Each night in the 2016 baseball season, we'll run down the top news, facts and highlights from action around Major League Baseball.
For the first time in his 14-year career, John Lackey has won his first three starts of the season.
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Lackey, who signed a two-year, $32 million deal with the Cubs this offseason after spending two seasons in St. Louis, dominated his former team with 11 strikeouts over seven innings on Monday. He even added an RBI single to help his own cause as the Cubs became the first team to 10 wins with the 5-0 shutout.
Jason Heyward was also making his first appearance at Busch Stadium since signing with the rival Cubs in the offseason, but he didn't fare so well. He went 0 for 4 as his average slipped to a miserable .188 to begin the season.
Player of the day:
David Wright, Mets — The veteran third baseman connected on a pair of solo home runs in Monday's 5-2 win over the Phillies. It was his first multi-homer game since June 20, 2013, and gave him 22 career long balls at Citizens Bank Park, the most by any opposing player in the stadium's history.
Highlight:
Rockies shortstop Trevor Story set a Major League record for fewest games to hit eight home runs with this 423-foot bomb against the Reds.
Three things to know:
— Mets starter Noah Syndergaard threw 12 pitches in the first inning against the Phillies. Six of them were at least 100 mph. "Thor's" average sinker velocity measured 100.1 mph, while the fastest pitch he threw in the outing was recorded at 102.3 mph.
— The Rockies aren't known for their pitching, but over the past five games Colorado's starters have a combined ERA of 1.42. Jorge De La Rosa will look to continue the strong performances Tuesday in the second of a three-game set with the Reds.
— Angels left-hander Hector Santiago tied a career high with 10 strikeouts against the White Sox. Chicago was fooled all night, swinging and missing 20 times while failing to put a run on the board against Santiago, who allowed just two hits over seven innings.
What's next:
Astros (5-8) at Rangers (7-6), 8:05 p.m. — The battle for Texas begins with Scott Feldman (0-1, 3.48 ERA) taking the hill for the Astros against Derek Holland (1-0, 2.31 ERA) and the Rangers, who won 13 of 19 against the Astros last season.
Nationals (9-3) at Marlins (4-7), 7:10 p.m. — Stephen Strasburg (2-0, 1.98 ERA) will toe the rubber against a pesky Marlins lineup. Strasburg is 10-7 with a 3.69 ERA in his career against the Marlins, who combined for a .309 average against the right-hander last season. The Marlins will counter with southpaw Adam Conley (0-0, 3.86 ERA).