• The Giants’ hopes hinge on struggling ace Tim Lincecum, as The Sacramento Bee writes here. Lincecum was roughed up against the rival Padres on Sunday, another in a recent string of tough outings for the two-time defending NL Cy Young winner. For all of their offensive struggles, it’s safe to say that the Giants have little chance to make the playoffs if Lincecum does not regain his dominant form soon.
• The Padres are going to try to limit rookie Mat Latos’ workload by cutting down on his throwing between starts and giving him extra rest when possible, as FOXSports.com’s Ken Rosenthal writes here (scroll down a bit). The 22-year-old righty has thrown 135.2 innings and the team’s goal is to keep him around 180 total for the year. He spent some time on the DL after the All-Star break with an injury suffered while sneezing, and the team does not want to shut him down again during a pennant race.
• Rockies closer Huston Street is trying to regain his sharpness, as Irv Moss of The Denver Post writes here. Street gave up two earned runs on Sunday, blowing the lead and denying Ubaldo Jimenez his 18th victory in the process. With two outs and nobody on in the ninth, Street allowed a single, a walk and a hit batter to load the bases before second baseman Clint Barmes dropped a pop up to allow two runs to score.
• MLBTradeRumors.com looks at the future of Pirates lefty Zach Duke in this post, suggesting that a trade could be in his future. Duke is arbitration-eligible this offseason and is likely in line for a raise from his current $4.3 million salary.

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