NHL Morning Skate: Stanley Cup Playoffs Edition – April 23, 2023
* Three of four games in the Stanley Cup Playoffs on Saturday required more than 60 minutes to determine a winner – one shy of the most in a single day in the postseason in NHL history.
* Morgan Rielly and Dougie Hamilton each scored an overtime goal for their respective teams, marking the second day in NHL history to feature multiple defensemen achieve the feat.
* Saturday also featured late-game dramatics. It was third day in Stanley Cup Playoffs history to feature multiple players score a game-tying goal within the final minute of regulation.
* Nathan MacKinnon continued his postseason prowess by collecting another two points and helping the Avalanche play the role of spoiler in the Kraken’s first-ever home game in the Stanley Cup Playoffs.
2023 FIRST ROUND: BY THE NUMBERS
Four tightly-contested affairs highlighted the Saturday schedule, including a come-from-behind Devils win, which secured their first victory of the 2023 postseason. #NHLStats storylines have been aplenty through the first six nights of the Stanley Cup Playoffs:
* The 2023 Stanley Cup Playoffs marks the 13th time since 1987, when the Division Semifinals changed from best-of-five to best-of-seven, the postseason will feature zero sweeps in the first round. Two other instances have taken place since the NHL realigned in 2013-14: 2020 and 2016.
* The 2023 First Round also marks the sixth opening round of the postseason since 1987 to feature zero 3-0 series leads. The others: 2010, 2004, 2002, 1992 and 1991.
* Teams were either tied or within one goal for 244:27 of 294:31 of action Saturday, nearly 83 percent of all playing time.
* Saturday marked the third day in NHL history with a game-tying goal in the final minute of regulation in multiple playoff games. The others: April 10, 1988 (John MacLean: 58:48 of Game 4, DSF & Kjell Samuelsson: 59:07 of Game 4, DSF) and August 7, 2020 (Zach Hyman: 59:37 of Game 4, SCQ and Filip Forsberg: 59:28 of Game 4, SCQ).
EXTRA, EXTRA: READ ALL ABOUT OT
Saturday featured extra hockey all around as the Maple Leafs, Devils and Golden Knights each picked up overtime victories on the road. It marked the first time since August 16, 2020 that three overtime games were contested on the same day – only three days in Stanley Cup Playoffs history have seen four games go to extra time: April 17, 2017, April 10, 1985 and April 11, 1980.
* 2019 Conn Smythe Trophy winner Ryan O’Reilly (1-2—3) showcased his playoff prowess by finding the back of the net with one minute remaining in regulation to pull Toronto even before collecting an assist on Morgan Rielly’s winner in the final 45 seconds of overtime. Saturday marked the fourth time in franchise history the club tied a playoff game in the last minute of regulation and won in overtime (also Game 4 of 2020 SCQ, Game 5 of 1951 SCF & Game 3 of 1936 SCF).
* O’Reilly became the fifth Maple Leafs player to score a game-tying goal in the final minute of regulation in the playoffs since the NHL’s expansion era, joining Zach Hyman (59:37; Game 4 of 2020 SCQ), Steve Thomas (59:37; Game 2 of 2001 CSF), Mats Sundin (59:38; Game 6 of 2002 CF) and Alyn McCauley (59:52; Game 2 of 2002 CF).
* After Jack Hughes scored his second goal of the playoffs to pull the Devils even and rookie Akira Schmid (35 saves) outdueled Igor Shesterkin (26 saves) in his Stanley Cup Playoffs debut, Dougie Hamilton potted the overtime winner to help New Jersey cut New York’s series lead in half at Madison Square Garden. Schmid became the second goaltender in Devils/Rockies/Scouts history to win their postseason debut, joining Chris Terreri (Game 2 of 1990 DSF).
* Hamilton, who matched the franchise record for goals by a defenseman in a single season earlier this year, joined Brian Rafalski (Game 3 of 2001 CSF) as just the second defenseman in Devils/Rockies/Scouts history to score a playoff overtime goal.
* Jack Eichel (2-1—3) helped the Golden Knights take a 4-1 lead into the third period, but the Jets scored three times – including a game-tying tally with 22 seconds remaining in regulation – to force overtime and set the stage for Michael Amadio,whose first career playoff goal helped Vegas weather the “Winnipeg Whiteout”. Amadio has skated for three other teams in his career before joining Vegas in 2021-22 (168 GP w/ LAK, 5 GP w/ OTT & 3 GP w/ TOR) and appeared in only one other playoff game prior to 2023 – doing so against the Golden Knights during the 2018 Stanley Cup Playoffs (0-1—1 in Game 2 of 2018 R1).
MacKINNON SPEEDS INTO #NHLSTATS: LIVE UPDATES WITH MULTI-GOAL OUTING
Nathan MacKinnon scored two of Colorado’s six goals, including one in the first period to give them the lead by bursting away at 22.56 mph, to help the Avalanche rally to victory in the Kraken’s first-ever home game in the Stanley Cup Playoffs.
* MacKinnon, who owns the third-highest career points-per-game average in Stanley Cup Playoffs history (min. 50 GP), became just the second player in Avalanche/Nordiques history with at least 10 multi-goal games in the postseason and the fifth active player with a double-digit total joining Joe Pavelski (12), Nikita Kucherov (10), Patrice Bergeron (10) and Sidney Crosby (10).
QUICK CLICKS
* NHL announces Stanley Cup Playoff start times, TV info for April 27 games
* Josh Morrissey out rest of Western 1st Round for Jets
* Islanders surprise families of kids battling illness with playoff tickets
* Oilers confident entering Game 4 despite trailing in Western First Round
* Kraken honor memory of NHL.com writer Andy Eide before Game 3
QUARTET OF TEAMS LOOK TO DRAW EVEN AS FIRST ROUND CONTINUES
The Islanders, Panthers, Stars and Oilers all look to even their First Round series at two games apiece when the puck drops for their respective Game 4s. Eight of the nine First Rounds since the NHL realigned in 2013-14 have at least half of its series require at least six games, including seven of eight in 2022. The others: 2021 (5), 2019 (5), 2018 (4), 2017 (4), 2016 (5), 2015 (6) and 2014 (6).
* Ilya Sorokin turned aside 30 of 31 shots in Game 3, including all 24 he faced through the first 40 minutes of action. Sorokin, who has allowed two or fewer goals in half of his 10 career playoff appearances, owns a .928 career save percentage in the Stanley Cup Playoffs for the Islanders – the second-highest total in franchise history (min. 5 GP) behind only Robin Lehner (.936).
* Sam Bennett (1-1—2) has found the score sheet in both games for the Panthers this postseason since returning to the lineup in Game 2 and owns a career average of 0.62 points per game in the playoffs (14-15—29 in 47 GP) as compared his career totals during the regular season (117-127—244 in 546 GP; 0.45 P/GP). His 0.17 points-per-game difference trails only Nathan MacKinnon (0.25 P/GP), Jaccob Slavin (0.20 P/GP), Gabriel Landeskog (0.20 P/GP) and Ryan O’Reilly (0.20 P/GP) for the highest among active players (min. 500 regular season GP and 45 playoff GP).
* Jake Oettinger looks to help Dallas rebound following their Game 3 loss, a situation the 24-year-old excelled in during the 2022-23 regular season. Oettinger went 17-1-3 following a loss prior to postseason play and posted a 1.97 goals-against average, 0.936 save percentage and four shutouts. His 17 wins were tied with Connor Hellebuyck (17-9-1) for the most among all goaltenders in that scenario.
* Both Leon Draisaitl (3-3—6) and Evan Bouchard (1-3—4) have each played a role in the Oilers offense through the first three games of the First Round, finding the score sheet in every outing. Bouchard, who sits tied for the fifth-most points among defensemen in the 2023 Stanley Cup Playoffs, can become the first Edmonton blueliner with a four-game point streak to begin a postseason since Charlie Huddy in 1988 (2-3—5 in 4 GP).
Maple Leafs’ Lafferty Fined for Cross-Checking
NEW YORK – Toronto Maple Leafs forward Sam Lafferty has been fined $3,108.11, the maximum allowable under the Collective Bargaining Agreement, for cross-checking Tampa Bay Lightning forward Ross Colton during Game 3 of the teams’ First Round series in Tampa on Saturday, April 22, the National Hockey League’s Department of Player Safety announced today.
The incident occurred at 15:10 of the second period. Lafferty was assessed a minor penalty for roughing.
The money goes to the Players’ Emergency Assistance Fund.
NWSL Match Preview: San Diego Wave FC (2-1-0) at Angel City FC (1-1-1)
Players to watch:
Angel City midfielder Savannah McCaskill notched a goal and an assist in Angel City’s draw with Louisville on Saturday, her second career game for Angel City with both a goal and assist (also last August vs. Gotham). She is the only player with multiple such games for Angel City in NWSL play. McCaskill is one of four goalscorers for Angel City on the year thus far alongside Alyssa Thompson, Claire Emslie, and Katie Johnson, though only Johnson has scored multiple goals so far.
Following the loss to the Reign, San Diego goalkeeper Kailen Sheridan has now played in 101 regular season matches in NWSL, one of seven goalkeepers to have hit the century mark in the league. Sheridan is the only one of those seen who was not born in the United States. On the attacking front, forwards Alex Morgan, Jaedyn Shaw, and Amirah Ali have all hit the scoresheet, with Morgan’s three goals (two penalties) ahead of Shaw’s two and Ali’s one.
Match facts: Angel City FC hosts San Diego Wave FC in a first meeting in 2023 between last year’s two expansion sides. The hosts Angel City now look to add to a win against Orlando and a draw with Louisville in terms of positive results, meanwhile San Diego is looking to bounce back from its lone loss of the year against OL Reign and get back in the win column.
Against Racing Louisville on Saturday, Angel City overcame a two-goal deficit at halftime to earn a 2-2 home draw. It was just the second time Angel City has ever trailed by multiple goals at the half of a regular season match, also doing so in a 3-0 loss to Portland last season. In addition, Savannah McCaskill’s 87th minute equalizer is the second straight game in which a goal has been scored after 87 minutes or later following forward Katie Johnson’s winner in the 10th minute of added time against Orlando the first week of April.
Meanwhile, the Wave conceded a goal in the 95th minute in their 1-0 loss to the OL Reign on Saturday. Since the beginning of last season, San Diego has conceded four times in second-half stoppage time in NWSL play (regular season and playoffs), with only Orlando (6) and Washington (5) doing so more in that span. However, two wins in the club’s opening two games still have it in a good position heading into the weekend.
The Wave won two of the four meetings between the two California sides last season in all competitions (D1 L1) but both those wins came in San Diego. Of the 12 goals scored in the fixture last season, Alex Morgan was the only player to score more than once (two goals, both in Challenge Cup).
NWSL Match Preview: Orlando Pride 0-3-0) at Kansas City Current (0-3-0)
Players to watch:
Kansas City Current forward Mimmi Larsson came off the bench to record both a goal and assist against the Red Stars, though it was a 4-2 loss. Of the five players to have a goal and assist as a reserve in the same NWSL game since the beginning of last season, three have done so while playing for the Current (Larsson, Claire Lavogez, and Elyse Bennett). Overall, Larsson is just one of three goalscorers for Kansas City in three regular season games, with only Debinha and forward Cece Kizer scoring in losses to Chicago (Debinha) and Portland (Kizer), respectfully.
In Orlando’s 2-0 loss to Gotham FC, Kerry Abello led the Pride with five shots and three shots on target. Both those figures were career highs for Abello as she entered the game with 17 career shots with five of those being on goal (23 career regular season games). In the end, though, only forward Messiah Bright has scored a goal with Orlando having scored just a single goal in its first three regular season outings.
Match facts: The Kansas City Current return home to Children’s Mercy Park on Sunday afternoon to host the Orlando Pride in the first of two NWSL games on the day. The Current are aiming to earn a first point of the season after three straight losses, while the Pride are looking to achieve the same feat having also dropped their first three contests of the regular season.
Kansas City is one of two NWSL teams without a point so far this season (along with Orlando) and have allowed four goals in each of its last two games. Prior to that, the Current had allowed four or more goals in a match just twice in all competitions (once each in 2021 and 2022). Despite that, the Current can and will take note of an impressive 2-0 win on the road against Houston midweek in the Challenge Cup, meaning Kansas City can come in with a good result just behind them.
The Pride have earned one point over their last nine regular season games (W0 D1 L8), having allowed 22 goals in that time. The only other NWSL team to ever earn so few points while allowing so many goals over a nine-game span is Gotham FC, who did so last season. Orlando’s struggles have been on both ends of the field unfortunately, with its defensive record compounded by scoring just one goal in three games.
Orlando is unbeaten in its four all-time matches with Kansas City (W2 D2), winning both meetings in 2021 and drawing both games last season. The Pride are one of two teams the Current have played at least three times in all competitions and still haven’t beaten, along with Portland.
MLB Preview: Toronto Blue Jays (12-9) at New York Yankees (13-8)
TORONTO BLUE JAYS NOTES:
THE LATEST: The Blue Jays tied yesterday’s game against the Yankees in the 9th inning but were unable to hang on as they were edged, 3-2…Were walked off for the 1st time this season…Lost a one-run contest for the 1st time in 2023 (now 4-1). Toronto has still won 11 of its last 17 contests…Can improve to 5-2-0 in series play with a win today…Has gone 1-2 in rubber games so far this season.
IN A PINCH: Danny Jansen tied yesterday’s game, 2-2, in the 9th inning as he came in to pinch-hit for Brandon Belt and promptly homered to left field…The two-run blast was his 1st home run of the season…Has gone 4-for-11 (.364) with a homer, three RBI, and three walks in his last five games (1-for-25 in first eight games).
DID YOU KNOW?: Danny Jansen’s home run was the first pinch-hit homer by a Blue Jay since Rowdy Tellez on Sept. 2, 2019 at ATL…The span of 1,327 days between pinch-hit homers was the longest in team history (751 days from May 21, 2010-June 11, 2012) and was the 5th-longest stretch by any team over the last 40 seasons.
ALEK AT HIS BEST IN THE BRONX: Alek Manoah threw 7.0 shutout frames yesterday, limiting the Yankees to two hits and a walk while recording five strikeouts on 85 pitches (57 strikes)… Was his 2nd game this season with 7.0 innings and no runs allowed, also doing so on April 5 at KC…Became the first Blue Jays starter to throw 7+ shutout frames and not earn a decision since Jacob Waguespack on Aug. 22, 2019 at LAD (7.0 IP). In five career starts at Yankee Stadium, the 25-yearold righty now holds a 1.17 ERA (4 ER/30.2 IP), a .133 AVG, and a 0.85 WHIP (14H, 12BB, 31K)…Among all pitchers to make at least five starts at the venue, Manoah’s career 1.17 ERA ranks 1st (2nd: Yusei Kikuchi – 1.91).
BO KNOWS BASE HITS: Bo Bichette picked up a double to lead off the 8th inning as part of a 1-for-4 afternoon…Has now gone 31-for-90 (.344) with five doubles, four homers, and 12 RBI while playing in all 21 games this season…The 31 hits are the most in the AL and 5th most in MLB… Among AL batters, currently ranks 3rd in total bases (48), 4th in AVG, and 15th in both SLG (.533) and OPS (.912).
VLAD HABITS: Vladimir Guerrero Jr. doubled and walked to finish 1-for-3 yesterday…Now owns a .602 slugging percentage at the current Yankee Stadium, trailing only Aaron Judge’s .611 mark for 2nd highest all-time at the venue (min. 100 AB). The 24-year-old is now 28-for-81 with two doubles, four homers, 11 RBI, and a 10BB/10K ratio for a .346 AVG (3rd in the AL), a .432 OBP (3rd), and a .950 OPS (9th)…His 28 hits are tied for 2nd most in the AL while his 42 total bases are tied for 10th…Has recorded 41 hard-hit balls (95+ MPH) this year, the most in the
Majors (2nd: Randy Arozarena – 39).
HITTING THE ROAD: The Blue Jays have reached the finale of their six-game road trip (2-3 so far), holding an 8-7 record while away from Rogers Centre this season…Their 15 road games played are the most in the AL and 2nd most in MLB (NYM – 16G)…Will return home to begin a six-game homestand tomorrow, welcoming the White Sox (7-14) and Mariners (10-11) for three games apiece. Toronto’s .533 road win% currently ranks 8th in the AL…Blue Jays hitters lead the AL in road hits (138) while ranking 3rd in road AVG (.260), 5th in OBP (.331), 6th in SLG (.408), and 6th in OPS (.738)…The pitching staff ranks 13th in the AL in road ERA (5.09), 12th in opponents’ batting average (.259), and 11th in WHIP (1.35).
GET ON WHIT IT: Whit Merrifield went 1-for-4 on a single yesterday… Extended his hitting streak to eight games, going 12- for-31 (.387) with three doubles and five RBI over that stretch (.859 OPS)…Has reached base safely in all 15 of his games played this season, batting .309 (17-for55) with four doubles, seven RBI, and three walks… His 15 game on-base stretch is the 5th-longest active streak in the AL.
HITTING IT: The Blue Jays have notched 188 hits so far this season, 2nd most in the AL (1st: TB – 207)…Are also 3rd in the AL in team batting average (.259), 4th in OBP (.332), 5th in OPS (.734), and 6th in SLG (.403).
DIVISIONAL DETAILS: The Blue Jays are playing just their 2nd divisional series (also: 2-1 vs. TB)…Have won 26 of their last 38 games vs. AL East foes, dating back to last year… 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).
NO IN BETWEEN: Toronto pitchers have now either allowed four-or-fewer runs or eight-or-more runs in all 21 games this season…According to Stats Perform, this is now the 4th-longest such streak in the Wild Card era (since 1995), trailing Cleveland in 2019 (39G), the 2005 Marlins (23G), and the 2012 Nationals (22G).
VS. THE YANKEES: All-Time: 316-385
2023: 1-1 Road: 149-203
Road: 1-1 Yankee Stadium: 49-79
The Blue Jays went 8-11 in their 19 meetings with the Yankees last season but were an even 5-5 while in the Bronx…Have won six of the last 10 matchups overall… Now hold an even record of 25-25 vs. NYY since the start of the 2020 season. Vladimir Guerrero Jr. went 19-for-73 (.260) with four doubles, five homers, and 13 RBI in the 19 games vs. New York last year…Is a lifetime .293 (75-for-256) hitter against the Pinstripes, with 15 doubles, two triples, 14 home runs, and 43 RBI in 67 meetings (.884 OPS)…Has gone 38-for-128 (.297) with six doubles, 11 homers, and 19 RBI in his 33 games at Yankee Stadium (.959 OPS). Bo Bichette played in 18 of the games vs. NYY last year, going 22-for-77 (.286) with seven doubles and three RBI…Now holds a career average of .313 (68- for-217) across 53 games vs. the Yankees, including 18 doubles, 10 home runs, and 33 RBI (.886 OPS). Kevin Kiermaier leads all current Blue Jays with 108 career games vs. New York…Has hit .235 (87-for371) with 11 doubles, six triples, 13 homers, and 28 RBI in those contests.
STARTING PITCHER – Kevin Gausman, RHP #34
TODAY’S GAME:
Making his 5th start of the season and his 4th on the road…Gave up a career-high-tying 8 runs (7ER) over 4.2 innings in his last start on 4/17 at HOU (7H, 2BB, 5K).
His 30 strikeouts this season are tied for 9th most among AL hurlers. Owns a 2.84 FIP since the start of the 2020 season, the 3rd-best mark among qualified hurlers (Corbin Burnes – 2.56, Zack Wheeler – 2.84).
2023 HIGHLIGHTS:
Took a no-decision on 4/12 vs. DET, giving up 3 runs on 5 hits over a season-high 8.0 innings with no walks and 11 strikeouts, his most as a Blue Jay…Surrendered a solo home run to Nick Maton with one out in the 4th inning, ending his streak of 15.1 innings without allowing an earned run, the longest stretch to begin a season in franchise history (2nd: Matt Shoemaker – 14.0 IP in 2019). Picked up his 1st win of the year on 4/6 at KC, throwing 6.0 shutout frames with 4 hits, 2 walks, and 7 strikeouts…Didn’t allowed an earned run for a 2nd straight outing to begin the season. Took the loss in his season debut on 4/1 at STL, giving up 3 runs (all unearned) on 8 hits and a walk over 6.0 innings with 7 strikeouts.
NEW YORK YANKEES NOTES:
AT A GLANCE: The Yankees finish their season-high 10- game homestand today with the final game of a three-game series vs. Toronto (1-1 thus far)…are 5-4 on the homestand after splitting their four-game set with Minnesota, winning two-of-three vs. Los Angeles-AL and splitting their first two games of their three-game series vs. Toronto…following this homestand, will embark on a seven-game road trip to Minnesota (3G from Mon.-Wed.) and Texas (4/27-30).
Improved to 7-1 following a loss this season.
Have won five of their last seven games…are 7-4 in their last 11 games (since 4/11) and 9-5 in their last 14 games (since 4/8).
Are in a 16-day stretch without an off day (4/18-5/3)…are 3-2 so far over that span.
YESTERDAY’S NEWS: The Yankees recorded their second “walk-off” win of the year with a 3-2 victory over the Blue Jays on Saturday at Yankee Stadium…RHP Gerrit Cole (5.2IP, 4H, 2BB, 4K, 1HP) did not record a decision despite tossing 5.2 scoreless innings…SS Anthony Volpe (1-for-4, 1R, 1HR, 2RBI) broke a 0-0 tie with a two-run HR in the eighth inning… PH DJ LeMahieu (1-for-1, 1RBI) hit a pinch-hit “walk-off” single, his fourth career “walk-off” hit…3B Oswald Peraza (1-for-2, 1R, 1BB, 1SB) reached base twice and stole his first base of the season…RHP Ron Marinaccio (1.0IP, 1BB) tossed a scoreless inning of relief…LHP Wandy Peralta (0.2IP, 2H, 2ER, 1BB, 1HR) surrendered a game-tying two-run HR in the ninth inning…RHP Jimmy Cordero (0.2IP) entered the game in the ninth inning with one on and one out and induced a double play…earned his first win as a Yankee and his first win since 9/13/20 vs. Detroit with Chicago-AL.
SERIES BUSINESS: With a win today, it would mark just the ninth time in franchise history and just the second time in the last 67 years (since 1957) that the Yankees have won or split each of their first seven series of a season (also first nine in 2003)…also won or split their first 17 series in 1950, first 13 in 1910, first 11 in 1955, first nine in 1934, 1946 and 2003 and their first eight in 1949 and 1956 (credit: Elias). Are 11-0 in games this season when facing a series loss.
The Yankees are the only Major League team to not lose a series this season.
PITCH PERFECT: Yankees pitchers have allowed just 67R in 21 games this season (3.19 R/G), marking their fourth-fewest runs allowed through their first 21 games in a season in the last 59 years since 1965 (61R in 2022, 64R in 1981 and 65R in 2003)…have allowed 3R-or-fewer in 14-of-21 games this season and 2R-or-fewer in 10 of those games.
Their 3.11 ERA is the second-lowest in the AL and tied for the second-lowest in the Majors.
Also rank third in the Majors in opponents’ BA (.214), WHIP (1.12) and opponents’ SLG (.349), fourth in K/9.0IP (9.72) and opponents’ OPS (.642), tied for fourth in strikeouts (203), fifth in opponents’ OBP (.293) and sixth in K/BB (3.12).
NOBODY BEATS THE RIZZ: INF Anthony Rizzo has reached base in 18 of his first 20 games this season, batting .319/.419/.542 (23-for-72) with 10R, 4 doubles, 4HR, 10RBI, 9BB, 4HP and 1SF.
Is tied for fourth in the AL in HP (4), ranks fifth in OBP (.419), seventh in OPS (.960) and eighth in BA (.319).
Needs one hit to reach 1,500 career hits…needs 1RBI for 900 career RBI.
Is hitting .316/.403/.579 (18-for-57) with 3 doubles, 4HR, 6BB and 3HP vs. right-handed pitchers this season.
FAST AND FURIOUS: Yankees baserunners rank third in the AL and tied for fourth in the Majors with 22SB…their 22SB mark their most through their first 21 games of a season in their last 25 years since 1999 and match their second-most through their first 21 games of a season in their last 34 years (since 1990), trailing only their 39SB in 1998.
Have 10SB in their last eight games.
INF/OF Oswaldo Cabrera has 4SB in 18 games this season after recording just 3SB in 44 games in 2022…has 3SB in his last seven games.
GOT YOUR NUMBER: OF Aaron Judge has hit .375/.516/.833 (9-for-24) with 2 doubles, 3HR and 6BB in his career off RHP Kevin Gausman.
NEW KID ON THE BLOCK: INF Anthony Volpe broke a 0-0 tie on Saturday with a two-run HR in the eighth inning… marked his second home run of the year.
Is just the fourth Yankee (fifth time) since 2010 to hit a HR in the eighth inning-or-later to break a 0-0 tie… joined Aaron Judge (“walk-off” HR in the ninth inning on 7/28/22 vs. Kansas City and a HR in the 13th inning on 6/6/18 at Toronto), Gary Sánchez (HR in the ninth inning on 5/1/18 at Houston) and Chris Young (HR in the 11th inning in Game 1 on 9/12/14 at Baltimore).
Has reached base safely in each of his last 10 games, reaching base in 17-of-42 plate appearances (9H, 8BB) over that stretch (.405 OBP).
Is 8-for-8 in stolen base attempts…joins Cedric Mullins (9-for-9) as the only two players in the Majors to be 8-for8-or-better in stolen base attempts.
His 8SB are tied for the fourth-most in the Majors.
LEMACHINE: INF DJ LeMahieu hit a pinch-hit “walk-off” single on Saturday vs. Toronto…marked his fourth career “walk-off” hit (also a “walk-off” HR on 8/31/19 vs. Oakland, a “walk-off” single on 5/7/19 vs. Seattle and a “walk-off” HR on 9/12/18 vs. Arizona with Colorado)…was the first Yankee to record a “walk-off” hit as a pinch hitter since Jose Trevino’s pinch-hit “walk-off” single on 6/10/22 vs. Chicago-NL.
As a Yankee, has hit .442/.460/.651 (19-for-43) with 6 doubles, 1HR, 49RBI and 4BB with the bases loaded.
Is hitting .375/.444/.500 (6-for-16) with 2 doubles, 6RBI and 2BB with RISP this season.
Is a career .336 (85-for-253) batter with 42R, 18 doubles, 1 triple, 10HR, 31RBI and 21BB in 65 games vs. the Blue Jays…is his second-highest BA against any opponent in his career (min. 10G)…in 62 games vs. Toronto as a Yankee, has hit .340 (83-for-244) with 42R, 17 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).
COLE TRAIN: RHP Gerrit Cole tossed 5.2 scoreless innings on Saturday…extended his scoreless streak to 20.2 innings, the second-longest scoreless streak of his career…trails only a 21.2 scoreless inning streak from 8/16-9/1/21.
According to Elias, his 0.79 ERA (34.0IP, 3ER) is the third-lowest ERA in franchise history by a Yankees starter through his first five games of a season (since ER became an official stat in 1913), trailing only Ed Lopat’s 0.60 ERA in 1951 and Spud Chandler’s 0.60 ERA in 1946…Ray Keating posted a 0.44 ERA through his first five starts in 1913 but made relief appearances between those starts.
Three of his five starts this season have been scoreless.
Has not allowed a home run this season while tossing a Major League-leading 34.0 innings.
Has allowed 4H-or-fewer in four of his five starts…has held opponents to a .155 BA (17-for-110).
Has recorded 16 scoreless starts since 2021, tied with Max Scherzer, Zack Wheeler and Corbin Burnes for the most in the Majors in that span.
The Yankees are 5-0 in his starts this season.
BRONX BOMBERS: Yankees batters have homered in 18 of their first 21 games of a season for just the sixth time in franchise history (19G in 2001 and 18G in 2003, 2011, 2012 and 2020).
Their 29HR are tied with Atlanta (29HR in 21G) for the fourth-most in the Majors, trailing only Tampa Bay (46HR in 21G), Los Angeles-NL (40HR in 22G) and San Francisco (32HR in 20G).
ON A ROLL: INF Oswald Peraza has reached base multiple times in three of his four starts this season…has reached base in 7-of-16 plate appearances this season (3H, 3BB, 1HP, .438 OBP).
PEN PAL: RHP Ron Marinaccio owns a 0.93 ERA (9.2IP, 1ER) and 14K in eight appearances this season…has allowed just 2H to 37BF this year, holding opponents to a .067 BA (2-for30) this season.
WHAT A RELIEF: Yankees relievers have posted a 2.32 ERA (81.1IP, 21ER) this season, the lowest in the AL and the second-lowest by a Major League bullpen this season (Milwaukee – 2.19).
TODAY’S STARTING PITCHER: RHP CLARKE SCHMIDT (0-1, 8.79 ERA)
RHP Clarke Schmidt will make his fifth start of the season in today’s series finale vs. Toronto…the 27-year-old will make the start on regular
four days’ rest…made his fourth start of the season on Tuesday vs. Los Angeles-AL, recording the loss (3.2IP, 6H, 4ER, 0BB, 5K, 1HR, 1HP)…made
his second career Opening Day roster in 2023 (also 2022)…went 1-2 with a 5.03 ERA (19.2IP, 16H, 11ER, 4BB, 25K, 2HR, 1HP) in six spring games
(five starts)…in 2022, went 5-5 with two saves and a 3.12 ERA (57.2IP, 46H, 23R/20ER, 23BB, 56K, 5HR) in 29 appearances (three starts) over
four stints with the Yankees…in three starts, went 0-2 with a 4.63 ERA (11.2IP, 13H, 6ER, 2BB, 14K, 0HR)…as a reliever, went 5-3 with two saves and a 2.74 ERA (46.0IP, 33H, 17R/14ER, 21BB, 42K, 5HR) in 26 games…tossed at least 2.0 innings in 13 of his relief appearances and at least 3.0 innings in five of those relief appearances…was selected by the Yankees in the first round (16th overall) of the 2017 First-Year Player Draft out of the University of South Carolina.
LAST TIME OUT: Made his fourth start of the season on Tuesday vs. Los Angeles-AL, recording the loss after allowing 4ER over 3.2IP (6H, 0BB,
5K, 1HR, 1HP)…surrendered a two-run HR to Shohei Ohtani in the first inning…also allowed an RBI single to Anthony Rendon and an RBI double to Hunter Renfroe in the fourth inning…failed to make it through 4.0 innings for the third time this season (also 3.1IP on 4/1 vs. San Francisco and 3.1IP on 4/7 at Baltimore).
VS. TORONTO: Has made three career appearance vs. the Blue Jays (all in relief), going 0-1 despite allowing just 1R/0ER in 2.2IP (2H, 3BB, 4K, 0HR).
Made two relief appearances vs. Toronto in 2022 (both at Rogers Centre)…recorded the loss on 9/26 at Toronto after allowing the automatic runner to score in the 10th inning (0.2IP, 1H, 1R/0ER, 1K)…tossed 1.0 scoreless inning on 9/28 at Toronto (1H, 1BB, 1K).
Has made 19 career appearances (three starts) vs. AL East opponents, going 2-4 with a 3.78 ERA (33.1IP, 14ER) and 29K.
HOME SWEET HOME: Has made 17 appearances (four starts) in his career at Yankee Stadium (two in 2023, 13 in 2022, one in 2021, one in 2020)…has gone 2-3 with one save and a 4.46 ERA (38.1IP, 35H, 21R/19ER, 17BB, 40K, 6HR) in those games.
Is 0-1 with a 9.00 ERA (7.0IP, 7ER) and 10K in two starts at home this season (4/1 vs. San Francisco and Tuesday vs. Los Angeles-AL).
In 13 games (one start) at home in 2022, went 2-1 with one save and a 2.49 ERA (25.1IP, 16H, 8R/7ER, 12BB, 22K, 3HR)…allowed 1R-or-fewer in 12 of those appearances…tossed at least 2.0 innings in eight appearances and 3.0 innings in four of those games (all of which were scoreless).
FOR STARTERS: Will be making his 10th career start…over his first nine career Major League starts (four in 2023, three in 2022, one in 2021, one in 2020), is 0-4 with a 6.55 ERA (34.1IP, 46H, 28R/25ER, 12BB, 36K, 5HR)…has tossed 4.1IP-or-less in each of those starts.
Is 0-1 with an 8.79 ERA (14.1IP, 14ER) and 16K in four starts in 2023…has tossed 4.0IP-or-less in each start.
Went 0-2 with a 4.63 ERA (11.2IP, 6ER) and 14K in his three starts in 2022 (6/16 vs. Tampa Bay, 8/28 at Oakland, 9/3 at Tampa Bay).
MLB Preview: Houston Astros (11-10) at Atlanta Braves (14-7)
HOUSTON ASTROS NOTES:
TODAY’S GAME: Today is the finale of this 3-game set here at Truist Park in Atlanta…RHP Cristian Javier (2-0) will start today for the Astros in what will be his 2nd career app. vs. ATL in the regular season as he takes on Braves LHP Max Fried (1-0)…Javier last faced the Braves on 8/20/22, allowing 1 run on just 2 hits in 6.0 IP with 8 punchouts in an eventual, 5-4 Astros loss (had ND)…Javier also made 3 relief app. vs. ATL in the 2021 World Series.
SWEEPSTAKES: A win today would give the Astros their 1st series sweep of the season and their 1st since taking a 3-game set over the Rays at Tropicana Field, 9/19-21 of 2022…the last time the Astros swept a series from the Braves was a 2-gamer, 7/4-5 of 2017…the last time they swept ATL in a series of 3 or more games was a 3-gamer, 6/2-4 of 1995 at Fulton County Stadium.
VS THE BRAVOS: The Astros have won 8 of their last 10 reg. season games vs. the Braves…they were 1-2 vs. ATL in 2022 as the Braves took two of three, Aug. 19-21 here at Truist Park… WS Rematch: The Braves defeated the Astros in six games to capture the 2021 World Series, going 2-1 both in ATL and HOU.
MR. CRISTIAN: RHP Cristian Javier is coming off a stellar 2022 season as a key member of the Astros WS championship run…in the regular season (11-9, 2.54), among pitchers with 140+ innings pitched, he posted the lowest opponent batting average in the AL (.170) and also ranked 2nd in K’s per 9.0 (11.74) and 4th in WHIP (0.95)…his 11.74 K’s per 9.0 ratio trailed only RHP Shohei Ohtani (11.87) (min. 140 IP)…Javier
was then dominant in the postseason, going 2-0 with an 0.71 ERA (1ER/12.2IP) and combining on just the 2nd no-hitter in WS history in Game 4 at PHI (6 IP, 0 H, 9 SO).
LAST NIGHT’S RECAP: A 4-run rally in the 6th inning helped lead the Astros to a 6-3 win over the Braves last night in Atlanta…key blows in the inning were 2-run HR by both Yordan Alvarez (#6) and Kyle Tucker (#5)…LHP Framber Valdez (2-2) hurled 7.0 strong innings to earn the win (3 ER, 0 BB, 9 SO)…RHP Bryan Abreu hurled a scoreless 9th to earn his 1st save of the season…Jeremy Peña was 3×4 with a SB… Mauricio Dubón singled in the 9th to extend his hitting streak to 16 games.
ROAD WARRIORS: Today is the 3rd game (2-0 thus far) of a 6-game road trip in which the Astros will visit two first-place opponents in ATL (14-7) and TB (18-3), who have a combined record of 32-10 (.762)…HOU is 5-3 on the road thus far in 2023…ROAD SUCCESS: The Astros were an AL-best 51-30 (.630) on the road last season and are 100-70 (.588) on the road since the start of the 2021 season, which also is tops in the AL.
VS. THE BEST: The Astros are 8-6 this season vs. clubs that are at .500 or above, which continues a trend of recent years…in 2022, the Astros were an AL-best 42-27 (.609) vs. opponents that were .500 or better and were 35-20 (.636) in the regular season vs. opponents that qualified for the playoffs…additionally in 2022, HOU ended up with an 11-2 (.846) mark in the 2022 postseason (3-0 vs. SEA, 4-0 vs. NYY, 4-2 vs. PHI).
RECENT STROS: The Astros have won 3 straight games, 4 of their last 5, and 8 of their last 12 games, all vs. clubs with above-.500 records…the Astros last 5 opponents have a combined record of 65-40 (.625)…their next opponent is TB, who are an MLB-best 18-3.
FAMILIAR PACE: Currenlty at 11-10, the Astros have a similar record to the 2022 and 2021 clubs after 21 games…they were 11-10 at this point in 2022 and went on to win 106 games and the WS, and were 10-11 in 2021 and went on to win 95 games and the AL Pennant.
FAMILIAR FACE: New Astros General Manager Dana Brown returns to Atlanta this weekend, where he served as the Braves Vice President, Scouting, for four seasons (2019-22)…Brown was named Astros GM on Jan. 26.
STREAKER: Mauricio Dubón singled in his final AB last night, extending his career-long hitting streak to 16 games…that is the longest hitting streak in the AL this season and the longest active streak in the Majors…he is 24×69 (.348) during the streak with just 4 strikeouts…overall, Dubón is hitting .333 (24×72) on the year, which ranks 4th in the AL…Dubón, who started most of his games at shortstop and center field in 2022, has made all 17 of his starts at second base this season while filling in for the injured 2B Jose Altuve.
MORE MAURICIO: Mauricio Dubón leads the AL in road batting average with a .452 clip (14×31, min. 30 PA)…he has played in 7 of the Astros 8 road games in 2023, hitting safely in all 7 of them with 4 doubles.
Highest AL Road Batting Avg. (min. 30 PA)
- Mauricio Dubón: .452 (14×31)
- Jorge Mateo: .429 (12×28)
- Randy Arozarena: .394 (13×33)
UNDER THE RADAR: RHP Phil Maton and RHP Bryan Abreu have been outstanding in the early going this season…Maton has allowed just 2 hits and no runs in his first 8 appearances (9.2 IP) with 11 K’s…opponents are just 2×31 (.065) vs. him (RHH are 0x14, LHH are 2×17)…Abreu has tallied 18 K’s in his 11.1 IP while allowing just one run for an 0.79 ERA (opp. are 5×37, .135 opp. avg).
BRANTLEY REHAB: OF Michael Brantley is scheduled to begin an injury rehab assignment today with Triple A Sugar Land…Brantley has been sidelined thus far this season while recovering from right shoulder surgery.
RACKIN’ UP RBI: LF Yordan Alvarez’ 25 RBI are the 2ndmost ever by an Astros player in the first 21 team games of a season…Lance Berkman owns the club record with 26 RBI
in 21 games in 2002.
Most RBI in First 21g – Astros Franchise History
- Lance Berkman: 26 in 2002
- Yordan Alvarez: 25 in 2023
- César Cedeño: 24 in 1974
CLEAN GETAWAYS: Entering today, the Astros have won on 15 consecutive ‘getaway’ days, dating back to last season…their last loss on a getaway day was on 8/7/22 at CLE (1-0 loss)… getaway day is defined as the final game before traveling after a homestand or during/after a road trip.
TODAY’S ASTROS STARTER: RHP CRISTIAN JAVIER’
LAST START – 4/18 vs. TORallowed 1 run on 3 hits with 2 walks and 5 strikeouts in 5.0 innings.
• Javier is on a career-high 6-game winning streak through his last 10 starts…in those 10 outings, he recorded a 2.11 ERA (13ER/55.1IP) with 63 strikeouts, a 0.90 WHIP and a .179 opponent batting average.
JAVIER IN ‘23: has allowed just 4 walks through his 4 starts this season (22 IP) and his 1.64 walks-per-nine innings ratio is the 8th-lowest from an AL starters this season.
INVISiBALL: has held opponents to a .183 average (213×1162) throughout his MLB career…it’s the lowest opponent’s batting average (min. 300 IP) of any MLB pitcher since entering the league in ‘20…the next-closest players are CLE Triston McKenzie (.196) and MIL Corbin Burnes (.196).
NO-NO: contributed seven innings to a combined no-hitter vs. the Yankees on June 25 at Yankee Stadium…it was the 14th no-hitter in Astros history and the third combined no-hitter…Javier struck out a then-career high 13 batters…it was just the 2nd no-hitter tossed against the Yankees since 1959, with the Astros also delivering the other one (2003).
CAREER HIGHLIGHTS: finished 3rd in the 2020 AL Rookie of the Year voting after leading all AL rookies in ERA (3.48)…marked the highest finish by an Astros rookie pitcher since Roy Oswalt finished second in the 2001 National League Rookie of the Year voting.
• was named the Astros Minor League Pitcher of the Year in 2019…recorded a 1.74 ERA (22ER/113.2IP) with a career-high 170 strikeouts between three levels in the Astros system.
VS. THE BRAVES: will make his 2nd career regular season start against the Braves in his career…in his lone start on Aug. 20, 2022, he allowed 1 run on 2 hits with 1 walk and 8 strikeouts in 6.0 innings.
• made 3 appearances against the Braves in the 2021 World Series…he recorded a 12.00 ERA (4ER/3IP) with 2 walks and 6 strikeouts.
ATLANTA BRAVES NOTES:
No Sweeps – Atlanta has dropped the first two games of this series to Houston, and needs a win today to avoid the sweep. The Braves have not been swept since September 14-15, 2021, when Colorado took two games here at Truist Park and the third was rained out with no makeup. The Braves went the entire season without being swept last year, becoming just the sixth team since 1990 to go an entire season without being swept and the first team in a full season to do so since the 2004 Braves. Atlanta has not been swept in a three-game series at home since May of 2021, losing all three to Toronto.
TODAY’S GAME: The Braves and Astros today conclude a three-game interleague series in what is scheduled to be the only meetings between the two clubs this season.
• Houston has won each of the first two games of this series, including a 6-3 victory last night.
• Atlanta and Houston are meeting in back-to-back seasons for the first time since 2011 & 2012, the Astros’ final two years in the National League… Atlanta took two-of-three games from Houston here at Truist Park last year.
• The two clubs have met 11 times in interleague play, with Atlanta going 4-7 in those games.
• This series matches up the previous two World Series winners, with Atlanta taking the 2021 title over Houston before the Astros rebounded to win a year later over the Phillies…Both series were decided in six games.
• Atlanta manager Brian Snitker skippers against his son this weekend, as Troy Snitker serves as a hitting coach for the Astros.
• LH Max Fried has never faced Houston in the regular season, but made a pair of starts against them in the 2021 World Series…The 6-foot4, 190-pound left-hander pitched 6.0 scoreless innings in Game 6 of that series to earn the win and clinch the championship for Atlanta…In two starts this season, Fried is 1-0 with a 1.08 ERA, allowing just one earned run in 8.1 innings.
• RH Cristian Javier has made one career start against Atlanta, pitching 6.0 innings and allowing just two hits and one run here at Truist Park on August 20 last season…The 6-foot-1, 213-pound native of the Dominican Republic pitched in three games during the 2021 World Series against Atlanta, all in relief, and combined to allow four runs and three homers in 3.0 innings…He took the loss in Game 4 after allowing back-to-back game-tying and go-ahead home runs to Dansby Swanson and Jorge Soler in the seventh inning.
LOSS: Atlanta lost to Houston, 6-3, last night and has dropped a season high-tying three straight games…Sean Murphy and Ozzie Albies both homered for Atlanta.
• Last night’s loss was the first of the season for the Braves when they homered multiple times…The Braves were 52-12 (.813) when hitting at least two homers last year.
• With last night’s loss the Braves fell to 4-5 (.444) at Truist Park this season, compared to 10-2 (.833) record in road games…Atlanta has a -12 run differential in nine games at Truist Park, while posting a +40 differential in 12 games as visitors.
• The Braves went 55-26 at home last season, winning at least 55 home games in a season for the seventh time in franchise history…Atlanta’s .679 winning percentage tied for the third-best home record in the majors with Houston…The Dodgers and Yankees both went 57-24 (.704).
NO LONG LOSING STREAKS?: Atlanta has lost three straight games, matching its longest losing streak of the season and its longest for all of last year…The Braves have not lost four straight games since dropping two apiece to Colorado and San Francisco, August 14-18, 2021.
• The Braves also lost three straight to San Diego, April 7-9, in games No. 8-10 of the season.
• Atlanta was the final team in the majors to suffer through a three-game skid last year, with the club’s first coming August 6-7, games No. 108-110… Last season marked the deepest a team has gone into a season without a three-game skid since 2001, when the Mariners did not suffer through their first until games No. 147-150 (a four-game streak).
• Last season marked the deepest by games played the Braves had ever gone into a season without losing three games in a row.
• The Braves did not have a losing streak longer than three games last season, and only lost three straight four times… The last Braves team without a losing streak longer than three games was the 2004 club.
STOLEN BASES: Ronald Acuña Jr. went 2-for-4 last night and stole a career most three bases, giving him a major league-most 11 steals on the season.
• He is one of three players with multiple games of two-or-more stolen bases this season, joining Arizona’s Corbin Carroll (2) and Baltimore’s Jorge Mateo (2).
• Acuña Jr. is the first Braves player to reach 10 stolen bases prior to May 1 since Ender Inciarte (13 in 2018) and the sixth Braves player in the Modern Era (since 1900) to accomplish that feat, joining Inciarte, Kenny Lofton (11 in 1997), Jerry Royster (11 in 1978), Otis Nixon (10 in 1993) and Deion Sanders (10 in 1994).
• Additionally, he is the first player to steal 10 bases in his teams’ first 21 games in a season since Cincinnati’s Billy Hamilton in 2017 and the first Brave to do so since Lofton in 1997.
MAX FRIED INTERLEAGUE: Max Fried makes his first interleague start of the season this afternoon, and in 11 career turns against the opposing league is 9-1 with a 1.69 ERA (13 ER/69.1 IP)…Atlanta is 9-2 in his career in interleague starts.
• His only career loss in interleague play came in his last such start, September 10 of last season at Seattle, despite allowing just two runs in 6.0 innings.
• Prior to the loss to Seattle, he opened his career 9-0 with a 1.56 ERA (11 ER/63.1 IP) over the first 10 starts of his career against the American League.
• His nine-game winning streak in interleague play was the longest in history to open a career, besting an 8-0 start by Justin Verlander from 2006-2008.
• In six interleague starts in his home park, he is 5-0 with a 1.67 ERA (7 ER/37.2 IP).
Tonight’s Starting Pitcher – #54 Max Fried LHP
Today’s Game
• Set to make his third third start this season and first career regular season appearance against Houston.
• Pitched to a 4.91 ERA in two starts against the Astros in the 2021 World Series.
• Earned the win in the championship-clinching Game 6 victory for Atlanta.
• Pitched 5.0 scoreless innings against San Diego in his first start back off the IL.
• His 53 wins over the past four seasons are most in the National League, and most by any left-hander in baseball.
• Only one pitcher, the Yankees’ Gerrit Cole, has more wins than Fried since the start of 2019…Cole has 56 wins.
• Additionally, the Braves have 72 wins in games started by Fried since the beginning of 2019, the most such wins by a pitcher in the National League… Only Cole again, whose teams have won 75 of his starts, has more in the majors.
2023 Recap
• Fried was placed on the 15-day injured list with a strained left hamstring on March 30 and activated from the IL on April 17.
• Made his third career Opening Day start after he also started the opener in each of the last two seasons.
• Fried was the first Braves lefty to make consecutive Opening Day starts since Hall-of-Famer Warren Spahn started six straight, 1957-1962.
• Prior to Fried, the last Braves lefty to start Opening Day was Tom Glavine in 2002.
MLB Preview: Cincinnati Reds (7-14) at Pittsburgh Pirates (15-7)
CINCINNATI REDS NOTES:
RED HOTS
• The Reds bullpen in the last 10 games has a 2.32era (1-1-1, 42.2, 11er, 42k, 15bb).
TONIGHT’S GAME
• Is Game 4 (0-3) of a 4-game road trip, all at Pit’s PNC Park…the last time the Reds were swept by the Pirates in a 4-game series in Pit was 4/4-7/2019.
• The Reds are coming off a 3-4 homestand vs the defending National League champion Phillies (2-2) and Rays (1-2).
• Following tomorrow’s game the Reds return to Great American Ball Park for a quick 3-game homestand vs the Rangers before heading out to face the Athletics (3g) and Padres (3g) in the first of their 3 trips to the West Coast.
SERIES NOTES
• The Reds earned a 2-1 series win vs Pit in the series that opened this 2023 championship season.
• The Reds went 14-29 at Pit’s PNC Park the previous 5 seasons, including an 11-game losing streak spanning 2018-2019 and an 8-game losing streak there to begin the 2019 season.
• Beginning in 2021 at Great American Ball Park, the Reds are 14-8 vs Pit with a 134-78 advantage in runs scored…the Reds have won 19 of the last 28 games vs Pit at GABP.
RANGERS UP NEXT…
• The Redlegs are 9-10 all-time vs the Rangers, including 6-5 at Great American Ball Park.
• Beginning Monday the Reds and Rangers will meet for the eighth time overall and for the first time since 2019, also at GABP.
• The Reds haven’t played in Arlington since 2016.
• The Reds are coming off their only interleague series of the season, a 1-2 series loss vs the Rays at Great American Ball Park.
• From 1997-2022 the Redlegs went 188-247 vs the American League, at .432 the lowest interleague winning percentage of any Major League team…in 2022 the Reds went 12-8 vs AL teams (0-2 vs Cle, 2-0 at Cle, 1-2 at Tor, 1-1 at Bos, 3-0 vs TB, 2-1 at NYY, 2-1 vs Bal, 1-1 vs Bos)…last season’s was their first winning record vs the American League since 2013 (11-9)…in the 8 seasons between the 2013 & 2022 season series wins, the Reds went 61-99 vs AL teams (.381).
…FOLLOWED BY THE ATHLETICS
• Following the upcoming 3-game home series vs the Rangers and Thursday’s off day in the Bay Area, beginning Friday night the Reds and Athletics will meet for their ninth series during the regular season and for the first time since 2019, also at Oakland Coliseum.
• The Reds are 9-13 during the regular season vs the Athletics, 5-9 at Oakland Coliseum.
• In 2013, Oak became the last current Major League team to visit Great American Ball Park…they last played in the Queen City in 2016.
• The Reds and Athletics met twice in the World Series…Oak won in 7 games in 1972, while Cin capped its wire-to-wire season with a 4-game sweep in 1990.
LEADING OFF
• In the first inning, Reds batters rank 10th in the Major Leagues in batting average (.297), fifth in on-base percentage (.381).
• When leading off the Reds’ half of the first inning, Jonathan India is hitting .353 (.476obp, .647slg, 6-17, 3bb, 2 2b, 1hr, 6r).
• India’s 17 runs scored are rank in the top 5 in the Major Leagues.
• India’s 6 runs scored in the first inning are tied for fourth-most in the Major Leagues (NYY’s Aaron Judge, 9r).
Today’s Pitcher – #21 Hunter Greene, RHP
• On 4/18 signed a $53 million contract through the 2028 season that includes a $21 million club option, with a $2 million buyout, for 2029.
• In just his second season, this afternoon is making his 29th Major League appearance and start…will be his first appearance since Mon, 4/17 vs TB, when he suffered a right tibia contusion on a Yandy Díaz comebacker.
• Will be his fourth career appearance vs the Pirates, his second of this season.
• In the 1-0 loss on 5/15/22 at Pit threw 7.1 no-hit innings, the furthest a Reds pitcher ever has gone without allowing a hit before he was removed from a game…Art Warren finished the eighth inning without allowing a hit…was the first game in Reds history in which they used multiple pitchers to hold the opponent to 0 hits.
• Was the Reds’ 2023 Opening Day starting pitcher.
• At age 23 years, 236 days became the first pitcher age 25 or under to start for the Reds on Opening Day since 1980, when at age 22 years, 232 days RHP Frank Pastore beat Phil Niekro and the Braves, 9-0… courtesy @EliasSports.
• Became the first second-year pitcher to start for the Reds on Opening Day since 26-year-old RHP Raisel Iglesias started the 6-2 win vs the Phillies in the 2016 season opener…courtesy @EliasSports.
• In his age 22 season, in 2022 led the Reds’ staff in starts, innings pitched and strikeouts.
• Last season ranked among qualified National League rookie pitchers in starts (1st, 24), innings pitched (2nd, 125.2), strikeout rate (2nd, 30.9%), whiff rate (2nd, 32.0%), opponents’ BA (2nd, .222), fWAR (3rd, 1.6), rWAR (3rd, 2.2), opponents’ OPS (T3rd, .725), FIP (6th, 4.37) and ERA (6th, 4.44).
• In 2022 posted a strikeout rate of 30.9 percent…since 2000 and with a minimum of 100 innings pitched, no pitcher age 22 or younger has posted a higher strikeout rate in a Major League season.
• Last season’s average fastball velocity of 98.9 miles per hour ranked highest among all Major League pitchers with at least 100 innings pitched.
• Was 1 of only 7 pitchers in the National League and 16 pitchers in the Major Leagues to throw a shutout.
• Was the National League Player of the Week for 6/6-6/12, the only Reds player so honored in 2022 (2gs, 1-0, 0.75, 12ip, 3h, 1er, 2bb, 15k, .079baa).
• In 2022 became the only Major League rookie since 1900 to produce in a season at least 3 apps in which he threw at least 6.0 innings with at least 8 strikeouts and no more than 1 hit (5/15 at Pit, 6/6 vs Ari, 8/1 at Mia)…no pitcher in modern history, regardless of rookie status, has produced more than 3 such games… in his final start of the season, in Game 160 vs Cubs, recorded 6.0 innings and 8 strikeouts but allowed 2 hits.
• From 8/5-9/16 missed 43 days and 40 games while on the 15-day injured list with a right shoulder strain…went 4-12, 5.26 in 20 starts prior to the injury and 1-1, 0.78 in 4 starts after he came off the 15-day IL.
• Following his 2022 rookie season was the Reds’ nominee for MLB’s prestigious Lou Gehrig Memorial Award for exemplary contributions to his community.
• Was selected by the Reds in the first round (2nd overall pick) of the June 2017 first-year player draft…was rated by MLB.com the best overall prospect and by Baseball America the best high school player in that draft…the Twins selected high school SS Royce Lewis with the No. 1 overall pick.
• Heading into the 2017 draft, became the 13th high school athlete ever to appear on the cover of Sports Illustrated.
• Missed the 2019 season while recovering from 4/9/19 “Tommy John” surgery.
PITTSBURGH PIRATES NOTES:
THE PIRATES:..Have won a season-high six straight games and seven of their last eight contests…Have not lost back-to-back games since dropping the final two contests of their season-opening series in Cincinnati…Their 15-7 record is their best start since going 16-6 to begin the 1992 season.
ROSTER MOVES: Prior to today’s game the Pirates selected the contract of infielder Drew Maggi from Double-A Altoona… Bryan Reynolds was placed on the MLB bereavement list, while Ji Man Choi was transferred from the 10- to the 60-day injured list to make room for Maggi on the 40-man roster…Maggi will wear uniform No. 39.
THIS MAGGI MOMENT: The Pirates originally selected Drew Maggi in the 15th round of the 2010 First-Year Player Draft… The 33-year-old Maggi has played in more than 1100 games in his minor league career but has never appeared in a big league game…Maggi did have his contract selected by Minnesota in 2021 on September 18, but did not appear in a game before being optioned back to Triple-A on September 20.
CHECKING THE BROOM CLOSET: This afternoon the Pirates will look for their third sweep of the season and second in a row after also sweeping the Rockies in three games at Colorado earlier this week…The last time the Pirates had back-to-back sweeps happened from September 3-8, 2018, in a three-game sweep of the Reds and a two-game sweep against the Marlins (both came at PNC Park).
RAISE IT: The Pirates enter today with a season-high six-game winning streak (the longest active one in MLB), which is the longest for the Bucs since racking up 11 straight victories from July 11-24, 2018…The Pirates have outscored their opponents 43-15 during their current six-game winning streak.
CASHING IN AT PNC: Today the Pirates will look to beat the Reds for the 100th time in PNC Park history…Pittsburgh opened the “Best Ballpark In America” on April 9, 2001, against the Reds, losing 8-2 in a game where Upper St. Clair native Sean Casey hit the first home run in the ballpark’s history…Two days later, the Pirates recorded their first win at PNC Park by beating the Reds 6-5 with Jose Silva earning the win in a game started by Jimmy Anderson.
MEN AT WORK: This afternoon the Pirates will wrap up a stretch of playing in 17 straight days that began on April 7… Pittsburgh has gone 11-5 in that time, which is the fourth-best record in MLB…The only three teams with a better record in that time are the Rays (12-3), Mets (11-4) and Orioles (10-4).
LEGGING IT OUT: Last night Ke’Bryan Hayes led off the home half of the first inning with his second triple of the year, which was also Pittsburgh’s fifth since April 15…The Pirates are tied with the Phillies for the Major League lead in triples with seven.
START ME UP: Pittsburgh’s streak of starters pitching at least 6.0 innings ended at 11 games last night after Rich Hill worked 5.0 innings while allowing one run…Since April 11, Pittsburgh’s starting rotation has the third-lowest ERA (2.90) in all of MLB behind the Marlins (2.32) and Astros (2.82).
PEN POWER: Pittsburgh’s bullpen has recorded a Major League-leading 11 saves (the Blue Jays are second with nine)… Individually, David Bednar’s seven saves are tied for the most in MLB along with Toronto’s Jordan Romano and San Diego’s Josh Hader…The Pirates bullpen has also surrendered just three home runs this season, which are the fewest in MLB.
THE ARMS RACE: Pittsburgh’s pitching staff comes into today fourth in the National League in ERA (3.80), tied for third in fewest home runs allowed (20) and tied for fourth in strikeouts (189).
ABOUT TODAY’S STARTER: Vince Velasquez takes the mound for the Pirates today as he looks to pick up his third straight win…Velasquez has tossed 6.0 innings in each of his last two outings, while allowing a total of three earned runs…He also recorded the 800th strikeout of his career in his last outing when he struck out former Pirate Elias Diaz leading off the fourth inning.
DODGERS ON DECK: Pittsburgh’s homestand will continue Tuesday with the beginning of a three-game series against LA… The Pirates went 5-1 against Los Angeles in 2022, including a three-game sweep at Dodger Stadium from May 30 to June 1.
PICKING UP WHERE HE LEFT OFF: Robert Stephenson has tossed 3.2 scoreless innings while allowing just two hits in 14 at-bats in his first five appearances since being reinstated from the injured list on April 14…Since being claimed off waivers by the Pirates from Colorado on August 27, Stephenson has produced a 2.65 ERA (17.0ip/5er), 22 strikeouts, 0.82 WHIP and .197 batting average against in 22 appearances with Pittsburgh.
TODAY’S STARTING PITCHER – 27 – RHP VINCE VELASQUEZ
VINCE VELASQUEZ: The 30-year-old righthander is making his fifth start of the season…Won a 5-3 decision (6.0ip/3er) in his last start Tuesday at Colorado.
vs. CINCINNATI: 0-2 with a 6.00 ERA (18.0ip/12er) in six career appearances (three starts)…Allowed three runs in 4.2 innings while losing a 3-1 decision in his Pirates debut earlier this year on 4/2 at Great American Ball Park.
MLB Preview: Detroit Tigers (7-12) at Baltimore Orioles (13-7)
DETROIT TIGERS NOTES:
TIGERS LOSE MIDDLE GAME TO ORIOLES, 5-1: The Tigers dropped the middle game of their series against the Orioles, 5-1, last night. Zach McKinstry drove in Detroit’s only run of the game with a solo homer, his second in as many starts. Javier Báez also had a hit for the Tigers. On the mound, Joey Wentz started and took the loss, allowing five runs on six hits with two walks and four strikeouts in 4.0 innings. Will Vest and Tyler Alexander each pitched 2.0 shutout frames in relief.
ZACH ATTACK: Zach McKinstry continued to show his power last night, hitting a solo homer in the seventh inning. McKinstry has now homered in two of his last three games and has recorded an extra-base hit in four of his last seven, over which he has gone 6×17 with two doubles, two
home runs and four RBI. STREAKING: Javier Báez went 1×4 in last night’s game to extend his hitting streak to eight games, the longest by a Tigers player this season. After starting the season 4×40 in his first 11 games of the season, Báez has gone 10×29 with three doubles and seven RBI during his current streak, which is tied for the fourth-longest active streak in the big leagues.
THE ‘PEN IS MIGHTIER: Will Vest and Tyler Alexander combined to throw 4.0 hitless innings of relief in last night’s game, continuing a streak of solid performances from Detroit’s bullpen. Over the last eight games, Tigers relievers have combined for a 1.39 ERA (32.1IP/5ER). During that span, which dates back to April 13, Detroit’s bullpen ERA ranks third in the American League and fourth in the Majors, while also ranking second in the big leagues with a 0.77 WHIP, trailing only Miami (0.66).
TIGERS AND ORIOLES: The Tigers and Orioles conclude their first series of the season today. The two teams will meet again next weekend in Detroit for a four-game series. The Tigers went 5-1 against Baltimore last season, including taking two-of-three games in Baltimore. Detroit has won the season series over the Orioles in each of the last five seasons the two teams have played.
ON THE ROAD: The Tigers are 0-2 on their current six-game road trip, which includes three games at Baltimore (0-2) and three games at Milwaukee (April 24-26). Detroit is 3-8 away from Comerica Park this season. As a team, the Tigers are hitting .185/.250/.295 on the road, while the pitching staff has a 5.32 ERA (94.2IP/56ER).
ON DECK: The Tigers continue their road trip tomorrow as they begin a three-game series against the Brewers. Detroit and Milwaukee last played in 2021, when the Tigers won three-of-four games, including splitting a two-game series in Milwaukee.
TIGERS ON THE IL:
• RHP Beau Brieske (right upper arm discomfort, 15-day IL on March 30, retroactive to March 27)
• RHP Matt Manning (right foot fracture, 15-day IL on April 8, retroactive to April 7)
• OF Austin Meadows (anxiety, 10-day IL on April 12)
• RHP Casey Mize (right elbow sprain, 60-day IL on February 17)
• RHP Freddy Pacheco (right elbow sprain, 60-day IL on March 27)
• LHP Tarik Skubal (left elbow strain, 60-day IL on March 14)
• RHP Trey Wingenter (right shoulder tendinitis, 15-day IL on April 22, retroactive to April 19)
TODAY’S TIGERS STARTING PITCHER – #57 Eduardo Rodriguez • 1-2, 3.00 ERA (24.0IP/8ER)
• Rodriguez will make his fifth start of the series today in the series finale at Baltimore.
• Earned his first win of the season in his last start on Tuesday in the second game of the doubleheader vs. Cleveland, throwing 8.0 shutout innings with four hits allowed, no walks and 10 strikeouts… became just the third Tigers pitcher in franchise history to throw at least 8.0 scoreless innings with no walks and 10-or-more strikeouts, joining Bill Donovan (June 27, 1908 vs. St. Louis) and Max Scherzer (June 17, 2012 vs. Colorado).
• Rodriguez has performed well in his career against the Orioles, posting a 13-5 record with a 2.94 ERA (125.1IP/41ER) and 129 strikeouts in 23 appearances, including 21 starts…his 13 victories against Baltimore leads all active pitchers, while his 2.94 ERA ranks seventh among actives (min. 50.0 IP).
• Since 2018, he has a .662 winning percentage, which ranks eighth among all active Major League pitchers over that span (min. 100 starts).
BALTIMORE ORIOLES NOTES:
WIN COLUMN: The O’s defeated the Tigers last night, 5-1, to secure their fifth series win of the season and fourth in a row…Have won five consecutive games, seven of their last eight, and nine of their last 11…Marks the team’s longest winning streak since August 1-6, 2022 (5 G)…Have won 13 of their first 20 games for just the third time in the 21st century (14-6 in 2017 & 13-7 in 2005)…Allowed two hits, the second-fewest this season (1 H, 4/3 at TEX)…At 2 hours, 15 minutes, marked the quickest game of the season for the O’s and the shortest nine-inning game at Oriole Park since September 22, 2019 vs. Seattle (2:11).
GIB ‘EM THE BUSINESS: Kyle Gibson earned the win last night after allowing one run on two hits (1 HR) with three walks and 11 strikeouts…The 11 strikeouts tied his career high for the third time (last: 8/16/22 at CIN w/PHI) and are the most by an O’s starter since Kyle Bradish also fanned 11 on May 10, 2022 at St. Louis…Became the fourth O’s pitcher (6th occurrence) since 2019 to record a double-digit strikeout game see chart at right)…Has started a season 4-0 for the second time in his career, joining a 6-0 start in 2021 with Texas…Is the fifth Orioles starting pitcher since 2004 to begin a year 4-0, joining John Means (4-0 in 2021), Bud Norris (4-0 in 2013), Wei-Yin Chen (4-0 in 2012), and Erik Bedard (4-0 in 2006)…Extended the scoreless innings streak by O’s starting pitchers to 29.2 before a one-out home run in the seventh inning; marks the longest such stretch by Orioles starters in a single season since a 42.0 straight scoreless stretch to end 1995 from September 26 to October 1, according to the Elias Sports Bureau.
THE CANO SHOW: Yennier Cano has set down the first 17 hitters he has faced to begin the season, including five last night…He is the first O’s pitcher to do so since Fred Holdsworth set the team record (since 1954) by retiring the first 24 batters he faced in the 1976 campaign from July 17-24.
GOING STREAKING: Orioles pitchers did not allow a run in 34 consecutive innings from the second inning on Sunday, April 16, at Chicago-AL through the eighth inning on Friday; according to the Elias Sports Bureau, it marked the sixth-longest streak in club history (since 1954) and the longest since the O’s tossed 45 straight scoreless frames to end the 1995 campaign…According to STATS, it was the longest streak by an AL team in a single season since Baltimore’s 45-inning streak in 1995.
HOME SWEET HOME: The O’s continue their six-game homestand today with the finale of the three-game set against the Tigers…The Orioles will then host the Red Sox for three games from April 24-26…The O’s have gone 6-3 so far at home and their .667 home winning percentage ranks tied for second in the AL (see chart at right) and tied for third in MLB…Baltimore went 4-3 (.571) in their season-opening homestand against the Yankees (1-2) and Athletics (3-1) from April 7-13.
AGAINST THE TIGERS: Baltimore and Detroit will play seven times in 2023 with the Orioles traveling to Comerica Park for four games from April 27-30…The Birds went 1-5 against the Tigers last season, including being swept in three games in Detroit from May 13-15 and going 1-2 in Baltimore from September 19-21.
LOOKING AHEAD: Following the current homestand, the Birds embark on the longest road trip of the season with four games at Detroit from April 27-30, an off day on May 1, three games at Kansas City from May 2-4, and three games at Atlanta from May 5-7.
ON THE ATTACK: Baltimore is batting .246/.340/.422 (162-for-659) with 37 doubles, two triples, 25 home runs, 106 runs scored, 103 RBI, and 91 walks to start the season… The O’s rank fifth in the AL and ninth in MLB in runs scored after finishing 10th in the AL and 20th in MLB with 674 runs scored in 2022…The Birds are fifth in MLB in on-base percentage while ranking among AL teams in walks (1st), slugging percentage (3rd), and OPS (3rd, .762).
The Orioles lead MLB with 4.11 pitches per plate appearance this season; the O’s have three players in the top seven in the AL in pitches per plate appearance: Adley Rutschman (4th, 4.38), Adam Frazier (6th, 4.35), and Anthony Santander (7th, 4.34); Gunnar Henderson (13th, 4.23) and Cedric Mullins (23rd, 4.10) also rank in the top 25 in the AL.
NEED FOR SPEED: The O’s have 25 stolen bases, trailing only the Guardians (26 SB) for the most in MLB this season…The 25 steals through the first 20 games of the year are the most in O’s history (since 1954) to open a campaign…The O’s have only been caught stealing three times for an 89.3 percent success rate…Cedric Mullins is tied with Chicago-NL’s Nico Hoerner for second in MLB with nine stolen bases, behind only Atlanta’s Ronald Acuña Jr. with 11, while Jorge Mateo is tied for second in the AL and fourth in MLB with eight steals…The duo’s 17 combined stolen bases are more than 20 MLB teams while six teams have eight-or-fewer steals to start 2023.
Mullins’ nine successful stolen bases are the most to begin a season by an Oriole since Adam Jones also swiped his first nine attempts in 2013; the last Orioles to steal 10-or-more bases successfully without being caught to begin a season are Brian Roberts and Corey Patterson, who each swiped their first 13 attempts, an O’s record, to begin 2006.
STARTING PITCHER – #30 GRASON RODIRGUEZ
Made his MLB debut on April 5 at Texas, becoming the first Oriole to make his debut this season…Thirteen players (7 pitchers) made their debut for the O’s in 2022… Also became the first O’s pitcher to start his Major League debut since DL Hall on August 13, 2022, and the youngest O’s pitcher (23-140) to start his debut since Kevin Gausman (22-137) on May 23, 2013 at Toronto…Had his contract selected to the 40-man roster on November 15, 2022…Originally selected by the Orioles in the first round (No. 11 overall) of the 2018 First-Year Player Draft.
LAST TIME OUT: Did not factor in the decision on April 16 at Chicago-AL, allowing four runs on six hits (2 HR) with two walks and a career-high eight punchouts in 5.0 innings of work…Allowed all four runs in the first inning before shutting out the White Sox across his final 4.0 frames…Retired 13 of the final 17 batters he faced after allowing a one-out home run to Jake Burger in the first inning… Threw 93 pitches, 63 strikes.
WELCOME TO THE CHARM CITY: Made his Oriole Park debut on April 11 vs. Oakland…Did not factor into the decision after allowing five runs on six hits with four walks and a then-career-high six strikeouts in 4.1 innings…Departed with one out and the bases loaded after walking three batters in the fifth inning…All three runners scored…Struck out Jesús Aguilar on a foul tip in the first inning on a 98.6 mph fastball for his first strikeout at Oriole Park…Threw 99 pitches, 65 strikes.
MLB Preview: Colorado Rockies (6-16) at Philadelphia Phillies (10-2)
COLORADO ROCKIES NOTES:
THE GANG HITS THE ROAD
• The Colorado Rockies continue their seven-game road trip this afternoon with the final game of a four-game set against the defending National League Champion Philadelphia Phillies … following today’s game, will head to Cleveland for three games against the Guardians.
• The Rockies have dropped each of the last two games to the Phillies 4-3 after winning the series opener 5-0.
• The Rockies .273 winning percentage is last in the National League and tied for the worst winning percentage through 22 games in franchise history (also: 2002, 2005).
• Yesterday’s loss ensured a seventh straight winless series to begin the season, the first time in franchise history that Colorado has failed to win any of their first seven series … have lost four and split their previous six series prior to this four-game set … the 2005 Rockies were the only other club in franchise history to go winless through their first six series of the season.
WIT OUT
• Colorado has made a MLB-high 17 errors and allowed an MLB-most 17 unearned runs through their first 22 games.
• Rockies pitchers have posted a 46.1 ground ball percentage so far this season, tied for the fifth-highest percentage in the Majors … opposing batters have put 558 balls in play against Rockies pitching, the third-most in the Majors.
ROCKY
• Charlie Blackmon is sitting at 890 career runs scored, two shy of tying Larry Walker for the second-most in franchise history.
• Blackmon’s 291 career doubles are six short of tying Walker for the second-most doubles in franchise history
• Germán Márquez needs just seven strikeouts to tie Jorge De La Rosa for the most strikeouts in franchise history … Márquez’s next win will be the 66th of his career, breaking a tie with Jeff Francis for the third-most wins in franchise history … De La Rosa holds the franchise record with 86 wins.
YOUSE GUYS
• The Rockies bullpen has tossed 85.2 innings of relief through 22 games, tied for the third-most in the Majors and the most in the National League.
• Over the last 17 games since April 4, the bullpen has posted a 3.54 ERA (68.2 IP, 27 ER) with 34 walks and 73 strikeouts while allowing five home runs.
• Justin Lawrence tossed a career-high 2.1 scoreless innings of relief Thursday night, allowing two hits with one walk and a career-high tying four strikeouts (also: May 8, 2021 at STL) … has not allowed a run on the road this season (5.2 IP) with two walks and 10 strikeouts.
• Brent Suter’s 1.46 ERA (12.2 IP, 2 ER) is the eighth-lowest in the National League among relievers with at least 10 innings pitched … the left-hander has spun more than one inning in seven of eight games this season.
GOBBLER
• Elias Díaz’s 20 games at catcher are the most in all of baseball … his .333 batting average ranks eighth in overall in the NL … his 24 hits (22 as a catcher, two as a pinch-hitter) are the most among primary catchers in the Majors.
• His five caught stealings are tied for third in baseball while allowing six stolen bases, a 60 percent stolen base rate that is second in the Majors among catchers who have seen 10 or more attempts … his only two errors behind the dish came on two catcher’s interference calls on Opening Day.
SCRAPPLE
• Kris Bryant homered for the second consecutive day on Tuesday night, his first two home runs at Coors Field as a member of the Rockies … hit each of his first six home runs with the Rockies came on the road, including his first home run of the season last Friday at Seattle.
• Bryant is slashing .288/.360/.450 on the season and has reached base safely in 19 of 21 games … has reached base safely in 56 of 63 total games in his Rockies career, slashing .300/.370/.467.
TAP MAC
• Ryan McMahon has made his last five starts at third base after starting his first 17 at second base in place of the injured Brendan Rodgers (2022 2B Gold Glove winner) … McMahon was a finalist for the Gold Glove at third base in both 2021 and 2022.
• At the plate since returning to the hot corner, McMahon is 7-for-20 (.350) with three doubles, one home run and four RBI.
ROCKIES STARTING PITCHER – #51 JOSÉ UREÑA RHP
THE SECOND TIME AROUND
• Made 17 starts in a Rockies uniform in 2022, going 3-8 (Rockies 6-11) while posting a 5.14 ERA (89.1 IP, 51 ER) with 38 walks and 60 strikeouts … allowed 10 home runs while opponents slashed .289/.356/.425 (102-for353).
• Signed by the Rockies to a Minor League contract on May 16 … was a member of Milwaukee’s Opening Day roster and made four appearances
out of the bullpen before being designated for assignment on May 2.
• Re-signed by the Rockies to a one-year Major League contract on Nov. 11, 2022.
RIGHT THE SHIP
• Allowed three runs over five innings on April 12 vs. St. Louis, his longest start of the season after failing to make it out of the third inning in his first two starts of the year … all three runs came on a solo home run and a two-run home run.
• Logged six strikeouts for the first time since Sept. 28, 2022 at San Francisco … walked one batter after walking seven and striking out one over his first two starts.
• Last time out, allowed a season-high five earned runs through 4.2 innings, with seven hits and two home runs allowed.
THE HOME RUN HIGHWAY
• His seven home runs allowed are tied for the second-most in the Majors, tied for the most in the NL.
• Has allowed at least one home run in every start this season … surrendered two in each of his last three outings, a streak that is tied for the second-longest in Colorado Rockies history (last: Kyle Freeland, June 5-16, 2021).
• Nelson Cruz (April 19-May 8, 2003) and Jason Jennings (Aug. 28-Sept. 13, 2002) hold the franchise record with four-consecutive starts with two or more home runs allowed.
ONWARDS
• Failed to make it out of the third inning in both of his first two starts, allowing 10 total runs (eight earned) on 12 hits across five innings this season … has walked seven and struck out two.
• Was the first starter in franchise history to begin a Rockies season with two starts of less than three innings … RHP Victor Santos (Sept. 14 & Sept. 22, 2002) and RHP Marvin Freeman (April 27 & May 2, 1995) each began their seasons with two such starts, but not at the beginning of the Rockies’ season.
SUPPORT SYSTEM
• Has received 30 total runs of support over his 21 starts with the Rockies since last season, a 2.60 run support average that is the lowest in the Majors (min. 20 GS).
• Received three runs of support in his last start against Pittsburgh … prior, had not received more than two runs of support since Aug. 30 of last season, his last win (3-2 Rockies at Atlanta).
• His 2.42 RSA in 2022 was the lowest in the Majors (min. 15 starts) and the lowest for a Rockies starter in a single-season in franchise history (min. 15 GS).
THE FINAL STRETCH
• Spun at least five frames and allowed two or fewer earned runs in each of his last five starts for the Rockies in 2022, good for a 2.25 ERA (28.0 IP, 7 ER) through that span.
RING THE BELL
• Has made 18 career appearances against Philadelphia, 13 starts, going 3-6 with a 4.62 ERA (76.0 IP, 39 ER) and 16 home runs allowed.
• Gave up six runs, five earned runs, through 4.1 innings on Sept. 12, 2020 against Philadelphia in his last outing against the opponent … prior to this start, posted a 1.67 ERA (27.0 IP, 5 ER) through his previous five games, four starts, against the Phillies.
COORS FIELD
• Was 2-5 (Rockies 3-5) in eight starts at Coors Field in 2022, posting a 6.30 ERA (40.0 IP, 28 ER) with 18 walks and 29 strikeouts … allowed opponents to bat .311 (51-for-164) with six home runs … walked multiple batters in seven of eight starts (4.05 BB/9).
• Received a total of nine runs of support across his eight starts, with seven of those runs coming Aug. 19 vs. San Francisco in a 7-4 Rockies win … received no runs five times and one run twice.
PHILADELPHIA PHILLIES NOTES:
GAME #22 RECAP: The Phillies defeated the Colorado Rockies, 4-3, in a Saturday matinee at CBP in South Philly … Starter Cristopher Sanchez (ND) made a spot start and went 4.1 innings – he allowed 3 runs on 5 hits with 2 walks and 5 strikeouts …. Nick Castellanos went 3-for-4 with three extra-base hits (2 HR, 2 2B) and scored two runs … Connor Brogdon (1.2 IP), Gregory Soto (1.0 IP), Seranthony Dominguez (1.0 IP) and Craig Kimbrel (1.0 IP) made scoreless appearances in relief of Sanchez.
TRANSACTIONS: Prior to today’s game, the Phillies recalled RHP Yunior Marte from Lehigh Valley (AAA) … Following yesterday’s game, LHP Cristopher Sanchez was optioned to Lehigh Valley.
REMEMBER THE FIGHTINS: After starting the year 0-4 and being outscored 37-12 (-25) through their first four games (3/30-4/3), the Phillies have gone 10-8 with a +9 run differential in their 18 games since … Philadelphia has won three of their last four (since 4/19), five of their last seven (since 4/16) and six of their last nine (since 4/14).
BEDLAM AT THE BANK: Through nine games at Citizens Bank Park, the Phillies are averaging 38,888 in attendance per game which ranks 5th among all clubs in MLB behind only the Dodgers (49,418), Padres (40,343), Cardinals (39,881) and Yankees (39,577).
CASTY’S BACK, TELL A FRIEND: Yesterday, Nick Castellanos had three extra base hits in a game for the eighth time in his career (last: 8/16/22 at CIN) and he had two home runs in a game for the 10th time (last: 9/1/21 with CIN vs STL) … Castellanos put three balls in play over 100 MPH – 107.0 MPH on a home run, 106.0 MPH on a double and 100.0 MPH on another home run.
JUST. SCORE. FOUR.: This season, the Phillies are 9-3 in 12 games when they score at least four runs … Conversely, they are 1-9 in 10 games when they score three runs or fewer … Dating back to the start of last season, the Phillies are 80-26 (.755 win %) when they score four or more and 17-61 (.218 win %) when they score three or fewer.
WHEELS AT 200: Today will mark the 200th career start for Phillies right-hander Zack Wheeler … Of his first 199 career starts, 73 have come with the Phillies … Since joining the Phillies prior to the 2020 season, Wheeler is 31-20 with a 2.91 ERA (148 ER, 458.0 IP) and 486 strikeouts to 103 walks (4.72 SO/BB ratio) … Wheeler made his postseason debut last year with the Phillies – in six starts, he posted a 2.78 ERA (11 ER, 35.2 IP) with a 0.73 WHIP … He faced 135 batters last postseason and held them to a .153/.222/.226 slash line … In any single postseason in MLB history, among all pitchers to face at least 100 batters, Wheeler’s .448 OPS in the 2022 playoffs ranks 6th all-time behind only Mike Mussina in 1997 with BAL (.406 OPS), Madison Bumgarner in 2014 with SF (.407 OPS), Curt Schilling in 2001 with ARI (.435 OPS), Orel Hershiser in 1988 with LAD (.439 OPS) and Randy Johnson in 2001 with ARI (.439 OPS).
FOUR TO GO FOR 400: In yesterday’s 4-3 win over the Rockies, Craig Kimbrel tossed a scoreless 9th inning (1 SO) and picked up his 396th career save … Kimbrel’s 396th career save came in his 719th game – the only two pitchers in MLB history to reach 400 saves in 800 or fewer career games were Hall of Famers Mariano Rivera (400th SV in 697th career G) and Trevor Hoffman (400th SV in 706th career G) … Billy Wagner currently ranks 3rd-fastest in MLB history as he reached his 400th save in his 813th career game.
SLAMMIN’ EDDY SOSA: Since joining the Phillies at last year’s trade deadline, INF Edmundo Sosa has started 24 games for the Phillies and is slashing .342/.366/.618 with a .984 OPS in 83 plate appearances … The Phillies are 15-9 in the 24 games Sosa has started since being acquired (.625 win %).
MARSH MADNESS: Phillies center fielder Brandon Marsh enters today’s game slashing .359/.438/.719 with a 1.157 OPS that leads major league baseball (next: LAD’s James Outman, 1.122 OPS) … Marsh has reached base safely in 19 of his 20 games played this season, including each of his last 18 (since 4/3 at NYY) … Since being acquired by the Phillies via trade from the Los Angeles Angels for Logan O’Hoppe at least year’s deadline, Marsh is slashing .311/.360/.541 with a .901 OPS that ranks 10th among 193 MLB players with 200+ plate appearances in that span.
STRIKE ONE, STRIKE TWO, GOOD LUCK: In Friday night’s 4-3 win over the Rockies, Jose Alvarado picked up his 3rd save with a scoreless 9th inning … Alvarado did not record a strikeout for the second consecutive appearance – on 4/19 at CWS, Alvarado snapped a streak of 14 consecutive appearances with 2+ strikeouts (9/13/22-4/18/23) … Alvarado, who has faced 32 batters this season, has 18 strikeouts and 0 walks … Since his last walk on Sept. 21, 2022 vs TOR, Alvarado has faced 51 batters and has struck out 30 of them (58.8% SO rate) with 0 walks.
BULLISH ON THE PEN: Over the last seven games (since 4/16 at CIN), the Phillies bullpen has totaled 21.0 innings pitched with only 2 ER allowed (0.86 ERA), with 26 strikeouts and three walks (8.67 SO/BB ratio), while averaging 14.3 pitches per inning … Over their first 15 games of the season (3/30-4/15), the bullpen posted a 7.19 ERA (45 ER, 56.1 IP) with 60 strikeouts to 41 walks (1.46 SO/BB ratio) while averaging 19.7 pitches per inning.
50 SCHWARBOMBS: On 4/13 at CIN, Kyle Schwarber hit his 50th career home run as a Phillie (regular season only) and became the fastest in franchise history to reach 50, doing so in his 168th game … Schwarber eclipsed Jim Thome’s previous franchise record of 50 HR in his first 172 games with the club … Ryan Howard (50 HR in 182 G) ranks 3rd, Rhys Hoskins (50 HR in 192 G) ranks 4th and Chuck Klein (50 HR in 195 G) ranks 5th … Of Schwarber’s 51 regular season home runs with the Phillies, 48 have been hit with an exit velocity north of 100.0 MPH (94.1%) and 16 of those 51 have been hit over 110.0 MPH (31.4%).
TODAY’S STARTER – ZACK WHEELER • RHP #45
LAST START: 4/18 at CWS: W, 5.0 IP, 8 H, 4 R, 4 ER, 0 BB, 5 SO …
Wheeler vs Lynn … Josh Harrison returned to Chicago and went 3-for-5 \with a HR and 4 RBI and Bryson Stott extended his hitting streak to 17 games
TODAY’S START:
• Citizens Bank Spark: Wheeler is 6-1 with a 1.58 ERA (14 ER, 79.2 IP), 0.92 WHIP and 87 SO to 22 BB in his last 13 home starts (since 4/28/22), the lowest in the NL in that span and 3rd-lowest in MLB behind Justin Verlander (1.43) and Shohei Ohtani (1.45) … He has not allowed a HR at home since 8/9/22 vs MIA (Has 4 straight homerless starts at home) … His 2.22 home ERA (64 ER, 259.1 IP) since joining the Phillies is also 2nd to only Alexander (2.04) among all Phillies pitchers with at least 25 starts at home since ER became an official NL stat in 1912 …
Since Wheeler joined the Phillies, he has the lowest home ERA in baseball among pitchers with at least 40 home starts
• Mr. 200: Wheeler is making his 200th career start today … He will join 35 other active pitchers in the 200-start club (most Zack Greinke, 519) … His first start came nearly 10 years ago on 6/18/13 at ATL (W, 6.0 shutout IP), and his 100th came exactly 4 years ago today on 4/23/19 against PHI, when he threw 7.0 shutout IP against his future club
• In The Yard: Wheeler has allowed just 1 HR this season and is one of just 10 NL pitchers to have thrown at least 20.0 IP and surrendered 1 or 0 HR
• Ace True Value: Since joining the Phillies in 2020, Wheeler’s 14.0 fWAR is the 2nd-highest in MLB, trailing only Corbin Burnes’ 14.6 and is nearly a win over the 3rd place pitcher (Aaron Nola, 13.2) … Since 2020, he ranks 6th in MLB in IP (458.0) & BB% (5.6%), 8th in MLB in ERA (2.96, min. 400.0 IP), 9th in SO/BB (4.72)
• Battery Operated: Wheeler has made 60 starts with J.T. Realmuto behind the plate, more than any other catcher who has caught him … His 4.71 SO/BB ratio with Realmuto behind the dish is the highest among all catchers who have caught Wheeler for at least 10 games, and his 2.87 ERA (118 ER, 370.2 IP) is 2nd (best: Kevin Plawecki, 2.19 in 12 starts)
• vs NL West: 14-9, 3.43 ERA (79 ER, 207.0) in 34 starts
HOME:
• 2023: 0-0, 2.38 ERA (3 ER, 11.1 IP) in 2 starts
• Career: 36-31, 3.34 ERA (230 ER, 619.0 IP) in 100 starts
• CBP: 20-9, 2.37 ERA (80 ER, 303.1 IP) in 47 starts
2023 SEASON:
• On 4/12 vs MIA extended his streak of home starts without allowing a HR to 4 and his streak of 5 or fewer hits allowed at home to 9
