Weekend Matchups: Friday Openers, Including Rockies At Marlins

ROCKIES (37-59) at MARLINS (53-45)

● Colorado took three of four against Miami at Coors Field from May 22-25 – they are 11-2 at home against the Marlins since 2019, but just 3-7 in Miami in that span. The Marlins have not lost a home series to the Rockies since 2013, winning seven of the eight series since (split in 2019), including a three-game sweep at loanDepot Park last season.

● Colorado split a two-game set with the Astros, with three of the club’s nine hits in the series going for home runs. The Rockies have 19 home runs in 12 games this month after they hit 26 homers in 27 games in June, their most in a month this season.

● Peter Lambert allowed two hits over three scoreless innings in his first start of the season on July 1; he had allowed five runs on five hits in an inning of relief two days prior. The righthander has a 7.26 ERA in 22 career starts compared to a 6.89 mark in 14 relief appearances (all this season).

● Miami lost all six games of its second-half opening road trip, allowing at least five runs in each game while failing to score more than four in all but one game (6-5 loss in Baltimore). The Marlins are an MLB-best 21-8 (.724) in one-run games this season and 31-17 (.646) in games decided by two runs or fewer – only the Orioles (.651) are better.

● Jena Segura has a career .328/.387/.492 slash line in 62 career games against Colorado, though he went 0-for-12 in the May series in Denver. His .328 average against the Rockies is tied with Corey Seager for seventh-best among active players (min. 250 PA).

● Braxton Garrett has not taken a loss in 12 consecutive starts since May 14. It is just the third time in club history that a pitcher has gone 12+ straight starts in a single season without taking a loss – Anibal Sanchez had a 14-game run in 2011, while Livan Hernandez did not take a loss in his first 13 career starts in 1997.

PADRES (46-51) at TIGERS (44-52)

● The Tigers hold an 11-7 lead in the all-time series with San Diego, including two of three at Comerica Park last season; prior to that, the teams had not met since 2017. The Padres are just 1-5 all-time at Comerica Park.

● San Diego salvaged a 3-4 road trip after taking two of three in Toronto, including a 2-0 win on Wednesday before a 4-0 loss on Thursday. Wednesday’s victory was the club’s ninth shutout this season, tied for fifth in MLB and fourth in the NL.

● Manny Machado is batting .305 with nine home runs in 15 games this month after hitting .262 with four homers in 26 games last month. He had nine home runs in his first 66 games this season.

● Seth Lugo matched his season high with five runs on seven hits in Sunday’s start in Philadelphia after posting a 2.05 ERA in his last four starts (22.0 innings) entering the break. Lugo is seeking his first win since May 3, he has an 0-2 record and 4.33 ERA in the seven starts since, though three of those have been quality starts.

● Detroit closed out a 5-2 road trip by taking a 3-0 victory over the Royals on Thursday. This win marked the Tigers’ fourth shutout win in 11 games – the first time they have had four shutouts in 11 games since April 2015.

● Reese Olson has a 2.33 ERA in his last five outings (three starts) after posting a 5.59 ERA in his first four appearances (three starts). Olson and the other Tigers rookies have pitched in 103 games this season, tied with the Reds for second-most in MLB – only the Athletics (132) have more.

GIANTS (54-43) at NATIONALS (38-58)

● The Giants have won five of the seven meetings at Nationals Park since 2021, including a three-game sweep last April. The Nationals took two of three against the Giants from May 8- 10 in San Francisco, tallying 33 hits in the series.

● The Giants split a four-game set in Cincinnati despite hitting just .189 over the series – 13 of their 25 hits went for extra bases, including both hits in Thursday’s 2-1 loss. San Francisco is batting .211 this month, second worst in MLB (Pittsburgh, .209).

● Wilmer Flores is batting .450 over his last 11 games and hit four home runs in the series in Cincinnati. The veteran is batting .292 in 69 games this season, his best mark since 2019 (.317 with Arizona) and has a career-high .526 slugging percentage.

● Alex Wood has gotten 8.55 runs of support per nine innings this season, highest in MLB (min. 50 IP). However, he has gotten no runs of support in either of his last two losses, allowing 11 runs (10 earned) in 5.0 innings over those starts.

● Washington dropped two of three at Wrigley Field, including a 17-3 defeat on Tuesday, the third time the Nationals have allowed 15+ runs, most in MLB. It is the fourth time in franchise history that the team has allowed 15+ runs three times in a season (1998, 1999 and 2000).

● Jake Irvin has allowed a home run in each of his last four starts and has a 5.49 ERA over that span (19.2 innings). He had not allowed a home run in any of his previous three starts, posting a 3.00 ERA in that span (15.0 innings).

ROYALS (28-70) at YANKEES (50-47)

● The Yankees have won their last 14 series versus the Royals, tying the third longest streak of series wins by one MLB team against another over the last 60 seasons (1964-2023). The other streaks of 14 or more series wins were by Oakland over Tampa Bay (15, 1998-2003), Texas over Houston (15, 2009-2014) and Atlanta over Montreal (14, 1995-1998).

● The Royals’ 3-0 loss to the Tigers yesterday was their 12th shutout loss this season, which ties them with Detroit for the major-league high. Kansas City was shut out 16 times last year, tied with the Cardinals for second most in MLB, behind the Tigers (22 times).

● Alec Marsh, who made his MLB debut on June 30, is 0-3 with 21 strikeouts in 15 innings in his three big-league games. It’s the most strikeouts by any Royals pitcher over their first three career MLB games all-time. The previous high was 18 by Brady Singer in 2020.

● The Yankees have the third lowest team batting average in MLB in 2023 at .230, yet their .404 average with the bases loaded is more than 35 points higher than any other team for the season (Rays - .367).

● Anthony Rizzo has not homered in any of his last 178 plate appearances dating back to May 21 of this season, the longest such drought of his career. His previous long was 158 PA between June 11, 2011 and June 30, 2012.

● Clarke Schmidt allowed seven runs in 4.2 innings in his loss to the Rays on May 14, but he has not given up more than three runs in any of his 10 starts since then (4-2, 2.87 ERA).

PHILLIES (52-44) at GUARDIANS (47-49)

● The Phillies won their first series in Cleveland (2-1 in June 2002), but they’ve lost their three series at Progressive Field since then (1-2 in 2007, 0-2 in 2013, and 1-2 in 2019).

● The Phillies’ 19-10 (.655) record in interleague games is the third best in the major leagues, behind the Blue Jays (20-9, .690) and Marlins (20-10, .667).

● Ranger Suarez is 0-2 with a 5.82 ERA in his three starts this month. He walked at least three batters in each of those games (10 BB in 17 innings). This is the first time Suarez has issued three or more walks in each of three consecutive starts in his major-league career.

● The Guardians have scored at least five runs in each of their last four games (31 total runs, two wins, two losses), tying their season high, done once before (May 29-June 1). Cleveland has not had a longer streak of five-run games since July 15-19, 2019 (five games).

● Josh Naylor and Amed Rosario each have 17 runs batted in this month, which ties them for second most by an American League player, behind the Red Sox’ Justin Turner (19).

● Gavin Williams has 11 issued walks in 29.2 innings in his five games in the major leagues. All his walks issued have been to left-handed hitters (68 BFP) as he is yet to walk any of the 52 right-handed batters he's faced to begin his MLB career.

METS (45-51) at RED SOX (51-46)

● The Red Sox have won their last six games against the Mets (since July 29, 2020). It’s the longest winning streak for either team in the 35-game interleague history between the clubs.

● Mets starting pitchers had a 5.01 ERA through the team’s first 74 games this season but their 2.76 starters ERA in 22 games since then is the second lowest in the majors over that span (June 22 to date), behind the Padres at 2.40.

● Pete Alonso’s .174 batting average since April 22 (42-for-242 in 67 games) is the lowest in the major leagues since that date among qualifying batters. Alonso’s current nine-game home-run drought is his longest homerless streak this season.

● Kodai Senga has thrown 100 or more pitches in eight of his 17 games this season, including each of his last four games. The only other rookie with even half as many 100-pitch games this season as Senga is the Reds’ Andrew Abbott.

● Red Sox are the only team in the majors that has not pitched a shutout at home this season (They have two road shutouts). Boston’s last shutout at Fenway Park was a 6-0 win over Tampa Bay on October 4 last year.

● Kutter Crawford is 3-2 with a 3.93 ERA in eight starts since he rejoined the Red Sox’ rotation on June 3. Over that span, Crawford is 3-2 with a 2.81 ERA in five starts on the road and 0-0 with a 6.55 ERA in three starts at Fenway Park.

DIAMONDBACKS (54-43) at REDS (52-46)

● The Diamondbacks are 17-9 (.654) in Cincinnati since 2014. That’s Arizona’s best road record against any National League team over the last 10 seasons. The Diamondbacks are 12-13 (.480) in home games versus the Reds since 2014.

● Corbin Carroll’s stolen base in Atlanta yesterday was the Diamondbacks’ 100th steal this season. Arizona reached 100 stolen bases in its 97th game, faster than any other season in team history. The Diamondbacks’ previous record was 114 games in 2015.

● Tommy Henry notched only 13 strikeouts in 27 innings over his first five starts this season (4.3 per nine innings), but he has recorded 43 strikeouts in 50.1 innings in nine starts since then (7.7 per nine innings).

● The Reds are the only team in the major leagues with a winning record on the road (27-20) and a losing record at home (25-26) this season.

● Joey Votto has a .444 on-base percentage in his 72 games against the Diamondbacks. Votto’s one-base percentage versus Arizona is the third-highest all-time among players with at least 200 plate appearances against the D’backs. The top two on the list are Barry Bonds (.499) and Larry Walker (.446).

● Ben Lively’s average of 15.3 pitches per inning this year is the lowest among Reds’ pitchers who have appeared in three or more games this season.

DODGERS (55-40) at RANGERS (58-39)

● The Dodgers have won nine of their last 11 games against the Rangers, outhomering Texas, 20-7, in that span. The teams haven’t played since the 2021 campaign.

● The Rangers have an ongoing six-game winning streak after sweeping the Guardians and the Rays at home. During the streak, they have scored 5.50 runs per game and allowed just 2.50.

● Martín Pérez, the Rangers’ scheduled starter for Sunday’s game, owns a 1.50 WHIP, tied with Brady Singer for the worst mark in the American League (minimum 90.0 IP). This would be his fourth career season with a 1.50 WHIP or worse, the most among active players.

● Max Muncy is one of just two players in MLB with a batting average lower than .200 (.188) and 20 home runs or more (22) this season, along with Kyle Schwarber (.190 AVG, 26 HR). Muncy also did this last year (.196 AVG, 21 HR) – he would be the first player all-time to do so in back-to-back seasons.

● Bobby Miller, who will take the ball for the Dodgers on Saturday, has a 4.25 ERA in nine starts and 48.2 innings this year. He posted a 0.78 ERA in his first four outings and a 7.36 ERA in his last five.

● This will be Corey Seager’s first game against his former club, a team in which he racked up 700+ hits and 100+ home runs from 2015 to 2021. There have been 13 Dodgers to do this with the team over their first seven career years, but Seager is the only one to do so while also winning a World Series.

BRAVES (62-33) at BREWERS (54-43)

● Of all the series between teams since 2013 in which there were at least 20 matchups, Braves-Brewers is the only one in which both have scored the same number of runs (233).

● Ronald Acuña Jr. is the second MLB player since 1901 to post 20+ home runs and 40+ stolen bases thru his first 95 games of a season, joining Rickey Henderson in 1990 (20 HR, 48 SB).

● Bryce Elder, who will take the hill on Sunday for Atlanta, has a 3.31 ERA for the season (108.2 IP). However, since the start of June, he has a 5.44 ERA in eight starts over 43.0 innings.

● Christian Yelich has a 1.042 OPS since June 6 after posting a .729 OPS on the season prior. Yelich has six games with 3+ hits in this span (including yesterday against Philly) – the only player with more is Shohei Ohtani (7).

● Julio Teherán, Sunday’s scheduled starter for the Brewers, opened the season with a 1.53 ERA over his first six starts. The right-hander, who pitched the first nine years of his MLB career with the Braves, has a 9.37 ERA in his last three outings (16.1 innings).

● The Braves have lost consecutive series against the White Sox and Diamondbacks heading into Friday’s action. Before that, they had won 11 straight series, with a 27-6 record over that span

WHITE SOX (41-57) at TWINS (50-48)

● Chicago’s starting pitchers have combined for a 2.83 ERA against Minnesota this year compared to a 4.73 mark against all other opponents. This has produced four quality starts in six games (66.7) – they have done this in 31.5 percent of all other games (29/92).

● Minnesota and Chicago rank first (9.86) and third (9.76), respectively, in K/9 by its starting rotation. The Twins have received at least five strikeouts from their starter in 16 straight games, tied for the second-longest streak by any team since 1901 (2018 Brewers – 17).

● Two Twins have recorded 50+ hits and 10+ home runs over their first 50 career games – Miguel Sano (2015) and Marty Cordova (1995). Edouard Julien has 48 hits and nine HR in 49 games and enters today’s matchup riding an eight-game hit streak.

● The White Sox won their final game of a three-game set against the Mets yesterday, 6-2. However, they are 13-27 (.325) in games following a win this season, second worst in MLB (Royals, 6-22).

● Over his first six career starts against Minnesota, Dylan Cease went 1-3 while posting an 8.04 ERA and a .319 opponent batting average. In his last five starts, Cease has a 3-1 record while bringing those numbers down to 2.32 and .155, respectively.

● Of Jake Burger’s 58 hits, 21 of them have gone over the fence, the fifth-highest rate (36.2) in MLB (minimum 50 hits). The only White Sox to have a higher rate in a season was Adam Dunn in 2012 (37.3 percent; 41/110).

PIRATES (42-54) at ANGELS (49-48)

● The Pirates and Angels have split their 18 all-time matchups at nine games apiece, including a 6-6 split when meeting in Anaheim. Pittsburgh has taken five of the last six road matchups, a span during which it has outhomered the Angels, 12-1.

● Johan Oviedo has allowed six homers over his last five starts, more than his five total allowed in his first 14 outings of 2023. The Pirates have lost each of Oviedo's last seven starts with Oviedo earning the loss in six of them.

● Jared Triolo has recorded a hit in 15-of-17 games to start his MLB career. The only other Pirates with a hit in at least 15 of their first 17 career games are Roberto Clemente and Andrew McCutchen, both with 15 as well.

● Shohei Ohtani has held opposing righties to a .182 average this season, lowest among the 83 MLB pitchers with at least 200 right-handed batters faced this season.

● Since making his season debut on May 13, Mickey Moniak has a triple slash line of .331/.364/.631. The Guardians' Josh Naylor (.379/.408/.636) is the only player who is higher than Moniak in all three categories in this span (minimum 150 plate appearances).

● The Angels have scored 47.0 percent of their total runs this season from home runs, the third-highest rate in the American League. The Pirates have allowed 34.8% of their total runs from home runs, the third-lowest rate in MLB this year.

BLUE JAYS (54-43) at MARINERS (48-48)

● Toronto has a record of 31-49 (.388) in T-Mobile Park, fifth worst by any team since the stadium opened in 1999. This includes losses in nine of its last 11 games played there.

● Both Toronto and Seattle are coming off shutout victories in their last games. The Blue Jays’ 11 shutouts are tied with the Brewers for the most in MLB this season while the Mariners nine are tied for fifth most.

● Vladimir Guerrero Jr. has gone homerless in his last 89 plate appearances against Seattle, the second-longest drought against any opponent in his career (93 vs. Boston; 2019-20). His lone HR against the Mariners came in his first career game against them (August 16, 2019).

● Kevin Gausman has an ERA of 1.98 in day games, but that shoots up to 4.56 when pitching in night games. The 2.58 increase (night worse) is the second largest in MLB behind Braxton Garrett (4.03; minimum 40.0 IP each split).

● Seattle’s starting rotation has recorded a quality start in 49 games this season, most in MLB (Toronto ranks third with 47). The Mariners have never led MLB in this category.

● J.P. Crawford’s .150 increase in batting average from June (.205) to July (.355) is the second largest in MLB behind William Contreras (+.162; minimum 50 AB each month).