SF Giants Robbie Ray comes to terms with trade deadline fate

SAN DIEGO — The talking heads on MLB Network took the place of the typical pregame soundtrack in the visitors’ quarters of Petco Park before Thursday’s game.Robbie Ray lounged on the couch at the center of the room, beneath the television screens where the names appeared of a dozen potential starting pitchers who could be dealt.The Giants’ left-hander has done his best to tune out the noise the past six weeks, but after a 4-1 win over the Padres, he confronted the reality that could await at Monday’s trade deadline.“I just tried to put everything out of my head leading up to this start,” Ray said.“But yeah, obviously, it comes up now that this could be my last start in a Giants uniform.”Ray wasn’t yet prepared to imagine the possibility of pitching in the postseason for the first time since 2022, but there’s a good chance the next time he takes the mound it will come with more at stake.There isn’t a contender who couldn’t use more starting pitching, especially a top-flight lefty, and Ray has looked like one of the game’s best for the better part of two months now.Despite the likelihood that he will be dealt in the coming days, the Giants let Ray take the mound without restrictions, and he rewarded them with six strong innings against San Diego.

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By clicking above you agree to the Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.Never miss a story “Robbie is, like, the epitome of a professional,” manager Tony Vitello said.

“Robbie is so good at being locked in to what he is trying to do and not expending energy on anything else.”Ray struck out six, issued only one walk and scattered four hits while limiting the Padres to one run.The outing lowered his ERA this season to 3.08, 17th among qualified starters, but since May 31, only Jacob Misiorowski and Foster Griffin have been better...