A look at what’s happening around the majors today:CHASIN

G HISTORYKendrys Morales has homered in seven straight games for Toronto http://www.bravesfanproshop.com/authentic-nick-markakis-jersey , one short of the major league record. He can match Dale Long, Don Mattingly and Ken Griffey Jr. when the Blue Jays face rookie David Hess (2-8, 5.50) and the Orioles in Baltimore. “It’d be something if he gets (the record). I don’t think any of us can comprehend how hard it is to do,” Toronto manager John Gibbons said. Morales has already connected off Hess during the streak, and the Cuban slugger said the Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, New York, has requested one of his bats. “It’s amazing what I’ve been doing,” he added. One of seven players in big league history with a streak this long, Morales has six home runs in 116 career at-bats at Camden Yards. He has 21 homers this season and is batting .500 (17 for 34) with eight home runs and 15 RBIs during a 10-game hitting streak.WILD WESTOakland plays at Houston in the opener of a three-game series between the top two teams in the AL West. Gerrit Cole (11-5, 2.73 ERA) pitches for the World Series champion Astros, who have won five straight and lead the division by 1½ games. Cole is 2-0 with a 2.92 ERA in four starts against the A’s this season. Athletics lefty Brett Anderson (3-3, 3.47) is 3-1 with a 2.11 ERA in eight starts since coming off the disabled list Phil Niekro Jersey , and opponents are batting just .218 since his return. Houston expects to have All-Star outfielder George Springer (quadriceps) back in the lineup.MURPHY’S LAWThree years ago, Daniel Murphy powered the Mets into the World Series by going 9 for 17 (.529) with four home runs to win NLCS MVP honors in a four-game sweep of the Cubs. Now, he’ll face his former team for the first time as a member of the Cubs when they host Noah Syndergaard (9-3, 3.68 ERA) and the Mets at Wrigley Field. Murphy has tormented New York since leaving town as a free agent, batting .390 with 11 homers, 43 RBIs and a whopping 1.162 OPS in 44 games against the Mets for the Washington Nationals, who traded him to Chicago last week. Jon Lester (14-5, 3.64) starts for the Cubs.EYE ON THE PRIZESuddenly back within striking distance of first-place Boston in the AL East, the banged-up Yankees send Masahiro Tanaka (9-4) to the mound at home against the White Sox. Carlos Rodon (5-3) starts for Chicago, which has won nine of 12.SECOND CHANCEStephen Strasburg (6-7, 4.23 ERA) pitches for the Nationals in Philadelphia against Zach Eflin (9-4, 3.93) and the Phillies. Strasburg came off the disabled list last week after missing more than a month with a neck problem and gave up five runs in four innings vs. Philadelphia. His velocity dipped in his last inning.GRAY’S DAYSRockies right-hander Jon Gray faces Mike Trout and the Angels with his club a game back of Arizona for the NL West lead. Gray hasn’t lost a start since June 12 http://www.bravesfanproshop.com/authentic-nick-markakis-jersey , a span of 10 outings. He’s allowed four earned runs or fewer in his past seven starts — no small feat, with four of those games at Coors Field — and Colorado has won each of his past nine outings. The Angels have dropped six straight, including a three-game sweep by Houston over the weekend. Philadelphia Phillies (38-31, second in the NL East) vs. Atlanta Braves (41-29, first in the NL East)Atlanta; Saturday, 7 p.m. EDTPITCHING PROBABLES: Phillies: Aaron Nola (6-1, 4.58 ERA, 1.46 WHIP, 86 strikeouts) Braves: Sean Newcomb (1-0, 2.59 ERA, 1.34 WHIP, 26 strikeouts)Article continues below ...LINE: Braves favored by 1 1/2 runs; over/under is 9 runsBOTTOM LINE: Atlanta enters the game as winners of their last eight games.The Braves are 11-8 against the rest of their division. Atlanta has a team on-base percentage of .334 Chipper Jones Jersey , good for third in the National League. Freddie Freeman leads the team with a mark of .397.The Phillies have gone 15-10 against division opponents. Philadelphia is hitting a collective .243 this season, led by Jean Segura with an average of .285. The Braves won the last meeting 9-8. Jerry Blevins earned his first victory and Brian McCann went 3-for-5 with a home run and three RBIs for Atlanta. Hector Neris registered his third loss for Philadelphia.TOP PERFORMERS: Freeman leads the Braves with 38 extra base hits and is batting .312. Ronald Acuna Jr. is 15-for-47 with three doubles, four home runs and 11 RBIs over the last 10 games for Atlanta.Segura leads the Phillies with 68 hits and is batting .285. Scott Kingery is 12-for-36 with three doubles, a triple, five home runs and nine RBIs over the last 10 games for Philadelphia.LAST 10 GAMES: Braves: 8-2, .282 batting average, 4.60 ERA, outscored opponents by 11 runsPhillies: 5-5, .251 batting average, 5.38 ERA, outscored by two runsBraves Injuries: Darren O’Day: 60-day IL (forearm), Kevin Gausman: 10-day IL (foot) John Smoltz Jersey , Ender Inciarte: 10-day IL (lumbar strain).Phillies Injuries: David Robertson: 60-day IL (elbow), Pat Neshek: 10-day IL (shoulder), Adam Morgan: 10-day IL (forearm), Tommy Hunter: 60-day IL (arm), Seranthony Dominguez: 10-day IL (elbow), Victor Arano: 60-day IL (elbow), Roman Quinn: 10-day IL (groin), Andrew McCutchen: 10-day IL (knee), Adam Haseley: 10-day IL (groin).