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MLB Preview: Atlanta Braves (10-4) at Kansas City Royals (4-10)

Baseball
MLB

April 15, 2023

MLB Preview: Atlanta Braves (10-4) at Kansas City Royals (4-10)

ATLANTA BRAVES NOTES:

TONIGHT’S GAME: The Braves and Royals tonight continue a three-game interleague series in what is scheduled to be the only meetings between the two clubs this season.

• The Braves hit five home runs in a 10-3 win over the Royals in the series opener last night.

• Atlanta and Kansas City have not played since 2019, when the Royals won three of four games between the clubs, including a two-game sweep
at Truist Park.

• The Braves have played just eight total games here at Kauffman Stadium and have compiled a 4-4 record in the park…Atlanta has never won a series here; the Braves and Royals split two games in 2013 and 2019, and Kansas City won two of three in 2016.

• Entering this weekend, Atlanta and Kansas City had played just 17 times since the advent of interleague play in 1997, with the Braves going
8-9 in these games…Atlanta’s 17 games versus the Royals were its second fewest against any A.L. team, just two more than the Braves have played against Cleveland…For comparison, Atlanta has played Boston 86 times in interleague play.

• RH Bryce Elder has never faced the Royals, nor has he pitched against any member of Kansas City’s current roster…The 6-foot-2, 225-pound righthander has yet to allow a run in two starts this season, pitching 12.1 scoreless innings and fanning 13…Atlanta has won both of his starts this year.

• LH Kris Bubic has never pitched against the Braves but has faced five members of Atlanta’s rosters and yielded a .357/.357/.786 line, including two homers in three at-bats against Matt Olson…The 6-foot-3, 225-pound native of San Jose, CA has made a pair of starts for the Royals this season, compiling an 0-1 record despite allowing just nine hits and two runs over 11.0 innings (1.64 ERA).

WIN: Atlanta beat Kansas City, 10-3, last night to win the opener…The Braves scored a season most 10 runs, and hit a season high five homers.

• Atlanta’s 10 runs were its most since also scoring 10 on September 6 of last season at Oakland, and its five homers were its most since also clubbing five on September 2 of last year versus Miami.

• The Braves are one of just six teams this season with five-or-more homers in a game, joining the Blue Jays, Brewers, Cubs, Rays and Giants… San Francisco is the only team to do so twice, including a majors-most seven homers on April 3 at the White Sox.

• Matt Olson and Austin Riley collected back-to-back home runs in last night’s first inning, the second time this season that Braves teammates
have homered in consecutive at-bats in the first frame…The Braves are one of just two teams in baseball with two sets of back-to-back homers in the opening inning, joining Minnesota.

ONE HUNDRED FOR RILEY: Austin Riley’s first-inning home run last night was the 100th of his major league career, and his third this season.

• Riley’s 100th homer came in the 464th game of his career…Since the Braves moved to Atlanta in 1966, just two players have tallied 100 homers more quickly… Ronald Acuña Jr. needed 378 games to reach the mark, while Bob Horner needed 390.

• Since Riley’s debut on May 15, 2019, he is one of just 17 players in the majors to hit at least 100 home runs…NYM’s Pete Alonso has 140 in that span to lead the majors…Since the start of 2021, however, just six players have homered more often than Riley’s 74.

• 2B Ozzie Albies hit the 100th homer of his own career on Tuesday night against the Reds…Per Elias, Albies and Riley became just the fourth set of Braves teammates to hit their 100th homers in the same season…Chipper Jones and Javy Lopez were the most recent pair, doing so in 1998, while Jeff Blauser and Ryan Klesko did it in 1997…Hank Aaron, Del Crandall and Joe Adcock were the first set of Braves teammates to do so, all hitting career homer No. 100 in 1957 for Milwaukee.

TOP OF THE LINEUP PT. I: Ronald Acuña Jr., Matt Olson and Austin Riley, Atlanta’s No. 1-3 batters in the lineup, combined to go 6-for-15 with six runs, three homers and five RBI last night.

• That trio has batted No. 1-3 for Atlanta in every game this season.

• The three are combining to bat .337/.429/.592 on the season, and Atlanta’s production from those spots in the order leads the majors with a 1.021 OPS.

• In the National League, Atlanta’s No. 1-3 batters lead in hits (57, tied), extra-base hits (21, tied), homers (11), runs (34) and RBI (33).

TOP OF THE LINEUP PT. II: In the first inning, Atlanta’s trio of Acuña Jr., Olson and Riley are batting a combined .526/.548/1.158 with a 1.706 OPS, all of which are tops in the majors.

• The trio leads the majors in first-inning hits (20), extra-base hits (10), homers (7), runs (12) and RBI (12).

• As a team, Atlanta’s 14 first-inning runs are second most in baseball, behind just the Dodgers’ 15…The Braves plated four runs in the top of the first last night.

• The Braves have scored in the first inning in seven of their 14 games this season, and are a perfect 7-0 when doing so.

BRYCE ELDER: Makes his third start of the season, and has pitched 12.1 scoreless innings in his first two turns…Atlanta has won both starts.

• The last Atlanta pitcher to open a season with three straight scoreless starts was Paul Maholm, who did so in 2013.

Tonight’s Starting Pitcher – #55 Bryce Elder RHP
Tonight’s Game
• Set to make his 12th career start, 13th appearance and his first outing against KC.

• Enters play with seven consecutive outings of least 5.0 innings pitched.

• Is 2-1 with a 1.20 ERA over his last seven starts after being recalled from Triple-A Gwinnett, dating to August 14, 2022.

• His 1.20 ERA is the second lowest in baseball among pitchers with at least five starts during that span…Trails only Chicago’s (NL) Justin Steele’s 0.99 ERA. • In that stretch, Elder is averaging 6.1 innings pitched per outing, tied for the fifth highest rate in the majors.

• Scattered six hits while fanning seven hitters and issuing just one walk through 6.1 scoreless innings against Cincinnati during his last start.

• With his last outing against the Reds, Elder has now held opponents to one run or less while pitching at least 5.0 frames in six of his 12 career appearances… Tied for the second most such games in Braves franchise history through a players first 12 games, trailing only Michael Soroka with eight.

• Through 11 career starts, Elder has pitched 64.0 innings.

• His 64.0 frames tossed through his first 11 starts are tied for the twelfth-most in Atlanta franchise history and are the most since Tommy Hanson’s 67.0 innings pitched in 2009.

2022 Recap
• Made nine starts and pitched in 10 total games during his debut season, compiling a 2-4 record with a 3.17 ERA (19 ER/54.0 IP)…Surpassed his rookie innings limit in his final start of the season, but was rated as Atlanta’s No. 4 prospect during the season.

• Made his major league debut, April 12, and beat the Nationals, 16-4…Pitched 5.2 innings with six hits, three runs and four strikeouts…Allowed a pair of home runs.

• Pitched the first shuout of his career, September 26 at Washington, allowing just six hits and one walk…Struck out six…The Braves beat the Nationals, 8-0.

• The outing is the only shutout by a Braves pitcher on the season.

• Elder became the first Braves rookie to throw a shutout since Paul Marak in 1990.

• Started on August 14 at Miami…He pitched 7.0 innings in that start, allowing three hits and one run in the no-decision, and fanned a career-most 10 batters… The Braves beat the Marlins, 3-1.

• Became just the third Braves player in the live-ball era (since 1920) to log a double-digit strikeout effort within the first six games of his career…He joined LHP Mike Minor (12 strikeouts at the Cubs in his third career game) and RHP Ryan Weber (10 strikeouts vs. Washington in his fifth appearance).

• Was added as the 27th man for Atlanta’s doubleheader at New York on August 6, and pitched 2.1 innings of relief against the Mets in Game 1.

• Walked six batters in his start, April 24, and five in his start on April 17, after issuing zero bases on balls in his debut.

• The 11 walks are the most for any Braves pitcher in a two-game span since 2012, when Tommy Hanson also walked 11 between his starts on July 20 and July 25.

• Made 18 appearances and 17 starts for Triple-A Gwinnett on the season, and went 6-5 with a 4.46 ERA (52 ER/105.0 IP) and 97 strikeouts for the Stripers.

• Became the seventh pitcher in franchise history to debut with a start against the Nationals/Expos, and the first since Manny Banuelos pitched 5.2 scoreless innings on July 2, 2015 in his first career appearance.

• Including Elder, the seven pitchers combined to go 3-2 and compile a 3.23 ERA (14 ER/39.0 IP), including four starts of at least 5.0 innings and no more than two runs allowed.

• Atlanta improved to 5-2 in games in which a starting pitchers debuts against Washington, including wins in each of the last five such games.

Career
• Was originally drafted by Atlanta in the fifth round of the 2020 First-Year Player Draft out of the University of Texas…Was the fifth member of the 2020 draft class to debut, and the lowest-selected pick to do so.

• Of the first five members to play in the majors from the 2020 draft class, three were selected with the first 11 picks in the draft – Detroit’s Spencer Torkelson (No. 1 overall), the Angels’ Reid Detmers (No. 10) and the White Sox’s Garrett Crochet (No. 11).

• The other two were both selected by Atlanta, and chosen with the 126th (Spencer Strider) and 156th (Elder) overall selections.

• Made his professional debut during the 2021 season and pitched across three levels of the Braves’ farm system…Went a combined 11-5 with a 2.76 ERA (41 ER/133.2 IP) and 151 strikeouts in 24 games, all starts.

• Named the Double-A South Pitcher of the Week for July 5-July 11, and Double-A South Pitcher of the Month for July…In nine starts he went 7-1 with a 3.21 ERA (20 ER/56.0 IP).

KANSAS CITY ROYALS NOTES:

CLUNKER AT THE K: The Royals suffered a 10-3 loss to the Braves at Kauffman Stadium last night, in which they surrendered 5 home runs, 1 shy of the franchise record…Brady Singer suffered his 1st home defeat since last June, and was charged with a career-high 8 runs on 10 hits—including 4 HR—in 5.0 innings, but did not walk a batter and struck out 8…Bobby Witt Jr. recorded 3 of the Royals 7 hits on offense, his second straight 3-hit effort.

3-HIT WITT: Bobby Witt Jr. recorded his second straight 3-hit game last night, matching a run of back-toback 3-hit games last May 27-28…he’s the third player in Royals history to have back-to-back 3-hit games multiple times before his 23rd birthday, following Eric Hosmer (twice in 2011) and George Brett (4 times).

After starting the year 5-for-35 (.143), he’s 9-for-17 (.529) in his last 4 games, including 3 multi-hit efforts.

RISPY BUSINESS: The Royals season-long situational hitting woes continued last night, as they went 2-for11 with runners in scoring position, and rank 29th in the Majors with a .198 average in scoring situations… similarly, the Royals have struggled to drive in the runner from third base with less than 2 outs, a trend that continued last night…on the season, the Royals are batting .214 (9-for-42) in those situations and have struck out more times (18) than they’ve scored the runner from third (14)…the Royals had 6 plate appearances last night vs. Charlie Morton with a runner at third and less than 2 outs…in those situations, they went 0-for-4 with a sacrifice fly, a hit-by-pitch that drove in a run and an inning-ending double play.

VS. BRAVES: The all-time series between the Royals and Braves is split right down the middle, as each team has 9 wins and 9 losses, including 4 of each here in Kansas City and 5 of each in Atlanta…with a win today or tomorrow, the Braves would clinch their first series win at Kauffman Stadium, as they’re winless in their previous three sets here, including losing two of three in 2016 and 2-game splits in 2013 and 2019.

Including last night’s game, the Royals 18 games vs. the Braves are tied with the Marlins, Nationals and Padres for their 4th fewest vs. any opponent, more than only the Mets (16), Phillies (15) and Dodgers (15).

The Royals are 2-2 through the first 4 games of their franchise-record 46-game Interleague schedule.

Royals Executive VP and GM J.J. Picollo worked for the Braves from 1999-2005 and served as the Director of Minor League Operations in his final year before joining Kansas City in 2006…while with Atlanta, he also held positions as the Assistant Director of Player Development and as an Area Scouting Supervisor for Virginia, Maryland, Delaware, West Virginia, Pennsylvania, New Jersey and Washington D.C.

Peter Moylan, who pitched for the Royals from 2016-17, returns to Kansas City this week as part of the Braves Bally Sports crew…following a 12-year big league career, Moylan is now in his fifth season appearing on the Braves Live pregame and postgame shows, and is in his second season calling games in the booth.

AFTERNOON DELIGHT: Today’s 3:05 p.m. CT start snaps a run of 4 consecutive night games, but marks the Royals 8th day game already this season…including another daytime start tomorrow at 1:10 p.m. CT, the Royals are scheduled for 64 day games overall this season, which would match 2021 for their 2nd most in team history, trailing only last season, when they played a franchise-record 69 day games.

PACE OF PLAY: The new pitch timer rules implemented for 2023 have already produced dramatic results through the first 16 days of the regular season…through 192 games that have ended in 9 innings, the average game time has been 2 hours, 37 minutes, and only 20 of the 192 games (10.4%) have lasted at least 3 hours… the Royals 14 games have averaged 2 hours, 28 minutes, which is 9 minutes below the league average and is the 2nd-fastest average time this season, longer only that the Twins (2:26)…compared to 9-inning games across the Majors last season, average time of game is down 26 minutes, while batting averages are up from .243 to .249, runs per game are up from 8.6 to 9.4 and stolen base success rates have jumped from 75.4% to 82.0%…the current success rate of steals would shatter the Major League record set in 2021 at 75.7%.

HOME: The Royals are 1-7 through their first 8 games at Kauffman Stadium this season, in which they’ve been outscored 39-20 (-19)…this marks their worst home start through 8 games since 2018, when they were also 1-7 at this point, and began 1-12 before winning their 2nd home game… with a win today, the Royals would snap a 4-game losing streak at Kauffman Stadium, and would force their 1st rubber game of the season tomorrow.

Following this 3-game set with the Braves, the Royals will host the Rangers for 3 games next week, beginning Monday night.

PITCHING PROPS: Through the first 14 games of the season, new Pitching Coach Brian Sweeney has made his mark on this pitching staff that finished near the bottom in several categories last season…the Royals finished last in the American League in 2022 with 589 walks and BB/9 ratio (3.74), and finished last in the Majors in K/BB ratio (2.02) and first-pitch strikes (58.0%)…this year, the Royals rank 6th in the Majors with a 3.23 K/BB ratio, 7th with a 2.96 BB/9 ratio and 15th in first-pitch strikes (60.6%)…Royals starting pitchers, specifically, have been among the most consistent in the Majors through the first two weeks of the season, as they’ve allowed 2 runs or fewer in 9 of 14 games, w
which trails only the Rays and Twins (10 each) among all teams

TODAY’S STARTERS: LHP KRIS BUBIC (0-1, 1.64)

KRIS BUBIC is making his 3rd start of the season and the 60th of his career today vs. the Braves, who he will face for the 1st time in his career…Kris was selected in the 1st round (40th overall) of the 2018 Draft out of Stanford University.

CALIFORNIA DREAMIN’: Bubic turned in one of the best starts of his career last Sunday in San Francisco, where he held the Giants scoreless over 6.0 innings and allowed just 2 hits and no walks with a career-high-tying 9 strikeouts (also done on Aug. 21, 2021 at the Cubs in the famous “no rain” rain-delay game)…he became just the third Royals pitcher in the last eight seasons since 2016 to record a start of at least 6.0 scoreless innings and no more than 2 hits and no walks allowed, following Jonathan Heasley last June 10 vs. Baltimore and Jakob Junis on Sept. 3, 2018 at Cleveland.

From the last out in the 1st inning through the end of the 3rd, Kris struck out 5 of his 7 batters faced, and he exited after 6.0 innings with a 1-0 Royals lead, however Kansas City was tagged for 3 runs in the 8th en route to a 3-1 defeat.

Extended his homerless streak to 23.1 innings dating back to last Sept. 18, and is 3.1 innings shy of matching his career-best 26.2-inning streak (May 2-28, 2021).

He’s one of only eight pitchers in the Majors who have tossed at least 10.0 innings this year but have allowed 1 or no walks…his 13.0 K/BB ratio (13 K, 1 BB) ranks 4th among all pitchers (min. 10.0 IP), trailing only Anthony DeSclafani (11 K, 0 BB), Kenta Maeda (12 K, 0 BB) and Jacob deGrom (27 K, 2 BB).

A REVAMPED ARSENAL: Kris introduced a new pitch into his repertoire this season, a slider that he has thrown just 16 times over his first 2 starts of the season, however it is already proving to be a key piece of his arsenal…his 16 sliders have yielded 5 whiffs on 9 swings for a 55.6% whiff rate, according to Baseball Savant, and 10 of his 16 sliders have been thrown in a 2-strike count while 9 have been thrown against left-handed batters, whom he has held to a .125 batting average (1-for-8) this season.

In a recent FanGraphs article, Jake Mailhot pointed out that Bubic’s pitches have jumped in average velocity across the board this season, as his four-seamer increased from 91.9 to 93.2 mph and his changeup has increased from 80.7 to 83.2 mph, however he has still maintained a 10-mph differential between his fastball and changeup…his curveball has also jumped from 79.4 to 81.4 mph.

In his start last Sunday in San Francisco, he racked up 19 swinging strikes in just 76 total pitches (25.0%), besting his previous career high of 17 swinging strikes in a start…the 19 swinging strikes marked the most in any outing by a Royals pitcher since Brady Singer also recorded 19 on Aug. 14, 2022 vs. the Dodgers.

2022, A BREAKDOWN: His 2022 season can be summarized in three stretches, with the first beginning on Opening Day and ending on May 11 at Texas, in which he went 0-3 with a 12.83 ERA (19 ER in 13.1 IP) through his first 6 outings (5 starts), capped by his lone relief appearance of the year on May 11 when he allowed a solo home run in his only inning of work, resulting in his option to Triple-A Omaha… Kris appeared to be rejuvenated by his time in the minors as he spun 5.0 scoreless innings of work in his return to the Majors on June 4 vs. the Astros, sparking a 13- game stretch through Aug. 10 in which he went 2-3 despite a 3.49 ERA (29 ER in 72.2 IP), and recorded a career-best four straight quality starts from July 17-Aug. 10…however, the tide turned beginning on Aug. 15 at Minnesota, as over his next 8 starts, he set a career-long losing streak by going 0-7 with a 7.58 ERA (32 ER in 38.0 IP) and .385 opponents’ average (60-for-156), before bookending his campaign with 5.0 scoreless frames vs. the Guardians in his Progressive Field debut on Oct. 1.

While in Omaha last May 12-June 3, he made 3 starts and was tagged for a 6.59 ERA (10 ER in 13.2 IP), but struck out 17 batters while walking just 4. Ê After being recalled from Triple-A on June 4, he exited all but 2 of his 22 starts with the Royals either leading (8 times), tied (3) or within 3 runs (9).

TWO FOR THE SHOW: Kris induced a team-best 19 groundball double plays last season, which finished ranked 4th in the American League, and
he has 39 groundball double plays in 270.0 innings since the start of 2021, which are the most in the American League during that stretch, only trailing San Francisco’s Logan Webb (42) and Colorado’s Germán Márquez (40) for the Major League lead…he has induced groundball double
plays at a rate of 1.30 per 9 innings in that span, which is the highest rate in the Majors (min. 250.0 IP), ahead of Pittsburgh’s Mitch Keller (1.17).

REVERSE SPLITS: Bubic faced 134 left-handed batters in 2022 and they finished 42-for-113 (.372) with 17 walks and 6 HR for a .459 on-base pct. and .611 slugging pct…right-handed batters, on the other hand, hit .287 (114-for-397) with 12 HR and a .436 slugging pct…his .372 opponents’ avg. vs. left handers was the highest in the Majors (min. 100 lefties faced), over 30 points higher than the next-worse pitcher (Cubs Rowan Wick, .341)…it tied Sidney Ponson’s 2009 season as the 4th-highest average surrendered to left-handed hitters in club history, but was the highest mark by a southpaw in Royals history.

Over his first 2 starts this season, he has held left-handed hitters to just a .125 clip (1-for-8), and right-handed hitters are batting .242 (8-for-33).

INTERLEAGUE ACTION: Today will mark Bubic’s 1st career appearance against a National League East opponent, however in 13 career starts vs. the
NL Central and West, he’s gone 2-6 with a 5.43 ERA (36 ER in 59.2 IP)…over those 13 outings, he’s racked up 65 strikeouts for a 9.8 K/9, which is the 6th-highest rate by any left-handed pitcher in Interleague play since the start of 2020 (min. 55.0 IP), behind only Robbie Ray (11.8), Carlos Rodón (10.8), Andrew Heaney (10.7), Clayton Kershaw (10.1) and Mike Minor (10.0)…both of his career-best 9-strikeout performances have come vs. NL teams.

IN THE CITY OF FOUNTAINS: Kris pitched at Kauffman Stadium in his 2023 season debut on April 4 vs. Toronto and was dealt the loss despite allowing just 2 runs on 7 hits and 1 walk in 5.0 innings of work…in 15 starts at home since the start of 2022, he’s gone just 1-7 and has pitched to a 5.64 ERA (43 ER in 68.2 IP), however he’s held opponents to 3 earned runs or fewer in 10 of those 15 starts…he’s lost each of his last 3 decisions at Kauffman Stadium dating back to last Aug. 26, and he has not been credited with a win in his home ballpark since last July 24 vs. Tampa Bay.

MLB Preview: Cleveland Guardians (8-6) at Washington Nationals (4-10)

Baseball
MLB

MLB Editor

April 15, 2023

MLB Preview: Cleveland Guardians (8-6) at Washington Nationals (4-10)

CLEVELAND GUARDIANS NOTES:

GUARDS CLAIM SERIES OPENER VS. NATS
After relinquishing a 3-0 lead in Wednesday’s 4-3 loss to New York-AL, the Guardians flipped the script and erased a 3-0 deficit of their own in a 4-3, come-from-behind victory over the Nationals on Friday night to open a 3-game weekend series in Washington D.C….current road trip will wrap with 3 games in Detroit…Cleveland opened the year with a 5-2 road trip before going 2-4 on first homestand of 2023…Guardians (8-6) have won 8 of last 13 and hold sole possession of 2nd place in the AL Central standings, 2.0 games behind Minnesota (10-4).

Though he did not factor into the decision, CAL QUANTRILL turned in a 6.0-inning quality start (6.0IP, 6H, 3R-ER, 2BB, 3SO, 1HR, 104 pitches), surrendering all 3 of his runs on 4 hits in the 4th inning, including a solo HR by Luis Garcia and a 2-run single from former Guardians prospect Alex Call…TREVOR STEPHAN, JAMES KARINCHAK & EMMANUEL CLASE (4th save) followed in succession with 1.0 scoreless frame each.

Held scoreless thru 5.0 by Trevor Williams (5.0IP, 4H, 1R-ER, 2BB, 2SO, 1HB, 95 pitches), Cleveland finally capitalized after AMED ROSARIO doubled to lead off the 6th and later scored on a double play…JOSH BELL led off the 7th with his first HR in a Guardians uniform off Hunter Harvey, while JOSÉ RAMÍREZ knotted the contest at 3-3 with a bases-loaded walk later in the frame…Bell also helped set-up the club’s go-ahead run with a double that moved ANDRÉS GIMÉNEZ (reached on E1) to 3rd; Giménez would then score the winning tally on WILL BRENNAN’s RBI-groundout.

JOSÉ BEING JOSÉ
JOSÉ RAMÍREZ saw his 15-game hit streak dating back to last season snap on Monday against the Yankees…he and HOU’s José Abreu were the only two MLB hitters to open the 2023 season by hitting safely in each of their first 10 games…Ramírez, leads MLB this season with 4 intentional walks after tallying the most in baseball last year with 20…his 4 go-ahead RBI rank T2nd in MLB this season and his 6 doubles rank T6th in the league…Ramírez also leads MLB in extra-base hits and is tied for the lead in doubles since 2017.

EXTRA-BASE HIT LEADERS IN MLB, 2017-23
PLAYER XBH
JOSÉ RAMÍREZ 423
Nolan Arenado 404
Mookie Betts 396
J.D. Martinez 393

Ramírez (295) remains just one double away from tying Charlie Jamieson (296) for the 7th-most doubles in franchise history…his 192 career home runs rank T10th in club history with Al Rosen, needing one more to sit alone in 10th…Ramírez has failed to record a home run through his first 14 games of the season for just the second time in his career (2019, no HR until 16th game).

WINNING OUR WAY
Through their first 14 games of the 2023 season, Cleveland’s 4 extra-inning victories lead MLB…the Guards are one of five teams in the MLB modern era (since 1901) to be undefeated through at least 4 extra-inning contest through the first 14 games of a season… Cleveland tallied a 5-0 record in extra-innings in their first 14 games of the 1910 season, remaining as the only club in the modern era with 5-or-more-wins and an unbeaten record…the Guardians are also tied with Minnesota for the best road record in MLB this season at 6-2.

Cleveland leads MLB with 4 wins in their last at-bat and 8 one-run games, going 5-3 in those contests…the 5 one-run victories are also the most in MLB this season…the Guards were 28-17 in one-run games in 2022, earning the 4th-best win percentage (.622) and T5th-most wins in MLB in that scenario…11 of 14 Guardians contests this season have been decided by two-runs-or-less…since Terry Francona became manager in 2013, Cleveland holds MLB’s

4th-best win percentage (best in AL) in one-run games and MLB’s
4th-best win percentage (2nd-best in AL) in total games.
MLB WIN PCT. IN ONE-RUN GAMES SINCE 2013

TEAM RECORD WIN %
Atlanta 238-196 .548
Milwaukee 227-190 .544
St. Louis 238-201 .542
Cleveland 213-180 .542
New York-AL 230-195 .541

MLB WIN PERCENTAGE SINCE 2013
TEAM RECORD WIN %
Los Angeles-NL 938-595 .612
New York-AL 866-666 .565
St. Louis 854-676 .558
Cleveland 853-677 .558
Houston 838-694 .547

GUARDIANS OF THE BASEPATHS
With two steals last night, the Guardians remain T1st in MLB with 21 steals, staying deadlocked with Baltimore, and have only been caught twice in 21 attempts…marks the 10th time in club history and the first time since tallying 24 steals in 1994 that Cleveland has 21+ steals in the first 14 games of the season…the last team before the Orioles and Guardians this season with 21+ steals through the team’s first 14 games was when the 1999 Dodgers stole 23 bases.

MYLES STRAW ranks T4th in MLB with 6 stolen bases with Atlanta’s Ronald Acuña Jr. and Arizona’s Corbin Carroll, behind Chicago-NL’s Nico Hoerner & Baltimore’s Jorge Mateo and Cedric Mullins (7)…the Guardians feature five players in the top 30 in MLB in stolen bases (also Ramírez, Giménez, Kwan and Rosario) the most of any MLB team.

ANDRÉS GIMÉNEZ continues to lead MLB in runs scored this season, coming around to score 15 times through 14 games…the last MLB player to tally 15+ runs in 14-or-fewer games was Ronald Acuna Jr., who crossed home plate 18 times in 14 games in 2021… Grady Sizemore (2007, 17 runs) and Travis Hafner (2006, 22 runs) were the last two Cleveland hitters to accomplish the feat.

PATIENCE AT THE PLATE
STEVEN KWAN leads MLB with 293 pitches seen, with Atlanta’s Matt Olson trailing just behind him at 288…AMED ROSARIO also ranks T18th (256)…as a team, the Guardians lead the AL and rank 2nd in MLB behind San Diego (2,275) in pitches seen (2,242)… Cleveland’s 23.0% swing-and-miss-percentage is the 3rd-best in MLB and best in the AL, led by Kwan (11.6%, 5th in MLB) and JOSÉ RAMÍREZ (12.1%, 6th in MLB).

TODAY’S STARTER – ZACH PLESAC RHP

TODAY’S START
The 27-year-old right-hander is set to make his third start of the season and his second start on the road Saturday afternoon, in the second of a 3-game set at Washington…will be starting on an extended 5 days rest; is 10-10 with a 3.70 ERA (72ER/175.0IP) in 5 days rest…has made 2 starts this season, owning a 9.00 ERA (8ER/8.0IP)…Plesac’s most recent start on the road came on April 3 at Oakland, lasting 1.0 inning and giving up 6 R/ER on 7 hits… it was his shortest start since throwing 0.2IP on April 14, 2021, at Chicago-AL.

LAST TIME OUT
He last toed the slab on Sunday against Seattle in a 7-6 extra-inning victory in his 2023 Progressive Field debut…did not factor into the decision despite allowing 2R/ER over 7.0 innings with 6 strikeouts and one walk…after giving up a 2-run home run to Cal Raleigh in the 1st frame, the righty threw 6.0 scoreless innings before being pulled…he had not allowed 2-or-fewer earned runs since July 4 of last season in a start at Detroit.

KNOWING THE NATS
This will be his second career start against the Nationals with the other appearance coming in an 8-2 loss on Sept. 19, 2019 in Plesac’s rookie year…he took a no-decision, allowing 2R/ER on 6 hits while fanning 6 batters and walking one…in two starts against the NL East, he owns a 5.79 ERA (6ER/9.1IP) with 9 strikeouts and 3 walks.

Today marks his 12th interleague start, going 1-5 with a 3.71 ERA (26ER/63.0IP) in those outings…he made 4 interleague starts in 2022 with his last start coming on June 17 at Los Angeles-NL… Plesac did not factor into the decision after holding the Dodgers to one earned run across 6.0 innings with one strikeout and 2 walks in a 2-1 victory…he became the first Guardians pitcher to allow one-or-fewer earned runs with one-or-fewer strikeouts across 6.0-or-more innings since Josh Tomlin on September 25, 2016 vs. Chicago-AL and the first Guardians pitcher to accomplish the feat in an interleague start since Aaron Laffey on June 24, 2008 vs. San Francisco.

JUST WARMING UP
Over his career, Plesac’s highest ERA by month has come in April, posting a 5.92 mark (32ER/48.2IP) across 10 starts in the season’s opening month…he improved on those numbers in 2022, going 1-2 with a 3.80 ERA in 4 April starts.

PLESAC BY MONTH, CAREER (since 2019)
Month Record GS ERA IP ER
April 2-5 11 5.50 55.2 34
May 3-2 11 3.97 65.2 29
June 4-4 11 3.09 67.0 23
July 5-4 15 4.04 78.0 35
August 6-6 17 4.30 96.1 46
September 5-4 14 4.19 86.0 40

DAY ‘N NITE
Enjoyed more success pitching under the sun, as opposed to under the lights in 2022…in 11 daytime starts, he went 2-5 with a 3.25 ERA (23ER/63.2IP) as opposed to a 1-7 mark with a 5.29 ERA (40ER/68.0IP) in 14G/13GS at night; he bucked the trend of his career, as he has traditionally fared better under the lights than in 2022…is 16-15 with a 4.20 ERA (135ER/289.1IP) in 51G/50GS at night compared to 9-11 with a 4.01 ERA (73ER/164.0IP) in 30 starts during the day…his 7.0 inning, 2 earned run start on Sunday was under the sun.

QUANTITY OF QUALITY
Plesac got his first quality start of 2023 on Sunday…despite setting a career-high in losses in 2022, Zach made a career-high 11 quality starts in 2022 and rattled off 7 consecutive quality starts from May 30-July 4, going 1-2 with a 2.14 ERA (10ER/36.0IP) in that span; marks the 6th-lowest qualified ERA among A.L. hurlers over that stretch…signifies the longest such streak by a Cleveland starter since TRISTON McKENZIE pieced together another 7-start run from Aug. 5-Sept. 14, 2021..no Clevelander has turned the trick in 8 consecutive starts since SHANE BIEBER’s 10-start streak from July 24-Sept. 9, 2019.

Cleveland’s starting staff has 7 quality starts in 2023, ranking T2nd in MLB and T1st in the AL with Tampa Bay and trailing Los Angeles-NL who leads MLB with 9.

WASHINGTON NATIONALS NOTES:

MOVING ON
The Washington Nationals fell to the Cleveland Guardians, 4-3, in the first game of this three-game series on Friday night…Trevor Williams turned in another strong start, allowing one earned run on four hits with two walks and two strikeouts in 5.0 innings of work…Luis García reached base safely four times, including his first home run of the season as well as two walks, to lead the offense.

• Friday night’s loss was just the second for Washington while leading after the sixth inning.

• The Nationals will enjoy another off day on Monday before welcoming the Baltimore Orioles to D.C. for a two-game series starting on Tuesday.

5.0 ALIVE
Jim Hickey’s starters lead the National League in starts of at least 5.0 innings this season with 12…The rotation ranks second in Major league Baseball behind the Minnesota Twins (14) and Kansas City Royals (13)…In 2022, the Nationals ranked 28th in Major League Baseball with 94 starts of at least 5.0 innings.

• The rotation also ranks in the National League in innings pitched (T7th, 71.0), walks per 9.0 innings (7th, 3.68) and fewest walks (T7th, 29).

• Over the last three games, Nationals starters have combined to pitch to a 3.14 ERA (5 ER/14.1 IP) and a .240 opponents’ batting average with just two doubles and one home run allowed.

DEFENSE NOT RESTING
Thanks to strong infield defense so far this season, Nationals opponents have a .222 batting average on ground balls, sixth-best in the National League (MLB avg: .245)…In 2022, the Nationals had the third-highest opponents’ batting average on ground balls in Major League Baseball (.260).

• Washington has turned 15 double plays this season, tied for second-most in Major League Baseball.

SPEAKING OF DEFENSE
Slick-fielding first baseman Dominic Smith is off to a strong start on defense…He is one of three National League first baseman to accumulate at least one defensive run saved, per FanGraphs.com…According to Baseball Savant, Smith (1 OAA) is one of eight National League first baseman with at least one out above average.

PLAYIN’ THE HITS
Washington’s ranks eighth in the National League in hits (117) and 10th with a .248 batting average…Despite being one-hit for the sixth time in team history (2005-pres.) on Tuesday night, the Nationals have recorded double-digit hits in three of their last seven games.

• Nationals hitters have struck out just 94 times, the fewest in Major League Baseball.

NOTHING BUT A NUMBER
The Nationals were one of six teams that had least three players in the top 50 youngest players in Major League Baseball to start the season…The Arizona Diamondbacks (5), St. Louis Cardinals (5), Detroit Tigers (3), Pittsburgh Pirates (3) and Seattle Mariners (3) also had three players in the top 50.

• CJ Abrams (22) is the third-youngest player in Major League Baseball, while Luis Garcia (23) is 15th and Keibert Ruiz (24) is 50th.

BULLPENNING
Ricky Bones’ bullpen has inherited 15 runners over the last four games and only two of them have come around to score…During this four-game stretch, Nationals relievers have pitched to a 1.84 ERA (3 ER/14.2 IP) with 16 strikeouts and seven hits allowed (.143 opp. AVG).

• On the season, the bullpen ranks in the National League in opponents’ batting average (4th, .229) and opponents’ on-base percentage (6th, .310).

OPPONENT
CLEVELAND GUARDIANS
The Nationals and Guardians will face off three times in 2023, all in D.C…Nationals outfielder Alex Call made his Major League debut for the Guardians in 2022 after spending four seasons (2019-22) in their system…Former National Josh Bell returns to Nationals Park for the second time since being traded to San Diego at the 2022 Trade Deadline.

TODAY’S STARTER – #42 CHAD KUHL
Veteran right-hander signed a Minor League deal with an invite to Spring Training and went on to make the club…Enters 2023 at 31-31 with a 4.74 ERA in 127 games (111 starts) in six Major League seasons…Began his professional career with Pittsburgh before spending the 2022 season with the Colorado Rockies.

LAST START
In his return to Colorado on April 9, held the Rockies to three earned runs in 5.0 innings before heading back out for the sixth…Allowed a walk and a double to lead off the inning before being lifted for a reliever…Both runs came around to score…Issued four walks, his most in a game since July 29, 2022 vs. Los Angeles Dodgers (4).

vs. CLEVELAND
Is 1-1 with a 2.45 ERA in two career starts against the Guardians…Has 11 strikeouts, issued three walks and has not allowed a home run to them…Was saddled with the loss on June 16, 2022 in Colorado despite allowing just two earned runs on seven hits with seven strikeouts in 5.0 innings of work in the 4-2 defeat.

2023 SPRING TRAINING
Capped Spring Training with a 2.61 ERA (3 ER/10.1 IP) and 11 strikeouts against just three walks across his last two Grapefruit League outings.

2022
Began the season 3-0 with a 1.82 ERA (6 ER/29.2 IP) through his first five starts…His 1.82 ERA was the lowest by a Rockies starter to begin a season (through five starts) since Ubaldo Jiménez (0.79 ERA in 2010)….Tossed a shutout (3 H, 5 SO, zero BB) on June 27 vs. Los Angeles (NL)…Became the 26th pitcher to toss a shutout at Coors Field and the 17th Rockies pitcher to throw a shutout in Denver, and the 16th at Coors Field.

2021
Made his first career Opening Day start at Chicago (NL)…Made a career-high 14 relief appearances…Went 4-2 with a 2.41 ERA (14 G/6 GS) at PNC Park, and 1-5 with a 7.32 ERA (14 G/8 GS) on the road.

2020
Made the Opening Day roster after missing 2019 due to Tommy John surgery…Made his season debut on July 27 vs. Milwaukee in relief (3.2 scoreless IP).. Was his first professional relief appearance and his first MLB game since July 26, 2018…Took a no-hitter into the sixth inning on Sept. 24 vs. Chicago (NL) en route to a 7-0 victory (7.0 IP, 2 H).

2019
Missed the entire season after undergoing Tommy John surgery.

2018
Began the season in Pittsburgh’s starting rotation before being placed on the Injured List on June 27 (right forearm strain).

2017
Struck out a career-high 142 batters in a career-high 157.1 innings and a career-high 31 starts in his first full Major League season…Tied for ninth in the NL with 0.97 home runs allowed per 9.0 innings (min. 150 IP).

2016
Earned his first MLB win (5.0 IP, 4 H, 3 ER, 4 BB, 5 SO) in his MLB debut on June 26 vs. Los Angeles (NL)…Faced Clayton Kershaw…Made four starts before getting optioned on July 19…Was recalled Aug. 9 and remained on the Pirates active roster through the end of the season.

2013-15
Advanced through Pittsburgh’s Minor League system…Led the Pirates’ system and the Florida State League in wins (13) in 2014…Ranked third in the Eastern League in ERA (2.48) in 2015.

MLS Preview: Orlando City SC (2-2-2) at Minnesota United FC (3-1-2)

MLS
Soccer

MLS Editor

April 15, 2023

MLS Preview: Orlando City SC (2-2-2) at Minnesota United FC (3-1-2)

This will be the first meeting between Minnesota United FC and Orlando City SC since Orlando City SC won, 3-1, in the semifinals of MLS is Back in 2020. Minnesota United FC hasn’t lost any of its three regular season matches against Orlando City SC (W2 D1) with the last league encounter between the sides coming in August 2019.

Minnesota United FC suffered its first loss of the season Saturday, losing, 2-1, in Chicago after opening with three wins, all on the road, and two draws, both at home. Going back to the end of the last season, Minnesota United FC has lost only one of its last 11 home matches (W5 D5).

With two wins, two draw, Orlando City SC is on eight points after six matches for the fourth time in the last five seasons. Orlando City SC has never had fewer than eight points at this stage of a season, the only MLS team to have at least eight points after six matches of a season every year since 2015.

Kervin Arriaga scored Minnesota United FC’s lone goal Saturday on a direct free-kick; the fifth set-piece goal the Loons have scored this season out of seven total goals (71.4%). Only Houston Dynamo FC (75%) has scored a higher percentage of its goals on set plays while only CF Montreal Impact (1)has fewer open plays than the Loons (2).

Martin Ojeda has attempted 21 shots in his last three MLS matches, the most by an Orlando City SC player in a three-match span, taking at least six in each match. Only five players since 2010 have taken six or more shots in four straight MLS matches (D. De Roasrio, D. Villax2, S. Giovinco x6, K. Kamara, C. Hernandez)

#NHLStats Matchup Notes: 2023 Stanley Cup Playoffs

Hockey
NHL

NHL Editor

April 15, 2023

#NHLStats Matchup Notes: 2023 Stanley Cup Playoffs

Notes for each confirmed matchup in the 2023 Stanley Cup Playoffs:

* This is the second all-time postseason meeting between the franchises, following the 1996 Conference Quarterfinals when the Panthers beat the Bruins in five games en route to reaching the Stanley Cup Final. It was Florida’s first-ever playoff series. Click here for a few #NHLStats on their matchup.

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* Tampa Bay and Toronto will meet in the 2023 First Round. It will be the second all-time postseason meeting between the franchises – the Lightning defeated the Maple Leafs in seven games in the First Round last year. Click here for a few #NHLStats on their matchup.

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* This is the seventh all-time postseason meeting between the franchises and first since the Devils eliminated the Rangers in the Eastern Conference Final 11 years ago. Click here for a few #NHLStats on their matchup.

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* This is the second all-time postseason meeting between the franchises. Carolina swept New York in the best-of-seven 2019 Second Round. Click here for a few #NHLStats on their matchup.

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* This is the second all-time postseason meeting between the franchises following the 2018 Conference Finals, a five-game triumph by Vegas during its historic run to the Stanley Cup Final in its inaugural season. Click here for a few #NHLStats on their matchup.

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* This is the ninth all-time postseason meeting between the franchises (EDM: 6-2; LAK: 2-6) and second in as many years. Click here for a few #NHLStats on their matchup.

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* This is the first all-time postseason meeting between the franchises. Click here for a few #NHLStats on their matchup.

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* This is the second postseason meeting between the franchises, following a six-game triumph by the Stars in the 2016 First Round. Click here for a few #NHLStats on their matchup.

NHL Morning Skate – April 15, 2023

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NHL

NHL Editor

April 15, 2023

* It came down to the last 1:42 of the final game of the regular season for Nathan MacKinnon to complete his hat trick, propel the Avalanche to a third straight division title and lock in the remaining matchups for the First Round of the 2023 Stanley Cup Playoffs.

* No one knows what the Stanley Cup Playoffs may hold, but the end of the regular season confirmed one thing: Connor McDavid has officially earned his third straight Art Ross Trophy as well as his first Maurice “Rocket” Richard Trophy.

* The highest-scoring NHL season in 29 years concluded with an average of 6.4 goals-per-game, along with single-season records for multi-goal comeback wins (143) and a total of 550 comeback victories of any nature – one shy of the League record set last year (551 in 2021-22).

* The final two games of 2022-23 both included a goal in the first 60 seconds of play, boosting the season count to 89 and tying 1992-93 for the most goals in the opening-minute of a contest in NHL history.

COMPLETE YOUR BRACKET… THE FIRST ROUND IS NEARLY HERE

Sixteen teams are set to begin their quest for the Stanley Cup on Monday after the last two First Round matchups were decided during the final two minutes of the regular season.

* While the players battle it out on the ice, fans can join the action too with the 2023 Stanley Cup Playoffs Bracket Challenge presented by GEICO.

Notes for all eight First Round matchups are available here, including the two confirmed Friday:

* Avalanche vs. Kraken: Colorado is Seattle’s first-ever postseason opponent as the two clubs have secured a 2023 First Round matchup. The clubs own identical all-time regular-season records against one another (3-2-1). This will be the 287th unique playoff series in NHL history.

* Stars vs. Wild: The two clubs will meet in the playoffs for the second time after facing off in the 2016 First Round, a series the Stars won in six contests. Three of six game-winning goals were scored by players who can compete in the 2023 First Round: Radek Faksa, Jamie Benn and Alex Goligoski, who clinched the series for Dallas in 2016 but will be across the ice with Minnesota this year.

THE FIRST ROUND SCHEDULE IS HERE

The NHL announced the schedule for the First Round of the 2023 Stanley Cup Playoffs, which will be broadcast nationally in Canada on Sportsnet and TVAS and by ESPN and TNT in the United States.

* The battle between a No. 1-ranked team and the previous Presidents’ Trophy winner will help begin ESPN’s coverage of the 2023 Stanley Cup Playoffs when the Panthers visit the Bruins for Game 1, before the Art Ross and Maurice “Rocket” Richard Trophy-winner, Connor McDavid, and the Oilers open their rematch against the Kings.

* TNT, who will carry the Stanley Cup Final for the first time, will open their coverage of the 2023 Stanley Cup Playoffs on Tuesday with the “Hudson River Rivalry” between the Rangers and Devils.

MCDAVID CLAIMS ART ROSS, “ROCKET” RICHARD

After an incredible season that saw Connor McDavid consistently take over headlines across the sporting world and produce the most points by an NHL player in 27 years, the Oilers captain officially captured both the Art Ross Trophy as the League’s scoring champion and the Maurice “Rocket” Richard Trophy as the NHL’s goal-scoring leader after the conclusion of the 2022-23 regular season.

* McDavid (64-89—153 in 82 GP) registered 25 more points than the next-closest player (teammate Leon Draisaitl: 52-76—128 in 80 GP) – and the most by any NHL player since 1995-96 (Mario Lemieux: 69-92—161 in 70 GP) – to win his third straight Art Ross Trophy and fifth overall. He became the sixth player in League history to claim the Art Ross Trophy at least five times, joining Wayne Gretzky (10x), Gordie Howe (6x), Lemieux (6x), Phil Esposito (5x) and Jaromir Jagr (5x), and just the second to reach that number in his first eight seasons, after Gretzky (7x).

* McDavid’s 64 goals are the most by any player since 2007-08 (Alex Ovechkin: 65 G in 82 GP), lifting him to his first career Maurice “Rocket” Richard Trophy. McDavid became the first player in Oilers history to capture the award, which first was presented in 1998-99, and the third Edmonton player to top the League in goals, after Gretzky (5x, most recently in 1986-87) and Jari Kurri (1985-86).

* McDavid became the fifth player in NHL history to outright lead the NHL in goals, assists and points during a season and the first to do so since Gretzky in 1986-87 (62-121—183 in 79 GP).

* McDavid Moments by #NHLStats: Click here for a breakdown of the best NHL season in a generation.

AVALANCHE CLINCH CENTRAL IN FINAL TWO MINUTES OF 2022-23 REGULAR SEASON

A goal from Nathan MacKinnon (3-1—4) with 1:42 remaining in regulation of the final game of the 2022-23 allowed the reigning champion Avalanche to clinch the Central Division title and extend their franchise-record road winning streak to 11 games. MacKinnon secured his fourth career regular-season hat trick and 16th career four-point game. MacKinnon improved his season totals to 42-69—111 (71 GP), an average of 1.56 points-per-game (the highest in Colorado history) and the fourth-most points by a Colorado player since relocation in 1995-96.

* Colorado clinched its division for the 14th instance in franchise history and for the third straight year – the club achieved the feat after only sitting in the No. 1 seed in the Central for 10 days this season, which is tied for the fourth-fewest days at No. 1 by a division winner behind the 2002-03 Avalanche (2 days), 2005-06 Devils (7 days) and 1969-70 Blackhawks (8 days).

* The Avalanche became the second reigning Stanley Cup champion in the past decade to clinch a division title, joining the Capitals in 2018-19. Colorado sat 14 points behind the top-seeded Jets on Jan. 15 and rallied to tie for the 10th-largest point differential faced by a division winner in NHL history.

* Click here for an #NHLStats regular-season recap.

* The NHL record books were re-written by the Bruins this season.Click here for a full #NHLStats rundown of their accomplishments. Some highlights:

* Set the single season wins record

* Set the single season points record

* Were in first place in the Atlantic Division from start to finish

* Sixth team in the last 45 years from the NHL, NFL, MLB or NBA to set a league wins record

* Fifth team in League history to have a 60-goal scorer and the NHL wins leader in net (tied or outright)

GET SET FOR THE PLAYOFFS WITH #NHLSTATS PACKS FOR ALL 16 TEAMS

With the start of the 2023 Stanley Cup Playoffs just two days away, don’t forget to re-visit the #NHLStats packs for all 16 teams, dedicated to each club’s respective postseason run, in preparation for all of the First Round matchups.

NHL ANNOUNCES ODDS FOR 2023 DRAFT LOTTERY PARTICIPANTS

The NHL announced today the odds for clubs participating in the 2023 NHL Draft Lottery, set for Monday, May 8, at NHL Network’s Secaucus, N.J., studio. The event will be broadcast live beginning at 7 p.m. ET on ESPN, Sportsnet and TVA Sports.

* Click herefor more information and visit Records.NHL.com for a history of the Draft Lottery.

QUICK CLICKS

* Andy Eide, NHL.com Kraken independent correspondent, dies
* NHL Mash-Up: Stanley Cup Puppies, Hughes Bros., more

* Rangers, Devils, Islanders qualify for playoffs for 1st time since 2007

* Golden Knights introduce new team goldfish in fun video

* Women in Hockey: Erika Ambrioso

WEEKLY PODCAST ROUNDUP

* The Chirp with Daren Millard (April 12): Ferraro joins; Playoff storylines, Oilers’s power play
* NHL Fantasy (April 14): Fantasy pool preview for 2023 Stanley Cup Playoffs
* NHL Fantasy (April 14): Action Network Collab: Stanley Cup Playoffs Preview
* NHL @ The Rink (April 14): Olczyk joins; postseason, Penguins shakeup, Ducks coaching change

Robertson, Burns and Brossoit Named NHL ‘Three Stars’ of the Week

Hockey
NHL

NHL Editor

April 15, 2023

Robertson, Burns and Brossoit Named NHL ‘Three Stars’ of the Week

NEW YORK – Dallas Stars left wing Jason Robertson, Carolina Hurricanes defenseman Brent Burns and Vegas Golden Knights goaltender Laurent Brossoit have been named the NHL’s “Three Stars” for the week ending April 14.

FIRST STAR – JASON ROBERTSON, LW, DALLAS STARS

Robertson posted 1-5—6 in three contests to help Dallas (47-21-14, 108 points) close the regular season on a six-game winning streak (dating to April 3) en route to clinching the No. 2 seed in the Central Division. He opened the week with a pair of three-point performances, registering 1-2—3 in a 6-1 victory against the Detroit Red Wings April 10 followed by a trio of assists in a 5-2 triumph over the St. Louis Blues April 12. Robertson then was held off the scoresheet in a 1-0 win versus the Blues April 13. The 23-year-old Arcadia, Calif., native finished the regular season with 46-63—109 in 82 appearances, ranking among the top players in power-play points (5th; 41), points (6th; 109), goals (7th; 46), plus/minus (7th; +37), power-play assists (t-8th; 28), shots on goal (9th; 313) and assists (t-10th; 63). His 109 points were the most by a U.S.-born player in a single season at age 23 or younger, ahead of the 107 set by Jimmy Carson in 1987-88 (55-52—107 in 80 GP w/ LAK) and tied by Jeremy Roenick in 1992-93 (50-57—107 in 84 GP w/ CHI), as well as the second-most by a player of any age in Stars/North Stars history, behind only Bobby Smith in 1981-82 (43-71—114 in 80 GP w/ MNS).

SECOND STAR – BRENT BURNS, D, CAROLINA HURRICANES

Burns scored in all three of his games, leading the NHL with four total goals (4-0—4) to propel the Hurricanes (52-21-9, 113 points) to a 2-1-0 week and their third straight division title. He found the back of the net once in both a 3-2 loss to the Ottawa Senators April 10 and a 4-1 victory against the Detroit Red Wings April 11. Burns then added two goals, including the tiebreaking tally early in the third period, in a 6‑4 division-clinching win over the Florida Panthers April 13. The 38-year-old Burns, who was acquired in a July trade, produced one of the most prolific offensive seasons (18-43—61 in 82 GP) by a defenseman of his age, tying for the most goals (w/ Ray Bourque at age 39 in 1999-00 w/ COL), recording the third-most points and matching the fifth-most assists by a blueliner at age 38 or older. He also placed among the top 2022-23 defensemen of any age in goals (t-3rd; 18), points (12th; 61), assists (t-13th; 43), power-play assists (14th; 19) and power-play points (14th; 23).

THIRD STAR – LAURENT BROSSOIT, G, VEGAS GOLDEN KNIGHTS

Brossoit yielded one goal in each of his two starts, going 2-0-0 with a 1.00 goals-against average and .962 save percentage to backstop the Golden Knights (51-22-9, 111 points) – who closed the regular season on an eight-game point streak (5-0-3 dating to March 30) – to their third division title in their first six NHL seasons as well as the No. 1 seed in the Western Conference. He secured both wins against the Seattle Kraken, denying 20 shots in a 4-1 triumph April 11 and then making 30 saves – highlighted by stopping all 18 attempts he faced over the final two periods – in a 3-1 division-clinching victory April 13. The 30-year-old Brossoit played in 11 total contests this season, compiling a 7-0-3 record with a 2.17 goals-against average and .927 save percentage. That included a five-game winning streak, dating to April 1, to finish the regular season (1.59 GAA, .946 SV%).

#NHLStats 2022-23 Regular Season Recap

Hockey
NHL

NHL Editor

April 15, 2023

* The highest-scoring season in 29 years (6.4 G/GP) had 13 of 16 playoff seeds, 7 of 8 First Round matchups, 3 of 4 division titles and the final 3 playoff teams decided in the final four days (30 games) of the campaign. In fact, the last division winner and final two matchups were secured with a game-winning goal in the final two minutes of the 1,312-game schedule.

* The high-scoring, back-and-forth contests resulted in 42% of games ending as comeback wins, tied for the second-highest rate in League history, and produced multi-goal rallies at record-setting levels (detailed below).

* Entering the final five days of the season, the “playoff line” stood at one point in both conferences and the No. 1 seed had a maximum lead of two points in three of four divisions – with only the NHL record-setting Bruins having claimed a top seed by that point.

* Connor McDavid, the sixth player in League history to notch a 150-point season, posted the most productive season by an NHL player in a generation en route to claiming his third straight and fifth career Art Ross Trophy, along with his first Maurice “Rocket” Richard Trophy. He became the fifth player in NHL history to outright lead the NHL in goals, assists and points during a single season and the first to achieve the feat since Wayne Gretzky in 1986-87.

* Overall, the NHL had 11 players with 100+ points (most since 1995-96), five players with 50+ goals (most since 2005-06) and two players with 60+ goals (most since 1995-96 and ninth time in NHL history). Among the group of 100-point scorers was Erik Karlsson, the first blueliner to hit triple digits in 31 years and sixth in League history to accomplish the feat.

* Double-digit records toppled in 2022-23, with new Records.NHL.com entries for Most Wins and Most Points in a Season (Bruins), Most 40-Goal Seasons, Career (Alex Ovechkin), Most Consecutive Games Played (Phil Kessel), Most Goals, Period (tied; Tage Thompson), Most Shootout Wins, Career (Marc-Andre Fleury) and many more.

Rush to the Playoffs

* The 2022-23 season was the first since 2008-09 in which at least seven First Round matchups were still “TBD” entering the final four days of the regular season.The final 17 games and two days of the season solidified the seven remaining First Round matchups.

* The gap at the “playoff line” was six points or less in both conferences for the entire season and there were only 15 days in 2022-23 through which the difference was five or more (in either conference).

* For the first time since 2013-14 when the League returned to a four-division format, the No. 1 seed in at least three divisions was up in the air entering the final four days of the schedule.

* For the first time since the Atlantic, Metropolitan, Central and Pacific Divisions were introduced in 2013-14, the No. 1 seed in at least three divisions had a lead of two points or less entering the final four days of scheduled play. This excludes the 2019-20 and 2020-21 seasons whose schedules were paused or extended due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

* Five teams that did not compete in the 2022 Stanley Cup Playoffs qualified this year: the Golden Knights, Kraken, Jets, Devils and Islanders. There has been a playoff turnover of 5+ teams in every season under the Wild Card format.

* For the first time in NHL history, two clubs posted a year-over-year increase of 40+ points in the same season (excluding improvements relative to shortened seasons). The playoff-bound Devils (+49) and Kraken (+40) combined for the feat relative to their 2021-22 finishes.

The Age of Offense

* Eleven players hit the 100-point milestone, the most in one season since 1995-96 (12).

* The NHL had multiple 60-goal scorers for the first since 1995-96 and ninth time overall. Connor McDavid (64) posted the second-highest goal total by an active player (behind Alex Ovechkin: 65 in 2007-08) en route to his first career Maurice “Rocket” Richard Trophy win.

* The NHL had five 50-goal scorers for the first time since 2005-06 (also 5) and 17th time overall. It also marked the first time the NHL had at least four 50-goal scorers in consecutive seasons (4 in 2021-22) since a three-year run from 1995-96 to 1997-98.

* The NHL had 19 players with 40+ goals, the most in 29 years (23 in 1993-94).

* The NHL had 54 players with 30+ goals, the most in 29 years (55 in 1993-94). Twenty-six teams had at least one 30-goal scorer, tied with 2021-22 for the second highest such total in a single campaign behind 2005-06 (27).

* After a record-setting 137 players scored 20+ goals last season, 129 players hit the mark in 2022-23 – the fifth most in NHL history behind 2021-22, 1980-81 (135), 1981-82 (133) and 1983-84 (130).

* Erik Karlsson (25-76—101 in 82 GP) became the highest-scoring defenseman in 31 years and the sixth blueliner to reach the 100-point milestone (at age 32, he also was the oldest ever to do so). He finished with a 25-point edge over the next highest-scoring defensemen. The only other time in the past 33 seasons that the defensive scoring leader finished with an edge of 20+ points was in 2011-12 when Karlsson had 25 points more than Dustin Byfuglien and Brian Campbell. The largest such gap in NHL history is 76 points, by Bobby Orr in both 1969-70 and 1970-71.

* Karlsson (32 years, 314 days) became the fourth-oldest player in NHL history (of any position) at the time of his first career 100-point season, behind Gordie Howe (40 years, 364 days in 1968-69), Johnny Bucyk (35 years, 327 days in 1970-71) and Daniel Alfredsson (33 years, 128 days in 2005-06).

* Erik Karlsson led a pack of eight defensemen with 70+ points, tied with 1993-94 for the second highest single-season total in League history behind 1992-93 (9).

* The tandem of Connor McDavid (71 PPP; 4th-most in a season) and Leon Draisaitl (32 PPG; t-2nd most in a season) led the most efficient power-play unit on record (EDM: 32.4 PP%) as part of the first trio of 100-point teammates in 27 years (along with Ryan Nugent-Hopkins).

* Alex Ovechkin recorded his record-setting 13th career 40-goal season, became the third player in NHL history to reach the 800-goal benchmark and moved past Gordie Howe into second on the NHL’s all-time goals list. Ovechkin (822) is 73 goals shy of surpassing Wayne Gretzky (894) for the most in NHL history.

* Sidney Crosby became the 15th player in NHL history to reach the 1,500-point milestone and became the sixth fastest among that cohort to achieve the feat. At age 35, Crosby (33-60—93 in 82 GP) did so on the back of his seventh career season with 90+ points, tied with Connor McDavid for the most among active skaters. He was the oldest of five players age 30+ to reach the 90-point benchmark this season, alongside Erik Karlsson (age 32), Artemi Panarin (age 31) and Ryan Nugent-Hopkins (age 30).

League Trends

* The NHL set single-season records for the number of multi-goal comeback wins(143) and multi-goal, third-period comeback wins (56).

* There were 550 comeback wins, one shy of tying the NHL record set last season (551 in 2021-22).

* There were 210 third-period comeback wins in 2022-23, the fifth most in any NHL season behind 2006-07 (228), 2021-22 (220), 2014-15 (218) and 2013-14 (212).

* 68.5% of games that extended past regulation ended in the overtime period (207 of 302), the highest rate at this stage of a season since the shootout was introduced in 2005-06 and up from an average of 43% over the 10 seasons before the 3-on-3 format was implemented. Overall, 23.1% of all games in 2022-23 required more than 60 minutes (302 of 1,312 GP).

* 20.8% of goals came via the power play, lower than the rate seen in all 39 seasons from 1978-79 to 2017-18. In 1993-94, when the goals-per-game rate last hit at least 6.4, 27.9% of goals were scored via the power play.

* This was the 12th consecutive season that even-strength scoring accounted for at least 75% of goals tallied in regulation and overtime (76%) – a first in 70 years.

* Connor McDavid (64-89—153 in 82 GP) posted the highest point total by any player in 27 years as he claimed his third straight and fifth career scoring title.

MLB Preview: Texas Rangers (8-5) at Houston Astros (6-8)

Baseball
MLB

MLB Editor

April 15, 2023

MLB Preview: Texas Rangers (8-5) at Houston Astros (6-8)

TEXAS RANGERS NOTES:

WINS AND LOSSES: Texas won its first A.L. West divisional game of the season yesterday by defeating the Astros, 6-2… club has won 4 of last 5 G and now has a 5-5 record since a 3-0 start…team has been .500-or-better following every game in 2023…the current 8-5 record is the Rangers’ best 13-G start since 2013 (8-5), and a 4-win improvement over last year’s 4-9 start.

• Team opened the 2023 campaign with a 3-0 record for just the 9th time in Rangers history, the longest season-opening win streak since 2011 (6-0).

STANDINGS: The Rangers retained 1st place in the A.L. West yesterday (6th day overall in ‘23) after having being tied for sole possession of 1st place for 2 straight days with the Angels…TEX has been alone or tied atop the division for 14 of the season’s first 15 days, including 9 straight to begin the year…marks latest point for the club to own even a share of 1st place in the West since the final day of team’s division-winning season in 2016 (10/2/16)…

• From 2017-22, the Rangers had one day in which it held, or was tied for, 1st place in the West (1-0 on 7/24/20, tied for division lead).

VS. HOUSTON: Last night, Texas defeated Houston in the 1st game of a series at Minute Maid Park for the 1st time since a 6-5 win on 9/1/20…TEX is meeting HOU for their 1st series this season in the quest for the 2023 Lone Star Series Silver Boot…will play HOU during 3 more series due to the new scheduling format introduced this year (4 G vs. HOU, 6/30-7/3; 3 G at HOU, 7/24-26; 3 G vs. HOU, 9/4-6)…club
went 5-14 against HOU in 2022…TEX has lost 3 of 5, 7 of 10 and 10 of 15 G against the Astros…club has lost season series last 2 years and owns a 1-5 season series record in last 6 years…TEX has gone 6-29 (.171) in last 35 G in Houston dating back to the beg. of 2019, the lowest win pct. by any team at any venue (min. 15 G) over that span, losing 10 consecutive series here since winning a 3-G sweep, 7/27-29/18… Rangers are just 36-70 (.340) vs. HOU since the start of 2017

SERIES STUFF: After winning last night’s game, TEX is looking for its first road series win of the year tonight after losing 2 of 3 G against the Cubs at Wrigley Field from 4/7-9…club now owns a 3-2 record in series openers on the young campaign.

• Rangers have not won a road series of at least 3 G since taking 3 of 4 G against the Twins from 8/19-22/22.

ROAD TRIPPING: The Rangers are 2-2 (.500) on the road this season following last night’s win and a series loss to the Cubs from 4/7-9 at Wrigley Field…Texas is scheduled to play 8 of next 11 G on the road…TEX’s 4 road games played are tied with TB for the least played by an A.L. team so far this season…club went 34-47 (.420) overall in away games last year, winning back-to-back road games just twice over the season’s final 3 months.

PUNCH OUT: After adding 8 SO last night, Texas pitchers now rank T-4th in the A.L. with 131 strikeouts (also HOU), easily a club record for most team strikeouts through the first 13 games of a new season (prev. 122 in 2022 and 2020)… TEX pitchers have struck out 8-or-more batters in 7-consecutive games and in 11 of 13 this season…TEX starters rank T-3rd in A.L. with 85 SO (also CWS).

HEAD START: With Martίn Pérez’ line of 5.0 IP and 2 ER last night, Texas starters have allowed 2-or-fewer ER in 7 of last 8 and 9 of 13 G during 2023…Rangers starting pitchers have 10 starts this season of 5.0+ IP with 3-or-fewer ER, T-2nd in the A.L. (also CWS and TB) and trailing only MIN (11).

• Pérez leads the team with 3 starts this season of the 5.0-ormore IP and 2 ER-or fewer-variety (4/2 vs. PHI and 4/8 at CHC, 4/14 at HOU)…also done twice by deGrom, Eovaldi and Gray.

LOWE AND BEHOLD: After going 2-for-4 last night, Nathaniel Lowe has now hit safely in each of his last 9 G at .297/.350/.595/.945 (11-37), the longest hit streak by a Ranger this season and 2nd-longest of Lowe’s career…his last longer hitting streak was a career-best 11-game run from
7/25-8/4/22.

SPACE JAM: After Adolis García went 1-for-4 yesterday with a HR, he now owns a .294 career BA (42-for-143) with 16 XBH and 27 RBI vs. HOU…his 10 HR and 27 RBI vs. Astros since the start of ‘21 are most by any player against HOU over that span.

FAMILIAR FOES: Texas manager Bruce Bochy and Houston manager Dusty Baker will face off for the 193rd time in their careers (regular season) during tonight’s game…Bochy’s 110 losses against Baker are his most against an opposing manager…should they both manage the two remaining games of this series, Baker will tie Clint Hurdle for second-most games managed against Bruce Bochy.

BRUCE BOCHY’S MOST COMMON
MANAGERIAL OPPONENTS (REG. SEASON)
Games Opp. Manager Record
210 Bud Black 104-106
194 Clint Hurdle 87-107
192 Dusty Baker 82-110
173 Jim Tracy 96-77
138 Felipe Alou 67-71

WHEN 9TH MEETS 11TH: Bruce Bochy’s passed Hall of Famer Leo Durocher (2,008) for sole possession of 11th all-time on MLB’s all-time managerial wins list after Texas’ win on Tues. vs. KC…tonight’s game will again pit the 9th and 11th winningest managers of all time, with Dusty Baker set to become the 9th manager in Major League history to achieve at least 2,100 career wins if the Astros secure a win.

MANAGERIAL WINS ALL-TIME RANKS
Rank Manager Wins
8 Joe McCarthy 2,125
9 Dusty Baker 2,099
10 Walter Alston 2,040
11 Bruce Bochy 2,011
12 Leo Durocher 2,008

TONIGHT’S STARTING PITCHER – #42 Jon Gray, RHP (1-1, 3.00)
TONIGHT: The 31-year-old right-hander is set to make his 3rd appearance/start of the season tonight in game 2 of 3 against the Astros in Houston…enters tonight’s outing with 994 career strikeouts, and is seeking to become the 40th active MLB pitcher with 1,000+ career strikeouts…has pitched to a 1-1 record and 3.00 ERA (4 ER/12.0 IP) in his first 2 starts despite permitting the most walks (5) and home runs (3) among Texas starters in ‘23…all 4 runs allowed this season have come via HR (one 2-R HR, 2 solo HR)…will work on extended 5 days’ rest after earning his 1st win of the season on Sun. at CHC (W, 5.2 IP, 6 H, 2 R-ER, 3 BB, 4 SO, 1 HR, 100 pitches/64 strikes) as part of an 8-2 Rangers’ victory…owns a lifetime 1-2 record and 3.00 ERA (8 ER/24.0 IP) in 4 G/GS vs. HOU…this is Gray’s 2nd season with Texas after signing a 4-year free agent contract with the club on 12/1/21…was hindered by several injuries last season, but still managed to post a 7-7 record, 3.96 ERA (56 ER/127.1 IP), and 134 strikeouts over 24 starts…prior to joining the Rangers, the right-hander had spent his entire pro career with Colorado, ranking 2nd in Rockies history with 849 strikeouts while also placing among the all-time team leaders with 151 starts, 829.1 innings, and 53 wins from 2015-21…was the 3rd overall selection by Colorado in the 2013 MLB Draft after pitching 2 seasons at the U. of Oklahoma…is a native of the Oklahoma City area, growing up in nearby Chandler…Texas is 1-1 in his 2 starts this season. 1,000 K’S: Gray enters tonight’s scheduled start with 994 career strikeouts, just 6 away from becoming the 40th active Major League pitcher with 1,000 career strikeouts…he would join teammates Ian Kennedy (1,759), Jacob deGrom (1,634), Jake Odorizzi (1,172), and Nathan Eovaldi (1,079) as the 5th pitcher on the Rangers’ 40-man roster with 1,000+ career strikeouts…no other team in baseball currently has more than 3 pitchers with 1,000-or-more career strikeouts on its 40-man roster: 5-TEX, 3-BOS/KC/NYM/PHI/SD.

• Danny Duffy, who is on Triple-A Round Rock’s Injured List while rehabbing from a left elbow injury, ranks 35th among active ML hurlers with 1,048 career SO’s.

LAST START: Earned his 1st win of 2023 in Texas’ 8-2 victory on Sun. at CHC (W, 5.2 IP, 6 H, 2 R-ER, 3 BB, 4 SO, 1 HR, 100 pitches/64 strikes)…was staked to an early 4-0 lead after Rangers plated 4 runs on 4 hits in the 2nd inning…surrendered a 2-R HR to Edwin Ríos in the bottom half of the frame, but held Cubs scoreless after that point…exited in the 6th inn. with 2 outs and the bases loaded, but remained unscathed after Will Smith fanned Patrick Wisdom to end the threat.

VS. HOUSTON: Gray has gone 1-2 with a 3.00 ERA (8 ER/24.0 IP) in 4 career games/starts against the Astros, incl. 0-2, 5.23 (6 ER/10.1 IP) in 2 starts here at Minute Maid Park…faced the ‘Stros just once last season, taking a tough-luck loss in a 2-1 Texas defeat on 5/21/22 at HOU (L, 6.0 IP, 6 H, 2 R-ER, 2 BB, 4 SO)…was bested in a pitcher’s duel with Justin Verlander (W, 6.0 SHO IP, 8 SO), as the Rangers managed to score just one run on 10 hits in support of Gray.

ON THE ROAD AGAIN: Tonight’s start at Minute Maid Park will be Gray’s 2nd straight on the road (also 5.2 IP, 2 R-ER on Sun. at CHC), as 2 of his first 3 outings have come away from Arlington…has made nearly twice as many away starts (17) as home starts (9) in 2 seasons with Texas (2022-23), T9th-most road starts in A.L. over that span…has gone 4-6, 4.20 ERA (42 ER/90.0 IP) in his road outings for TEX compared to 4-2, 3.28 ERA (18 ER/49.1 IP) at Globe Life Field, but is 4-3, 3.38 ERA (19 ER/50.2 IP) in his last 9 away starts dating to 6/17/22.

• Despite calling hitter-friendly Coors Field home for the first 7 seasons (2015-21) of his 9-year career, Gray has seen significantly better lifetime results in 84 G/83 GS at home (35-20, 4.40 ERA) than in 94 G/GS on the road (26-37, 4.57 ERA).

SLIDE STEP: According to Baseball Savant, Gray has generated 562 swingsand-misses via his slider since the start of 2019, the 6th-most whiffs on sliders by any MLB pitcher over that span: Patrick Corbin (804), Robbie Ray (754), Clayton Kershaw (737), Dylan Cease (617), Jacob deGrom (596), and Gray (562).

SPRING TRAINING: Finished 3-1 with a 1.02 ERA (5 R-2 ER/17.2 IP) over 5 G/4 GS this spring, posting 4 BB/14 SO with a 0.85 WHIP and .177 opponent batting average…was scratched from scheduled start on 3/3 vs. SF (back stiffness), but made all other starts with no issues…last outing of the spring slate came in exhibition on 3/28 vs. KC at Globe Life Field (W, 4.0 IP, 3 H, 2 R-ER, 1 BB, 7 SO, 1 HR), when he pitched in relief behind Martín Pérez…also threw to additional Rangers hitters on the field after that game ended to build up pitch count.

INJURIES IN 2022: Gray was limited to just 24 starts in his 1st season with the Rangers, as he endured 3 separate stints on the Injured List…was on the 10- day IL from 4/9-18 (right middle finger blister) and 4/22-5/2 (low-grade left knee sprain), and the 15-day IL from 8/2-9/11 (left oblique strain).

HOUSTON ASTROS NOTES:

TONIGHT’S GAME: The Houston Astros, the reigning World Series champs, are looking to even their three-game series against the Rangers tonight behind rookie RHP Hunter Brown… Brown will be opposed by the veteran RHP Jon Gray, who’s pitched well in his career against the Astros, including one start last season, which came on May 21 in Houston (2ER/6IP).

ABOUT BROWN: Rookie RHP Hunter Brown is making his fifth career start and is coming off the best outing of his young career, in which he tossed 7.0 innings, while allowing just two hits with seven strikeouts last Sunday at MIN…Brown, the club’s consensus top prospect, had a strong 2022 season at Triple A (9-4, 2.55 ERA in 23g) before debuting with the Astros in September…upon debuting, he went 2-0 with an 0.89 ERA in seven games (two starts) and also pitched three times in the postseason, tossing 3.2 scoreless innings.

PROSPECT PRIMER: The Astros are rostering their top two prospects in RHP Hunter Brown and C Yainer Diaz, who both made their MLB debuts as September call-ups in 2022… according to MLB.com, Brown entered the season as the Astros top prospect and the 40th prospect in all of baseball, while Diaz currently ranks as the 96th player on that 100-player list.

AT THE HELM: Astros skipper Dusty Baker is in his 26th season as a manager and his fourth at the helm in Houston…Baker, who ranks ninth all-time in managerial wins with 2,099 wins, has an outside shot of moving up to sixth all time by seasons end…en route, he’d have to surpass Joe McCarthy (8th, 2,125), Bucky Harris (7th, 2,158) and Sparky Anderson (6th 2,194).

BATTLE FOR THE BOOT: The Astros and Rangers are renewing their rivalry this weekend in what is their first series of the 2023 season…the Astros went 14-5 vs. the Rangers in 2022, which secured them their sixth consecutive season series victory over Texas…the Astros have earned the Silver Boot trophy in each of the past six years (2017-22), five via season series victories and one via run differential (2020)…many of
those season series wins can be attributed to the Astros home dominance in the series, as Houston has gone 29-6 in 35 home games against the Rangers since the start of the 2019 season.

ABOUT LAST NIGHT: The Astros dropped the series opener against the Rangers last night by a score of 6-2…the Astros scored their two runs on a pair of solo homers, one each by LF Yordan Alvarez and C Martín Maldonado…on the mound, RHP Luis Garcia (5ER/5IP) started for Houston and struck out a season-high seven hitters in his 5.0 innings of work.

TODAY’S PREGAME MEET & GREET: On Jackie Robinson Day today, the Astros are collaborating with The Players Alliance and the Rangers, to host 75 high school aged baseball and softball players from the Astros Youth Academy and local high schools for a pregame meet and greet…the group will assemble in the press conference room, with the Rangers portion beginning at 3:15 p.m. and the Astros at 4:15 p.m…Astros General Manager Dana Brown, Astros manager Dusty Baker, 3B Alex Bregman and OF Corey Julks will address the group…the event is open to the media.

CONGRATS CHEO!: The Astros would like to congratulate OF Jose “Cheo” Cruz on his election into the Texas Sports Hall of Fame…Cruz and seven others, including football stars Priest Holmes, Adrian Peterson and Michael Strahan, will be formally inducted at a ceremony tonight in Waco, TX…Cruz played parts of 13 seasons in Houston, coached for another 13 years and now serves as a Community Outreach Executive for the Astros,
in what is his 40th season with the organization.

FRAMBER’S WEEKEND: The Astros are celebrating All-Star LHP Framber Valdez this weekend with a pair of giveaways prior to his start on Sunday Night Baseball…last night, the Astros gave away a Framber Valdez Consecutive Start Bobblehead, presented by Goya, which went to 10,000 fans in attendance… tonight, 10,000 fans in attendance will receive a Framber Valdez Sunday Replica Jersey, presented by Ricos.

EARLY LEAGUE LEADERS: LF Yordan Alvarez ranks second in the Majors in RBI (17), trailing only Ryan Mountcastle (19)… Alvarez and RF Kyle Tucker rank tied for sixth in the AL in homers (4), while Tucker and 3B Alex Bregman rank tied for sixth in the AL in walks (10).

THE 300: LF Yordan Alvarez recorded his 300th career RBI last night, becoming the 36th player in club history to reach the 300-RBI plateau…among players that began their careers with the Houston franchise, Alvarez is now the fastest to reach 300 RBI, in terms of games played (380 career games), besting 1B Lance Berkman (417g)…if you account all players in franchise history, OF Moises Alou owns the all-time record, reaching 300 RBI in his 352nd career game as an Astro after joining the club via trade.

FILLING IN NICELY: 2B Mauricio Dubón is off to a strong start to the season, as he’s hitting .350 (14×40) in 10 games, which includes an active nine-game hitting streak, which is a career-long…Dubón, who started most of his games at shortstop and center field in 2022, has made all 10 of his starts at second base this season while filling in for the injured 2B Jose Altuve.

TONIGHT’S ASTROS STARTER: RHP HUNTER BROWN

LAST START – 4/9 AT MIN: delivered one of the finest starts of his young career, allowing 1 unearned and 2 hits while striking out 7 batters through 7.0 IP at Minnesota… it was the longest start of his career and also set his career-high for strikeouts…it matched the longest start from an Astros pitcher this season, with LHP Framber Valdez notching the 2 other 7.0-IP starts from the staff.

VS. THE RANGERS: made his MLB debut with a start vs. the Rangers on 9/5/22… …pitched 6 scoreless innings and struck out 5 batters while allowing 3 hits in his MLB debut…became the 3rd starter in Astros history to toss 6.0 scoreless innings in their debut and was the first since RHP Jared Cosart threw 8.0 scoreless IP in his debut on 7/12/13 at TB…struck out Texas infielders Marcus Semien and Corey Seager to begin his MLB career.

ABOUT BROWN: rookie right-hander enters the season as the top prospect in the Astros system and one of the top pitching prospects in baseball…was ranked as the No. 28 prospect in baseball in Baseball America’s preseason top 100 rankings…rated as the No. 8 RHP prospect in MLB Pipeline’s preseason positional prospect rankings. • selected by the Astros in the 4th round of the 2019 MLB First-Year Player Draft from Wayne State University.

• was a fast-riser through Astros minor league system, reaching Triple A in his first full minor league season following the cancellation of the 2020 minor league season…owns a career 3.40 ERA (87ER/230.0IP) through 59 career minor league appearances (39 starts)…averaged 11.7 strikeouts-per-nine-innings throughout his minor league career…ranked 9th of all minor league pitchers between the ‘21-22 seasons with 11.56 strikeouts-per-nine-innings

BROWN IN 2022: had one of the best seasons from a Pacific Coast League pitcher in recent years while with Triple A Sugar Land, resulting in a September callup and placement on all three Astros postseason rosters on their run to the World Series.

• Went 9-4 with a 2.55 ERA (30 ER/106.0IP) in 23 games (14 starts) with Triple A Sugar Land…was named the Astros Minor League Pitcher of the Year, Pacific Coast League Pitcher of the Year and Baseball America’s Triple A Pitcher of the Year…led Pacific Coast League pitchers (min. 100 IP) in ERA and strikeouts-per-nine innings (11.4).

• was selected – alongside teammate Yainer Diaz – to play in the 2022 MLB Futures Game at Dodger Stadium…was the 2nd pitcher to enter the game for the AL team… tossed 0.2 IP and struck out 1 batter.

• had his contract selected by the Astros on 9/1/22 and made his MLB debut on 9/5/22 with a start vs. Texas.

• finished the year in the Astros bullpen after back-to-back starts and did not allow a run through his 5 relief appearances (8.1 IP)…was terrific at Minute Maid Park, not allowing a run and striking out 12 batters through his 10.1 innings there…held opponents to a .143 batting average at Minute Maid Park.

2022 POSTSEASON: appeared on all 3 Astros postseason rosters, making 3 scoreless relief appearances (3.2 IP).

• pitched in Games 1 and 3 of the ALDS vs. Seattle and Game 3 of the ALCS vs. the Yankees…became the 27th rookie in Astros history to appear in a postseason game.

SLIDE PIECE: in 2022, he averaged 93.2 mph on his slider, which was the fastest of any pitcher in MLB (min. 250 pitches), directly ahead of RHP Jacob deGrom (92.6 mph)…has averaged 91.6 mph with his slider to begin ‘23, which ranks T-2nd amongst MLB starters behind deGrom (91.9 mph).

MLB Preview: New York Mets (8-6) at Oakland Athletics (3-11)

Baseball
MLB

MLB Editor

April 15, 2023

MLB Preview: New York Mets (8-6) at Oakland Athletics (3-11)

NEW YORK METS NOTES:

METSCELLANEOUS: The Mets defeated the A’s, 17-6, last night…The Mets are on their second road trip of the season an 11-day, 10-game trip against the Athletics (1-0), Dodgers (three games) and Giants (four games).

SEVENTH HEAVEN: Francisco Lindor recorded seven RBI last night, which tied his career high…Also, July 2, 2018 with Cleveland at Kansas City…It’s a single-game franchise record total by a shortstop…He is one of 13 Mets players to record seven or more RBI in a game…Over the last eight games, Lindor is batting .323 (10-31) with 10 runs, four doubles, three home runs, 14 RBI, four walks, a steal with a .417 OBP and a .742 SLG.

GRANNIES ARE SICK: The Mets hit their first grand slam of the season last night…The team’s last two grand slams have come in Oakland…Eduardo Escobar his a grand slam on September 23, 2022…The Mets have recorded 20 RBI with the bases loaded this season, which leads the National League and is second in the majors…Only the Tampa Bay Rays (21) have recorded more…The team has drawn a major league-leading six walks with the bases full…Last year, the team drew a total of 10 free passes with the bases loaded.

INVADER NIM: Brandon Nimmo has safely reached base in six games, owning a .533 OBP in that span…Overall, in 13 games this season, Nimmo is batting .268 with nine runs, three doubles, seven RBI, 14 walks and a .466 OBP…His .466 OBP ranks fourth in the Senior Circuit…The left-handed hitter has drawn 337 walks in his career, which places him 18th in franchise history…John Milner is next with 338 walks…Nimmo has posted a .387 OBP, which is the third-highest in franchise history (min. 2,000 PA)…Only John Olerud (.425) and Dave Magadan (.391) had higher OBP.

WALK THE WALK: The Mets recorded 17 walks last night, setting a franchise record…The 17 walks in a nine-inning are tied for the third-most in the majors since 1901…Hat tip to Sarah Langs…The last time a team recorded at least 17 walks in a game was the Arizona Diamondbacks drew 18 free passes on August 24, 2013 at Philadelphia in a 12-7, 18-inning victory…The last time a team recorded 17 or more walks in a 9-inning game was in game one of a doubleheader on September 11, 1949, when the Yankees drew 17 walks and defeated the Senators, 20-5 in The Bronx.

THE WALKMAN: The Mets lead the majors with 76 free passes this season… Brandon Nimmo leads the majors with 14 walks…Jeff McNeil and Pete Alonso have each recorded 10 free passes this season.

WHEN I WAS 17: The Mets scored 17 runs and drew 17 walks in last night’s victory over the Athletics…According to Stats Inc., that is the first time a team has recorded 17+ walks and 17+ runs in a road game (since 1901)… Before last night, that total was only done twice before…See the chart below for all occurrences:

GAMES WITH 17+ RUNS & 17+ WALKS SINCE 1901
TEAM OPPONENT LOCATION SCORE BB DATE
Mets A’s Oakland Coliseum 17-6 17 4/14/23
Yankees Senators Yankee Stadium 20-5 17 (G1) 9/11/49
Giants Dodgers Polo Grounds 26-8 17 (G1) 4/30/44

THEY’RE OUT OF MY LEAGUE: The Mets continue Interleague play tonight against the Athletics…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)…In 2022, the Mets went 9-11 against the American League…Overall, New York owns a 236-227 record in Interleague play… The team’s .510 winning percentage is the second-best among National League clubs.

INTERSTELLAR: Jeff McNeil owns a .340/.387/.478 slashline with 37 runs, 14 doubles, seven home runs and 34 RBI in 68 Interleague games, while
Starling Marte has slashed .331/.392/.553 with 115 runs, 45 doubles, 11 triples, 27 home runs and 86 RBI in 171 Intearleague games…They rank first and second in average among active players in Interleague play (min. 250 PA)…McNeil’s .340 clip is the highest all-time by a Met.

INTERLEAGUE PETE: Pete Alonso batted .333/.410/.639 against AL opponents last season with 15 runs, four doubles, six home runs, 15 RBI and 10 walks…His six home runs were tied for the sixth-most in the majors… Alonso has hit 29 home runs in Interleague Play since the 2019 season…His 29 home runs against the American League is a franchise record, and the most among any player in that time frame…Mike Piazza was the previous record holder with 28 Interleague home runs.

OAK AGED: Pete Alonso is .500 (8-16) with seven runs, two doubles, two home runs, seven RBI and four walks in four games at the home of the
Athletics…Brandon Nimmo is .500 (6-12) with seven runs, four RBI and three walks in four games there…Jeff McNeil is 6-18 with four runs, a double, an RBI and two walks in four contests…In 20 games in Oakland, Francisco Lindor has hit .370/.391/.580 with 14 runs, eight doubles, three home runs, 16 RBI and four walks…Starling Marte played 33 games at the ballpark and slashed .336/.378/.526 with 12 doubles, a triple, four home runs and 25 RBI…Mark Canha appeared in 323 games at the ballpark and has slashed .243/.348/.433 with 52 doubles, six triples, 45 homers, 146 RBI and 128 walks.

CURTAINS FROM CURTISS: John Curtiss hasn’t allowed a run in his last five games, tossing 5.1 scoreless innings with six strikeouts…Overall, he has yielded one run overall in 7.1 innings (1.23 ERA) in six outings. THE PEN IS MIGHTIER: The Mets have posted a 3.75 ERA with 19 walks and 54 punchouts from their bullpen this season…The 3.75 ERA places them fourth in the National League…Over the last six games, the pen has pitched to a 2.35 ERA (6 ER/23.0 IP) with 10 walks and 27 strikeouts.

OUCH: The Mets once again own the major league lead with 12 HBP…Mark Canha has been hit by 46 pitches at RingCentral Coliseum, the most in
the history of the ballpark…Only five active players have been hit by more pitches in a single ballpark during their career…Courtesy Sportradar.

D-FENCE: The Mets have committed only two errors in 14 games this season…The team’s .996 fielding percentage is the best in the majors.

ALL YOUR BASE ARE BELONG TO US: The Mets have stolen 15 bases this season, which is fifth in the majors and third in the National League… Starling Marte is fourth in the NL with five steals…Brandon Nimmo, who is tied for seventh in the NL, has stolen three bases in 13 games this year… Nimmo stole a total of three bases in 151 games last season.

FOR PETE’S SAKE: Pete Alonso has collected a hit in seven of his last eight games, batting .367 (11-30) in that span with eight runs, five home runs, 10 RBI, five walks with a .457 OBP and an .867 SLG in that span…Alonso has hit six home runs this season, which is for the major league lead.

STARTING PITCHE R- CARLOS CARRASCO RHP #59
2023 STATS: 0-2, 11.42 E R A

CARRASCO’S PITCH ARSENAL
Pitch Type Usage Rate vs. LHB vs. RHB Avg. Velocity
Four-Seam Fastball 37.4% 37.9% 37.0% 91.2 mph
Changeup 23.5% 29.9% 17.4% 86.4 mph
Slider 14.5% 2.3% 26.1% 83.5 mph
Sinker 13.4% 13.8% 13.0% 90.5 mph
Curveball 11.2% 16.1% 6.5% 79.1 mph

CARRASCO NEWS & NOTES
LAST TIME OUT: Went 4.2 innings in his first start at Citi Field this season on April 9 against Miami…Allowed six runs on three walks and six hits, including two home runs…Marked his second career loss against the Marlins.

EARNING AN A: Carrasco has made eight appearances and seven starts against the A’s in his career, holding a 4-2 record with a 3.14 ERA (18 ER/51.2 IP)…When in Oakland, Carrasco has pitched to a 2.31 ERA (6 ER/23.1 IP) in three starts, all of which took place while he was playing for Cleveland…In Carrasco’s last appearance at Oakland Coliseum on July 14, 2017, he suffered the loss after allowing five runs on six hits in 6.1 innings…His last win against the A’s came on July 6, 2018, as Carrasco threw 5.1 innings and allowed three runs on seven hits in a 10-4 victory in Cleveland…Has held A’s hitters to a .219 average in his career.

2022 SEASON HIGHLIGHTS: Recorded a 3.97 ERA (67 ER/152.0 IP) in his first full season with the Mets…Ended the season ranked tied fifth in the National League in wins with 15 and 11th in win percentage with .628…According to Baseball Savant, excelled in chase rate in the 94th percentile for MLB…Locked it down in July with a 0.90 ERA (3 ER/30.0 IP) in five starts that month, tallying three wins and 27 strikeouts…The slider and changeup were effective pitches for Carrasco in 2022, with a 35.5 and 31.6 whiff percentage and 26.2 and 21.8 put
away percentage, respectively.

CLUTCH COOKIE: Did not allow a run in 22.2 straight innings from July 14-August 4, surpassing his previous career-long scoreless streak of 22.0 innings from July 30-August 11, 2015…He threw three straight scoreless starts for the first time in his career from July 14-30…He had three scoreless innings streaks of at least 10.0 innings in a single season for the first time since 2018 (also, 12.2 innings from April 27-May 10 & 10.2 innings from April 10-21)…Allowed three earned runs or fewer in a career-high 12 consecutive starts from July 3-September 20, posting a 2.42 ERA (17 earned runs/63.1 innings) in that span…Marked his best ERA in a 12-start span since July 27-September 30, 2018 (2.30 ERA).

WINNER, WINNER: Carrasco earned the 100th win of his career on July 30 at Miami after tossing 7.2 scoreless innings with four hits, two walks and seven strikeouts…His 15 wins were tied for the eighth-most in the majors…He was the first Met to have a 15-win season since Jacob deGrom in 2017…Joined Justin Verlander, Gerrit Cole, Max Scherzer and Zack Greinke as the only pitchers with three or more 15+ win seasons since 2017…Won six straight decisions from May 3 (G2)-June 6, matching his single-season career-high from the end of the 2017 season…Was the first Mets starter to win at least six straight decisions in a single season since Zack Wheeler won seven from July 14-August 25, 2017.

VENEZUELAN BORN: Carrasco ranks sixth all-time in strikeouts by a Venezuelan-born pitcher…Became the eighth pitcher from Venezuela to reach the 100-win milestone and the fifth-fastest to accomplish the feat, doing so in his 274th career game…Is one of 16 active pitchers with 100 career victories…Became one of nine Venezuelan-born pitchers to eclipse 1,400.0 career innings pitched on July 24 vs. San Diego.

SPRING IN HIS STEP: Made four starts in spring exhibition play, three of which were at home…Posted a 4.15 ERA (6 ER/13.0 IP) with 14 strikeouts over those four starts…Carrasco’s best appearance of Spring Training was his last on March 17 against the Marlins, in which he tallied seven punchouts in his lone Grapefruit League win…Ended exhibition play with a 1.08 WHIP and a .240 opponent’s batting average.

OAKLAND ATHLETICS NOTES:

LAST START: 4/10 vs MIA: W, 5.0 IP, 4 H, 0 R, BB, 6 SO … Strahm vs Alcantara … The Phillies defeated the Miami Marlins, 15-3, under the lights at Citizens Bank Park … Tied at 0-0 in the 3rd, the Phillies plated five runs off reigning Cy Young Award winner Sandy Alcantara … They had eight extra-base hits on the night and scored nine runs off Alcantara … Seven different Phillies had multiple hits on the night.

TODAY’S START:
• Going Streaking: Strahm has not allowed a run in 10.0 IP this season over 2 starts and a relief appearance, the 3rdlongest active scoreless streak in MLB behind Bryce Elder (12.1) and Shohei Ohtani (12.0) … Dating back to last year, his scoreless streak stands at 11.0 IP overall … Strahm is one of just 4 NL pitchers to have two scoreless starts through his first 2 starts this season, joining Marcus Stroman, Kyle Freeland and Bryce Elder … He is the only pitcher in the NL with 2 starts and a relief appearance thus far, and the only pitcher in baseball to do so without allowing a run

• Not As Hard As It Looks: Strahm, who prior to this season had not made a start since August 2021, has both of the scoreless starts by any Phillies pitcher this season … In his 2 starts and 1 relief appearance, Strahm has held opponents to a .143/.189/.143 slash line, allowed only 7 baserunners in 10.0 IP (2 BB, 5 1B) and struck out 10 of the 37 batters he has faced

• Reverse Splits: 31 of the first 37 hitters Strahm has faced this season have been RHH … They are slashing .103/.161/.103 with 9 SO against him … Among all 85 pitchers with at least 30 RHH faced this season, none has matched or exceeded that OPP slash line … In his career, RHH are slashing .224/293/.385 as opposed to LHH slash line of .251/.328/.397 … Dating back to 9/11/22, the 44 RHH he has faced are hitting only .135/.237/.192 with 19 SO

• Good Memories: Nearly 4 years ago to the day, on 4/19/19, Strahm made the best start of his career against CIN, tossing 8.0 IP with 2 H, 1 R, 0 BB, 5 SO … It is to this day his only career start of more than 6.1 IP … Today will be his 3rd career start vs CIN, tied for his most against any team (also: ARI and ATL) … He has a 0.90 ERA (1 ER, 10.0 IP), 0 BB, 9 SO in the other 2 combined

• Welcome Aboard: Strahm is in his first year of a two-year contract with the Phillies after signing with the club as a free agent in December

• vs NL Central: 1-4, 2.68 ERA (12 ER, 40.1 IP) in 20 games (5 starts)

ROAD:
• 2023: 0-0, 0.00 ERA (5.0 IP) in 2 games (1 start)

• Career: 9-18, 3 SV, 3.64 ERA (73 ER, 163.1 IP) in 113 games (17 starts)

2023 SEASON:
• Tied his longest career scoreless start (5.0 IP) on 4/10 vs MIA (other: 4/13/19 at ARI)

• On 4/4 at NYY made his first start since 8/17/21 at COL (51 relief apps between)

2022 SEASON:
• Spent season with BOS as a relief pitcher

• Posted a 1.88 ERA (3 ER, 14.1 IP) over his first 17 appearances and a 2.95 ERA (13 ER, 39.2 IP) over his first 45

• On injured list with a left wrist contusion, 7/13-8/18; included rehab assignment to Worcester (AAA)

• Averaged 10.48 SO/9.0 IP (52 SO, 44.2 IP)

• Surrendered just one home run to the 57 LHH he faced

A’S VS. METS
• The two clubs met last year for the first time since 2017 with the Mets taking two of three at the Coliseum from Sept. 23-25.

• Have lost the season series to the Mets four times, split one and won one…the win came in their first regular season meeting in 2005.

• The two clubs also met in the 1973 World Series, with the A’s winning in seven games…the ’73 A’s will be celebrated with a reunion on Sunday.

Year Home Road Totals
2023 0-1 0-0 0-1
2022 1-2 0-0 1-2
Oakland History: 7-13
at the Coliseum: 4-5
Citi Field: 3-5

TODAY’S TIDBITS
Shea Langeliers is 5-for-16 (.313) with two home runs and five RBI over his last four games after going 6-for-28 (.214) with a home run and RBI over his first eight…Adrián Martínez is tied for second among Major League relievers with 11.0 innings pitched overall…Sam Moll has not allowed a hit over his first six games…opponents are 0-for-12 but he has walked four and hit three for a .368 opponents on-base percentage…Brent Rooker has homered in each of his last three games (four home runs total), has multiple hit games in each of his last four and has hit safely in each of his last five (9-for-19, .474).

TODAY’S STARTING PITCHER: Shintaro Fujinami (0-2, 17.55 ERA)
FOR STARTERS: Is scheduled to make his third start of the season and his Major League career…his first two starts also came on a Saturday…was signed by the A’s as a free agent on Jan. 13, 2023 after pitching 10 seasons in Japan and made his ML debut April 1 against Los Angeles (AL)…became the 57th pitcher in Oakland history to start in his ML debut.

FIRST START: He was the losing pitcher in his Major League debut, a 13-1 A’s loss to Los Angeles (AL) on April 1 in Oakland…allowed eight runs in 2.1 innings, which are the most runs in Oakland history by a pitcher in his ML debut (previous: 7 by Daniel Gossett on June 14, 2017 at Miami)…matched the most runs by an A’s pitcher in his debut over the last 103 years (fourth time, last: Johnny Gray, July 18, 1954 vs. Chicago, G#1)…retired the side in order in the first two innings…then faced nine batters in the third inning, allowing five hits, three walks and a sacrifice fly.

LAST START: He was the losing pitcher in the A’s 11-0 loss at Tampa Bay a week ago today…blanked the Rays on one walk over the first three innings but then allowed two runs in the fourth and three more in the fifth…allowed two-run singles to Paredes in the fourth and Arozarena in the fifth…was relieved by Moll with one out in the fifth and he allowed an inherited runner to score.

MLB Preview: Tampa Bay Rays (13-1) at Toronto Blue Jays (9-5)

Baseball
MLB

MLB Editor

April 15, 2023

MLB Preview: Tampa Bay Rays (13-1) at Toronto Blue Jays (9-5)

TAMPA BAY RAYS NOTES:

NOTHING LASTS FOREVER — The Rays suffered their first loss of the season on Friday night in Toronto, falling by a 6-3 final…trailing 3-0 in the fourth inning, LF Luke Raley (1-for-4, RBI) got Tampa Bay on the board with a run-scoring single, but Toronto responded with four runs in the fifth…RF Josh Lowe (1-for-4, HR, RBI, R) and C Christian Bethancourt (2-for-4, HR, RBI, R) rounded out the scoring for the Rays with back-to-back solo homers in the seventh.

RHP Drew Rasmussen (4.1IP, 8H, 5ER, 4BB, 4SO) took his first loss of the season after allowing a career-high-tying five earned runs (also 5/30/22 at TEX)…after being recalled from Triple-A Durham prior to the game, RHP Yonny Chirinos (3.2IP, 2H, BB, 2SO) did not permit a run in his season debut.

A LOOK BACK — Prior to last night’s loss, the Rays became the fourth team in MLB history to begin a season 13-0, joining the 1987 Milwaukee Brewers (13-0), 1982 Atlanta Braves (13-0) and 1884 St. Louis Maroons (20-0)…marked the longest win streak in club history, surpassing a 12-game run from 6/9-22, 2004.

The Rays won each of their first nine games by 4+ runs, the second-longest streak to open a season in MLB history behind the 1884 Maroons (13 straight)… ties the fourth-longest overall streak of 4+ run wins in MLB history and marks the longest since the 1939 New York Yankees (10G, 8/20-28, 1939).

Tampa Bay pitching strung together a 32.0 scoreless inning streak from 4/8-11, the longest streak in club history and longest single-season streak in MLB since St. Louis from 8/5-9, 2015 (38.0IP)…the streak included a franchise-record three consecutive shutouts (4/8-10) — Tampa Bay became the first club to record three straight shutouts within a single season since Cleveland in 2017 (8/25-27, 2017).

The Rays turned in back-to-back 11-0 wins over Oakland, 4/8-9, becoming the fourth team in MLB history to record consecutive shutout wins, both by 11+ runs, joining Baltimore in 2019 (6/28-29, 2019), Detroit in 1936 (9/22/36) and the 1885 New York Giants (3G, 5/25/28, 1885).

Through their first 11 games of the season, the Rays had hit 29 homers and allowed only 20 runs…per Elias, that marked the highest difference between home runs hit and runs allowed at any point in a season in MLB history.

BOMBS AWAY — Tampa Bay has hit 34 home runs, tied for most through a team’s first 14 games of a season in MLB history, joining the 2019 Seattle Mariners and 2000 St. Louis Cardinals…the Rays would need two homers today to match the record for most homers through 15 games (36), also set by the 2019 Mariners and 2000 Cardinals.

Tampa Bay has homered in each of its first 14 games, tied with Cleveland in 2002 for the longest streak to open a season in MLB history…only Seattle (20G in 2019) has a longer such streak.

BOTH SIDES OF THE BALL — The Rays lead MLB in both runs scored (104) and fewest runs allowed (36)…the last team to score at least 104 runs and allow 36-or-fewer runs over a 14-game span at any point in a single season was the Rays in 2010 (105-35, 4/10-29, 2010)…five of the last six clubs to accomplish the feat went on to win the World Series.

Tampa Bay’s +68 run differential is the best mark through 14 games in MLB’s Modern Era (since 1900), ahead of the 1905 New York Giants (+64)…the Giants currently hold the record through 15 games (+69).

Tampa Bay’s 104 runs scored are its most through 14 games in club history, ahead of the 2006 Rays (77R)…the last club to score more runs through 14 games was Seattle in 2019 (110R).

The Rays’ 36 runs allowed are second-fewest through 14 games in club history, behind the 2019 team (33R).

PITCHING PROWESS — Tampa Bay’s pitching staff has produced an MLB-leading 2.45 ERA, including the second-best starter ERA (2.65) behind Minnesota (2.45) and second-best bullpen ERA (2.18) behind Milwaukee (1.74)…Rays pitchers rank among MLB leaders in opponents’ OPS (1st, .555), FIP (1st, 3.14), first-pitch strike pct. (1st, 65.9%), opponents’ average (2nd, .197), WHIP (2nd, 1.02), fewest pitches per IP (2nd, 14.9), highest strikeout rate (4th, 25.9%) and lowest walk rate (6th, 7.7%).

Tampa Bay has allowed just seven home runs across 125.0 innings, good for an MLB-best 0.50 HR/9.0IP…marks the fewest homers allowed through 14 games in franchise history, ahead of the 2014 and 2019 Rays (10HR each).

NORTH OF THE BORDER—The Rays and Blue Jays play the second contest of a 13-game season series this afternoon in Toronto…Tampa Bay went 10-9 against Toronto in 2022, outscoring the Blue Jays, 82-73 (+9)…the clubs split their 10 meetings at Rogers Centre last season despite the Rays posting a +7 (47-40) run differential in those games.

The Rays have dropped three straight to the Blue Jays (9/24/22-pres.), their first three-game losing streak to Toronto since 9/28/19-7/24/20…Tampa Bay last dropped four consecutive games to Toronto from 7/19-10/2, 2015 (5G).

“LOWE”D AND PROUD — Since going 3-for-15 (.200) at the plate over his first five games of the season, Brandon Lowe is batting .409 (9-for-22) with one double, five homers and 12 RBI over his last seven appearances…Lowe ranks among AL leaders in runs scored (T2nd, 13), home runs (T3rd, 5), slugging pct. (3rd, .757), OPS (3rd, 1.201), on-base pct. (5th, .444)…since 4/8, he paces the AL in homers (5) while tying for first in RBI (12) and ranking second in total bases (25) behind SEA Jarred Kelenic (26).

SPREADING THE WEALTH — The Rays have an MLB-leading 11 players with multiple homers: Brandon Lowe (5HR), Yandy Díaz (4HR), Wander Franco (4HR), Randy Arozarena (3HR), Isaac Paredes (3HR), Luke Raley (3HR), Harold Ramírez (3HR), Christian Bethancourt (2HR), Josh Lowe (2HR), Manuel Margot (2HR) and Jose Siri (2HR)…the next closest team is San Francisco (8 players).

Tampa Bay also has an MLB-best seven players with 3+ HR…the next closest team is Los Angeles-NL (6 players)…the Rays have four players with 10+ RBI, including Randy Arozarena (16RBI), Wander Franco (12RBI), Brandon Lowe (12RBI) and Isaac Paredes (10RBI)…Los Angeles-NL is the only other team in the majors that has four players with 10+ RBI.

TODAY’S STARTER: RHP CALVIN FAUCHER (0-0, 4.50
NEXT MAN UP — Faucher will make his first major league start today vs. Toronto after making 26 relief appearances to begin his major league career…in seven career starts in the minor leagues, Faucher went 0-1 with a 4.05 (13.1IP, 6ER)…in his most recent start on 8/21/22 at Norfolk, he threw 1.0 inning, allowing two runs on three hits and a walk with one strikeout.

2023 RUNDOWN — Has made four appearances in relief this season, pitching to a 4.50 ERA (6.0IP, 3ER), walking one while striking out four… made his season debut with a scoreless ninth inning on 4/1 vs. Detroit… tossed a career-high 2.0 innings on 4/3 at Washington and 4/7 vs. Oakland

TORONTO BLUE JAYS NOTES:

THE LATEST: The Blue Jays used a four-run 5th inning to propel themselves to a 6-3 win over the Rays last night… Improved to 4-1 in series openers. Toronto has now won eight of its last 10 contests…Can claim its 4th straight series with a win tonight.

SPRING-ING UP: George Springer opened last night’s scoring with his 1st leadoff homer of the season and the 53rd of his career, tying Craig Biggio for 3rd most in MLB history… The ball came off the bat at 115.9 MPH, tied for the 2nd-hardest hit ball of his career (116.4 MPH on May 1, 2021 vs. ATL)…Also walked as part of a 1-for-4 night…Extended his hitting streak to eight games, going 10-for-35 (.286) with three home runs and five RBI (.885 OPS).

A BERRÍOS BOUNCE BACK: José Berríos tossed 5.0 frames last night before he was removed from the game with a left knee contusion…Allowed one run on four hits with no walks and six strikeouts to earn his 1st win of the season.

0 to 500, REAL QUICK: Bo Bichette recorded his 500th career hit with an RBI double in the 2nd inning last night, becoming the fastest player in franchise history to reach the mark, doing so in 407 career games…Also singled in the 1st, 5th, and 6th innings before doubling again in the 8th…Finished 5-for-5 for his 2nd career five-hit game (Aug. 12, 2020 vs. MIA). The 25-year old now has hits in 12 of the 14 games so far, going 25-for-64 (.391) with four doubles, four homers, 10 RBI, and 11 runs scored…The 25 hits are the most in the Majors, two more than any other player, while his 41 total bases have surpassed Matt Chapman (40) for the most in MLB…Among AL batters, is now 3rd in AVG, 5th in OPS (1.059), and 8th in SLG (.641).

GETTING ON WITH IT: Vladimir Guerrero Jr. singled in the 5th last night and has reached base safely in all but one game this season, now 22-for-56 with a double, two homers, seven RBI, and a 7BB/4K ratio for a .393 AVG (2nd in the AL), a .470 OBP (3rd) and a .988 OPS (12th)…
The 22 hits are 3rd most among AL batters…Has recorded 30 hard-hit balls (95+ MPH) this year, the most in MLB.

ROMANO-MATIC: Jordan Romano tossed a 1-2-3 9th inning on a K and a pair of groundouts to close out last night’s game on just nine pitches…Now has five saves to lead the Majors…Led the AL last year with 10 saves in the opening month of the season.

HOME SWEET DOME: The Blue Jays are playing their 1st homestand of the 2023 campaign (3-1 so far)…Their .580 win% (47-34) at home last season ranked 4th in the AL…After this weekend set with the Rays, will head back out on the road to visit the Astros (6-8) and the Yankees (8-6) for three games each. Toronto batters finished 2nd in the AL in 2022 in home AVG (.261), 4th in home OBP (.326), 4th in home SLG (.434), and 4th in home OPS (.760)…The pitching staff posted a 4.04 ERA during home contests (10th in the AL) with a .248 opponents’ AVG (11th) and a 1.23 WHIP (8th).

FRIENEMY FIRE: Kevin Kiermaier singled twice off his former ‘mates and is now 15-for-41 (.366) with four extra-base hits to start his Blue Jays career…His 15 hits while batting 9th are the most in the Majors (2nd: Michael A. Taylor – 13).

SEEING FAMILIAR FACES: Toronto is playing its first divisional games of the 2023 season…Marks the furthest the club has gone into a campaign without an AL East opponent since 2009, when they met the Orioles for Game 25 on May 1. The Jays have now won 21 of their last 31 games vs. AL East foes…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).

HITTING IT: The Blue Jays are 1st in the Majors with a team batting average of .285, just points ahead of the Phillies (.285)…Have also notched an MLB-high 143 hits (2nd: PHI – 140)…Currently rank 2nd in the AL in OBP (.348) and while sitting 3rd in OPS (.777) and 4th in SLG (.429)…Have had an MLB-high 194 batters reach base safely…Are now on a streak of 29 games with 8+ runners on base, the longest of all MLB clubs (courtesy Stats Perform).

VS. THE RAYS: All-Time: 201-238
2023: 1-0 Home: 114-105
Home: 1-0 Rogers Centre: 111-98
The Blue Jays went 9-10 vs. the Rays last season, splitting the 10 games here at Rogers Centre…Last won a season series in 2017 (10-9)…Their .391 (34-53) win percentage vs. TB since 2018 is their 2nd lowest vs. any AL opponent (.385 vs. SEA). Whit Merrifield went 12-for-32 (.375) with five doubles, three home runs, and 10 RBI in his 10 games vs. Tampa Bay last season (1.206 OPS)…In 39 career meetings, is hitting .324 (48-for-148) with 12 doubles, three triples, nine home runs, and 25 RBI (.974 OPS). Vladimir Guerrero Jr. has reached base safely in each of his last 16 games against the Rays, going 18-for68 (.265) with five doubles, two homers, 11 RBI, and two walks…Is the 2nd-longest active streak vs. TB (Time Anderson – 17G)…Has hit .256 (63-for-246) with 16 doubles, two triples, 11 home runs, and 35 RBI across 62 games against them (.789 OPS). Kevin Kiermaier is facing his former club for the 1st time…Was drafted by the Rays in 2010 and played 10 seasons there, winning three Gold Glove Awards and one Platinum Glove Award…Batted .248 with 273 extra-base hits and 316 RBI over 914 games

STARTING PITCHER – Yusei Kikuchi, LHP #16
TODAY’S GAME: Making his 3rd start of the season…Took a no-decision his last time out on 4/9 at LAA, giving up 6 runs on 9 hits and a walk over 4.1 innings with 6 strikeouts…Tossed 99 pitches (59 strikes) on the day, his most pitches in a single outing since 7/28/21 vs. HOU (101). Over 7 Grapefruit League appearances this year (6 starts), went 2-1 with a 0.87 ERA (2 ER/20.2 IP), 10 walks, and 31 strikeouts…Led all qualified hurlers in Spring Training ERA and punchouts, while ranking 2nd in OPP AVG (.130) and 4th in WHIP (0.92).

2023 HIGHLIGHTS: Picked up the win in his season debut on 4/4 at KC, tossing 5.0 innings of one-run ball with 3 hits, a walk, and 2 strikeouts…Was his 1st start since 8/15/22 vs. BAL, and his 1st win as a starter since 7/28/22 vs. DET.

2022 HIGHLIGHTS: Became the the 7th Japanese-born player to play for the Blue Jays, and the 5th pitcher to do so, joining Mike Nakamura (2004), Tomo Ohka (2007), Ryota Igarashi (2012), and Shun Yamaguchi (2020). Over 20 starts, went 4-7 with a 5.25 ERA (48 ER/82.1 IP). Won his 2nd game of the season on 5/16 vs. SEA, his 1st meeting with his former mates…Began the evening with 4.0 no-hit frames before finishing with 6.0 innings of one-hit, shutout ball (3BB, 6K)…Allowed no more than 1 hit in a start for the 3rd time in his career (also: 4/29/21 at HOU and 4/26/19 vs. TEX).

In the month of May, went 2-0 over 5 starts with a 2.36 ERA (7 ER/26.2 IP) and 31 strikeouts while holding batters to a .177 average. Tossed 6.0 innings of one-run ball on 6/30 vs. TB, scattering 4 hits and a walk with a season-high 8 strikeouts on 80 pitches (50 strikes)…The 6.0
frames matched a season-high (done 3 times)…Punched out Taylor Walls in the 5th for his 400th career strikeout, becoming the 15th Japanese-born player to reach the milestone.

Moved to the bullpen in mid August and kept a 4.91 ERA (10 ER/18.1 IP) while going 2-0 in 12 relief appearances. Earned his 1st career MLB save on 9/30 vs. BOS, throwing 3.0 innings of shutout ball with a hit, a walk, and 5 strikeouts.

OTHER HIGHLIGHTS: Made his MLB debut on 3/21/19 for Seattle against Oakland at the Tokyo Dome in Japan…Became the 1st Japanese-born player to make his Major League debut in Japan, picking up a no-decision (4.2 IP, 4H, ER, BB, 3K). Recorded his 1st career complete game shutout on 8/18/19 at TOR, pitching 9.0 scoreless innings and allowing only two hits and a walk with eight strikeouts…Became just the 13th pitcher (17th time) in club history to throw a complete game shutout within his first 30 career appearances (previous: Mike Montgomery on 6/30/15 at SD). In 2021, set personal bests with 7 wins and 163 strikeouts (16th in the AL)…Averaged a career-high 9.30 SO/9. Named to the American League All-Star Team for the 1st time on 7/4/21…Was on the AL club but did not pitch…Became the 14th Japanese-born player to be selected to participate in the Midsummer Classic. Had a career-high 12 strikeouts in 6.0 IP on 7/23/21 vs. OAK…Was his 3rd double-digit strikeout game of the year and the 4th of his career. Spent 8 seasons in the Nippon Professional Baseball league with the Saitama Seibu Lions, earning himself three NPB All-Star nods while fashioning a 73-46 record and a 2.77 ERA.

VS. THE RAYS: Facing the Rays for the 6th time (5th start) in his career…Has gone a perfect 3-0 vs. TB with a 1.88 ERA (5 ER/24.0 IP), a 1.04 WHIP, and a .198 opponent batting average…Has allowed no more than 2 runs in any meeting with Tampa Bay…Met the Rays at Rogers Centre once last season on 6/30, tossing 6.0 innings of one-run ball with 4 hits, a walk, and 8 strikeouts.

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