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Here are three things we’ll be watching around baseball today:
1. Can the Giants keep their one-run win streak going?
The Giants have won their last six in a row, bringing them up to within half a game of the Dodgers for first place in the NL West. Making their win streak all the more interesting is the fact that they’ve won each game by just a single run. As noted by Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle, this is the longest one-run winning streak in franchise history. Indeed, it’s the longest one-run winning streak by any team since 1989. If the Giants win another one-run game today, they’ll tie the 1927 Cubs for the longest one-run winning streak in recorded MLB history. Robbie Ray, who has been stellar this year for San Francisco, will take the mound against Kyle Freeland of the Rockies.
The Giants are also chasing the record for the most one-run wins in a season, which they set themselves with 42 one-run wins in 1978. They currently lead the majors with 17 one-run victories, putting them on pace for 41 over a full season. However, another one-run victory today would put them on track for a record-breaking 43 by the end of the year.
2. Blue Jays roster move incoming:
As first reported by Trevor Hahn of News Tribune Sports, the Blue Jays will be promoting 27-year-old Will Robertson to make his MLB debut. He is expected to join the team today ahead of this afternoon’s matchup against the Cardinals (per Sportsnet’s Ben Nicholson-Smith). Toronto has a couple of open spaces on its 40-man roster, but to add the lefty-batting outfielder to the active roster, the Blue Jays will need to make a corresponding move before today’s game at 1:15 pm CDT. Toronto could option either Jonatan Clase or Alan Roden. Neither young outfielder has had much success against major league pitching this year, although Roden was swinging a red-hot bat at Triple-A before his most recent call-up and went 2-for-4 last night against St. Louis. On the other hand, Clase went 2-for-4 with his first home run of the season in the series opener against the Cardinals, and his ability to switch-hit and play center field gives the Blue Jays a bit more flexibility. Alternatively, outfielder Nathan Lukes has been dealing with some neck discomfort. If it’s decided he needs a break of any note, an IL stint could clear the way for Robertson to debut.
In additional Blue Jays news, Spencer Turnbull is expected to make his season debut today. After signing a free agent contract with the club in May, he was recalled on Monday. Eric Lauer will get the start, but MLB.com’s Keegan Matheson suggests Turnbull is likely to enter in relief.
3. Bullpen sessions and rehab outings for injured arms:
Several injured pitchers will take steps toward returning to the majors today, including Justin Verlander, Cody Bradford, Reese Olson, and Marcus Stroman. Verlander, out since mid-May with right pectoral soreness, is with the Giants in Colorado and will face live hitters in a simulated game this afternoon (per Slusser). Similarly, Bradford, who has been out all season with a left elbow sprain, is with the Rangers in Minnesota and will throw a bullpen session today (per Shawn McFarland of the Dallas Morning News). Olson, off to a terrific start for the Tigers before inflammation in his right ring finger landed him on the IL, will also throw a bullpen session today, the team announced.
Finally, Stroman will begin a rehab assignment today at Double-A Somerset, which Yankees manager Aaron Boone relayed to reporters, including Greg Joyce of the New York Post. Stroman has been out for the past two months with inflammation in his left knee. Although there was discussion of Stroman moving into the bullpen during spring training, the team plans to build him up as a starter (per MLB.com’s Bryan Hoch), given the numerous injuries that have thinned their rotation depth.
