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Welcome back to Monday Stat Party, a weekly series showcasing some of the most curious and nostalgia-inducing statistical developments from the past week of Mets baseball. I trust that this edition of Monday Stat Party will be the biggest New York sports party of the week.

TUESDAY

Jordan Walker hit two batted balls with an exit velocity of 114 mph or higher. Prior to Walker, only one player in the Statcast era (since 2015) had hit multiple balls at 114+ mph against the Mets in a single game: Giancarlo Stanton, who did it on two occasions at Marlins Park (July 23, 2016, and September 18, 2017).

The Mets suffered their seventh shutout loss of the season, tying them with the Cubs, Padres, and Phillies for the second-most in MLB. Only the Giants (8) have more.

WEDNESDSAY

The Cardinals recorded 13 batted balls with an exit velocity of 100 mph or higher, matching the most the Mets have allowed in a game this season (April 15 against the Dodgers). What could make the Cardinals’ feat even more impressive? The day prior, they recorded 9 batted balls with a 100+ mph exit velocity, tied for fifth-most against the Mets this season.

THURSDAY

Juan Soto’s solo homer in the bottom of the seventh inning was his second go-ahead hit in the sixth inning or later this season. The other came on April 1, 2026, when he hit…another solo homer against the Cardinals.

The Mets surrendered three homers at a projected distance of 400+ feet for the second consecutive day. It’s the first time they’ve allowed a trio of 400+ foot home runs on back-to-back days since June 19-20, 2018 at Coors Field. Prior to Wedneday night, the Mets hadn’t allowed three 400+ foot homers since August 11, 2024 in Seattle. 

Thursday marked just the eighth game in the expansion era (since 1961) where two teams combined to homer in at least five of the game’s first 14 plate appearances. (source: Sarah Langs / MLB)

Christian Scott generated 13 whiffs, his most in a game this season. 11 of those whiffs came via fastball, tying Freddy Peralta (May 12 against the Tigers) for the most whiffs on a Met’s fastball in a game this season.

FRIDAY

The Mets hit multiple home runs in the first inning for the second time this season, having done so for the first time the day before against the Cardinals.

The Mets hit back-to-back home runs for the first time since Opening Day, when Carson Benge and Francisco Alvarez did it. (source: Apple TV broadcast)

Bo Bichette tallied six RBI, matching his career high set on August 4, 2025 at Coors Field.

Bichette also became the first player to hit two home runs within the first two innings of a game twice in his Mets career, whether in the same season or not. He had previously done so on May 19 at Nationals Park. (source: Sarah Langs / MLB)

The Mets hit two first-inning home runs in a second consecutive game for the first time in franchise history. (source: SNY broadcast)

Devin Williams earned his first four-out save as a Met, and his first save of four outs or more since May 28, 2023.

Cionel Pérez’s 1-2 fastball to Michael Harris II in the top of the fifth inning was clocked at 99.4 mph, marking the fastest pitch thrown by a Met this season. A 99.2-mph fastball thrown by Kodai Senga at Busch Stadium on March 31, 2026 was the team’s previous high.

SATURDAY

Sean Manaea completed six innings for the first time since October 8, 2024, when he went seven against the Phillies in Game 3 of the NLDS.

The Mets scored two runs or fewer through nine innings for the 34th time, giving them the most such games in MLB this season. The 1967 Mets (36) and the 1965 Mets (35) are the only teams in franchise history with more such games through the first 70 games of a season.

SUNDAY

The Mets recorded 13 hits, matching their season-high at Citi Field this season (set on May 12 against the Tigers).

Juan Soto and Brett Baty each recorded two hits and two walks. In MLB this season, they are just the fourth pair of teammates to record multiple hits and multiple walks in the same game. The first to do it were the Yankees’ Jazz Chisholm Jr. and Anthony Volpe, in a game against the Mets at Citi Field on May 17.

Soto, Baty, and MJ Melendez each drew two walks. It’s the first time the Mets had three different players in their lineup walk multiple times since Carson Benge, Francisco Lindor, and Jorge Polanco did it on Opening Day against the Pirates.

Soto recorded his fourth consecutive multi-hit game, his most in a row since July 10-13, 2024, while with the Yankees.

Baty reached base four times in a game for the first time since August 22, 2025, also against the Braves.

Miscellaneous Mets stat of the week:

On May 9, 1973 — the day before the Knicks won the NBA Finals — the Mets defeated the Atlanta Braves at home by a score of 8-1. 

On June 14, 2026 — the day after the Knicks won the NBA Finals — the Mets defeated the Atlanta Braves at home by a score of 8-1.

The Mets have only defeated the Atlanta Braves at home by a score of 8-1 on two other occasions in their 65-year history (June 12, 1970, and July 17, 2005).

As we close in on the 2026 MLB Draft, the focus on who the Atlanta Braves are looking at for the ninth overall pick has come into focus a bit. Names like Georgia Tech outfielder Drew Burress, Arkansas catcher Ryder Helfrick, Kentucky shortstop Tyler Bell, and Florida prep lefty Gio Rojas seem to be the names most prominently linked to the club. Massachusetts prep lefty Brody Bumila is also a name that has received some buzz. My goal is to start to break down who these players are and their strengths and weaknesses to prepare you for the newest Braves prospect.

Today we start with Tyler Bell – the highest drafted player in 2024 to make it to college. Bell is among the newest names to become prominently linked to the Braves, and that makes him worth diving into his profile.

Bio

Name: Tyler Bell

Position: Shortstop

Height: 6’1”

Weight: 190

College: Kentucky

High School: Lincoln-Way East HS (Frankfort, IL)

Previously Drafted: 2nd round 2024, Rays. #66 overall

Bats/Throws: S/R

Stats

2025: .296/.385/.522, 17 2B, 2 3B, 10 HR, 46 RBI, 11-16 SB, 24 BB, 59 K in 265 PA over 56 games

2025: .316/.409/.474, 3 2B, 0 3B, 0 HR, 2 RBI, 2-2 SB, 2 BB, 6 K in 22 PA over 5 games in Cape Cod League

2026: .343/.510/.608, 9 2B, 1 3B, 9 HR, 29 RBI, 10-13 SB, 30 BB, 36 K in 194 PA over 41 games

Hit 50/55

A switch-hitter, Bell came into Kentucky and had a very strong true freshman season, though he did hit slightly below .300 with a 22.3% strikeout rate. Although he missed time this year following an injury on the opening weekend, he did show real growth there. Bell raised his average by nearly 50 points, walked six more times over 71 less plate appearances, and cut his strikeout rate to 18.6%. It is worth noting that he was solid against right-handers, but he was elite against lefties

His data suggests that he makes his best and most frequent contact in the middle of the plate and having that stretch out to cover both sides of the plate. He can be beaten low, especially around the two sides of the plate. on the positive side he also seems to be able to hit almost any kind of pitch, with changeups being the pitch he struggles the most against – he also had some lower numbers against cutters, but we have a very tiny sample size – but he was still productive against changeups. Velocity isn’t much of an issue for him either, as he had his lowest exit velocities against 94-97 MPH pitches, but did slash .316/.409/.474 and he did record high exit velocities in the tiny sampling against 97+ MPH pitches.

Power 50

Bell has solid power production for a middle infielder. After hitting 10 homers as a freshman, he was just one short in 15 fewer games than last year. Still his power projects more average than plus, and he is the kind of hitter who will put the ball into the gaps for doubles and even triples power often.

Bell’s exit velocity data suggests that he actually outperformed his expected power numbers this season. It is worth noting that all nine of his homers came against pitches than were under 91 MPH, though five of his nine doubles came against pitches 91 MPH or above.

Speed 50

Bell is only an average speed guy, though does make up for that in other ways like a quick first step and good instincts. He should have the speed to be able to handle shortstop defensively, and while he isn’t a guy who will lead the league in stolen bases, he is a guy who will be a threat on the bases when he gets on.

Glove 50/55

Bell is a guy who should be able to stick at shortstop longterm with an average to slightly above glove thanks to his quickness, instincts, and arm. He does also bring some experience at both second and third base, so the fallback option of being a versatile utility guy is on the table for him if he can’t reach his ceiling.

Arm 55

Bell has a strong arm, which will grade out around above average.

Overall

Bell is a productive player who plays hard. He gutted through this season with his injured shoulder that he knew would require surgery after his season, so it does seem likely that he won’t make his pro debut until the 2027 season.

It’s important to note that there isn’t anything plus about Bell’s tools, but he is average or slightly better across the board. He reminds me a little of Tate Southisene from last year, with a little more power and a little less speed. The comparison is that these are two hard working kids who know how to hit and run, and while they do have power it isn’t the standout tool. Both players are grinders who will do whatever it takes to win and succeed.

Bell’s realistic ceiling probably gets him to borderline All Star, as he is a guy who could hit .270-280 with 20 homers and good on base ability as a shortstop. If he doesn’t reach his ceiling his floor could be a quality super utility guy that plays everywhere and contributes with the bat.

If the Braves were to draft Bell, I would count on not seeing him in a game until 2027, and potentially in Rome to open the season. I would believe he’d have a chance to reach Atlanta by some point in the 2028 season. He would rank behind prospects like Cam Caminiti, Eric Hartman, and probably Tate Southisene in the Braves system, but could rank as high as #4 upon being drafted.

In my personal opinion I wouldn’t say Bell would be my favorite option at #9, but I also wouldn’t say I dislike him as the potential pick. I would definitely be hoping to see the pick come in a little underslot, with the more under he is, the more I like the pick – though he isn’t likely to be significantly underslot either. He could be the Braves longterm answer at short, and is a player who could move quickly.

The Cubs went 3-3 on their trip to Colorado and San Francisco. That isn’t great, but… it’s an improvement over recent weeks. They stand 7.5 games out of first place in the NL Central, which with 90 games remaining is far from insurmountable. And they are just one game behind the third wild card spot.

None of that is going to happen unless the team starts to hit again.

Here’s who was hot and not for the Cubs over the six games.

Three up

Pete Crow-Armstrong continues his surge

PCA batted .346/.370/.654 (9-for-26) over the six games with three doubles, a triple, a home run, five runs scored and two stolen bases.

He was NL Player of the Week last week — I don’t think that’s quite enough to win the honor again, but PCA is on an 18-game on-base streak in which he is batting .377/.429/.714 (29-for-77) with six doubles, a triple, six home runs, four stolen bases and 14 runs scored. That has raised his OPS from .673 to .806 and, I think, puts him in the All-Star Game conversation.

Here is his first-pitch-of-the-game homer Saturday in San Francisco, his 12th of the year [VIDEO].

He also made another five-star catch [VIDEO].

Javier Assad was dominant again

After his great emergency outing replacing the injured Jameson Taillon a week ago Sunday at Wrigley Field, Assad shut down the Giants for six innings Friday, allowing no runs and three hits.

Assad’s making a strong case to remain in the rotation even when the Cubs’ injured starters return.

Here are his five strikeouts Friday [VIDEO].

Michael Busch’s numbers are quietly on the rise

Busch goes about his business on the field with little fanfare, and so you might not have noticed he had at least one hit in each of the six games on the road trip.

That extended his hitting streak to nine. On the six-game trip he batted .333/.462/.667 (7-for-21) with a double, two home runs, six RBI, four runs scored, four walks and even a stolen base.

That brought his season OPS up to .789. He leads the team with 42 RBI and I would think he’ll start hitting homers soon — he does tend to do that in bunches.

Three down

What is wrong with Dansby Swanson?

Swanson had a decent start to this season but his OPS has dropped below .600, a real danger zone. Over the six games he batted .158/.273/.211 (3-for-19) with eight strikeouts.

He’s still playing solid defense but… that’s not enough. He got a “reset” by sitting the last two home games before the trip, but it did not seem to help.

Same thing for Nico Hoerner

Hoerner got Sunday off after batting .150/.143/.200 (3-for-20) in the other five games on the road trip. He did strike out only once, but after a hot start Nico is batting just .185/.267/.219 over his last 37 games — 165 plate appearances. That’s a large enough sample size to be worrisome.

There are some here who have mentioned the day Nico was hit in the head by a pitch in San Diego, April 29 [VIDEO] as a possible turning point.

He remained in the game and played the next two days before getting a day off.

Up to April 29: .291/.370/.449, four home runs, 26 RBI, 13 walks, 14 strikeouts (31 games, 146 PA)
Since that date: .197/.275/.243, no home runs, eight RBI, 17 walks, seven strikeouts (39 games, 171 PA)

I dunno. Should he have been examined for concussion protocol? Maybe you guys are on to something.

Ian Happ is quietly sliding

Over the six games, Happ batted .136/.231/.409 (3-for-22). He did hit two home runs, one each against the Rockies and Giants, but had just one other hit for the week.

Overall Happ’s numbers are still decent, but the Cubs could use more production there. Or, just about anywhere. Here’s hoping the bats come alive beginning tonight against the Rockies.

The Jays have an off day today, which I’m ok with. After yesterdays loss, I could go for a week of off days. But then, tomorrow I’ll be sitting in front of the TV, ready to get punched in the gut again.

I often say that no one, including umpires, understand the balk rule. Yesterday was a good example.

So the balk was called because Hoffman did a ‘good inside move’ to make the pick off throw to second. Which he does on occasion. Which isn’t a balk. But, sometimes a good move will surprise an umpire and, occasionally, if something surprises an umpire, he’ll decide it is against the rules.

I’m sure if plate umpire Steven Jaschinski saw it on TV he would have thought nothing of it. But it was in front of him and it surprised him and, if it surprises him, it can’t be legal. Generally, if an umpire calls balk, the other three will also say it, because when a ruling is iffy, it is best you show a united front (and the umpires want to say ‘yeah, I saw it too’ whether they did or not’. Yesterday it was just Jaschinski.

It is the sort of thing, especially with a long argument delaying things further, that can throw a pitcher off. Moving a go ahead runner to third on the whim of an umpire, adds a fair bit of pressure. But Hoffman got a couple of strikeouts and all was good. For a moment.

And then there was this: I rarely buy into the ‘MLB favours the Yankees’ stuff, but the plate umpire let Caballero delay the game for a long time and the plate umpire never seemed to say ‘that’s enough’. Schneider comes out to argue something that was really worth arguing, and he got tossed quick. Of course, he may have said ‘key words’ that get you tossed. But it definitely seemed that Jaschinkis had a lot more patience with Caballero. I shouldn’t have used the word ‘seemed’, he definitely had a lot more patience with Caballero. I do think that umpires have a lot more patience for crap from Yankees’ players or managers.

I keep hoping that, with us not having couple of bullpen days, every time through the rotation, that we could ease the strain on the bullpen, but Corbin only went 3.2 innings and Scherzer went 3.1 last Wednesday, so we really aren’t going all that much better than a bullpen days quite often.

There was a lot to complain about in Yesterday’s game, mostly RISP stuff. But it was nice to see Nathan Lukes get hitting again, after a few lesser games. And George Springer and Kazuma Okamoto seem to have figured out how to make hard contact with the ball again. And Davis Schneider had two hits. After his time in Buffalo, where he seemed to be waiting for pitchers to walk him, I’m happy to see that. One game isn’t a trend, but it doesn’t hurt.

On the flip side, Yohendrick Piñango, Charles McAdoo and Jesús Sánchez all had a rough time with RISP. There are going to be days like that, but they did look like they were over matched.

I’m not really sure that McAdoo is that much of an upgrade on Lenyn Sosa, though it isn’t fair to judge him on 24 PA. I would feel better if he would take the odd walk. I guess he hasn’t shown MLB pitchers that they have to work off the edges yet. Sosa got 87 PA, McAdoo should get a similar number before we write him off.

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The Colorado Rockies own a NL-worst 13-25 record on the road this season.

With the Chicago Cubs having a massive starting pitching advantage, my Rockies vs. Cubs prediction and MLB picks are banking on Colorado's road woes continuing on Monday, June 15

Who will win Rockies vs Cubs today: Chicago Cubs -1.5 (-105)

The Chicago Cubs rank fifth in OBP and tied for ninth in runs.  They should have success against Michael Lorenzen, who owns a 7.54 ERA, 1.90 WHIP, and ranks in the first percentile in Pitcher Run Value.

While Lorenzen slowed the Cubs in his last start, his xERA was nearly five runs lower than his average. He’s unlikely to replicate that performance.

It’ll be tough for the Colorado Rockies to score on Shota Imanaga, who has allowed two or fewer in four of five against teams outside the Top-15 in OBP vs. lefties.

Play the Cubs run line to -115.

COVERS INTEL:Lorenzen has allowed hard contact 42% of the time, the highest of any projected starter on Monday.

Rockies vs Cubs Over/Under pick: Under 9.5 (-120)

Excluding the most recent series against the Athletics, which was played in an extreme hitter-friendly park, the Rockies have a .299 wOBA and .115 ISO on the road vs. lefties this season.

They have also struck out more than 26% of the time, which is a recipe for trouble against Imanaga. He ranks in the 96th percentile in chase rate and could be in for a ceiling performance in strikeouts.

The Cubs will score against Lorenzen, but 7+ runs may be needed to push this one Over the total.

I’d play the Under 9.5 to -130.

Rockies vs Cubs odds

• Moneyline: Rockies +170 | Cubs -210
• Run line: Rockies +1.5 (-115) | Cubs -1.5 (-105)
• Over/Under: Over 9.5 (+100) | Under 9.5 (-120)

Rockies vs Cubs trend

Chicago has hit the Game Total Under in 24 of the last 40 games (+6.8 units, 15% ROI). Find more MLB betting trends for Rockies vs. Cubs.

How to watch Rockies vs Cubs and game info

Rockies vs Cubs latest injuries

Rockies vs Cubs weather

This article originally appeared on Covers.com, read the full article here and view our best betting sites or check out our top sportsbook promos.

The Milwaukee Brewers are looking to maintain their lead in the NL Central as they’ll play host to the Cleveland Guardians this week, a team right in the mix in the AL Central. The Brewers, at 43-26, sit five games ahead of the second-place Cardinals in the division and currently hold the No. 3 seed in the league, behind only the Braves (46-25) and Dodgers (45-27). The Guardians, at 39-33, are tied with the White Sox atop the AL Central, though they lost their best player in José Ramírez to a hamate bone fracture (the same injury that shelved Andrew Vaughn earlier this year) over the weekend.

The Brewers are currently without pitchers DL Hall (late July), Brandon Woodruff (mid- to late June), Coleman Crow (late June), Quinn Priester (TBD), Carlos Rodriguez (TBD), Brian Fitzpatrick (likely out for season), Rob Zastryzny (late June/early July), Logan Henderson (early July), Jared Koenig (close to returning), and Angel Zerpa (out for season). The lone position player currently on the IL is outfielder Brandon Lockridge, who is slated for a late June return, though he’s had several injury flare-ups in his knee in recent weeks.

The Guardians are without the aforementioned Ramírez, who will be out until after the All-Star break after undergoing surgery. Outfielders Chase DeLauter and Angel Martínez are both currently listed as day to day, as DeLauter is awaiting MRI and CT scans after a crash into the right-field wall, and Martínez took a foul ball off his left foot, though the hope is he’ll return for this series. The lone pitcher on the IL is lefty Erik Sabrowski, who began a rehab assignment over the weekend.

Jake Bauers sits atop the Brewer home run leaderboard with 13 this season, though Jackson Chourio is quickly closing on him with nine homers in just 35 games. Speaking of Chourio, after a big week, he’s now slashing .322/.370/.572 for the year. Brice Turang has cooled off considerably but still has a .261/.378/.457 line with 10 homers and 12 steals, while Gary Sánchez and William Contreras have also flashed their power this year. Garrett Mitchell, Christian Yelich, Sal Frelick, Andrew Vaughn, Joey Ortiz, and David Hamilton round out the regulars, with Blake Perkins and Luis Rengifo serving as depth, though if speculation is to be believed, Rengifo will be replaced one way or another by shortstop prospect Cooper Pratt on Tuesday, as Pratt has already been confirmed to be headed to the majors. As a team, the Brewers are hitting .255/.340/.394 (.734 OPS ranks eighth), with 63 homers (27th), 370 runs (third), and 70 steals (tied for third).

Angel Martínez leads the Guards with 11 homers this season, adding 11 doubles, nine steals, and 33 RBIs. DeLauter and Kyle Manzardo both have seven homers, while former Brewer Rhys Hoskins has six homers, though he’s hitting just .185 (with a much more solid .330 OBP thanks to 34 walks). Brayan Rocchio, Steven Kwan, Daniel Schneemann, and former No. 1 overall pick Travis Bazzana are also in the mix. Austin Hedges and Patrick Bailey share time behind the plate, while David Fry, Gabriel Arias, and Stuart Fairchild provide depth. As a team, the Guardians are hitting .232/.317/.372 (.689 OPS ranks 27th), with 66 homers (24th), 289 runs (23rd), and 69 steals (fifth).

The Brewer bullpen is led by Aaron Ashby, who sports a 2.72 ERA with 59 strikeouts over 43 innings. Trevor Megill, Abner Uribe, and Grant Anderson have also been reliable pieces, while Chad Patrick has been mostly good but struggled mightily against the A’s and Phillies in the last week. Drew Rom and Joel Kuhnel fill the back of the bullpen. As a staff, the Brewers have a 3.45 team ERA (fourth), including a 3.40 starter ERA (fourth) and a 3.51 bullpen ERA (ninth). They’ve struck out 675 batters (first) over 618 1/3 innings.

Tim Herrin and closer Cade Smith lead the Cleveland bullpen, as Herrin has a 2.92 ERA and 23 strikeouts over 24 2/3 innings, and Smith, who is 23-for-25 in save opportunities, has a 2.48 ERA with 49 strikeouts over 32 2/3 innings. Matt Festa ranks third on the team with 30 appearances, though he has a 4.30 ERA. Hunter Gaddis (3.86 ERA over 18 2/3 IP), Shawn Armstrong (3.32 ERA over 19 IP), Colin Holderman (1.73 ERA over 26 IP), Daniel Espino (no MLB appearances), and Will Dion (4.35 ERA over 10 1/3 IP) round out the bullpen. As a staff, the Guardians have a 3.75 team ERA (sixth), including a 3.80 starter ERA (sixth) and a 3.68 bullpen ERA (11th). They’ve struck out 658 batters (third) over 638 1/3 innings.

Probable Pitchers

Tuesday, June 16 @ 6:40 p.m.: LHP Robert Gasser (0-3, 6.38 ERA, 7.25 FIP) vs. RHP Slade Cecconi (3-5, 4.83 ERA, 4.29 FIP)

Gasser has had a rough go of it in his return to the majors, with a 6.38 ERA, 7.25 FIP, and 19 strikeouts over 18 1/3 innings in four starts. He’s taken the loss in each of his last three starts, though his last start came in Las Vegas, meaning it comes with the caveat of a lot of homers — six runs allowed on eight hits (four homers) and two walks, striking out seven over five innings. This marks Gasser’s first career appearance against Cleveland.

Cecconi, 27 next week, is in his fourth MLB season and second with the Guardians after beginning his career in Arizona. He’s been a serviceable albeit not great arm for them, with a 4.83 ERA, 4.29 FIP, and 61 strikeouts over 72 2/3 innings this year. He went five innings in a no-decision his last time out, allowing two runs on six hits and a pair of walks while striking out seven against the Yankees. This marks Cecconi’s first career appearance against Milwaukee.

Wednesday, June 17 @ 6:40 p.m.: RHP Brandon Sproat (1-4, 5.70 ERA, 5.56 FIP) vs. RHP Gavin Williams (9-3, 3.32 ERA, 3.81 FIP)

Sproat has still not quite been able to put things together with a 5.70 ERA, 5.56 FIP, and 57 strikeouts over 60 innings, though he’s coming off arguably the best start of his young career in Vegas. Over six innings, he allowed just one run (a solo homer) on four hits and one walk, striking out three on just 68 pitches. Unfortunately, the bullpen let him down, as they immediately allowed three runs in the seventh en route to a 4-3 A’s win. Like Gasser, this marks Sproat’s first career appearance against Cleveland.

Williams, 26, has quickly turned into a top-of-the-rotation type starter, as he turned in a 3.06 ERA season last year and has been nearly as good this season, with a 3.32 ERA, 3.81 FIP, and 99 strikeouts over 86 2/3 innings. After rattling off four consecutive wins from mid-May through early June, he took a no-decision his last time around, allowing four runs (three earned) on four hits and three walks, striking out five over five innings as the Guardians would go on to lose to the Yankees in extras. Williams has started against Milwaukee in each of the last two seasons, totaling nine innings with seven runs allowed on 10 hits and three walks, striking out 11 as he took a loss and a no-decision.

Thursday, June 18 @ 1:10 p.m.: LHP Shane Drohan (3-2, 3.59 ERA, 2.73 FIP) vs. LHP Parker Messick (6-3, 2.68 ERA, 3.33 FIP)

Drohan, who has now made three consecutive appearances from the rotation, hasn’t been quite as sharp as a starter, though he’s still keeping the Brewers in games. With a 3.59 ERA, 2.73 FIP, and 44 strikeouts over 42 2/3 innings, there’s clear potential for the young lefty. He’s coming off a loss, in which he allowed four runs on eight hits and no walks, striking out seven over five innings in a 9-8 loss to the Phillies. As is the case with Gasser and Sproat, this marks Drohan’s first career appearance against Cleveland.

Messick, 25, is in his second season and is off to a great start to his young career, with a career 2.69 ERA, 3.21 FIP, and 120 strikeouts over 120 1/3 innings through 21 starts. He’s coming off back-to-back losses against the Rangers and Yankees, though, as those two outings spanned 11 1/3 innings with eight runs allowed (seven earned) on 10 hits and four walks, striking out eight. This marks Messick’s first career appearance against Milwaukee.

How to Watch & Listen

Tuesday, June 16: Brewers TV; listen via radio on the Brewers Radio Network (620 WTMJ in Milwaukee)

Wednesday, June 17: Brewers TV; listen via radio on the Brewers Radio Network (620 WTMJ in Milwaukee)

Thursday, June 18: Brewers TV; listen via radio on the Brewers Radio Network (620 WTMJ in Milwaukee)

Prediction

This series features a trio of young pitching matchups, with the oldest starter among the six being Drohan at a whopping 27 years of age (Gasser is also 27, though slightly younger). Give me the Crew to win two of three.

The Dodgers broke even on the road last week, taking two of three games against the Pirates in Pittsburgh before losing two of three to the first-place White Sox in Chicago.

The offense was more productive than usual on the road trip, averaging over six runs per game, but the big inning has been the bane of the pitching staff of late. After allowing six runs in an inning in a home loss to the Angels on June 7, the Dodgers on the road allowed three runs and five runs in consecutive innings Wednesday in Pittsburgh, gave up a four-run inning on Thursday at PNC Park, then allowed a seven-run inning Friday and six runs in one frame on Sunday in the two losses in Chicago.

It’s been over a month since the Dodgers last lost consecutive games, but the shaky pitching of late has also prevented them from going on any sort of big run. They’ve alternated wins and losses over their last eight games.

Batter of the week

We’ll go with Max Muncy narrowly over Shohei Ohtani, though in reality either player could have won. Muncy batted two more times than Ohtani, and reached base two more times than Ohtani, giving him the razor-thin edge. Muncy, an excellent candidate to make his third All-Star team, leads National League third basemen in several categories, and his two home runs on Saturday gave him 225 with the Dodgers, three shy of tying Ron Cey for fifth-most in franchise history.

Pitcher of the week

Yoshinobu Yamamoto is the rock of the pitching staff, a reliable and durable ace who has turned in two gems in a row. He took a perfect game into the eighth inning on Saturday in Chicago, and took a no-hitter into the ninth in a blowout win over the White Sox.

Yamamoto leads the Dodgers with six starts of at least seven innings, including four times in his last five outings.

Week 12 results

3-3 record
41 runs scored (6.83 per game)
33 runs allowed (5.50 per game)
.598 pythagorean win percentage

Year to date

45-27 record
386 runs scored (5.36 per game)
245 runs allowed (3.40 per game)
.697 pythagorean win percentage (50-22)

Miscellany

Milestone watch: On Tuesday in Pittsburgh, Freddie Freeman had two hits, and his seventh-inning RBI single off Brandan Bidois was his 2,500th career hit. Freeman is the 102nd player in major league history with 2,500 career hits, and the first new member of the club since Robinson Canó in 2019. The next big milestone within range for Freeman — besides passing a few more folks on the all-time doubles list — is 1,000 extra-base hits, an exclusive group that currently includes only 39 members. Freeman through Sunday has 976 career extra-base hits. He has 24 extra-base hits over his last 60 games, to give a rough idea of a possible timeline to get to 1,000.

Shortest possible distance to Petit: Yoshinobu Yamamoto’s flirtation with perfection saw him retire his first 23 batters faced on Saturday in Chicago, which came directly after the right-hander retired his final 22 batters faced in a gem against the Angels on June 6 at Dodger Stadium. Yamamoto’s 45 consecutive batters retired tied Mark Buehrle (July 18-28, 2009) for the second-longest streak in major league history, just one behind Yusmeiro Petit from July 22-August 28, 2014. The error by shortstop Mookie Betts in the eighth inning on Saturday would have been the record-tying 46th straight out for Yamamoto.

Congraduations: Dave Roberts was away from the team on Sunday in Chicago, to be with his daughter Emmerson as she graduated from Stanford. That put bench coach Danny Lehmann in charge for Sunday’s loss to the White Sox. This is the third time Lehmann, who was promoted to bench coach in 2023, has served as interim manager. Lehmann was also at the helm for a 2-1 road win over the San Diego Padres on May 6, 2023 while Roberts was at his son Cole’s graduation from Loyola Marymount, and also for a 6-5 home win over the Washington Nationals last June 20 while Roberts was suspended for a game for a benches-clearing incident the night before against the Padres.

Transactions

Wednesday: When the Dodgers needed a right-handed multi-position infielder after the Hernándezes got injured on consecutive days in May, they chose to bring back the previously-dispatched Santiago Espinal. The writing on the wall was there for Tyler Fitzgerald, who started at five positions for Oklahoma City after getting acquired from the Toronto Blue Jays on April 28. So it wasn’t all too surprising that Fitzgerald was released last week.

Thursday: Five days after initially getting scratched from the lineup, catcher Will Smith was placed on the injured list with neck inflammation. The open 40-man-roster spot courtesy of Fitzgerald’s release was filled by the call up of veteran backstop Chuckie Robinson, playing for a second straight season with the Dodgers.

Game results

• Tuesday: Dodgers 12, Pirates 3
• Wednesday: Pirates 9, Dodgers 8
• Thursday: Dodgers 8, Pirates 6
• Friday: White Sox 8, Dodgers 2
• Saturday: Dodgers 7, White Sox 1
• Sunday: White Sox 6, Dodgers 4

Previous reviews: Week 1 | Week 2 | Week 3 | Week 4 | Week 5 | Week 6 | Week 7 | Week 8 | Week 9 | Week 10 | Week 11

Up next

The Dodgers are back home for the middle portion of their 12 straight games against American League teams, running the Danny Clyburn gauntlet against the Tampa Bay Rays and Baltimore Orioles at Dodger Stadium. Monday night is an exclusive ESPN telecast.