As the 2023 regular season continues, here are three things we’ll be keeping an eye on around the baseball world throughout the day today:
1. Nevada legislature resumes discussions:
The bill in Nevada’s state legislature that would provide $380MM in public money to fund a stadium in Las Vegas for the A’s was put on hold last week when the legislature adjourned Thursday night. As noted by Jacob Solis, Tabitha Mueller, and Sean Golonka of The Nevada Independent, that adjournment is set to end today, allowing negotiations on the stadium bill to begin once again.
The ongoing special session was called by Governor Joe Lombardo, though members of the legislature have become frustrated by the lack of amendments to the bill since the end of the legislature’s regular session on June 5. Amendments that have been suggested include ensuring the A’s home games are not exempt from the state’s 9% Live Entertainment Tax and requiring the A’s to match their past donation commitments to California food banks with similar commitments in Nevada.
2. Pasquantino to undergo MRI:
Royals first baseman Vinnie Pasquantino recently landed on the injured list due to shoulder soreness, which MLB.com’s Anne Rogers notes has similarities to an injury that kept him out of action for three weeks last season. While he’ll undergo an MRI today to get a clearer idea of the injury’s specifics, Pasquantino himself noted that his shoulder feels “pretty much the same” as it did during last season’s injury. The 25-year-old is one of just five above average hitters for the Royals this season by measure of wRC+. While Pasquantino is on the shelf, Nick Pratto figures to move from the outfield back to his natural position, first base.
3. Rangers vs. Angels Series Preview:
The Rangers and Angels begin a four-game set today that could have major implications in the race for the AL West crown. As things stand, the Rangers have a commanding lead in the division, with a five-game lead over the second-place Astros and a six-and-a-half-game lead over the third-place Angels. That said, the Angels appear to be the hot hand at the moment. The club has won six of their last seven as they arrive in Texas, where the Rangers are coming off a difficult series loss to the AL-leading Rays.
Tonight’s game will begin at 7:05pm CT when Angels lefty Tyler Anderson, who has struggled to a 5.62 ERA in 57 2/3 innings this season, takes the mound against Rangers right-hander Dane Dunning, who was excellent in a bullpen role before joining the rotation and posting a 2.97 ERA and 4.02 FIP across six starts. Looking to the rest of the series, Angels righty Jaime Barria will take on Rangers righty Jon Gray in Game 2. Game 3 will see a duel between lefties Reid Detmers and Andrew Heaney. Game 4 will see a pitching duel between each team’s top starter: Shohei Ohtani and Nathan Eovaldi.