Here are a few items to track to begin the week…
1. Ohtani’s 51-game on-base streak
An RBI double in the third inning of Sunday’s game against the Rockies pushed Shohei Ohtani‘s on-base streak to 51 games. He now sits alone in third place in Dodgers’ history (since 1900). Shawn Green is next on the list at 53 games. Ohtani will need another week of reaching base safely to catch Duke Snider, who compiled a 58-game on-base streak in 1954. The Dodgers face left-hander Jose Quintana in the final game of the series tonight. Left-on-left matchups have been no issue for Ohtani. He has a .998 OPS in 27 plate appearances against southpaws this season.
2. Miller nearing Padres’ record
Flamethrower Mason Miller locked down his eighth save on Sunday against the Angels. The right-hander retired the side in order, pushing his scoreless innings streak to 32 2/3 innings. Miller is now one clean frame away from Cla Meredith‘s franchise record. He’s permitted just two hits and two walks this season. Of the 34 outs Miller has recorded, 27 have come via strikeout. Miller was last scored upon on August 5. Lourdes Gurriel Jr. turned around a 103 mph fastball for a game-tying two-run homer in the eighth inning. Miller was saddled with a blown save, but the Padres ultimately won in 11 innings. San Diego opens a three-game set against Colorado on Tuesday.
3. Waldichuk visiting specialist
Left-hander Ken Waldichuk is getting a second opinion on his injured forearm today, reports Spencer Nusbaum of The Athletic. The initial recommendation for the lefty was Tommy John surgery. Waldichuk missed the 2024 season while recovering from TJ and did not reach the majors last year. He made his long-awaited big-league return in Washington’s second game of the season. Ian Happ rudely welcomed him back with a three-run homer on his first pitch. Waldichuk left an April 12 matchup against the Brewers in the middle of a Brice Turang at-bat. He hit the 15-day IL shortly after, and soon moved to the 60-day IL.
Photo courtesy of Isaiah J. Downing, Imagn Images
