MIAMI — Marlins right-hander Pablo López is the Major Leagues’ ERA leader (0.52) after tossing seven scoreless innings in a 5-0 win over the Cardinals on Thursday night at loanDepot park.
López, who married his fiancée Kaylee during Monday’s off-day, struck out a career-high-tying nine batters — including Albert Pujols three times — and scattered three hits over 100 pitches.
López’s ERA is the third-lowest mark through three starts in franchise history, behind Dontrelle Willis (0.00 in 2004) and Josh Beckett (0.45 in ’05). López also ranks seventh in WHIP (0.75) and ninth in batting average against (.164) in MLB. He has faced 2021 postseason teams San Francisco and St. Louis, as well as a Philadelphia lineup that features reigning NL MVP Award winner Bryce Harper and Silver Slugger Nick Castellanos.
It’s an encouraging start to 2022 for López, who missed nearly the entire second half of ‘21 with a right rotator cuff strain.