By Anna Kayser
INDIANAPOLIS – The Indianapolis Indians begin their second homestand of the 2024 season on Tuesday, April 16, against the St. Paul Saints, Triple-A affiliate of the Minnesota Twins. The six-game set continues through Sunday, April 21, and is the first of three six-game series between the two teams in 2024. Below is a preview of both teams, notable promotions and more.
*St. Paul Saints (7-7, -3.0 GB, T-8th)
*2023: 84-64, 3rd
International League Championships: N/A
Manager: Toby Gardenhire, 3rd season (232-209, .526)
Top Prospects by MLB Pipeline: RHP David Festa (No. 5), INF Yunior Severino (23), RHP Simeon Woods Richardson (24)
With a rotation that boasts two of the Twins’ top 30 prospects, the Saints jumped out to a 5-2 record but have since dropped back to .500 after going 2-4 against the Iowa Cubs, Triple-A affiliate of the Iowa Cubs, at CHS Field in Minnesota. Chris Williams led the team for the week, hitting .412 (7-for-17) with four extra-base hits in five games vs. Iowa, and Yunior Severino, DaShawn Keirsey Jr. and former Indian Diego Castillo each blasted two home runs in the set. Right-hander Caleb Boushley made a pair of starts and struck out 13 batters over 9.1 innings while also surrendering 11 runs.
Anthony Prato is currently tied for third among International League leaders with a .500 on-base percentage as St. Paul’s lone offensive weapon on the leaderboard. On the bump, Boushley is tied for the seventh-most strikeouts with 18, and closer Hobie Harris is tied for the league lead with three saves.
St. Paul’s pitching staff is tied with Indianapolis with five saves this season and also ranks third in strikeouts (153) and seventh in ERA (4.50). Offensively, the Saints rank among IL teams in home runs (T-7th, 16), sacrifice flies (T-8th, 5) and stolen bases (T-9th, 15), their only top-10 rankings in the 20-team International League, but are 17th in batting average (.216).
*Indianapolis Indians (6-9, -4.5 GB, T-17th)
*2023: 70-78, T-12th
International League Championships: 1963, 2000
Manager: Miguel Perez, 3rd season (150-162, .481)
Top Prospects by MLB Pipeline: RHP Paul Skenes (No. 1), RHP Kyle Nicolas (22)
The Indians dropped five of six contests against the Toledo Mud Hens, Triple-A affiliate of the Detroit Tigers, last week at Fifth Third Field in Ohio. The six-game set began with four straight one-run decisions, with the Indians’ lone win of the week coming on Wednesday courtesy of a Billy McKinney ninth-inning, go-ahead single to score Nick Gonzales. Paul Skenes delivered his third consecutive dominant performance, striking out a career-high eight batters in 3.1 shutout frames, but Indy’s four-game losing streak began on Friday when the Mud Hens walked off in the ninth inning. The stretch of one-run losses was snapped in Game 2 of Saturday’s doubleheader, when Toledo put up seven runs in the first inning for a 13-4 win in seven innings. An eight-run second inning then led to Indy’s fourth straight loss on Sunday, 16-6.
Jake Lamb (.371, 13-for-35), Gonzales (.362, 21-for-58) and Liover Peguero (.356, 21-for-59) are off to hot starts this season and rank among International League leaders in multiple offensive categories. Gonzales frequents leaderboards, ranking among leaders in doubles (1st, 8), hits (3rd), runs (3rd, 15), extra-base hits (T-7th, 9), batting average (9th) and total bases (10th). He also owns a 14-game on-base streak, the longest in the International League dating back to Opening Day. On the bump, Skenes has punched out 19 batters across 9.1 shutout innings this season. Michael Plassmeyer (21) and Quinn Priester (20) narrowly edge him on the league leaderboard, ranking third and fourth in punchouts.
Indianapolis ranks among IL teams in batting average (T-3rd, .274) and doubles (T-3rd, 36). The bullpen is also tied for the second-most saves in the league with five.
Probable Starters
April 16, 6:05 PM: RHP Randy Dobnak (1-1, 3.65) vs. LHP Eric Lauer (1-0, 2.61)
April 17, 12:05 PM: RHP David Festa (0-0, 2.16) vs. LHP Cam Alldred (0-2, 10.00)
April 18, 6:35 PM: RHP Joe Gunkel (0-1, 7.27) vs. RHP Paul Skenes (0-0, 0.00)
April 19, 7:05 PM: RHP Simeon Woods Richardson (0-1, 7.56) vs. RHP Quinn Priester (1-1, 3.95)
April 20, 6:35 PM: RHP Caleb Boushley (1-1, 7.20) vs. LHP Michael Plassmeyer (1-2, 8.62)
April 21, 1:35 PM: RHP Randy Dobnak vs. LHP Eric Lauer
What’s on the Menu
This week’s Hot Dog of the Homestand presented by Eisenberg is the Jucy Lucy 2.0 Dog, a bacon wrapped, cheese stuffed hot dog topped with more shredded cheese. Fans can find the Jucy Lucy 2.0 Dog at the Links and Drinks carts located behind Sections 105 and 120.
If the Indians win at home, fans win at home, too! Thanks to a new partnership with Chick-fil-A®, fans can claim a free Chick-fil-A® entrée on the Chick-fil-A® App the day after every home victory.
Can’t-Miss Promotions
A jam-packed week of fun is in store at Victory Field for the second homestand of the season! Tuesday Dollar Menu presented by Eisenberg kicks off the six-game series, with hot dogs, peanuts, potato chips, popcorn, Cracker Jack® and churros all available for just a buck. Then on Wednesday, April 17, the ballpark will be packed with school kiddos, as Victory Field turns into the largest classroom in central Indiana for Baseball in Education presented by Citizens Energy Group, IU Indianapolis and Lilly.
Mark your calendars for Thursday, April 18, as Minor League Baseball’s No. 3 prospect Paul Skenes takes the bump for Indianapolis. If that’s not enough, remember that Thirsty Thursday™ presented by Sun King Brewery includes $2 Pepsi products and $3 draft beers, and your pups can watch the Young Bucs’ top dog, too, as Bark in the Park presented by All Pet Express and PetSuites returns for the first time this season.
Friday Fireworks presented by AAA Insurance and FOX59 fire up the weekend, which includes Indy 500 Night presented by Indianapolis Motor Speedway on Saturday, April 20. Indy 500 Night includes photo opportunities with a show car and the Borg-Warner Trophy, and specialty jerseys and caps worn by the Indians. The homestand concludes with Kids Eat Free Sunday presented by Meijer and Sunday Characters with Bluey and Bingo presented by MHS on April 21.
Notable First Pitches
April 17: Executive VP of Clarion Events, Eric Schlett and Chairman of Clarion Events, Greg Topalian
April 21: Brothers Lincoln, Norrin and Remley Niece from Riley Children’s Health
Originally on milb.com/indianapolis