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Series Preview: Memphis Redbirds vs. Indianapolis Indians, April 2-7

April 1, 2024 - International League (IL)
Indianapolis Indians News Release


INDIANAPOLIS - The Indianapolis Indians begin their first homestand of the 2024 season on Tuesday, April 2, against the Memphis Redbirds, Triple-A affiliate of the St. Louis Cardinals. The six-game set continues through Sunday, April 7, and is the lone head-to-head series between the Indians and Redbirds in 2024. Below is a preview of both teams, notable promotions and more.

Memphis Redbirds (2-1, -0.5 GB, T-2nd)

2023: 71-78, 11th

International League Championships: N/A

Manager: Ben Johnson, 5th season (276-294, .484)

Top Prospects by MLB Pipeline: INF Thomas Saggese (No. 4), RHP Gordon Graceffo (8), RHP Sem Robberse (12), RHP Michael McGreevy (14), C Pedro Pagés (15), RHP Adam Kloffenstein (16), INF César Prieto (18)

Featuring a roster with seven of the Cardinals' top 30 prospects, the Redbirds won two of three games against the Charlotte Knights, Triple-A affiliate of the Chicago White Sox, on Opening Weekend at AutoZone Park in Memphis, Tenn. They overcame a 4-1 deficit on Friday with a five-run sixth inning en route to a 6-5 win and followed that with a resounding 10-3 victory on Saturday. José Fermín, who had two doubles and two RBI in the opener, launched a solo home run and three-run shot as part of a five-homer burst by the Redbirds in the second affair. Fermín tacked on his International League-leading seventh RBI on Sunday, but Memphis dropped the finale, 6-2, as former Indian Chad Kuhl posted 3.0 scoreless innings for the Knights.

Fermín also ranks among league leaders in homers (T-1st, 2), slugging percentage (T-1st, 1.091), extra-base hits (T-1st, 4), total bases (T-2nd, 12) and OPS (6th, 1.508). Luken Baker, whose 33 home runs in 2023 tied with Worcester's Bobby Dalbec for the IL lead, popped his first long ball of 2024 over the weekend. Prieto leads the team with a .429 batting average (3-for-7).

Memphis paces all Triple-A teams with seven home runs. The club also has the fourth-fewest strikeouts in the IL with 22 but ranks 13th in the league with a .213 batting average (20-for-94).

Lars Nootbaar and Sonny Gray are expected to join the Redbirds on major league rehab assignments for the series. Gray, a three-time All-Star with Oakland (2014), Cincinnati (2019) and Minnesota (2023), was the 2023 American League Cy Young runner-up to former Indian Gerrit Cole and is in his first season as a member of the Cardinals organization.

Indianapolis Indians (1-2, -1.5 GB, T-11th)

2023: 70-78, T-12th

International League Championships: 1963, 2000

Manager: Miguel Perez, 3rd season (145-155, .483)

Top Prospects by MLB Pipeline: RHP Paul Skenes (No. 1), RHP Kyle Nicolas (22)

The Indians dropped two of three contests against the Louisville Bats, Triple-A affiliate of the Cincinnati Reds, over the weekend at Louisville Slugger Field in Kentucky. Indianapolis led the opener 5-1 but ultimately dropped its third straight game on Opening Day, 9-8. Despite Paul Skenes' 3.0 perfect innings on Saturday, the Indians lost in walk-off fashion, 4-3. Quinn Priester struck out nine over 5.2 innings in the Sunday finale, however, to guide the Indians to a 6-4 win.

Gilberto Celestino (.455, 5-for-11), Jake Lamb (.444, 4-for-9) and Nick Gonzales (.400, 6-for-15) are off to strong starts at the plate. Gonzales is second in the league with five runs and is tied for third in both hits and extra-base hits (three). On the mound, starters Michael Plassmeyer, Skenes and Priester combined for 12.2 innings of one-run ball, posting a collective 0.71 ERA while allowing just two hits and one walk with 20 strikeouts.

Indianapolis is tied for first in the league with 10 doubles and also ranks among IL teams in batting average (3rd, .287, 31-for-108), hits (3rd), total bases (T-3rd, 50) and OPS (5th, .824).

Probable Starters

April 2, 6:35 PM: RHP Sem Robberse (First start of '24; 2-1, 4.84 in '23) vs. LHP Cam Alldred (First start of '24; 8-8, 5.20 in '23)

April 3, 6:35 PM: RHP Victor Santos (First start of '24) vs. LHP Michael Plassmeyer (0-0, 2.25)

April 4, 6:35 PM: RHP Michael McGreevy (0-0, 3.60) vs. LHP Eric Lauer (0-0, 10.13)

April 5, 7:05 PM: RHP Adam Kloffenstein (0-0, 4.50) vs. RHP Paul Skenes (0-0, 0.00)

April 6, 6:35 PM: RHP Gordon Graceffo (0-1, 1.80) vs. RHP Quinn Priester (1-0, 1.59)

April 7, 1:35 PM: RHP Sem Robberse vs. LHP Cam Alldred

What's on the Menu

The first Hot Dog of the Homestand presented by Eisenberg is the Memphis Dog, topped with pulled pork, mac n' cheese, onions and jalapeños. Fans can find the Memphis Dog at the Links and Drinks carts located behind Sections 105 and 120.

On Saturday, April 6 and Sunday, April 7, adults 21 and older can enjoy Sun King Brewery's Path of Totality beer.

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® Chicken Sandwich on the Chick-fil-A® App the day after every home victory.

Can't-Miss Promotions

On Opening Night, the Indians and FOX59 are continuing the 60 Degree Weather Guarantee. If the temperature is below 60 degrees at first pitch, all fans with an Opening Night ticket will receive an undated ticket voucher redeemable to another April home game of their choice. Opening Night also features the Tuesday Dollar Menu presented by Eisenberg, when fans can load up on concession classics including hot dogs, popcorn, potato chips, popcorn, Cracker Jack® and churros all for a buck.

Following a Half-Off Wednesday Night presented by AAA Insurance and Best-One, Thirsty Thursday™ presented by Sun King Brewery and Friday Fireworks presented by AAA Insurance and FOX59, all eyes go to the sky for Total Solar Eclipse Weekend presented by Damar. The first 1,000 fans through the gates on Saturday, April 6, will receive a glow in the dark Total Solar Eclipse Indianapolis t-shirt, and the first 1,000 fans 14 and under through the gates on Sunday, April 7, will receive an Earth, Moon and Sun juggling set. Eclipse approved glasses will be distributed to fans over the weekend as well.

Notable First Pitches

April 2: FOX59 Chief Meteorologist Brian Wilkes, White River State Park Executive Director Jake Oakman, Capital Improvement Board Executive Director Andy Mallon

April 6: Indianapolis Mayor Joe Hogsett

Single-game tickets are available for purchase, and group and premium reservations may also be made. For more on the Indians, visit IndyIndians.com or contact the Victory Field Box Office at (317) 269-3545 or [email protected].

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The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

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