When his brother Taylor got traded right before the season from Minnesota to San Diego, Tyler Rogers joked that the National League West is the best looking division in baseball.
Monday, for the first time of the year, the Rogers twins are facing off for their respective west coast teams. Tyler, the submariner who led the National League in appearances in 2020 and 2021 versus Taylor, the Padres’ new closer.
During pregame batting practice, the relievers took a quick photo behind home plate.
“We’re going to enjoy the heck out of this,” Taylor told MLB Network Radio.
Although it’s a momentous occasion, the brothers don’t have much family in town for Monday night’s series-opener. That’s because Tyler and his wife, Jennifer, are expecting their first child tomorrow. Tyler plans to fly back home after the game to be with his wife, family and (soon) baby Jack.
Tyler noted pregame that he and his brother have similar pitching styles, although that might not meet the eye. They both throw sinkers and sliders and try to pound the zone with strikes. Tyler obviously has a different arm slot than Taylor, but he his knuckle-dragging approach is different than everyone’s.
If both brothers appear in Monday’s game, it’ll be the fifth time ever a set of identical twins to play in the same MLB game, according to Elias Sports Bureau. The most recent occurrence was Jose and Ozzie Canseco in 1990.
- One day after recording two hits in his big league debut, Heliot Ramos will come off the bench against right-handed starter Nick Martinez. Gabe Kapler said Sunday that if Ramos came up to bat in a leverage situation against Miami, San Francisco likely would’ve played the percentages and pinch hit for him with a righty on the mound.
- The temperature at first pitch is set to be around 50 degrees with heavy winds that Padres manager Bob Melvin compared to Candlestick Park.
- Mauricio Dubón is starting at third base after playing center Sunday. Wilmer Flores is available off the bench.
- Catcher Curt Casali took reporters through the PitchCom device in a clubhouse demonstration. Giants pitchers have used the signal-calling technology when there’s a runner on base to prevent both sign-stealing and sign-stealing paranoia. It’s been a big hit; Casali called it a “radical,” needed change to the game that quickens pace of play. Gabe Kapler said it’s inevitable that calling pitches with finger signals will become obsolete eventually.
- LaMonte Wade Jr., Evan Longoria, Tommy La Stella and Matt Boyd are each progressing well from their respective injuries, the Giants said in a biweekly medical update released to reporters.