Author: Sports Radio Service

Cal Scores 31 Unanswered Points To Beat Idaho 31-17

Published on by Sports Radio ServiceLeave a comment

Congratulations all around as the Cal Bears defeated the Idaho Vandals for their second win at Cal Memorial in Berkeley on Sat Sep 16, 2023 (@CalFootball photo)

Saturday, September 16th, 2023

By Troy Ewers

Berkeley, CA – At Cal Memorial Stadium, the University of Cal Bears host the Idaho Vandals in their third game of the season, and the Bears come into this game 1-1 and coming off a loss last week to Auburn. The defense of Cal has only allowed 14 points in the last six quarters and that was all in the Auburn game. Cal dominated on offense coming away with their second win of the 2023 season defeating the Vandals 31-17.

The game started with Idaho receiving the ball and their first drive was a 12 play, 67 yard drive that resulted in a field goal, 3-0 Idaho, but the story here is Cal’s defense stopping the Vandals in the red zone and forcing them to have to settle for three points.

Quarterback Sam Jackson V leads the Cal offense and has been leading them as a scoring dynamo the last two games, but his first drive this game went three and out and was forced to punt. Idaho’s very next drive was complete domination on offense and was efficient with nine plays and 80 yards that ended with Vandals running back Anthony Woods running head first into the defense and into the end zone for a touchdown. 10-0 Idaho.

The first quarter was all Idaho, dominating the possession time, the yards, and the score. Idaho had a 10:40 possession time and 147 yards which was polar opposite to Cal’s 4:20 time of possession and 39 yards in the opening quarter and Cal needed to shake things up for the second quarter or the Vandals would run away with this game early. 

The domination didn’t slow down for Idaho in the second quarter as they stopped Cal in their tracks to start the quarter and then followed that stop with a nine play, 53 yard touchdown drive where they scored off a two yard run in the end zone for Idaho QB Gevani McCoy.

17-0 Idaho and the Bears were not only trailing, they allowed more points in one half then they did in the last six quarters of two games. Cal finally got on the board with a 20 yard TD pass from Sam Jackson V to Jeremiah Hunter and the energy in the stadium perked up. 17-7.

The first time Cal stopped Idaho for a turnover on downs was deep in the second quarter when cornerback Jeremiah Earby knocked down two big passes, one of them being on fourth down and this set up the Bears for the momentum shifter of the half.

On the fourth play of the drive, Sam Jackson V threw a 36 yard TD pass to Trond Grizzell and the score being 17-14 now changed the environment and the energy in it. On what was supposed to be Idaho’s final drive before the half, they were about to enter the redzone, McCoy threw the ball and it was Nohl Williams for Cal who was there to pick it off and the Bears took over possession with 28 seconds left, but couldn’t capitalize on the opportunity. The first half ends with Idaho in the lead 17-14, but the momentum on the Bears side. 

The second half started with a major drive from Cal’s Sam Jackson V as he led the Bears 80 yards and scored  by running it in himself for a 27 yard TD, giving Cal their first lead of the game, 21-17 Cal. Idaho’s third quarter was vastly different than their entire first half.

Cal clearly made adjustments to the defense where this half Idaho couldn’t get anything going even though they were still dominating the time of possession. The offense though for Cal was in full gear during the quarter, collecting another TD, but this one on the ground when Isaiah Ifanse hammered in a one yard run after setting up the scoring play with an even better 17 yard run where dodged any defender who tried to wrap him up. 28-17 Cal. 

The fourth quarter started with a big run by McCoy for Idaho, but a penalty made them go back to their start point and then a fumble recovered by Raymond Woodie III gave the Bears the ball early in the fourth and with such a clear lead, this moment was theirs to seize and put a potential nail in the Vandals’ coffin.

A huge 41 yard run by Ashton Stredick put the Cal offense in the best position to hammer that nail in the coffin, but they had to settle for a field goal after a penalty and failed plays held them outside the red zone. With the score being 31-17 Cal, the Bears at this point had scored 31 unanswered points.

As we went in to the final three minutes of the game, Idaho needed to get back to the vibe they set in the first half, but after another turnover, a fumble recovered by Cal, it was clear that the Vandals might’ve hit their peak point too early and it was in the hands of the Bears as the clock winded down. 

The clock hit zero and the score was final with Cal winning 31-17 and now holding a 2-1 record. Cal’s next game will be against a Pac-12 foe, the #8 Washington Huskies in the University of Washington and the Bears want to take this momentum and type of game into their next game and even into the conference part of the season.

Troy Ewers is a Cal Bears beat writer at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Giants Drop Front Game Of Doubleheader (Game 2 Of Series) To Rockies 9-5

Published on by Sports Radio ServiceLeave a comment

San Francisco Giants starting pitcher Keaton Winn works against the Colorado Rockies during the first inning at Coors Field in Denver on Sat Sep 16, 2023 (AP News photo)

By Barbara Mason

A disastrous fifth inning set the stage for the San Francisco Giants (75-73) second loss in this series. All that they can hope for right now is a split losing the front game of Saturday’s doubleheader to the Colorado Rockies (55-92) and game two of the series 9-5.

Friday night the Giants lost a heartbreaker to the Rockies 3-2. The Giants led going into the bottom of the ninth. A single and an error later, the Rockies were celebrating a walk-off win 3-2.

Saturday San Francisco was back on the field playing a double-header scheduled due to a rain-out Thursday night. Losing game one of this series hurt San Francisco’s playoff hopes. Every game going forward is critically important if the Giants want any shot at a playoff berth.

They are not doing much to advance their cause that’s for sure. They are making this pretty hard on themselves. Friday’s loss was a bit of a surprise because the Rockies reside in the basement of the NL West so this is a team that the Giants need to beat, especially with a couple of series coming up with the Dodgers, one with the Diamondbacks and another with the Padres.

The Giants got off to a quick start taking a 2-0 lead in the second inning and adding another run in the third inning to extend their lead to 3-0. In the second inning Blake Sabol doubled and both LaMonte Wade Jr. and Luis Matos scored.

In the third inning Thairo Estrada scored on passed ball by Austin Wynns. It was all looking good for San Francisco until the bottom of the third inning. This is when it all went sideways for the Giants.

A Colorado triple from Ezequiel Tovar with the bases loaded tied up the game 3-3 and this game quickly escalated in favor of the Rockies.

The fifth inning was a disaster for San Francisco. Giant’s starting pitcher Keaton Winn fell apart and after 76 pitches he was done. He had allowed three hits and three runs. Ryan Walker who relieved him in the fourth did not fare much better allowing two hits and three runs walking three batters. San Francisco walked in two runs in the fifth inning and when the dust had settled Colorado had taken a 6-3 lead. The Rockies would add another run in the sixth inning to lead 7-3.

Going into the seventh inning, the Giants had three innings left to make up a lot of ground or drop even further back in the wild card race. This was a horrible let-down after last night’s loss.

Colorado continued their beat-down in the bottom of the seventh inning scoring two more runs. The Rockies 9-3 lead set up a more than likely Colorado win going into the eighth inning and assuring them a split series or better.

San Francisco crept a little closer in the eighth inning when LaMonte Wade Jr. homered, a solo, to right center but still trailing 9-4 going into the ninth inning. The Rockies were three outs away from taking a 2-0 lead in the series.

San Francisco made a little noise in the ninth inning. Estrade singled Brandon Crawford home. With two outs, Mitch Haniger struck out swinging and that was the ball game 9-5.

This game was lost on the mound and the quiet bats didn’t help at all. They had seven hits in the game and left a lot of runners stranded The Giants are in a self-destruction mode right now and have to turn it around in the second game of the double dip. The two teams will take a breather and then play the second game of this double-header with first pitch at 5:10 PM.

Starting pitchers in the night cap for the Giants Scott Alexander (7-2 ERA 4.53) for the Rockies Kyle Freeland (6-14 ERA 6-14) at Coors Field.

MLB podcast with Stephen Ruderman: Ohtani done for season; San Diego manager Melvin talks about being back in Oakland

Published on by Sports Radio ServiceLeave a comment

Los Angeles Angels’ Shohei Ohtani sits in the dugout before a baseball game against the Oakland Athletics in Oakland, Calif., Saturday, Sept. 2, 2023. Ohtani left the Angels on Fri Sep 16, 2023. His agent said he’ll be a DH somewhere next season (AP News photo)

On the MLB podcast with Stephen Ruderman:

#1 Los Angeles Angels two way star Shohei Ohtani cleared out his locker on Friday night and is done for the rest of the 2023 season. Ohtani has been out of the line up since Sep 4th is will need a procedure for his right elbow. Ohtani’s personal items were seen in a garbage can in the Angels clubhouse according to reporters and Ohtani didn’t speak to the media after taking batting practice in a cage before the game.

#2 Stephen, with former Oakland A’s and now San Diego Padres manager Bob Melvin was back in his old confines at the Oakland Coliseum. It gave Melvin who showed up at the ballpark at 11 AM time to run the stairs in the lower bowl of the Coliseum.

#3 Asked about the A’s move to Las Vegas Melvin said he hopes fans would enjoy the ballpark and hope that the A’s are in Oakland a lot longer then people expect. Meaning getting the extension at the Coliseum through the 2027 before they move to Vegas if it gets the owners approval.

#4 The Los Angeles Angels Anthony Rendon has been out a good two months and has not made himself available to talk about what was thought to be his bruised deep bone which outside doctors with no working relationship with the Angels said it was a fractured tibia.

#5 New York Yankees pitcher Anthony Misiewicz was hit in the head by line drive hit by the Pittsburgh Pirates Ji Hwan Bae which happened in the bottom of the sixth inning at PNC Park. Misiewicz was hit on the side of the head as the ball rolled to right field. Misiewicz stood up after getting hit and was escorted off the field via cart under the watchful eye of medical personnel and the Yankee trainer.

#6 If the bags are ever juiced and the Minnesota Twins Royce Lewis is coming to the plate his odds of hitting a grand slam home run are pretty good. Royce hit grand slam number four for the season a Twins record for a season on Friday night. Lewis said he thinks of the wins that comes with hitting the grand slam and he hopes his teammates hits some as well.

Stephen Ruderman is a podcast contributor for http://www.sportsradioservice.com

That’s Amaury News and Commentary podcast: Taking a look at the steps MLB will take to move A’s out of Oakland

Published on by Sports Radio ServiceLeave a comment

Kansas City Royals CEO John Sherman is part of a three man MLB committee that will recommend relocating the Oakland A’s to Las Vegas. The committee will send their recommendation onto MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred after doing the first step of the study. (AP file photo)

On That’s Amaury News and Commentary podcast:

#1 Amaury, MLB announced that there will be a relocation vote in mid November. There are several steps to the process beginning with a three man executive committee which consists of Milwaukee Brewers chairman Mark Attanasio, who is chairing the committee, Philadelphia Phillies CEO John Middleton and Kansas City Royals CEO John Sherman. 

#2 The second step of the process is the recommendation gets passed along to MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred who will look over the relocation application and no doubt put his stamp approval on it.

#3 After Manfred is finished with his approval it moves onto a eight man committee who will look it over for the renderings, the blue prints, how the move will benefit MLB, the topic of moving to the smallest MLB market will no doubt be part MLB considerations.

#4 Once the eight man committee has completed their study they will pass it onto the 30 MLB owners for the mid November vote which requires 75% approval to relocate the A’s from Oakland to Las Vegas.

#5 You have to wonder if Oakland was going to get an expansion team out of this then why move out of Oakland in the first place. Also revisiting Howard Terminal could be tougher than it was the first time with John Fisher and the A’s.

Amaury Pi Gonzalez is the lead play by play voice on the Oakland A’s Spanish radio network at 1010 KIQI San Francisco and 990 KATD Pittsburg and does News and Commentary at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

San Francisco 49ers podcast with Joe Hawkes: Purdy best patient a surgeon could ever have; Niners prepare for Rams in the Southland

Published on by Sports Radio ServiceLeave a comment

San Francisco 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy throws against the Pittsburgh Steelers during the first half at Acrisure Stadium in Pittsburgh on Sun Sep 10, 2023 (AP News photo)

On the 49rs podcast with J Hawkes:

#1 Joe, San Francisco 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy’s surgeon said that Purdy is a “exceptional individual.” Dr. Keith Meister said that his surgery on Purdy is the best one he’s ever done. Purdy came out with flying colors. Meister has worked on baseball pitchers as well.

#2 Who’d a thunk Purdy came back from right elbow surgery and threw for a 30-7 win over the Pittsburgh Steelers on opening day. Joe watching him you wouldn’t have even known he had the surgery.

#3 Defensive end Nick Bosa said after holding out for 43 days and getting game ready in less than a week that he felt sore but he felt really good and it was about getting some practices and getting adjusted.

#4 49ers wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk received his first NFC Offensive Player of the Week Award and was asked if anything came with that beyond recognition. Aiyuk said asking 49ers media relations department’s Peter Volmut if he gets something for that.

#5 49ers are in the Southland to battle the Los Angeles Rams at SoFi Stadium. The Rams won their opener on Sun Sep 10th against the Seattle Seahawks 30-13 in Seattle. Rams quarterback Matt Stafford threw for 334 yards, 24-38 and no touchdowns and no interceptions. How do you see the Niners matching up with the Rams on Sunday?

Join Joe Hawkes Saturdays for the 49ers podcasts at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Rough start spells doom for A’s against Padres as they lose 8-3

Published on by Sports Radio ServiceLeave a comment

Photo courtesy of Oakland A’s Twitter.

By Titus Wilkinson (@TitusWisme)

OAKLAND- The A’s opened a home series against the Padres with a rough outing against the Padres by a final of 8-3.

Attendance: 17,828

Before the game Tony Kemp was awarded a nomination for the Roberto Clemente award whose number he wore along with a few other players.

Photo courtesy of Oakland A’s Twitter. Tony Kemp is handed the Roberto Clemente award by manager of the A’s Mark Kotsay on Sept. 15th 2023.

This would also be former A’s manager Bob Melvin’s first visit back to the Coliseum after going to the Padres.

Starting for the Athletics was Sean Newcomb who coming in had a 1-0 record with a 3.21 era. While the Padres had Seth Lugo start who had a 6-7 record with a 3.82 era.

The offense was working early for the Padres as Fernando Tatis Jr. showed his power by crushing a 2-0 pitch to center field. Then after back-to-back walks Newcomb threw a wild pitch getting Juan Soto home.

Quickly down 2-0 Newcomb wasn’t able to establish much more confidence in the second inning as he gave a lead-off double to Garrett Cooper. After a single and a hit by pitch the bases were then loaded for Tatis who singled getting two runs home making it 4-0. Newcomb was able to minimize the damage to just two runs but now the A’s needed some runs.

There would be some help in the bottom of the second as Shea Langeliers launched a solo shot to center field getting his 20th homer of the season.

The fourth saw the first pitching change of the game as Adrián Martínez came in to replace Newcomb.

Martínez would end up having quite the opposite of and outing as he only gave up one earned run in 4.2 innings pitched. It was exactly the kind of bounce back Martínez needed after his rough outing against Texas on the 10th when he gave up four runs.

Following up the second Ryan Noda hit a ground-rule double bringing home Esteury Ruiz making things a little closer at 4-2.

The one run given up by Martínez was a double by Luis Campusano in the fifth that made it 5-2.

There would be another solo home run by an A’s player in the sixth inning with Brent Rooker this time homering getting his 25th of the season.

Scoring stayed relatively quiet until the top of the ninth inning when with Devin Sweeney on the mound the Padres got two on base. Jose Azocar then stepped up and pretty much put the dagger in this game by getting a three run homer. That home run was Azocar’s first home run of his career as he didn’t have any in his rookie campaign.

The A’s could not form any sort of response in the ninth ending this one at 8-3.

“I think the walks killed us tonight,” A’s manager Mark Kotsay said after the game.

Oakland will look to bounce back tomorrow against the Padres at 1:07 p.m.

Webb throws gem, but Giants fall 3-2 to Rockies

Published on by Sports Radio ServiceLeave a comment

Photo credit: si.com

By: Mary Anne

The San Francisco Giants and Colorado Rockies played the second game of the four-game series on Friday. The Giants dropped a 3-2 decision to the Rockies at Coors Field. San Francisco fell to 75-72, while Colorado improved to 54-92. Camilo Doval (6-5, 2.98 ERA) took the loss for the Giants.

The Giants’ lineup featured Mike Yastrzemski, Thairo Estrada, J.D. Davis, Michael Conforto, LaMonte Wade Jr., Mitch Haniger, Patrick Bailey, Brandon Crawford, Luis Matos, and Logan Webb. Webb pitched for eight innings and gave up four hits, one earned run, and six strikeouts.

After a scoreless first inning, San Francisco got on the board in the top of the second inning. Patrick Bailey grounded into a force out to Chase Anderson and Ezequiel Tovar. Michael Conforto scored for a 1-0 Giants lead. LaMonte Wade Jr. was out at second base, while Bailey went to first base with two outs.

The Rockies finally got on the board in the bottom of the eighth inning. Ezequiel Tovar singled on a line drive to Austin Slater. Ryan McMahon scored to tie the ballgame 1-1. Tovar went to second base.

The Giants regained the lead in the top of the ninth inning. Wilmer Flores walked. J.D. Davis scored for a 2-1 lead. LaMonte Wade Jr. went to third base, while Patrick Bailey went to second base.

The Giants’ lead was short-lived as the Rockies took the lead in the bottom of the ninth inning. Elehuris Montero singled on a ground ball to Mike Yastrzemski. Charlie Blackmon and Nolan Jones scored for a 3-2 lead. Montero went to second base. Yastrzemski committed a throwing error. Moreover, San Francisco challenged the play for a home-plate collision, and the call on the field was upheld.

Notes
The Giants optioned Kyle Harrison and Casey Schmitt to Triple-A Sacramento. Ross Stripling returned to San Francisco from rehab and was reinstated from the 15-day injured list.

The Giants recognized and celebrated the cultures, achievements, and celebrations of their Hispanic players, employees, and community members for Hispanic Heritage Month.

The Giants celebrated Roberto Clemente, a Latin American hero and one of the greatest baseball players of all time, on Roberto Clemente Day.

Up Next
The Giants and Rockies will meet again on Saturday at 5:10 p.m. Pacific. Keaton Winn (1-2, 3.55 ERA) will start for the Giants, but the Rockies haven’t named a starting pitcher yet.

Oakland A’s podcast with Daniel Dullum: Will MLB owners relocate A’s in mid November relocation vote?

Published on by Sports Radio ServiceLeave a comment

New York Yankees owner Hal Steinbrenner will be one of the 30 owners to vote on the Oakland A’s relocation in mid November. Sources say Steinbrenner is not too favorable to the A’s leaving a big TV market for the smallest TV market in MLB. Will the other owners feel the same way? (AP file photo)

On the Oakland A’s podcast with Daniel Dullum:

#1 Thursday MLB owners have decided to vote on the future of the Oakland A’s and their relocation to the Las Vegas Tropicana location. They have decided to hold the vote in mid November.

#2 Daniel, talk about the first step of the process with the MLB owners three man committee Milwaukee Brewers chairman Mark Attanasio, who is chairing the committee, Philadelphia Phillies CEO John Middleton and Kansas City Royals CEO John Sherman. They will be reviewing the A’s application and will send it for review to MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred.

#3 After Manfred reviews the application he will send it to an MLB eight man executive council with his recommendation. The eight man council will be reviewing the environmental impact reports, the financial benefits, the TV market, the funding of the park, and weigh the benefits of moving to Las Vegas and moving out of Oakland.

#4 After the eight man council review the application they will then send it to the 30 Major League teams where the owner of each team will vote on the A’s relocation. The A’s need 75% of the vote in order to move the team to Las Vegas.

#5 Taking all things into consideration Daniel with what’s in front of the three steps at MLB to make this happen do you see any outside chance that MLB can get at least eight MLB teams to say no and get on board against the relocation? The minimum that would stop the move of the A’s.

Daniel Dullum does the Oakland A’s podcasts Fridays at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Oakland A’s podcast with Jeremiah Salmonson: A’s have won 12 of last 22 games; Oakland has shown improvement despite picking up 100th loss

Published on by Sports Radio ServiceLeave a comment

Former Atlanta Braves starting pitcher now with the Oakland A’s Sean Newcomb works in the fifth inning against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Truist Park in Cobb County GA on Sun Jul 29, 2023. Newcomb had to apologize after the game for sending sexist, racist and homophobic tweets six years ago. On Sat Aug 5, 2023 Newcomb kicked a garbage can into a fire extinguisher sending chemical spray all over the Braves clubhouse after a 10 inning loss. Newcomb had to apologize for both incidents. Newcomb starts tonight for the A’s against the San Diego Padres (AP file photo)

On the Oakland A’s podcast with Jeremiah Salmonson:

#1 The A’s who went 3-3 on the last road trip in Arlington and Houston, lost two out of three in Texas and won two out of three in Houston. The A’s have played improved baseball going 12-10 in their last 22 games.

#2 The A’s were nearly no hit on Wednesday night in Houston by a combination of five Houston Astros pitchers. The A’s avoided getting no hit when Ryan Noda broke up the no hit bid with a single and later scoring in the inning.

#3 The A’s just couldn’t come back and fell to the Astros by four runs. The A’s lost their 100th game of the season with the 6-2 loss on Wednesday. This is the second year in a row they’ve lost 100 games.

#4 A couple of notes on tonight’s A’s starting pitcher Sean Newcomb, he comes over from the Atlanta Braves and nearly threw a no hitter against the Los Angeles Dodgers on Jul 29th. After the game Newcomb also had to apologize during a post game presser with the media not about losing the no hitter but about sexist, racist and homophobic tweets he sent out six or seven years ago. Later Newcomb on Sat Aug 5th kicked a garbage can that hit a fire extinguisher in the Braves clubhouse in frustration that sent chemical dust up in the clubhouse while a large fan was running, the team couldn’t come in the clubhouse to change out of their uniforms this was after a long ten inning game. Newcomb was angry for giving up the game winning hit to the Miami Marlins for the 7-6 loss. Do you think these might have been some of the reasons why Newcomb was dealt to the A’s?

#5 Jeremiah talk about tonight’s match ups to open the series Seth Lugo(6-7, 3.80 ERA) will go for the Padres and will be opposed by the A’s lefty, Sean Newcomb (0-1, 0.75 ERA). First pitch at 6:40pm PT.

Join Jeremiah for the A’s podcasts Fridays at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Weather Dampens Start of Giants vs Rockies Series In Colorado

Published on by Sports Radio ServiceLeave a comment

Grounds crew members pick up covers from the field after the postponement of a baseball game between the Colorado Rockies and the San Francisco Giants on Thursday, Sept. 14, 2023, in Denver. The game has been rescheduled as part of a doubleheader Saturday. (AP News photo)

By Barbara Mason

The San Francisco Giants (75-71) and the Colorado Rockies (53-92) four-game series was postponed Thursday evening due to inclement weather. The opening game of the series was postponed about three hours before the 5:40 scheduled first pitch.

A closer look at the weather channel showed 55 degrees that felt more like 52 degrees Thursday evening with rain pouring continuously since late afternoon. Just more crazy weather that seems to be world-wide.

A scheduled double-header will be played on Saturday September 16 with the first pitch at 11:20 AM. The second game of the double-header will take place Saturday evening at 5:10 PM.

As San Francisco heads into this series, they face a critical situation. Every game going forward is vitally important since the Giants are in the thick of an incredibly tight National League Wild Card race.

San Francisco has won 16 of their last 17 games against Colorado. A sweep would indeed be a beautiful thing. The Diamondbacks (76-72) , the Reds (76-72), the Cubs (78-69), the Marlins (75-72) and the Phillies (79-67) are all contenders in this closely contested race.

The Giants with a 75-71 record are close to the bottom of the heap in a packed field of rivals. Following this four game series with Colorado, San Francisco will play a two-game series with the Diamondbacks.

This will also be a huge series. Looking ahead, the Los Angeles Dodgers await the Giants in a four-game series starting on September 21. A series win or even a sweep for the Giants over the last-place Rockies is critical to San Francisco’s playoff hopes.

Friday night’s game which will hopefully be played is scheduled for 5:40 PM PT. The weather maps show rain stopping Friday morning in the early hours. There is a 40% chance of rain Friday but it does show clear at first pitch and hopefully it will hold for the duration of the ball game.

Logan Webb who was supposed to take the mound Thursday will start for the Giants on Friday night. He has a 10-12 win/loss record and a 3.40 ERA. There is good news for San Francisco. Michael Conforto will be back in the lineup after suffering a left hamstring strain giving the Giants outfield a boost.

Chase Anderson will start for the Rockies looking for his first win. He has a 0-5 win/loss record and a 6.49 ERA. The 35-year-old right-hander has really struggled this season.

The Giants Wilmer Flores has the hot bat right now for San Francisco. He has been on fire with a .288 batting average and 22 homers. Thairo Estrada and J.D. Davis have also been playing well. They are coming off an extra inning win over the Cleveland Guardians Wednesday night. Davis hit a three-run home run in the eighth inning to tie up that game with LaMonte Wade Jr. hitting a game -winning sacrifice fly.

The strength in the San Francisco lineup should propel them through this series. Friday night the Giants head into the final leg of the season with 16 games left. They will be facing the Dodgers seven times, the Padres three times and two against the Diamondbacks.

They have to at least win this upcoming series with the Rockies although a sweep would go a long way for these guys because they face some dangerous foes in their final five series. It will for sure be an exciting photo finish this year for the San Francisco Giants.