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San Francisco Chronicle
12 hours ago
- Sport
- San Francisco Chronicle
Don't tell me Giants are still in MLB playoff race after what we've seen
The San Diego Padres came to town and laid waste to the San Francisco Giants ' postseason outlook. Except that didn't happen, actually, which means it's a particularly lousy year for the system. It doesn't need any kind of reconfiguration; most late September races unfold among several teams that feel qualified to be there. It just so happens that the Giants are not among them. Nor are the New York Mets, apparently. This wild-card scramble is the worst race since Tommy the Singing Turtle took on Beetle Bob. At least the Mets are fun to watch. They'd lost 13 of their past 15 games heading into the weekend, but unlike the comatose Giants, who averaged 1.8 runs per game in losing 13 out of 14 at home, they do plenty of hitting. Pete Alonso has clubbed six homers this month, with 18 RBIs, and Juan Soto homered in four of the past six games. The Mets simply can't throw enough strikes, and when you look at the names, there would seem to be no hope for the rotation. The bullpen got some nice trade-deadline acquisitions, but ex-Giant Tyler Rogers and once unhittable Ryan Helsley combined to cough up Thursday's loss to Atlanta. (Even with that, Rogers had given up only one earned run in his seven outings with the Mets entering Friday. If things really get desperate, they shouldn't rule out using him as a ninth-inning closer on occasion: groundout, groundout, groundout, ballgame.) Five games. With Tampa Bay heading into Oracle on Friday night, that's all that separated the Giants from the Mets with a third and final wild-card spot available in the National League. Except it's nowhere that simple. The Giants stood seventh in a crowd, with the Miami Marlins just a game behind them. San Francisco needs to pass Arizona, St. Louis and Cincinnati before the Giants can even think about the Mets. The immediate concern is to leave town Sunday night with some kind of spiritual uplift. They've made it quite clear recently that they can't win at home, and it has been a gut-wrenching experience to watch fans pouring in to watch players who captured their hearts only weeks ago — only to serve up a big pile of nothing. 'You gotta give them something,' broadcaster Mike Krukow said by telephone on Friday. 'You can sense the anticipation in the stands, and then you absolutely feel it when they give up hope. 'It's bone-crushing when you're a player, too. We didn't get big crowds at Candlestick very often, but when it was packed, you knew you had an opportunity to play your ass off and win those big games — because now you have people walking out talking about your team. That's pure energy. And it definitely comes back to the players.' In dismissing the Giants so handily, the Padres showed 'they definitely have that chemistry,' Krukow said. 'You can feel their energy, see it on their faces. There's no doubt in my mind they're gonna win the division.' • What makes for compelling theater: The Padres have the best bullpen in baseball, with ex-A's closer Mason Miller just blowing people away, and a questionable rotation. The Dodgers suddenly have a deep postseason rotation with Blake Snell and Tyler Glasnow joining Clayton Kershaw, Yoshinobu Yamamoto and Shohei Ohtani (who, according to manager Dave Roberts, won't pitch beyond the sixth inning for the rest of the season). Their bullpen is a mess, but remember that they made a ridiculous 25 pitching changes during last year's championship postseason, using five or more relievers in six different games. They just seem to think it all works out in the end. • The Giants know too much about Matt Chapman, Willy Adames, Rafael Devers, Jung Hoo Lee, Heliot Ramos and Logan Webb, among others, to feel nervous about their veteran core. They can't be sure about Patrick Bailey, who is taking on the look of a backup catcher. Too many passed balls (six, plus two more that could have been ruled that way entering Friday), and he's contributing so very little at the plate. • It's important to know that according to sources close to the team, manager Bob Melvin hasn't lost the clubhouse. It's easy to sense a festering negativity, and that hasn't happened here. Good. Don't even think about his job status until the season is finished — and it's highly unlikely Buster Posey would fire him at that point, either. • It's a shame that third base is not usually unavailable to Casey Schmitt, because his so-so range limits his potential at second. Still, he's a sure-handed defender with a cannon for an arm — as well as a slowly improving hitter with titanic power. We heartily second the recent compliment from Webb, who said, 'I love Case. I've been a big fan of his for a long time. It's cool to see him shine.' • Plus, you gotta love a guy who captures broadcaster Duane Kuiper so perfectly ('hits it DEEP!') on that clever Giants ad. • It's obviously worth monitoring Bryce Eldridge 's power-hitting progress through the minors, but there's some fascinating stuff happening on the lower levels. Five-tool sensation Dakota Jordan was hitting .311 for Class A San Jose through Friday, with 14 homers and 27 stolen bases while working on his plate discipline (95 strikeouts is too many). Another exciting outfield prospect, Bo Davidson, checked in at .309 at Eugene ('loudest tool set I've seen this year,' said one Northwest League observer), while rising to No. 10 in ESPN's ranking of club prospects. And 17-year-old shortstop Josuar Gonzalez, just getting started in the Dominican Summer League, has shot up to No. 2. Likened to Francisco Lindor for his all-around skills and switch-hitting with power, Gonzalez has been forecast as MLB's top international prospect among position players. • Dilemma: Too clunky in the outfield, Ramos could wind up a DH. Devers fits that role perfectly, although he enjoys getting his shot at first base. Then Eldridge clouds the picture, perhaps as early as next season. And who knows what becomes of Marco Luciano? At least it's a fun problem to have. The Giants need a few more of those. • Mike Yastrzemski developed an instant fan club in Kansas City, homering in his first at-bat and making a spectacular catch at Fenway Park, robbing Roman Anthony of a homer. Overall, not so good: .118 and 1-for-16 of late. … LaMonte Wade Jr., traded to the Angels in early June, was released Aug. 2 and has not resurfaced. • As for those pitchers shipped to Boston in the Devers deal: Kyle Harrison remains in the minors, racking up decent numbers for Triple-A Worcester. Jordan Hicks has struggled badly in the Red Sox bullpen, entering Friday with a 6.23 ERA in 14 appearances and as many walks/hit batters (11 total) as strikeouts. Red Sox chief executive Craig Breslow (yes, the onetime A's reliever) indicated that Devers didn't have the proper attitude for the team's 'alignment,' whatever that means. The Giants have raved about Devers off the field, but then again, Breslow is a strange cat. After acquiring only marginal talent at the trade deadline, infuriating the fan base and baffling the media, Breslow explained it this way: 'None of the deals that didn't end up being executed came from a lack of being aggressive or an unwillingness to get uncomfortable.'
New York Post
08-08-2025
- Sport
- New York Post
How Colts rookie Riley Leonard fared in preseason debut as QB battle heats up
It was a rollercoaster night for all of the Colts' quarterbacks — including rookie sixth-round pick Riley Leonard. The Notre Dame product got his first taste of NFL action Thursday in the Colts' 24-16 preseason loss to the Ravens, entering the exhibition game after Anthony Richardson exited early due to a dislocated pinkie finger and Daniel Jones delivered an up-and-down performance in the first half. Leonard completed 12 of his 24 passes for 92 yards while throwing one interception. He also scrambled for 34 yards and led the Colts to a touchdown on his second possession. 5 Riley Leonard taking his first snaps in the NFL. Getty Images With the Colts set to resume preseason action next Saturday against the Packers, it remains to be seen how coach Shane Steichen will divvy the workload following the injury to Richardson. 'He's doing all right,' Steichen said, according to the Colts' website. 'It's a dislocation. They popped it back in. Let's see how it goes.' 5 Riley Leonard during training camp in July 2025. Getty Images Richardson, the Colts' fourth overall pick in 2023, is fighting for the starting job against Jones, the ex-Giant who signed a one-year deal with the team in free agency. The quarterback, 23, sustained the injury just eight minutes into the first half after taking a hit from Ravens linebacker David Ojabo. 5 Anthony Richardson before suffering a dislocated pinky. IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect 5 Anthony Richardson lies on the ground after taking a sack against the Ravens on Aug. 7, 2025. Getty Images 'He hit me, then I was trying to make sure I had the ball, and I just looked down, I see my finger in a different direction. I'm like, maybe I'm tripping. I looked at it again, and it was definitely like that. So I'm like, I need to get this thing popped back in place and I'm good,' Richardson said afterward. Enter Jones, 28, who went 10 for 21 for 144 yards sans an interception or touchdown. 5 Daniel Jones captains his team in the second quarter. AP 'Some good, some bad. Caught a rhythm there I think at points, and we were moving the ball well, executing, but a couple things here and there kept us from getting in the end zone,' Jones said of his showing Thursday. The Colts received an encouraging update Friday when ESPN reported Richardson could be back at practice as soon as Saturday. The X-rays he had taken on Thursday at halftime were negative. The Colts and their yet-to-be-named QB1 will face the Dolphins in Week 1 on Sept. 7.
New York Post
24-07-2025
- Sport
- New York Post
Colts' Daniel Jones and Anthony Richardson struggle as QB battle begins
The Colts' two-man quarterback race got off to an underwhelming start Wednesday with Daniel Jones and Anthony Richardson struggling 'to find a rhythm' as training camp began. Richardson, the team's first-round pick in 2023 who is currently grappling with a shoulder injury, 'struggled with his anticipation and accuracy,' according to The New York Times, which noted he worked with the starters for the last two team periods and went 4-of-11 passing. That doesn't all fall on Richardson, however, as wide receivers Ashton Dulin and Michael Pittman Jr., as well as running back Jonathan Taylor, all had drops The Times reported. Advertisement 5 Anthony Richardson looks to pass during Colts training camp on July 23, 2025. AP 5 Daniel Jones, who joined the Colts in free agency, also took reps as training camp began. AP 'I still got a lot of work to do, and I still gotta get that (starting) job. … Work not done,' Richardson,23, said. Advertisement In order to secure the Colts' QB1 job, Richardson will have to outplay Jones, who worked with the starters during the two opening team periods and went 6-of-7 passing. The former Giants quarterback, who was released from the team last November to end a rocky five-and-a-half season tenure, was also intercepted Wednesday. 5 Anthony Richardson is entering his third season in the league with the Colts. AP 'There's so much work to do, especially for me learning the system, getting to know the guys, communication with coaches,' Jones said. 'I think there's plenty to kind of stay busy with and focus on that.' Advertisement Richardson and Jones, 28, are both eager to turn the page on what were disappointing 2024 campaigns. 5 Daniel Jones is readying for a fresh start after his rocky Giants tenure ended in November 2024. Charles Wenzelberg / New York Post The ex-Giant was benched after a dismal 2-8 start just two years into a four-year, $160 million extension. Jones briefly joined the Vikings following his Giants release, and later signed a one-year, $14 million contract with the Colts in free agency. Advertisement The Colts went 8-9 last season, with Richardson starting in 11 games. 5 It remains to be seen who will be named the Colts' starting quarterback. AP His sophomore season wasn't without controversy as he stunningly pulled himself out of a Week 8 loss to the Texans mid-game because he 'needed a break.' The Colts benched Richardson in the aftermath before tossing him the keys again later in the season. As Richardson approaches his third season in the league, he's striving to be the best version of himself. 'There are definitely things I could have worked on last year, so I am trying to improve on that and make sure I'm just available for the team whenever they need me,' he said. The Colts host the Dolphins in their season opener on Sept. 7.
Newsweek
12-07-2025
- Sport
- Newsweek
NFL Insider Makes Massive Claim About Ex-Giant Daniel Jones
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. Will Daniels Jones get the chance to star again? The starting quarterback position for the Indianapolis Colts likely belongs to Anthony Richardson for the time being, but that could change quickly. In fact, one NFL Insider is convinced that the Colts' QB situation is already trending that way. Putting together a list of quarterbacks who are on the hot seat in the NFL, Pro Football Talk's Mike Florio pointed to Daniel Jones and Anthony Richardson as a collective, while stating that "it already feels like Jones will be the Week 1 starter." That's a major assumption for the former New York Giants passer. "He'll then have a chance to lock the revolving door the Colts have had since Andrew Luck retired," Florio wrote. "If he doesn't, the Colts will be looking elsewhere in 2026. As to Richardson, his best play is to play better than he ever has, if and when he gets the chance." When the Colts decided to bring in Jones, it was made clear that they would a quarterback battle throughout the offseason. While Richardson started 15 games for the Colts over the past two seasons, the former fourth-overall pick isn't guaranteed a starting position next season. Daniel Jones #17 of the Indianapolis Colts throws a pass during the Indianapolis Colts OTAs at Indiana Farm Bureau Football Center on May 28, 2025 in Indianapolis, Indiana. Daniel Jones #17 of the Indianapolis Colts throws a pass during the Indianapolis Colts OTAs at Indiana Farm Bureau Football Center on May 28, 2025 in Indianapolis, only does Richardson continue to struggle in the health department, but he's struggled on the field as well. Last season, Richardson attempted 264 passes. He completed under 50 percent of his throws, totaling 1,814 yards. He tossed just eight touchdowns while throwing 12 interceptions. Jones' 2024 campaign wasn't all that inspiring, especially considering was benched after 10 games. He completed 63 percent of his passes for 2,070 yards and just eight touchdowns with the Giants. He turned the ball over nine times. The biggest benefit in rolling out Jones over Richardson for the Colts would be the fact that the ex-Giant has much more experience under his belt. After getting taken in the first round out of Duke in 2019, Jones spent six seasons with the Giants, starting in all but one of the 70 games he played. Before his injury-riddled 2023 season and the benching in 2024, Jones looked like he was on a decent upswing. The veteran quarterback threw for 3,205 yards, 15 touchdowns, and five interceptions. On the ground, he rushed for 708 yards and seven touchdowns. Since the only winning season he had under center with the Giants, Jones struggled to stay healthy and consistent, which led to the franchise moving on. The Colts' situation isn't perfect, but it could be an opportunity for Jones to prove he still belongs. Soon, Indianapolis will fire up training camp, and the battle will ensue. For more New York Giants and NFL news, head over to Newsweek Sports
West Australian
18-05-2025
- Sport
- West Australian
Record start continues for Super Netball pacesetters
The NSW Swifts have survived a first-half scare in their Sydney derby clash with the Giants before extending their record-setting start to the Super Netball season. Sunday's contest at Ken Rosewall Arena drew together two teams at different ends of the ladder, but the Giants threw everything they had at their unbeaten rivals before falling to an 82-69 defeat. While the Swifts remain unbeaten after six rounds - continuing their best start to a season - the Giants remain at the bottom of the ladder with just one win. The Swifts got off to a sluggish start that has typified their recent matches. They still managed to hold a three-goal lead at the main break after a feisty first half featuring a physical battle between Swifts centre Paige Hadley and her Giants counterpart and fellow Diamond Jamie-Lee Price. But the third quarter proved crucial as the competition front-runners streaked away with the match, extending their lead to 60-48 with sharp-shooter Grace Nweke almost unstoppable. Down the other end, Swifts keeper Teigan O'Shannassy also kept a tight lid on the Giants and was named player of the match. The Giants lost Jo Harten with a mystery injury. The veteran shooter made her way off court and down the tunnel midway through the third quarter and was unable to return. Harten had been in blistering form, with 25 goals from 25 attempts and two from four from the two-point range. Matisse Leatherbarrow took over the GS bib and was also on target with 16 goals from 19 attempts, including five super shots. The Giants tried to claw their way back into the match in the final term but the deficit proved too much, with the Swifts' Kiwi ace Nweke finishing with a mammoth haul of 64 goals from 67 attempts. Briony Akle's troops extended their dominance over the Giants, now winning their past six clashes. "We wanted to start each quarter hard, we wanted to come out and lay a mark and I think we did that," said ex-Giant O'Shannassy. "We got told by Briony to go out and do what we do best, individually and as a team, and getting that freedom from the coach is something that lifts everyone up. "It's the battle of NSW and no matter where they (Giants) are on the ladder they bring out the best in us and no matter where we are in the ladder it's always going to be a great game."
