-27/22…is batting .304/.370/.522 (14-for-46) with 9R, 4 doubles, 2HR, 11RBI, 6BB and 2SF over that span…has reached base in 22 of his last 25 games (since 4/20) and 25 of his last 29G (since 4/15).  His 8.09 PA/K (178PA/22K) rate this season is the best of his career.

TONIGHT’S STARTING PITCHER: RHP GERRIT COLE (5-0, 2.22 ERA)
RHP Gerrit Cole will make his 10th start of the season tonight at Toronto…the 32-year-old will pitch on regular four days’ rest…did not record a decision on Friday vs. Tampa Bay despite allowing just 2ER in 5.0IP (5H, 2BB, 4K, 2HR)…is 5-0 with a 2.22 ERA (56.2IP, 14ER) and 62K in nine starts this season…has allowed 2R-or-fewer in eight of his first nine starts…his eight such starts are tied with Tampa Bay’s Shane McClanahan and San Franciso’s Alex Cobb for the most in the Majors…in his third year with the Yankees in 2022, went 13-8 with a 3.50 ERA (200.2IP, 154H, 81R/78ER, 50BB, 257K, 33HR) in 33 regular season starts…his Major League-leading 257K last season were the most by a Yankees pitcher in a single season in franchise history, surpassing Ron Guidry’s previous record of 248K in 1978…the five-time All-Star (2015, ’18-19, ’21-22) has finished in the top-five of Cy Young Award voting five times (second in 2021, fourth in 2020, second in 2019, fifth in 2018, fourth in 2015)…his career 10.50 K/9.0IP ratio (1,992K/1,706.2IP) is the eighth-highest in Major League history (min. 1,000.0IP)…in 84 starts with the Yankees, is 41-19 with a 3.17 ERA (511.2IP, 180ER) and 656K…since 2018, leads the Majors in wins (76), strikeouts (1,258), ranks second in K/9.0IP (12.25) and innings pitched (924.1), third in opponents’ BA (.203) and WAR among pitchers (24.8 – FanGraphs), fourth in winning percentage (.724, 76-29, min. 60 decisions) and WHIP (1.00), fifth in K/BB (5.29) and sixth in ERA (2.95)…was originally selected by the Yankees in the first round (28th overall) of the 2008 MLB First-Year Player Draft but did not sign and went on to play at UCLA for three seasons (2009-11)…was the first overall pick of the 2011 First-Year Player Draft, the 15th pitcher (and 11th right-hander) to be chosen first…is the fifth player selected first overall to play for the Yankees, joining Alex Rodriguez, Darryl Strawberry, Tim Foli and Ron Blomberg…signed a nine-year contract extending through the 2028 season with a player opt-out following the 2024 season on 12/18/19.

LAST START: Did not record a decision in the Yankees’ 6-5 win on Friday vs. Tampa Bay despite allowing just 2ER in 5.0IP (5H, 2BB, 4K, 2HR)…allowed both runs on solo home runs to Randy Arozarena in the first inning and Jose Siri in the second inning…after the HR to Siri in the second, did not allow a hit to 12 of his final 14BF.

Is tied for fourth in the Majors in innings pitched (56.2, second in AL), is sixth in ERA (2.22, fourth in AL), tied for sixth in wins (five, tied for third in AL) and ninth in strikeouts (62, fifth in AL).

Has allowed 1R-or-fewer in four of his nine starts…three of his nine starts this season have been scoreless.

Has recorded at least 8K in five of his nine starts this season.

Six of his 15R allowed came in his start on 5/7 at Tampa Bay.

Was just the second Yankees pitcher in franchise history to toss at least 5.0IP and allow 2R-or-fewer in each of his first seven starts of a season, joining Hideki Irabu (first seven in 1998).

Has allowed 2HR in each of his last two starts after not allowing a HR in his first seven starts of the season…his seven-start homerless streak was the third-longest of his career (10G from 5/26-8/13/16 and 8G from 7/9-8/20/18)…three of his 4HR allowed were solo home runs…all 4HR allowed have come against Tampa Bay.

Has received 3R-or-fewer of support in seven of his nine starts.

Tossed his fourth career shutout on 4/16 vs. Minnesota (9.0IP, 2H, 1BB, 10K)…marked his seventh career complete game (first since 7/17/21 vs. Boston–6.0IP) and his fourth career nine-inning complete game…was just the third Yankee (fourth time) in the last 22 years (since 2002) to throw a nine-inning shutout and allow three-or-fewer baserunners, joining Corey Kluber (1BB in his no-hitter on 5/19/21 at Texas) and Masahiro Tanaka (2H and 1BB on 6/17/19 vs. Tampa Bay and 3H on 4/27/17 at Boston).

WINNING WAYS: Is one of three pitchers to go 5-0-or-better this year…joins Tampa Bay’s Shane McClanahan (7-0) and Toronto’s Yusei Kikuchi (5-0).

The Yankees are 8-1 in his starts this season…is one of two starting pitchers this season to have his team win at least eight of his starts…joins Tampa Bay’s Shane McClanahan (club is 8-1 in 9GS).

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

His nine-start undefeated streak is the third-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 start the 2004 season and Masahiro Tanaka’s 10-start streak to begin the 2016 season (Chad Green went undefeated in his first 11 starts as an opener in 2019)…is also the fifth-longest undefeated streak of his career, trailing a 28-start streak from 5/27/19-8/19/20, 11-game streak from 4/29-6/24/18 and two 10-game streaks from 9/24/21-5/18/22 and 9/7/14-4/29/15.

ROAD RULES: Tonight will mark just his fourth road start of the season…six of his nine starts have come at home…is 2-0 with a 4.34 ERA (18.2IP, 9ER) on the road this year.

BLANK SPACE: Posted a career-high 25.2 scoreless inning streak from 4/11-27…was the second-longest scoreless streak by a Yankees starting pitcher in the last 63 years (since 1961), trailing only Catfish Hunter’s 26.0 scoreless inning streak from 8/30-9/11/75…also posted a season-opening 12.0 scoreless inning streak (3/30-4/5).

IN PINSTRIPES: In 84 starts with the Yankees (since 2020), is 41-19 with a 3.17 ERA (511.2IP, 180ER) and 656K…has allowed 3ER-or-fewer in 65-of-84 starts…has allowed 2ER-orfewer in 56 starts as a Yankee, the second-most such starts in the AL and tied for the fourth-most such starts in the Majors in that stretch…has recorded 17 scoreless starts as a Yankee, tied for the most scoreless starts by any AL pitcher in that span.

His 41 wins since 2020 are the most in the AL and the second-most in the Majors over that stretch, trailing only Julio Urías (45-13).

His 656K since 2020 are the most in the Majors…his 11.54 K/9.0IP ratio in that span is the best in the Majors (min. 400.0IP)…has finished in the top-five of Cy Young Award voting in two of his first three seasons in pinstripes (second in 2021, fourth in 2020).

His 23 double-digit strikeout games as a Yankee are tied with Ron Guidry for the most in franchise history.

KING OF THE HILL: Since 2018, leads the Majors in wins (76), strikeouts (1,258), ranks second in K/9.0IP (12.25) and innings pitched (924.1), third in opponents’ BA (.203) and WAR among pitchers (24.8 – FanGraphs), fourth in winning percentage (.724, 76-29, min. 60 decisions) and WHIP (1.00), fifth in K/BB (5.29) and sixth in ERA (2.95).  Has recorded 16 scoreless starts of at least 5.0 innings since 2021, tied for the most in the Majors in that span.

VS. TORONTO: Will be making his 14th career start vs. the Blue Jays tonight…is 6-2 with a 3.48 ERA (77.2IP, 30ER) and 78K in 13 starts vs. Toronto…has allowed 2ER-or-fewer in eight of his last 12 starts vs. Toronto.

As a Yankee, is 5-2 with a 3.24 ERA (66.2IP, 24ER) in 11 starts vs. the Blue Jays.

Has made five road road starts vs. the Blue Jays, going 4-0 with a 3.24 ERA (33.1IP, 12ER)…two of those starts were in Buffalo, N.Y., and one was in Dunedin, Fla.

Has made two starts at Rogers Centre, going 1-0 with a 5.84 ERA (12.1IP, 8ER).

Faced the Blue Jays earlier this season on 4/22 at Yankee Stadium and did not record a decision despite tossing 5.2 scoreless innings (4H, 2BB, 4K, 1HP).

Made three starts vs. the Blue Jays in 2022, going 1-1 with a 5.00 ERA (18.0IP, 10ER) in three starts vs. the Blue Jays.

STRIKEOUT MACHINE: Has recorded double-digit strikeouts in 44 games since the start of 2019, marking the most in the Majors over the span (next: Max Scherzer and Jacob deGrom with 28)…his 52 games with at least 10K since the beginning of 2018 are also the most in the Majors in that span (next: Max Scherzer-46).

Ranks fifth in the AL and ninth in the Majors in strikeouts…has recorded at least 8K in five of his nine starts this season…is one of just seven pitchers in the Majors to record at least 8K in five games.

TORONTO BLUE JAYS NOTES:

THE LATEST: The Blue Jays were doubled up, 6-3, by the Yankees last night…Have equalled New York in hits in each of the last two nights but have lost each contest by three runs. Toronto has still won six of its last 10 games and 15 of its last 25…Has dropped each of the first two games of this four-game series and needs a win tonight to avoid its 1st home series loss (5-0-0 so far).

OVER AND OUTLAW: Kevin Kiermaier got the Blue Jays on the board by launching a solo home run to center field in the 5th inning last night…Marked his 3rd longball of the season…Also led off the 7th with an infield single, finishing the game 2-for-4, his 12th multi-hit game of the year. The veteran is now batting .327 (37-for-113) for the year with 14 extra-base hits and 13 RBI (.909 OPS)…His 33 hits while batting 9th are the most in the Majors (2nd: Michael A. Taylor – 23)…Is now up to seven defensive runs saved, tied with Luis Robert for the most among center fielders.

ALL GAUS, NO BRAKES: Kevin Gausman gave up three runs (two earned) on five hits and two walks over 7.0 innings last night… Piled up 10 strikeouts on 102 pitches (63 strikes)…Has recorded a quality start in seven of his nine outings this year. The 32-year-old leads the AL with 77 strikeouts (2nd in MLB), which are also the most ever by a Blue Jay in his first nine games of a season (2nd: Roger Clemens – 69 in 1997)…Ranks 1st in the AL with a 12.60 K/9 and a 34.7% K rate, and sits 4th with 55.0 innings pitched…Over his last seven games, has walked six batters while racking up 63 punchouts… Has recorded double-digit strikeouts on four occasions this season, the most in the Majors.

BICHETTE HAPPENS: Bo Bichette drove in a run with a double to left in the 5th inning last night…Marked his 10th two-bagger and 18th extra-base hit of the season…Also walked to finish 1-for-4 with a run scored…Has gone 57-for177 (.322) with 10 doubles, eight homers, and 28 RBI while playing in all 42 games this season. The shortstop leads the AL with 57 hits (2nd: Marcus Semien – 50) and is tied with Ronald Acuña Jr.
for the overall MLB lead…Now leads the AL with 91 total bases (2nd: Luis Robert Jr. – 90) and trails only teammate Matt Chapman’s .322 by percentage points for the AL lead in batting average.

BATT CHAPMAN: Matt Chapman singled twice and drew a walk as he went 2-for-3 last night…Marked his 14th multi-hit game, tied for 5th most in the AL…Among AL batters, is currently 1st batting average (.322), 1st in doubles (18), T-1st in extra-base hits (23), 3rd in OBP (.408), 4th in hits (49), 5th in OPS (.947), 8th in SLG (.539), and 10th in total bases (75). The third baseman also continues to lead all MLB hitters in barrel rate (15.5%) and hard-hit percentage (65.4) this season (2nd: Aaron Judge – 15.1% & 63.3) while 4th in average exit velocity (95.3 MPH) and 5th in hard-hit balls (70).

AT DOME FOR DAYS: The Blue Jays are on a 10-day, 10-game homestand (3-2 so far)…Have gone 12-5 this season at Rogers Centre, tied for their 2nd-best record through 17 home contests in team history…The .706 win% at home is 2nd best in MLB (TB – .864)…Are hosting the Yankees for four nights before taking on the Orioles (27-15) for three games over the weekend. Toronto batters rank 4th in the AL in home AVG (.262), while sitting 4th in home OBP (.336), 7th in home OPS (.736), and 10th in home SLG (.400)…The pitching staff ranks 2nd among AL teams with a 3.00 home ERA (TB – 2.52), 2nd in home opponents’ average (.196), and 2nd in home WHIP (1.13).

GUERRERO GETTING ON: Vladimir Guerrero Jr. plated a run with an RBI single in the 5th, finishing last night 1-for-4 before he left the game with right knee discomfort…Has now reached base safely in 21 straight games, the 2nd-longest active on-base streak in the AL (Yordan Alvarez – 40G)…Has batted .289 (24-for-83) with 10 doubles, four homers, 17 RBI, and seven walks over that stretch (.909 OPS). The 24-year old is now 49-for-157 for the season with 11 doubles, seven homers and 26 RBI for a .312 AVG (5th in the AL), a .385 OBP (8th), and a .901 OPS (10th)…His 49 hits are tied for 4th most in the AL while his 81 total bases rank T-11th…Has also recorded 75 hard-hit balls (95+ MPH) this season, tied with Acuña Jr. for the MLB lead.

HITTING IT: The Blue Jays have notched 374 hits so far this season, 5th most in the AL…Are also 5th in the AL in team batting average (.258), 5th in OBP (.330), 6th in OPS (.741), and 7th in SLG (.411). The Blue Jays are one of two AL teams who have scored in every game this season (also: LAA)…Have gone 60 straight games without being shut out, the 2nd-longest active streak in the Majors (LAA – 84G).

DIVISIONAL DETAILS: The Blue Jays have gone 4-8 against divisional opponents this season…Have still won 27 of their last 45 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) and the club’s best since registering a .581 win% in 2006 (43-31).

VS. THE YANKEES: All-Time: 317-387
2023: 2-3 Home: 167-184
Home: 0-2 Rogers Centre: 129-130
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 26-27 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 .310 (71-for-229) average across 56 meetings, including 19 doubles, 10 home runs, and 35 RBI (.874 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 32-for-113 (.283) with seven doubles, eight home runs, and 22 RB

STARTING PITCHER – Chris Bassitt, RHP #40
TODAY’S GAME:
Making his 9th start of the season and his 5th at Rogers Centre…Threw a complete game shutout his last time out on 5/12 vs. ATL, the 2nd CG SO of his career (also: May 27, 2021 vs. LAA), and the 1st complete game shutout of at least 9.0 IP by a Blue Jay since Mark Buehrle on 6/3/15 at WAS…Scattered 2 hits, 2 walks, and 2 hit batters while striking out a season-high 8 on 103 pitches (70 strikes)…Extended his scoreless innings streak to a career-best 20.0 frames, surpassing his previous mark of 18.1 IP from 7/30-8/9/15. Ranks 5th in the AL with a .182 opponent average this year…Has held opposing RHH to a .138 AVG, the lowest mark in the Majors. Over his last 7 starts, has gone 5-1 with a 1.97 ERA (10 ER/45.2 IP) and a 0.94 WHIP. Signed a three-year, $63 million deal with the Blue Jays on 12/16/22.

2023 HIGHLIGHTS:
Improved to 4-2 on the year on 5/5 at PIT…Threw a then season-high 7.0 shutout innings, scattering 4 hits and 4 walks with 5 strikeouts. Logged 6.1 innings of work on 4/24 vs. CWS, allowing 2 runs on 3 hits, while walking 3 and recording 4 strikeouts…Left the game in the 7th with right lower back tightness…Was his 4th straight quality start, going 3-1 with a 2.19 ERA (6 ER/24.2 IP) over that span. Picked up his 2nd win of the year on 4/18 at HOU, throwing 6.1 innings of shutout ball with 3 hits, a walk, and 5 strikeouts…Marked his 3rd straight quality start, and his 1st scoreless outing of the season. Was saddled with the loss on 4/13 vs. DET, tossing 6.0 frames of two-run ball with 4 hits, 3 walks, and 7 strikeouts. Earned his 1st win as a Blue Jay on 4/7 at LAA, allowing 3R/2ER on 2 hits and 5 walks over 6.0 frames with 5 strikeouts. Took the loss in his Toronto debut on 4/2 at STL, giving up career highs in runs (9) and homers (4) over 3.1 innings (10H, 0BB, 0K).

MLB Preview: Tampa Bay Rays (32-11) at New York Mets (20-23)

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MLB Preview: Tampa Bay Rays (32-11) at New York Mets (20-23)

TAMPA BAY RAYS NOTES:

HOME RUN PAREDES — The Rays launched three homers, including a pair from 3B Isaac Paredes (2-for-3, 2HR, 5RBI, 2R, BB), to power an 8-5 victory over the Mets in Tuesday night’s series opener at Citi Field…starting in the lead-off spot for the first time 7/23/19 as a member of Miami, 1B Harold Ramírez (3-for-5, 2RBI, R) tallied three hits, including a pair of RBI-singles…CF Jose Siri (1-for-3, HR, RBI, 2R, SB) also homered for the Rays, his second long ball in his last four games.

LHP Jalen Beeks (2.0IP, H, 2SO) opened for Tampa Bay, retiring six of the seven batters he faced before giving way to RHP Yonny Chirinos (4.2IP, 3H, 3ER, BB, 2SO, 2HR)…RHP Zack Littell (1.0IP, 3SO) made his Rays debut in the eighth inning, striking out the side in order.

The contest marked the Rays 21st game scoring 8+ runs, most in the majors, ahead of Texas and Los Angeles-NL (13G each)…Tampa Bay is the only club in MLB history (since 1901) to plate 8+ runs in 21 of their first 43 games in a season (2nd: 1930 New York Giants, 20G).

EASY FOR ISAAC — Isaac Paredes tied his career high in RBI (5, 2x, last: 4/27/23 at CWS) while turning in his fourth career multi-homer game (last: 8/28/22 at BOS) in last night’s win…he joined BAL Ryan Mountcastle and TEX Adolis García (2G each) as the only players in the majors with multiple 5+ RBI games this season.

On the heels of a 2-for-28 (.071) skid from 4/14-23, Paredes is slashing .377/.457/.639 (23-for-61) with seven doubles, 3 HR and 17 RBI over his last 19 games…he ranks among qualified MLB leaders in that span (since 4/24) in average (2nd), OBP (3rd), OPS (4th, 1.096) and SLG (6th).

TAKE FIVE — Following Jose Siri’s homer last night, 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 last night 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).

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 (.318), OBP (.397), OPS (.978), hits (57) and runs scored (36)…meanwhile, Rays pitchers have the lowest opponents’ average (.184) and second-lowest ERA 2.30) behind Miami (1.93) 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 9-1 mark against NL clubs signals the best Interleague record in MLB, ahead of Detroit (10-2)…Tampa Bay is outscoring NL foes, 65- 27 (+38), and has held the opposition to two or fewer runs in seven of its 10 Interleague contests…following a seven-game losing streak from 6/28-8/10, 2022, Tampa Bay has won 11 of its last 12 Interleague matchups dating back to 8/30/22.

Rays pitching has recorded a 2.43 ERA (89.0IP, 24ER) against the NL, the third-lowest Interleague ERA in the majors behind Baltimore (1.96) and New York-AL (2.33)…this includes a 1.84 ERA (44.0IP, 9ER) by Tampa Bay starters.

Meanwhile, Rays hitters are slashing .286/.351/.551 with 24 homers against the NL…they pace the majors in Interleague AVG, SLG and OPS (.902).

IT STARTS AT THE TOP — Yandy Díaz has a 12-game hitting streak since 5/3, batting .333 (15-for-45) with four doubles, 3 HR and 8 RBI during the run…the streak matches the longest of his career (also: 6/26-7/8, 2022) and is the longest by a Tampa Bay hitter since Wander Franco (13G) from 9/14-27, 2022…it is the fourth-longest active hitting streak in the majors, behind only TEX Jonah Heim (14G), HOU Yordan Alvarez (13G) and SEA Ty France (13G).

He also has a 16-game on-base streak since 4/27, slashing .358/.485/.679 (19-fo-53) with nine extra-base hits, 9 RBI, 10 walks and only 11 strikeouts in that stretch…it matches the fifth-longest active on-base streak in the AL.

Díaz has reached base safely in 26 of his last 27 games overall, going .354/.461/.615 (34-for-96) at the plate during that span…he ranks among qualified major leaguers in batting average (1st), OBP (1st), OPS (1st, 1.076) and SLG (3rd) during that stretch (since 4/15).

THE BAY BOMBERS — The Rays have hit a major league-best 84 home runs, the third-most long balls through a club’s first 43 games in MLB history (since 1901), trailing only the 2000 St. Louis Cardinals (89HR) and 1999 Seattle Mariners (85HR)…the 2000 Cardinals also hold the record for most homers through 44 games (92HR), followed by the 1999 Mariners (87HR).

Tampa Bay has out-homered opponents, 84-36 (+48)…its 36 homers allowed are third-fewest in the majors, behind Seattle (29HR) and Atlanta (35HR)…the Rays have gone deep in 38 of 43 games overall in 2023.

The Rays have an MLB-best 24 multi-homer games, ahead of Los Angeles-NL (21G)… this includes 14 games with 3+ homers, most in the majors.

Tampa Bay’s 25 go-ahead home runs lead the AL and trail only Angeles-NL (26) for the MLB lead…59 of the Rays 84 total homers (70.2%) have been solo shots.

LEADING THE PACK — The Rays pace the majors in runs scored (268) while surrendering the fewest runs (145)…Tampa Bay’s +123 run differential is the seventh-best mark through the first 43 games of a season in MLB history (since 1901), including the best since the 1939 New York Yankees (+134).

ON THE MOUND — Tampa Bay’s 3.30 ERA is tied with Houston for lowest in the majors… this includes the best starter ERA (3.00) and the ninth-best bullpen ERA (3.62)…Rays pitching leads MLB in opp. average (.214), hits per 9.0 IP (7.12) and fewest pitches per IP (15.7).

IN THE BOX — Rays hitters lead MLB in batting average (.275), OBP (.349), SLG (.509), OPS (.858), SLG (.479), homers (84), extra-base hits (171), total bases (749) and at-bats per HR (17.51).

IN THE BIG APPLE — The Rays and Mets meet for the first time since 2021 in this week’s three-game series at Citi Field…Tampa Bay has won five straight, eight of nine, and 10 of its last 12 meetings 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 9-7 all-time at Citi Field and have won each of their last three series in this venue dating back to 2009, going 7-3 in that span.

Tampa Bay holds a 17-14 edge in the all-time series against New York-NL, producing a narrow +8 (146-138) run differential.

TONIGHT’S STARTER: LHP JOSH FLEMING (0-0, 4.26)
BACK ON THE BUMP—LHP Josh Fleming is scheduled to make his ninth appearance of the season and his second start…he did not factor into the decision of his lone start on 4/4 at Washington after allowing five runs on 10 hits and one walk with two strikeouts over 3.0 innings…in seven relief appearances since, Fleming has pitched to a 3.14 ERA (28.2IP, 10ER).

START YOUR ENGINES — In 20 career starts, Fleming is 8-8 with a 6.05 ERA (96.2IP, 65ER) and 73 strikeouts against 30 walks…in three starts last season, he went 0-3 with a 9.26 ERA (11.2IP, 12ER).

Fleming has made 31 career appearances out of the bullpen and has pitched to a 3.71 ERA (106.2IP, 44ER) while holding opponents to a .254 batting average (104-for-410).

LAST TIME OUT — Fleming entered in the third inning and tossed 4.0 innings in Tampa Bay’s 6-5 loss to New York-AL on 5/12 at Yankee Stadium (4.0IP, 3H, ER, BB, 2SO)…his lone run allowed came on an Anthony Volpe solo homer in the fifth inning.

NEW YORK STATE OF MIND—In two career appearances (one start) against the Mets, Fleming is 2-0 with a 1.13 ERA (8.0IP, 1ER)…in his start on 5/16/21 at Tropicana Field, he tossed 5.0 scoreless innings, allowing just one hit with no walks and five strikeouts…in a relief appearance on 9/21/20 at Citi Field, he threw 3.0 innings of one-run ball, scattering three hits and a walk with two strikeouts.

The only start of his career in which Fleming tossed 5+ innings while allowing one hit or fewer came on 5/16/21 vs. the Mets.

INTERLEAGUE TALK—In 13 Interleague outings (6 starts), Fleming is 7-1 with a 4.06 ERA (51.0IP, 23ER)…he is 4-1 with a 5.02 ERA (28.2IP, 16ER) in the six starts, compared to 3-0 with a 2.82 ERA (22.1IP, 7ER) in seven relief appearances.

THE PRICE IS RIGHT—Since allowing righties to hit 8-for-14 (.571) in his season debut on 4/4 at Washington, Fleming has held right-handed hitters to a .241 average (19-for-79) over his last seven outings…in the same stretch, left-handed hitters are 2-for-22 (.091) against him with eight strikeouts.

In 2022, righties produced a .386/.447/.644 (39-for-101) clip against Fleming, the second-highest opponents’ average against righthanded batters in MLB behind KC Carlos Hernandez (.389) (min. 100 RHB faced)…his 1.091 OPS against right-handed batters last season was the worst in the majors under the same parameters.

THIS AND THAT — Fleming has held opposing hitters to a .192 batting average (5-for-26) with runners in scoring position, including .154 (2-for-13) with RISP and two outs…has not allowed the first batter he faces to reach base in any of his appearances (0-for-7)…from 4/10-5/2, Fleming’s 1.37 ERA (19.2IP, 3ER) ranked fifth in the AL while his .164 opponents’ average (11-for-67) ranked sixth (min. 15.0IP).

LUCKY NUMBER 7 — All seven of Fleming’s outings out of the bullpen this season have been 3+ innings, the most such relief outings in MLB…
the next closest is teammate Yonny Chirinos, who has five relief outings of 3+ innings this season…in 2021, Fleming made an MLB-high nine relief appearances in which he worked 3+ innings.

NEW YORK METS NOTES:

METSCELLANEOUS: The Mets lost to the Tampa Bay Rays, 8-5, last night…The team has lost back-to-back games and three of their last four…The Mets continue a six-game homestand (0-1) against Tampa Bay (0-1) and Cleveland (three games).

EMPIRE STATE OF MIND: Earlier today, Mark Canha lit up the Empire State Building with his family…The outfielder will turn on the lights in
recognition of Food Allergy Awareness Week.

MAKE YOUR MARK: The Mets are expected to recall INF Mark Vientos from Triple-A Syracuse prior to today’s game…The 23-yearold is the Mets No. 7 prospect…In 38 games at Triple-A, he was hitting .333/.416/.688…At the time of his call-up, he ranked among International League leaders in home runs (13, second), RBI (37, third), SLG (.688, third), OPS (1.104, fourth), hits (47, sixth) and average (.333, seventh)…He had nearly identical splits vs. LHP (.357/.419/.679) and RHP (.327/.415/.690)…Vientos made his ML debut September 11, 2022 at Miami and hit his first career home run on September 24 last season at Oakland…The Florida native was selected in the second round of the 2017 First-Year Player Draft out of American Heritage High School.

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.

WALK THIS WAY: Congratulations to LHP Josh Walker who made his major league debut last night…Walker tossed a scoreless frame allowing two walks…The southpaw was selected by the Mets in the 37th round of the 2017 First-Year Player Draft out of the University of New Haven…He joined LHP Zach Muckenhirn and RHP Kodai Senga as the other Mets to make their major league debut this year.

SENGA GENESIS: Kodai Senga has 43 strikeouts through his first sseven career major league games, the fifth-most in franchise history behind Dwight Gooden (51), Matt Harvey (49), Noah Syndergaard (45) and Nolan Ryan (44)…His 43 strikeouts through seven career games are the seventh-most by a Japanese born pitcher.

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 3-4 against the American League this year…Overall, New York owns a 238-231 record in Interleague play…The team’s .507 winning percentage is the second-best among National League clubs.

INTERLEAGUE PETE: Pete Alonso has hit 32 home runs in Interleague Play since the 2019 season…His 32 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.

FOR PETE’S SAKE: Pete Alonso is tied for the major league lead with 14 home runs…His 33 RBI are tied for seventh in The Show and are tied for second in the National League…Alonso ranks 12th in franchise history with 413 career RBI…Next up is Kevin McReynolds (456) and Keith Hernandez (468).

WHAT A RELIEF: The Mets bullpen has held opponents to a .219 (130-593) batting average this season…That is the fourth-lowest mark in the majors and the second-lowest in the National League… They have allowed only 44 extra-base hits this year, which is the second-lowest in the National League.

IN THE CITI: The Mets are 7-9 at Citi Field this year…The team’s 16 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.

FIRST IS THE WORST: The Mets have posted a 7.74 ERA (37 ER/43.0 IP) in the first inning this season, the highest mark in the majors…Outside the first frame, the Mets are pitching to a 4.42 ERA (159 ER/324.0 IP)…The Mets have been outscored 37-9 in the first inning this year…The Mets are 7-20 when their opponent scores first…On the other hand, the Mets are 13-2 when scoring first this season… Their .867 winning percentage when scoring first ranks second in the majors.

DOCTOR ROBERT-SON: David Robertson has pitched 15 games and allowed one run in 15.1 innings of work, good for a 0.53 ERA…He has allowed eight hits and five walks while striking out 24…He is holding left-handed hitters to a .133 (4-30) average this season…He has converted all eight save opportunities he’s had this season…Overall, he has recorded 164 saves in his career…That is the seventh-most among active players.

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.

BRIGHAM OUT, BRIGHAM OUT: Jeff Brigham has not allowed a run in his last six appearances….He has allowed two hits, a walk and struck out six in those 6.0 innings…Overall, Brigham has not allowed a run in 10 of his 12 appearances this season, posting a 2.77 ERA (4 ER/13.0 IP)…He has struck out 16 and allowed six hits and four walks in 13.0 innings this year.

STARTING PITCHING: Mets starting pitchers have tossed 207.2 innings this year, the fourth-fewest innings in the majors…They have surrendered 39 homers, the fourth-most in the majors…New York starters have issued 103 walks, tied for the most in the majors…They are 14-18 with a 5.46 ERA (126 ER/207.2 IP)…Their 5.46 ERA is the fifth-highest in the majors and the second-highest in the National League.

STARTING PITCHER – KODAI SENGA RHP #34
2023 STATS: 4-2, 4.14 ERA

SENGA’S PITCH ARSENAL
Pitch Type Usage Rate vs. LHB vs. RHB Avg. Velocity
Four-Seam Fastball 41.1% 41.4% 40.9% 95.9 mph
Forkball 21.6% 24.8% 18.5% 83.6 mph
Sweeper 15.7% 6.7% 24.2% 82.0 mph
Cutter 21% 26.4% 15.8% 90.1 mph
Curveball 0.6% 0.6% – 72.0 mph

LAST TIME OUT: Recorded the second loss of his career on May 11 at Cincinnati… Threw five innings and finished with a season-high five runs on eight hits, while recording seven strikeouts against one walk…Senga has now recorded seven or more strikeouts in three of his last five outings.

STRIKE ‘EM OUT: Senga has 43 strikeouts through his first seven career major league games, the fifth-most in franchise history behind Dwight Gooden (51), Nolan Ryan (50), Matt Harvey (49) and Noah Syndergaard (45).

PUTTING THE K IN FORK: Senga’s “ghost fork” has accounted for 27 of his 43 strikeouts through seven starts…The pitch has a 56.9 percent shiff rate and a 28.1 percent putaway rate…Opponents have managed just five hits in 40 at-bats ending with the forkball, a .125 batting average.

ALL I DO IS WIN: Senga became the only Japanese-born pitchers to start their career 3-0 and is the fourth player in franchise history to earn the win in their first two career major league starts, joining Steven Matz, Mike Pelfrey and Gary Gentry…Additionally, he joins Kazuhisa Ishii, Hideki Irabu and Koji Uehara as the only Japanese-born pitchers to win each of their first two career major league starts…Senga fell just shy of becoming the second Mets starting pitcher ever to begin his career 4-0, a record held by Steven Matz.

MLB Preview: Cleveland Guardians (19-22) at Chicago White Sox (15-28)

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MLB Preview: Cleveland Guardians (19-22) at Chicago White Sox (15-28)

CLEVELAND GUARDIANS NOTES:

GUARDS DROP OPENER AGAINST WHITE SOX
The Guardians opened a 3-game series on the Southside of Chicago with an 8-3 loss to the White Sox on Tuesday night at Guaranteed Rate Field, the first meeting of the year between the two AL Central foes.

The contest was largely decided by the Sox’s 6-run rally in the 5th inning, which broke a scoreless tie and took place following a catcher’s interference call on a swing by Luis Robert Jr. that came with 2 outs and the bases empty; a barage of Chicago hits followed, including a quartet of singles mixed around a pair of homers by Gavin Sheets (3-run) and Jake Burger (2-run) off SHANE BIEBER, who subsequently did not escape the frame (4.2IP, 12H, 6R-5ER, 0BB, 4SO, 2HR, 88 pitches)…Robert Jr. added a solo shot in the 8th…veteran right-hander Lance Lynn held Cleveland’s offense mostly in-check across his 7.0 frames (7.0IP, 7H, 3R-1ER, 0BB, 7SO, 97 pitches)…the Guardians first run came in the 6th after MYLES STRAW connected for a lead-off triple and scored on STEVEN KWAN’s sac fly…Cleveland added 2 more in the 8th after Kwan doubled home Straw again and then scored on a double play…BRAYAN ROCCHIO made his MLB debut as a PH in the 6th and collected his first hit on an infield-single.

Coming off a 5-4 homestand, the Guardians are 0-1 to begin a 6-game trip thru Chicago-AL & New York-NL…Guardians have won 2 of 3 and 5 of last 9, though club has still dropped 16 of last 26 overall since starting year 9-6…Guardians (19-22) hold sole possession of 3rd place in AL Central, 4.0 games behind 1st-place Minnesota (24-19) and one half-game behind 2nd-place Detroit (19-21)…last season, club went 9-12 in April & 12-12 in May.

PUT 4 ON THE BOARD
Cleveland is 13-3 when scoring 4-or-more runs and 6-19 when scoring 3-or-fewer runs…since the start of last season, the Guardians are 91-16 (.850) when scoring 4+ runs, the 5th-best win percentage in MLB.

Cleveland is 700-183 (.792) when scoring 4+ during the Terry Francona era (since 2013), the 2nd-best win percentage in MLB behind Los Angeles-NL (763-154, .832)…during that span, Cleveland is 164-510 (.243) when scoring 3-or-fewer runs, good for the 3rd-best winning percentage and 5th-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 current 14-game streak…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 .832 763-154
Cleveland .793 700-183
New York-AL .783 729-202
St. Louis .780 700-197
Houston .777 695-200

MAY THE FORCE BE WITH AMED
AMED ROSARIO opened up the season hitting .218 (19-for-87) with 3 doubles, 2 triples and one home run with a .589 OPS in April…since the calendar has turned to May, the shortstop is batting .333 (16-for-48) with 2 doubles, 2 triples and an .831 OPS…over his career, he tends to heat up in May, owning a .227 (90-for-397) average and .610 OPS in April compared to a .274 (116-for-424) clip and .731 OPS in May…he has produced two 3-hit game and one 4-hit game since May 9.

Over his 12 games in May, he has had success against breaking balls and fastballs…during April he was hitting .156 (5-for-32) with a 43% hard-hit rate and 89.3 mph average exit velocity in at-bats ending with breaking balls…over his 12 games in May, he has improved to a .353 (6-for-17) clip with a 64 % hard-hit rate and 97.4 mph average exit velocity in such at-bats…in at-bats ending with fastballs, he has also raised his average from .239 (11-for46) in the season’s opening month to .296 (8-for-27) during May… Rosario’s .353 (12-for-34) average with runners in scoring position is leading the club.

PATIENCE AT THE PLATE
The Guardians are currently 1st in the AL and 4th in MLB with 23.3 swing and miss percentage, trailing the New York Mets (22.9%), the Arizona Diamondbacks (22.1%) and the Washington Nationals (21.6%)…Cleveland is the only team in MLB with 3 players ranking in the top-15 for lowest swing and miss percentage with STEVEN KWAN (3rd, 10.8%), MYLES STRAW (7th, 12.6%) and JOSÉ RAMÍREZ (13th, 15.2%)…only Tampa Bay has more than one player in the top 15.

Kwan is also second in MLB behind Baltimore’s Adley Rutschman with a 7.1% first pitch swing rate…since debuting last season, Kwan has an 8.5% first pitch swing rate, leading MLB…no other player has a mark below 12.2% in that span…as a club, the Guardians swing at the first pitch 27.1% of the time, 2nd-lowest in the AL and 5th-lowest in MLB.

TONIGHT’S STARTER – 50 PEYTON BATTENFIELD RHP

BATTENFIELD ON THE ROAD, MLB
W-L ERA G GS IP H R ER BB SO
2023 0-1 4.50 2 1 8.0 6 4 4 7 7
Career 0-1 4.50 2 1 8.0 6 4 4 7 7

BATTENFIELD’S MLB CAREER
W-L ERA G GS IP H R ER BB SO
2023 0-4 4.45 6 5 30.1 25 17 15 11 25
Career 0-4 4.45 6 5 30.1 25 17 15 11 25

TONIGHT’S START
The 25-year-old right-hander is making his sixth career start, second on the road, in the second contest of a 3-game set with the Chicago White Sox…is making this start on 6 days rest…became the 2nd Guardians player to make their debut this season in a start against the Yankees on April 12…Battenfield got the call up to Cleveland after AARON CIVALE went on the 15-day Injured List with a strained left oblique…he was originally selected in the 9th round (286th overall) of the 2019 MLB Draft by the Houston Astros…was traded to Tampa Bay during the 2020 season and later traded to Cleveland for Jordan Luplow and DJ Johnson on July 30, 2021.

LAST TIME OUT
Battenfield last started on the mound in a 5-0 defeat to the Detroit Tigers on May 10 at Progressive Field…he took the loss after allowing 5 runs (4 earned) and 7 hits over 6.0 innings with zero walks and 4 strikeouts…Battenfield faced trouble early after a pair of singles and a passed ball led to an RBI-groundout, giving Detroit a 1-0 lead…two batters later, Andy Ibáñez roped a double to give the Tigers a 2-0 advantage after one inning…after retiring the side in the 2nd, the Tigers hit a double, then tallied three runs with two outs in the 3rd from a Spencer Torkelson single and Akil Baddoo double…a throwing error on Baddoo’s double brought home the lone unearned run, putting Detroit in front by 5…Battenfield settled in for the rest of his start, retiring each of the last 9 batters he faced in order, tallying all 4 strikeouts during that stretch.

CENTRAL INTELLIGENCE
Half of Battenfield’s starts (3 of 6) have come against AL Central teams, as the right-hander holds an 0-3 record with a 3.32 ERA (7ER/19.0IP) and 12 hits allowed while tossing 16 strikeouts and just 3 walks…despite the 3 losses to his name, AL Central hitters are hitting just .176 against Battenfield…in 2 of his 3 starts against the division, Battenfield has thrown 6.0+ innings, allowed 3-orfewer hits, and thrown 5+ strikeouts…Battenfield’s .211 on-base percentage ranks 5th and .200 BABIP ranks 6th among pitchers with 2+ starts this season against the AL Central.

NO WALKS ON MY WATCH
Among MLB hurlers with 2+ starts this May, Battenfield is the only starting pitcher to issue zero walks in his 13.0 innings of work…his .188 on-base percentage ranks 5th and his 6.23 baserunners/9 ranks 6th among pitchers with 2+ starts this month…Battenfield’s 0.69 WHIP is 9th among all 2+ starters in May…on April 12 vs. NYY (4.2IP, 4H, 2R/1ER, 0BB, 3SO), he became the first Cleveland pitcher to throw 4.2 innings, allow 2-or-fewer earned runs and give up zero walks in their MLB debut since Josh Tomlin (7.0IP, 3H, 1R/ER, 0BB, 2SO) on July 27, 2010 vs. NYY.

CHICAGO WHITE SOX NOTES:

WHITE SOX AT A GLANCE
The Chicago White Sox have lost four of their last six games, six of 10 and 17 of 25 as they continue a nine-game, 10-day homestand tonight vs. the Cleveland Guardians.

RHP Mike Clevinger, who is winless over his last six starts since 4/14 vs. Baltimore, is scheduled to start for Chicago.

The White Sox won yesterday’s series opener vs. Cleveland after losing two of three vs. Houston to open the homestand, including a 4-3 setback in Sunday’s series-deciding contest.

Following tomorrow’s matinee vs. the Guardians, Chicago will conclude the homestand vs. Kansas City (5/19-21) 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.

TONIGHT’S STORYLINES
Luis Robert Jr. is looking to tie the club record by homering in five consecutive games (previously done seven times) … the last Sox to accomplish the feat was A.J. Pierzynski from 7/30-8/5/12.

White Sox starters own a 3.03 ERA (10 ER/29.2 IP), .208 (22-106) opponents average and 25 strikeouts over the last five games … they have allowed three earned runs or less four times.

The Sox are trying to win their third series of 2023, second at home and first over the Guardians since taking three of five from 9/23-26/21 … they are 20-29 vs. Cleveland since the start of 2020, including 10-13 at Guaranteed Rate Field.

Mike Clevinger is 0-3 with a 5.23 ERA (18 ER/31.0 IP), 26 strikeouts and seven homers allowed over his last six starts.

Robert Jr. has hit safely in 13 of 14 games in May, going 20-49 (.408) with five doubles, seven home runs, 15 RBI, five walks, six multi-hit efforts and a 1.430 OPS.

LAST NIGHT’S RECAP
The White Sox capitalized on a six-run fifth inning, including two home runs, to beat the Guardians, 8-3, in the series opener.

With two outs in the fifth, Luis Robert Jr. reached on catchers’ interference leading to six straight Sox hits, including a three-run home run by Gavin Sheets and two-run shot by Jake Burger.

Lance Lynn retired his first 11 batters faced, and allowed three runs (one earned) with seven strikeouts and zero walks over a season-high 7.0 IP for his first home win.

Keynan Midleton and Joe Kelly each worked 1.0 scoreless IP, and Sox pitchers did not issue a BB for the second straight game.

Luis Robert Jr. homered in the eighth to extend his homer streak to four games … six Sox recorded multi-hit efforts and all nine starters recorded at least one hit for the second time in 2023.

FAMILIAR FACES
RHP Mike Clevinger is making his third career start vs. Cleveland … he made two starts last season with San Diego.

He went 42-22 with a 3.20 ERA (186 ER/523.1 IP) and 584 strikeouts 101 games (88 starts) with Cleveland from 2017-20.

Clevinger pitched in the postseason with the Guardians from 2016-18, and helped the club win the AL pennant in 2016.

LUIS DIGS THE LONG BALL
Luis Robert Jr. leads the American League in home runs (12) and is tied with Atlanta’s Ronald Acuna Jr. for the MLB lead with nine homers of 400-plus feet.

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 .408/.491/.939 (20-49) with fi ve doubles, seven homers (averaging 421 ft. and 109.2 mph EV), 15 RBI, 17 runs scored, fi ve walks and a 1.430 OPS in May (14 G).

He ranks among AL May leaders in on-base percentage (1st), slugging percentage (1st), OPS (1st), RBI (1st), runs scored (1st), total bases (1st, 46), home runs (1st), extra-base hits (1st, 12), average (2nd) and hits (T2nd).

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 411 strikeouts, trailing Minnesota (424) … White Sox starters rank second in the major leagues in strikeouts (247), trailing the Twins (276).

WHITE SOX VS. CLEVELAND GUARDIANS
Chicago and Cleveland meet 13 times in 2023, including seven games at Guaranteed Rate Field and six at Progressive Field.

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

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

The Sox hit .223/.273/.357 with 19 homers, owned a 3.99 ERA (75 ER/169.0 IP) and were outscored by a 96-72 margin.

Chicago has lost three of four overall and fi ve of the last seven at home and is 18-21 overall since the start of 2021.

CENTRAL DIVISION DYNAMICS
Chicago is 5-6 vs. the American League Central … it currently is in a stretch of 13 straight games vs. the division (1-0 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.

REST WHEN YOU CAN
The Sox currently are in a stretch of 16 straight games without a day off and are 8-7 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).

LONGBALL LOGISTICS
Chicago has homered in 13 of its last 15 games since 4/30 (21 total homers), and hit 24 over its last 18 contests since 4/27.

The Sox have recorded eight multi-homer eff orts and been held without a home run just three times over the last 18 games.

The White Sox nine-game home run streak from 4/30-5/9 marked their longest since 7/30-8/10/21 (11 straight games).

SOUTHPAW SUCCESS
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 9-24 (.375) with three homers and seven RBI vs. LHP in 2023 and hitting .352/.415/.614 lifetime.

NO RISP, NO REWARD
The White Sox rank seventh in the American League and 13th in MLB with a .263 (89-338) RISP average.

The Sox are hitting .237/.321/.456 with 63 RBI and a .777 OPS with RISP over the last 23 games.

ANDREW, ANDREW … HE’S OUR MAN!
All four of Andrew Vaughn’s home runs this season have tied the game or given Chicago the lead, including a game-ending, three-run shot in the ninth inning on 4/30 vs. Tampa Bay.

Vaughn leads the White Sox with 17 contests with a hit and RBI, and 34 games reaching base safely (hit, walk or HBP).

Vaughn is tied for fi fth (.429) and Andrew Benintendi ranks ninth (.409) among American League RISP average leaders.

AS TA GOES, SO GO THE WHITE SOX
The White Sox went 3-15 during Tim Anderson’s 10-day injured list stint (sprained left knee) from 4/11-5/1.

Since the start of the 2020, the Sox are 156-118 when Anderson is in the starting lineup and 68-85 when he does not start.

During that span, the Sox are 128-78 when Anderson records a hit, 74-32 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.

STARTER – #52 MIKE CLEVINGER RHP

CLEVINGER AT A GLANCE
Is scheduled to make his ninth start of the season, fourth on the road and first vs. the Cleveland Guardians.

Is limiting opponents to a .203 (15-74) average with runners on base, .209 (9-43) average with RISP and .111 (2-18) average with RISP/two outs this season.

Has limited opponents to three or less runs in five of his first eight starts with two scoreless starts.

Has surrendered seven home runs across his last five starts after allowing no home runs over his first three.

Agreed to terms with Chicago on a one-year, $12-million deal in December (includes a mutual option for 2024).

Has appeared in just 38 games (37 starts) since the start of the 2020 season … missed the entire 2021 season to continue his recovery from his second Tommy John surgery … also underwent Tommy John surgery in 2012.

Was originally drafted by the Angels in the fourth round of the 2011 MLB Draft … was traded to Cleveland in August 2014 … made 101 major-league appearances (88 starts) with Cleveland from 2016-20 … was traded to San Diego in August 2020, appearing in just 27 games (16 starts) with Padres from 2020-22.

LAST START
Did not factor in the decision on 5/11 at Kansas City after allowing three runs on three hits (one home run) with two walks and two strikeouts over 6.0 IP.

Departed the game in the seventh with the White Sox trailing, 3-1 … the Sox lost 4-3 on a Freddy Fermin walk-off bunt single in the ninth inning.

Owned a 60.9 first-strike percentage and 7.4 swinging-strike percentage (eight swing and misses) vs. 23 batters … threw 92 pitches (62 strikes) with the following pitch breakdown: 39 four-seam fastballs (92.9 mph avg; 95.1 mph max), 18 sliders (79.2 avg; 81.2 max), 18
changeups (85.7 avg; 88.0 max), 14 cutters (85.0 avg; 87.2 max) and three curveballs (73.8 avg, 74.5 max).

TAKE ME HOME
Is 3-4 with a 2.91 ERA (18 ER/55.2 IP) with 15 walks and 47 strikeouts across his last 10 starts at home.

Is 0-1 with a 3.21 ERA (5 ER/14.0 IP) in three starts this year at home with seven walks and 14 strikeouts … holds a career 2-2 record with a 3.16 ERA (13 ER/27.0 IP) in seven starts at Guaranteed Rate Field.

Owns a 25-12 record, 2.93 ERA (114 ER/349.2 IP), .221 (286-1294) opponents average and 383 strikeouts over 68 career appearances (60 starts) at home.

His 2.93 career ERA at home ranks 15th among active pitchers (min. 335.0 IP).

START STRONG
Is limiting opponents to a .220 (13-59) batting average across the first two innings this season, holding opponents to a .206 (13-63) average the first time through the lineup with 18 strikeouts.

Posted a 2.04 ERA (10 ER/44.0 IP) and .173 (27-156) opponents average across the first two innings in 2022, compared to a 5.76 ERA (45 ER/70.1 IP) and .267 (75-281) mark from the third-seventh.

Limited opponents to a .196 (37-189) average the first time through the lineup in 2022, compared to a .244 (43-176) mark the second time through the lineup and a .306 (22-72) average the third time through the order.

JUST WIN BABY
When Clevinger takes the mound, his team has gone 18-13 in his 31 appearances (30 starts) since 2022 … is averaging 5.15 runs of support per 9.0 IP in that span.

Across his last 15 outings, the Padres and White Sox have gone a combined 8-7 when he pitches.

VS. CLEVELAND GUARDIANS || A.L. CENTRAL
Will make his third career start against the Cleveland Guardians and first at Guaranteed Rate Field.

Is 0-1 with a 4.22 ERA (5 ER/10.2 IP), .154 (6-39) opponent average, four walks and eight strikeouts against the Guardians.

Last faced Cleveland on 8/23/22 at home with San Diego, allowing two runs on 6.0 IP with two hits (two home runs), one walk and four strikeouts.

Pitched for Cleveland from 2016-20, going 42-22 with a 3.20 ERA (186 ER/523.1 IP), totaling 584 strikeouts compared to 204 walks.

Is 26-9 with a 2.37 ERA (82 ER/311.0 IP), 98 walks and 333 strikeouts in 57 career appearances (50 starts/33 quality) against the AL Central … his 2.37 ERA is the best against the AL Central among active pitchers (min. 200 IP).

MLB Preview: Chicago Cubs (19-23) at Houston Astros (23-19)

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MLB Preview: Chicago Cubs (19-23) at Houston Astros (23-19)

CHICAGO CUBS NOTES:

HOUSTON, WE HAVE LIFTOFF: The Chicago Cubs last night dropped game one of the three-game set against the 2022 World Series champion Houston Astros in the second leg of a nine-game, three-city, 10-day road trip (1-3) … Trey Mancini, in his first game back in Houston since the 2022 World Series win, was presented with his Championship ring pregame and reached base twice, going 1-for-3 with a walk and a run scored.

Chicago has lost a season-high-tying three games in a row for the fifth time this season … they are looking to avoid dropping four in a row for the first time since Aug. 27-30 of last season.

Following this three-game series at Houston, the team heads to Philadelphia for three more (starting Friday), with an off-day in between the two sets.

The Cubs went 10-3 in 13 games from April 4-19, but have gone 8-16 in 24 contests starting April 20 … Chicago has lost three-straight road series, with the last series victory coming April 17-19 at Oakland.

Today is the 17th game (5-12) of a stretch that sees the team on the road for 16 of 22 contests through May 21.

MOREL GOES FOR MORE: Christopher Morel hit his fourth home run of the season last night, a game-tying three-run shot in the fourth inning, in his sixth game … all four of his homers have gone for 400-plus feet (401, 422, 429, 461) … he is the first Cub with four home runs through his first six games of the season since Alfonso Soriano in 2009 (credit: ESPN Stats) … in fact, only three Cubs have had more homers through the first six games of the season: Gabby Hartnett in 1925 (5 HR), Randy Jackson in 1955 (5 HR) and Billy Williams in 1964 (5 HR).

The record for the most home runs through the first seven games of a season with the Cubs is six, when Gabby Hartnett did it in 1925.

The last Cubs hitters to have five home runs through the first seven games? … Randy Jackson (1955), BIlly Williams (1964) and Dave Kingman (1980).

FACING OFF AGAINST THE CHAMPS: Chicago in consecutive series will play three games each against the reigning A.L. and N.L. Pennant winners, the Astros and the Phillies … the only previous time the Cubs have played the defending pennant winners from both leagues within a 10-game span was in 2006, playing the 2005 A.L. Pennant winning White Sox June 30-July 2 at Wrigley Field then travelling to Houston to play the Astros, the 2005 N.L. Pennant winners, July 3-5 … the team went 2-4 in those games.

LIGHTING UP THE SCOREBOARD: The Cubs have scored at least one run in each of their first 41 games in 2023, just the third time in the expansion era (since 1961) the team has gotten on the board in each of its first 41 contests … the longest season-opening streaks in this span: 47 G in 1995 and 43 G in 2020.

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

Below is a look at how each Cubs team stacks up through the first 41 games of their season-opening streaks with at least one run scored:

Year Record Win % R RA
2023 19-21 .463 197 170
2020 23-18 .561 189 180
1995 23-18 .561 189 172

LUCKY NUMBER 7: The Cubs scored eight runs in the seventh inning or later in the three-games against Minnesota this weekend, including five runs on Friday to earn the come-from-behind win over the Twins … Chicago has scored 71 runs in the seventh inning or later, sixth-most in the league … the team’s .361 OBP paces the majors and the .272 batting average (126-for-464) in the last third of the game ranks second.

Chicago’s hurlers have pitched to a .234 opponent batting average, good for fourth-best in the N.L.

Among hitters in the 7-9 spots in the batting order, Cubs rank second in the majors in average (.269), on-base percentage (.331) and slugging percentage (.437), tied for second in home runs (19) and have the sixth-lowest strikeout percentage (22.1%).

WHEN IT’S RIGHT, IT’S RIGHT: Ian Happ has posted a .481 on-base percentage against right-handed pitching this season, the best mark in the majors.

Happ has hit .355 (38-for-107) against right-handed pitching, the second-highest mark in the game … Arraez leads with a .390 average.
SOMETHING OF QUALITY: Cubs pitchers have recorded 20 quality starts this season, tied for the second-most in the majors (Seattle, Pittsburgh and Minnesota lead with 21).

The Cubs last season recorded their 20th quality start in their 95th game of the season, July 24 at Philadelphia.

Marcus Stroman and Justin Steele both have seven quality starts, tied for the league lead.

OPPORTUNITY KNOCKS: Chicago has reached via walk, hit or HBP 540 times this season, fourth-most among all clubs, trailing only Tampa Bay (563), St. Louis (544) and Boston (544) … the Cubs lead the majors with 311 left on base.

Chicago’s 428 plate appearances with RISP are the second-most in the N.L. and sixth in the majors (Boston leads, 462) … in its last 24 games since April 22 the Cubs have hit .227 (46-for-203) with RISP.

Starting Pitcher – #35 LHP Justin Steele (6-0, 1.82)
Last Time Out
Justin improved to 6-0 May 10 vs. St. Louis, allowing three runs on seven hits with three strikeouts in 6.0 innings … allowed more than two earned runs for the first time since July 22, 2022, spanning 14 starts … the run was the longest active streak in the major leagues and was tied for the second-longest in Cubs franchise history (since 1901), trailing Jack Taylor’s 15-game stretch from June 13-Aug. 14, 1902 … has completed at least 6.0 innings in seven of his eight starts in 2023 … has a 2.39 ERA (27 ER/101.2 IP) at Wrigley Field since the start of the 2022 season.

Date Opp. Result IP H R ER BB SO PC-S Left
5/10 STL W, 10-4 6.0 7 3 3 3 3 91-57 9-3
2023 Splits and Season Notes

W-L ERA G GS IP H R ER BB SO
Home 4-0 1.48 5 5 30.1 23 5 5 10 23
Road 2-0 2.37 3 3 19.0 14 7 5 4 16
AVG vs. LHB: .238 (10-for-42) / AVG vs. RHB: .206 (27-for-131)

Justin is making his ninth start of the 2023 season today, fourth on the road … has posted a 1.47 ERA (14 ER/86.0 IP) since July 22, 2022, the lowest ERA in the majors during the run (min. 15 GS) … his 1.82 ERA in 2023 is the second-lowest in the N.L. and fourth-lowest in the majors among qualified pitchers, while his .214 opponent average (37-for-173) is the 10th-lowest in the N.L. … is one of three N.L. pitchers with at least six wins and the only one to have six wins and zero losses … opposing batters are hitting .153 (8-for-59) with 20 strikeouts off his slider.

Allowed two or fewer earned runs in 14-straight starts from July 22, 2022- May 5, 2023, tied for the second-longest stretch in Cubs franchise history (since 1901), behind Jack Taylor’s streak of 15 games June 13-Aug. 14, 1902 (tied with Jake Arrieta, 14 G, 7/30/15-4/4/16).

Went 1-1 with a 2.63 ERA (4 ER/13.2 IP) with 13 strikeouts in four Cactus League starts in 2023 … started and tossed the first 2.0 innings of the Cubs combined no-hitter, March 3 at San Diego.

HOUSTON ASTROS NOTES:

TONIGHT’S GAME: Winners of six of their last seven, the Astros will go for a sweep of the Cubs tonight in the finale of their three-game series in Houston…the Astros will be behind rookie RHP J.P. France, who’s making just his third Major League start tonight, opposite the veteran LHP Drew Smyly and the Cubs.

SWEEPSTAKES: If the Astros complete the sweep of this series tonight it would be their second sweep of the season, also a three-game series in Atlanta from April 21-23…a win would also give the Astros their first sweep of the Cubs since taking a three-game series in Houston from May 21-23, 2012.

VIVE LA FRANCE!: RHP J.P. France has been incredible in his first two Major League starts, combing to allow just one earned run in 11.2 innings for a 0.77 ERA…France is just the fourth pitcher in club history to work 5.0-plus innings, allowing one-or-fewer runs in each of his first two Major League starts… the others to do so: LHP Dallas Keuchel (2012), LHP Carlos Hernández (2001) and RHP Manny Hernández (1986).

IT’S BEEN AWHILE: The Astros and Cubs, who spent 19 seasons (1994-2012) together in the NL Central, have only played each other in 11 games since the Astros moved to the AL in 2013, with Houston going 6-5 in those games…the two teams last saw each other in 2019 in a three-game series in Houston from May 27-29 (Astros won two of three).

LAST NIGHT’S WIN: The Astros offense pounded out nine hits, including a season-high six doubles, en route to a 7-3 victory over the Cubs last night…Houston did their damage in a four-run 4th inning that included four doubles, one each by DH Yordan Alvarez, RF Kyle Tucker, LF Corey Julks and CF Chas McCormick…RHP Cristian Javier (1ER/6IP) picked up the victory after allowing just two hits and two walks in his start.

ON THE BUMP: The Astros have posted the lowest team ERA (3.30) in the Majors, percentage points lower than the second-place Rays (3.30)…the Astros also lead the Majors in strikeouts per 9.0 (9.83) and strikeout to walk ratio (3.52) and have allowed the second-fewest runs (154) in the Majors.

BULLPEN WEAPONS: RHP Phil Maton and RHP Bryan Abreu have been outstanding this season…Maton has allowed just nine hits and two runs in his first 18 appearances (21 IP) for a 0.86 ERA…opponents are hitting just .127 (9×71) against him, including a .125 (5×40) average by left- handers and a .129 (4×31) average by righties…meanwhile, Abreu has tallied 34 strikeouts in his 20.1 IP while allowing just three earned runs for a 1.33 ERA, and also posting a .145 opponent average (10×63).

LATE ATTACK: The Astros offense has come alive late in games this season, producing 75 runs in the 7th inning or later, which ranks second in the AL trailing the Rangers (78)…the Astros top inning, in terms of runs scored this season, has been the 7th (31 runs), which included the Astros two-run 7th inning last night.

TRAFFIC:LF Yordan Alvarez has opened his season by reaching base safely in all 36 of his games, which is the franchise record for a start-of-season streak…he also is riding a career-long 13-game hitting streak…a few notes on his streaks below:

  • the last Major Leaguer with a longer start-of-season streak was OF Odúbel Herrera (41g) for the 2018 Phillies.
  • Alvarez’s on-base streak is the longest in the Majors this season, topping a 30-game streak by SS Xander Bogaerts.
  • going back to last season, Alvarez has reached base safely in a career-long 40 straight games, which is the seventh longest on-base streak in Astros franchise history…the last Astro to post a longer streak was 3B Alex Bregman, who had a 41-game run spanning parts of the 2019-20 seasons.
  • prior to Alvarez’s current hitting streak, his career-long streak was 10 games, accomplished from Sept. 9-21, 2022.
  • Alvarez is hitting .354 (17×48) with eight runs, five doubles, three homers, five walks and 12 RBI during his 13-game streak.

STUFF OF NIGHTMARES: LF Yordan Alvarez has been at his best in the big moments in his career, especially this season…he’s hitting .500 (15×30) with RISP, .588 (10×17) with RISP and two outs, .667 (4×6) with the bases loaded, and .391 (9×23) in close and late situations…Baseball-Reference has a leverage metric, which lists Alvarez as hitting .539 (14×26) with five homers, 31 RBI and a 1.908 OPS in high leverage situations.

AMERICAN LEAGUE RANKINGS: Among AL players, LF Yordan Alvarez ranks second in RBI (39), third in OPS (.973), fifth in SLG (.573) and tied for ninth in homers (9)…3B Alex Bregman ranks tied for third in walks (26) and second in plate apps. per strikeout (10.94)…additionally, 2B Mauricio Dubón ranks sev- enth in batting average (.309) and tied for ninth in runs (27).

ON THE MEND: 2B Jose Altuve had his rehab assignment transferred to Double A Corpus Christi yesterday, and went 0x5 while playing the entire game for the Hooks last night… across two levels, Altuve has played in four games on his injury rehab assignment, going 1×18 at the dish…the Astros All-Star second baseman has missed the entire season after being hit by a pitch during the WBC and suffering a fractured right thumb.

TONIGHT’S ASTROS STARTER: RHP J.P. FRANCE
LAST START – 5/12 AT CWS: allowed 1 run on 3 hits with 1 walk and 3 strikeouts in 6.2 innings…became the fourth pitcher in club history to work 5.0-plus innings, allowing 1-or-fewer runs in each of his first two Major League starts…the others to do so: LHP Dallas Keuchel (2012), LHP Carlos Hernández (2001) and RHP Manny Hernández.

THE FIRST FRANCE: rookie right-hander made his Major League debut in his start on 5/6 at Seattle…threw 5 scoreless innings and struck out 5 batters while allowing 3 hits and 1 walk…It was his 100th career appearance as a professional.

  • struck out 2022 American League Rookie of the Year and All-Star Julio Rodríguez for his 1st career strikeout, which was the 1st batter he faced.

ABOUT FRANCE: was selected in the 14th round by the Astros in the 2018 draft out of Mississippi State…the 2023 season is his sixth in the Astros system.

  • pitched for three years at Tulane, missed his sophomore season due to injury, before he transferred to Mississippi State…posted a 3.77 ERA in 25 appearances (59.2IP/2GS) as a grad transfer…he played a crucial part in the Bulldogs clinching an NCAA Super Regional berth by throwing 7.0 innings of two-run ball vs. Oklahoma in the Tallahassee Regional.

FRANCE’S 2023 MILB SEASON: prior to being recalled, he was the Triple A Sugar Land Space Cowboys best pitcher this season, going 2-1 with a 2.33 ERA (5ER/19.1IP) in 5 games (3 starts)…worked between the rotation and bullpen in the Space Cowboys piggyback starter role.

  • had 26 strikeouts in 19.1 innings, while allowing just 9 hits on the season…posted a .136 (9×66) opponent average and a 1.03 WHIP.
  • did not allow a home run this season in the homer-friendly Pacific Coast League… has not allowed a homer since Aug. 13, 2022 at ELP…since that date, has made 17 total appearances (36IP) at the Triple A level.

MLB Preview: Milwaukee Brewers (24-118) at St. Louis Cardinals (17-26)

MLB Editor
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MLB Preview: Milwaukee Brewers (24-118) at St. Louis Cardinals (17-26)

MILWAUKEE BREWERS NOTES:

TONIGHT’S GAME: Is game 3 (1-1) of a 6-game, 7-day road trip to St. Louis (1-1) and Tampa Bay (3g)…..the team returns to American Family Field following this trip for a 7-game homestand against Houston (3g) and San Francisco (4g).

IN THE TRAINER’S ROOM: RHP Jason Alexander (right rotator cuff), LHP Aaron Ashby (left labrum), RHP Matt Bush (right rotator cuff), LHP Wade Miley (left lat), OF Garrett Mitchell (left shoulder), INF Luis Urías (left hamstring), 1B Luke Voit (neck), LHP Justin Wilson (left elbow) and RHP Brandon Woodruff (right shoulder) are on the injured list….. Alexander, Ashby, Mitchell, Urías, Wilson and Woodruff are on the 60-day IL.

IN THE STANDINGS (48 days): The Brewers have spent the following number of days alone or tied at each position in the NL Central standings: FIRST: 27, SECOND: 19, THIRD: 2, FOURTH: 0, FIFTH: 0…..the team is currently in first place, leading the second-place Pirates by 2.0 games.

SERIES-LY SPEAKING: The Brewers are 7-6-0 in series play.

Game 1: 7-7, Game 2: 9-5, Game 3: 7-6, Game 4: 1-0
Sweep Wins (3): vs. NYM (3g, 4/3-4/5), at SEA (3g, 4/17-4/19), vs. KC (3g, 5/12-5/14)
Sweep Losses (1): at COL (3g, 5/2-5/4)

AT HOME: The Brewers are 13-8 at home, going 4-3-0 in series play…..the team went 46-35 at home last season, going 15-8-4 in series play.

ON THE ROAD: The Brewers are 11-10 on the road, going 3-3-0 in series play…..the team went 40-41 on the road last season, going 9-12-5 in series play.

LET’S GO TO THE VIDEO TAPE: The Brewers have made seven replay challenges this season, going 4-3…..their last challenge (won) came yesterday at St. Louis as an out call at first base (Contreras) was overturned

TONIGHT’S STARTER: #39 – RHP CORBIN BURNES (8gs, 4-2, 3.35)

BURNES AT A GLANCE: Corbin Burnes, 28, is making his ninth start of the season and first against the Cardinals…..Burnes last started last Friday vs. Kansas City and earned a 5-1 win (6ip, 2h, 0r, 4bb, 7k, 104 pitches)…..the team is 5-3 in his starts…..he has 4 quality starts, including 3 in a row…..opponents are batting .204 (33-for-162, 4hr)…..Burnes was selected by Milwaukee in the fourth round of the 2016 First-Year Player Draft out of St. Mary’s (CA) College…..he is under club control through 2024.

LAST SEASON: Burnes went 12-8 with a 2.94 ERA in 33 starts last season, finishing seventh in NL Cy Young Award voting after winning the award in 2021…..Burnes was an All-Star for the second straight season and was named Brewers Most Valuable Pitcher for the second year in a row…..his career-high 243 strikeouts led the National League and ranked second in the majors behind the Yankees’ Gerrit Cole (257)…..he became the first pitcher in franchise history to lead his league in strikeouts…..he also ranked among the NL top five in starts (T1st, 33), AVG (2nd, .197), K/9IP (2nd, 10.83), H/9IP (2nd, 6.42), innings pitched (4th, 202.0), K/BB (4th, 4.76), quality starts (T4th, 21) and WHIP (5th, 0.97)…..the team went 20-13 in his starts.

CY BURNES: Burnes won the 2021 National League Cy Young Award after going 11-5 with a Major League-best 2.43 ERA in 28 starts…..he became the third pitcher in franchise history to win a Cy Young Award, joining Rollie Fingers (1981) and Pete Vuckovich (1982)…..he became the first pitcher in franchise history to lead his league in ERA.

CAREER: Is 39-21 with a 3.22 ERA in 143 games/82 starts (561.1ip, 201er)…..is in his sixth Major League season, all with the Brewers (2018-23)…..is 31-18 with a 2.97 ERA as a starter (479.1ip, 158er) and 8-3 with a 4.72 ERA in relief (82ip, 43er)…..Burnes is a two-time All-Star (2021-22) and was a 2021 All-MLB First Team selection.

CAREER AT AMERICAN FAMILY FIELD: Is 19-12 with a 3.49 ERA in 70 games/43 starts (294ip, 114er)…..is 1-0 with a 4.70 ERA in 3 starts this season (15.1ip, 8er)…..went 7-4 with a 3.04 ERA in 18 starts last season (109.2ip, 37er)…..

CAREER ON THE ROAD: Is 20-9 with a 2.93 ERA in 73 games/39 starts (267.1ip, 87er)…..is 2-2 with a 2.96 ERA in 4 starts this season (24.1ip, 8er)…..went 5-4 with a 2.83 ERA in 15 starts last season (92.1ip, 29er).

CAREER vs. CARDINALS: Is 4-4 with a 2.84 ERA in 15 games/12 starts (69.2ip, 22er), including 2-1 with a 1.29 ERA in 4 starts last season (28ip, 4er)…..is 3-2 with a 1.82 ERA in 9 career games/6 starts at Busch Stadium (39.2ip, 8er).

ST. LOUIS CARDINALS NOTES:

RECENT REDBIRDS: The St. Louis Cardinals and Milwaukee Brewers play the final game of a three-game series tonight at Busch Stadium after the two division rivals split the first two games … The Cardinals continue their seven-game homestand tomorrow night as the Los Angeles Dodgers (27-16) make their annual visit to St. Louis for a four-game series over the weekend … After tonight’s game, the Cardinals and Brewers will resume their season series in September, facing off in seven of the final 13 games of the regular season.

FLIGHT PATTERN: The Cardinals enter today in last place in the NL Central, 7.5 games behind first place Milwaukee and 2.5 games behind fourth place Cincinnati … Since May 6, St. Louis has won seven of their last nine to improve 2.5 games in the division … The Cardinals have been in last place for 21 straight days (April 25-present).

WHAT’S THE DIFFERENCE: St. Louis (+6) and the Chicago Cubs (+23, 19-23 record) are the only two MLB teams this season with losing records but positive run differentials.

ROSTER MOVES: The Cardinals announced a series of roster moves prior to tonight’s game:

  • Recalled LHP Matthew Liberatore from Memphis (AAA)
  • Selected the contract of outfielder Óscar Mercado from Memphis (AAA)
  • Placed OF Dylan Carlson (left ankle sprain) on the 10-Day Injured List, retro active to May 15
  • Optioned RHP James Naile to Memphis (AAA)
  • Transferred LHP Packy Naughton to the 60-Day Injured List

WELCOME BACK: Since 1965, the Cardinals have selected 19 players in the 1st or 2nd rounds of the MLB Draft who have made their MLB debuts with another club … With his first appearance for St. Louis, Óscar Mercado (2013 2nd round pick) will become the first of those 19 to return and play for the Cardinals … Mercado was traded by St. Louis to Cleveland for minor league outfielders Conner Capel and Jhon Torres at the 2018 MLB Trade deadline (chart left).

NOLAN STOPPED COOLIN’: Nolan Arenado has hit safely and recorded an RBI in nine of his last 10 games (.341/.362/.795, 6 HR, 17 RBI) since May 5 … Last night, Arenado became the 9th player in franchise history with homers in five straight, which is one shy of his career-high (6G, Sept. 1-5, 2015) and the Cardinals record of six shared by Paul Goldschmidt (July 22-27, 2019), Matt Carpenter (July 14-21-G2, 2018) and Mark McGwire (Sept. 27, 1997-April 4, 1998) … St. Louis is 48-22 since 2021 when Arenado goes yard (6-2 in 2023).

CHICKS DIG THE LONG BALL: The Cardinals have homered in five consecutive games (May 12-present), their season-best and tied with the Rays and Yankees for the longest active in MLB this season … The Cardinals 12 homers over their last five games is 2nd in MLB to the Bronx Bombers (14), while their 25 long balls in the month of May ranks 3rd to the Yankees (31) and Braves (30) … This season, the Cardinals are 14-13 in games when they homer, 12-5 when they hit 2+ home runs, and 9-1 when they go yard 3+ times.

CLOSE CALLS: The Cardinals fell to 2-8 (.200) last night in one-run games this season, tying the Cubs (2-8) for worst win pct. in MLB. THE HEAT IS ON: The Cardinals (85.7, 30-for-35) and Guardians (85.7, 42-for-49) are tied for the 3rd-best stolen base percentage in MLB, trailing only the Red Sox (87.1, 27-for-31) and White Sox (91.7, 24-for-26) … The Cardinals 85.7% 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 78.6% stolen base success rate, highest in single-season history.

TONIGHT’S STARTING PITCHER: LHP MATTHEW LIBERATORE (2023 DEBUT)
TONIGHT’S GAME

  • Recalled today from Memphis (AAA) to make his first Major League start since 10/5/22 at Pittsburgh and his 8th career MLB start (10th app).
  • Made his Major League debut 361 days ago at Pittsburgh (5/21/22) and PNC Park. His second start was vs. MIL (5/28/22) when he earned his first MLB win, firing 5.0 scoreless innings in his first start at Busch Stadium.
  • Was 4-1 with a 3.13 ERA and 56 strikeouts over 46.0 innings pitched covering eight starts at Memphis (AAA) this season. Posted a 10-strikeout game at Gwinnett (4/12).
  • Named Cardinals Minor League Pitcher of the Month and International League Pitcher of the Month for April with a 3-0 mark and 2.14 ERA over 33.2 innings pitched with 45 strikeouts covering six starts in March/April.
  • Currently leading all Minor League pitchers at any level with 46.0 innings pitched and leads all Triple-A pitchers with 56 strikeouts (3rd in MiLB).
  • The Cardinals were 5-2 in his seven starts last season and 7-2 overall in his nine total appearances.
  • Posted three scoreless starts of 4.0 innings or more last season with a season-high 5.0 scoreless innings vs. MIL (5/28/22) and vs. PIT (6/14/22 – Game 1 of DH).
  • 2021 Cardinals Minor League Pitcher of the Year.
  • Acquired in trade with Tampa Bay Rays on January 9, 2020 in a deal that sent OF Jose Martinez and OF Randy Arozarena to Tampa.
  • Originally selected by the Tampa Bay Rays in the first round (16th player overall) of the June, 2018 First-Year Player Draft, making him the highest drafted high school player in Rays franchise history.
  • Started for the National League in the 2021 SirusXM All-Star Futures Game at Coors Field in Denver and worked a perfect 1st inning retiring a trio of then-top 10 prospects in Bobby Witt, Jr., Jarred Kelenic, and Julio Rodriguez on just 13 pitches.

LAST TIME OUT

  • Threw 7.0 innings, matching his season-high, allowing four runs on five hits while fanning five in his 4th win of the season. Benefitted by two Luken Baker home runs as the offense rallied from a 4-2 deficit for a 7-4 win.

DATE vs. RESULT DEC IP H R ER BB SO HR NP-S
5/12 @LHV W 7-4 W-4 7.0 5 4 4 2 5 2 96-57

1...2,6842,6852,686...3,996Page 2,685 of 3,996

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