The Opener: Rays, Twins, Brewers

As the regular season continues, here are three things we’ll be keeping an eye on around the baseball world throughout the day today:

1. Rays approach history:

With yesterday’s win over Boston, the Rays improved to 12-0 on the season. That twelve-game winning streak not only ties the record for longest in franchise history, it puts them just one win away from tying the modern MLB record for a win streak to open the season. The 2004 Devil Rays won 12 straight games in 2004, while the aforementioned MLB record is held by the 1987 Brewers and 1982 Braves, both of whom went 13-0 to open the regular season. The Rays will try to tie the Brewers and Braves today at 12:10pm CT this afternoon, as Jeffrey Springs takes on former Ray Corey Kluber.

2. Twins injury struggles continue:

The Twins opened the 2023 season dealing with a heap of injuries to their positional group, as each of first baseman Alex Kirilloff, second baseman Jorge Polanco, shortstop Royce Lewis, and outfielder Gilberto Celestino opened the season on the injured list. Two weeks into the season, that quartet has been joined by outfielders Max Kepler and Joey Gallo. Now, infielder Kyle Farmer is set to join them after being struck in the jaw by a fastball in yesterday’s game against the White Sox. He underwent surgery on his lower lip and bottom four teeth following the game. Star outfielder Byron Buxton was involved in a collision at second base in yesterday’s game, but appeared to avoid serious injury. The Twins will likely have an update on him today.

The club is expected to select outfielder Kyle Garlick later today to replace Farmer on the active roster, joining Trevor Larnach, Matt Wallner, and Edouard Julien in holding down the fort while much of Minnesota’s everyday lineup battles injuries.

3. Who’s taking the ball for the Brewers?

Following ace Brandon Woodruff’s placement on the injured list with shoulder inflammation, the Brewers called up right-hander Janson Junk to replace him in the rotation. Junk struggled through his start yesterday, allowing five runs (four earned) over 4 2/3 innings against the Diamondbacks. After the game, manager Craig Counsell did not name a starter for today’s game against the Padres. With Aaron Ashby, Adrian Houser and Jason Alexander all on the IL and Ethan Small pitching in relief this season at Triple-A, the club may be forced to settle for a bullpen game today unless they’re willing to clear space on the 40-man roster to further tap into their minor league depth. Speculatively speaking, veteran righty Colin Rea, in Triple-A with the Brewers, would be properly rested if the team wants to go that route.