Pirates trio looks to continue uptick against former team in San Francisco
The Pirates, who occupy last place in the National League Central, clinched a third consecutive series win with 6-5 and 3-1 wins over the Giants on the first two nights of the three-game set.
Pittsburgh, which has won four straight games and seven of its past eight, will look to hang a sixth straight loss on the Giants.
The Pirates' offensive hero in each game of this series has been a former member of the Giants.
Andrew McCutchen, who played 130 games for the Giants during the 2018 season, produced the difference-making runs with a two-run homer on Monday before Joey Bart, San Francisco's top draft pick that year and a member of the Giants from 2020-23, broke a 1-1 tie with an eight-inning single in the rematch.
McCutchen hit 15 homers in his only season in San Francisco. When he hit his 10th of this season on Monday, it gave him double digits for a 17th consecutive season as he became just the 11th player in Major League Baseball history to achieve that feat.
Unlike his two teammates, Reynolds never played for the Giants, but he was their second-round pick in 2016 and, coincidentally, the key export in the 2018 acquisition of McCutchen from the Pirates.
Reynolds, who was batting just .226 as of July 18, has heated up a bit just as trade winds have swirled at a season-high rate around the Pirates. The 30-year-old has hits in six of his past nine games, a stretch in which he's gone 11-for-39 (.282) with four doubles and five RBIs.
The switch-hitting outfielder has gone on record as insisting he wants to remain in Pittsburgh, noting that he has an eight-year, $107 million contract that doesn't expire until 2031.
"Obviously, I don't want to get traded," he told reporters. "I've got five more years. I wouldn't have signed here if I wanted to get traded two years later. Hopefully, it doesn't come down to that. It's why I have that (no-trade clause), right?"
According to the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, Reynolds has six teams on his no-trade list. The Giants are one of them.
Reynolds and his mates will go for a series sweep Wednesday against Giants right-hander Logan Webb (9-8, 3.38 ERA), who will try to finish his worst month of the season on a positive note. He's pitched to a 7.36 ERA in his first four July starts, allowing six runs in both of his home outings against the Los Angeles Dodgers and New York Mets.
The 28-year-old will make his fourth career start against the Pirates, having compiled a 1-1 record and 2.89 ERA in the first three outings.
The Giants desperately need Webb to play stopper.
They have been in a freefall since June 13, when they sat tied with the Los Angeles Dodgers atop the National League West at 41-29. A loss Wednesday would put the Giants under .500 for the first time all season.
They enter the contest nine games behind Los Angeles for the division lead and five games behind the San Diego Padres for the National League's third and final wild-card berth.
"We've had meetings," Giants manager Bob Melvin said. "We've had team meetings. We've had all kinds of meetings. It's going out there and fighting a little harder and winning a game and having a little more resolve, which we've shown this year. We just have not done it here recently."
The Pirates are scheduled to counter on Wednesday with right-hander Mike Burrows (1-3, 4.15 ERA), who hasn't faced the Giants in 13 career games.
The 25-year-old is winless in his past nine appearances despite having pitched shutout ball in two of his four July outings, limiting the Seattle Mariners and Arizona Diamondbacks to a total of six hits over 11 innings.
--Field Level Media
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BBC News
11 minutes ago
- BBC News
Bournemouth's perfect pre-season ended by Man Utd
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Telegraph
13 minutes ago
- Telegraph
The stylish sportswear Telegraph journalists swear by – and you should too
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Greeley doesn't go for the whole matchy-matchy club tennis look, preferring something 'kind of mixed and matched and layered', which certainly suits someone like me. For this article, I wanted to tap into the wisdom of other female colleagues at The Telegraph who play sport (read on to glean their expert tips on practical sports gear, plus sample their inspirational attitude). What does it matter what anyone wears to play sport you might carp? Well, if wearing a kit that makes you feel more confident in your body gets you out there in the field to enjoy the endorphin-boosting, health benefits and exhilaration of sport – I certainly can't think of a bigger win than that. Here's to more pockets and more joy. Let's go. 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As we play on outdoor courts all year round, my clothing varies from shorts and a vest top in the warmer months, to sports leggings and a long-sleeved, fitted zip-up top in the winter. You do warm up very quickly so something with a zip or that's easy to fling off is always preferred. Long and double-lined socks are also a winner for grip and comfort when running – but also for aesthetics. What are your frustrations with what is available in the market? I get irritated at tops or shorts that ride up when playing. As it's a sport that involves a variety of movements (running, jumping, bending, stretching, etc) I find myself often having to readjust my shorts or pull my top back down. This is particularly problematic as a tall woman (5ft 11in). Netball dresses for games tend to be expensive and exclusive to the club you play for. It would be nice to see more skirts and dresses for general training as they are practical and fun (and look great). 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Telegraph
13 minutes ago
- Telegraph
The signs Manchester United players are finally getting Ruben Amorim's system
Manchester United produced another impressive display in their second match of the Premier League Summer Series to beat Bournemouth 4-1 thanks to goals from Rasmus Hojlund, Patrick Dorgu, Amad Diallo and youngster Ethan Williams. Telegraph Sport analyses the main talking points from Soldier Field. Players getting to grips with Amorim's system United delivered an encouraging performance in Sunday's 2-1 win over West Ham and there was more of the same here against Bournemouth, even with new signings Matheus Cunha and Bryan Mbeumo playing no part in the game. Nine of the starting XI began the Europa League final defeat by Spurs 10 weeks ago, a game in which United's players still appeared confused by Ruben Amorim's system seven months after the Portuguese replaced Erik ten Hag as manager. But this was a much faster, sharper United who attacked and pressed with far greater coordination and intensity and kept the ball better. Much of their work on the grass in pre-season has involved Amorim walking his squad through his tactics, with more of the intensity work reserved for the gym, and there has certainly been a more cohesive, joined up look to United's football in the US. Bournemouth were unpicked by some slick moves and quick-thinking and Amorim says the data being fed back is already showing a clear uplift in work rate. At the same time, the squad look happier and more together and the manager believes that is coming through in their play. 'More than the results, it's the way they are playing,' Amorim said. 'I think it's really important. I think they are playing better also because they are connecting better with each other - not just on the pitch, but off the pitch. 'I think they are stronger, they are faster. In this moment, of course, it's a pre-season. But you can see the intensity is completely different. I can see the data from the minutes are completely different. So we are improving. But again, it's a pre-season game. 'The pressure is going to be so much different during the season. It's important for them to understand that the same players can play a different game. 'I think we played with intensity. We were aggressive and that is something that we need to improve on from last season. I think we had better possessions compared to the last game so they are listening. If you look at the same players now playing, it looks like a different team and that is a good sign.' Hojlund scores but will he stay? Just hours after it emerged United are pursuing a deal for Benjamin Sesko after prioritising a move for the Slovenia striker over Ollie Watkins, Hojlund was again playing like a man with a point to prove. The Denmark striker had looked hungry and dangerous running in behind against West Ham despite failing to get on the scoresheet but he got the goal he craved here, steering a fine diving header into the bottom corner from Patrick Dorgu's excellent cross. Hojlund believed he had scored a second, too, to make it 3-0 after Amad Diallo's shot brushed off him but the goal was awarded to the Ivory Coast forward. Hojlund's rawness was still evident at times with some of his hold-up play and distribution but he was a handful for Bournemouth nonetheless. Yet whether the 22-year-old stays beyond the close of the transfer window should United land Sesko remains to be seen and Amorim, despite being encouraged by the way the striker has played in pre-season, was coy when asked about Hojlund's future. 'I am really happy with Rasmus,' he said. 'I don't know what is going to happen until the end of the market. The important thing is that the strikers that are here are working really well, improving and helping the team. 'The important thing is that Rasmus is scoring goals. He's connecting really well with the team. He's improving. Again, I don't know what is going to happen until the market is closed. People focus on the goals and we suffer a lot because of the lack of goals. But I think it's not just the goals but the way he connects the play. 'The ability for him to hold the defender and to connect in the support is helping us a lot to play better and we are playing better because he is playing better.' Rasmus Hojlund puts Man Utd in front against Bournemouth! 🔴 — Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) July 31, 2025 Dorgu settling in Amorim's first foray in the transfer market came in January when United signed Patrick Dorgu from Lecce for £29m. The Denmark left wing-back looked tentative at times last term, even if it could not have been easy coming into a failing team in mid-season that was having to adapt to an entirely new system with little time to train. But Dorgu has cut a very different figure in the US and was electric up and down United's left flank against Bournemouth. A powerful, athletic figure, he dovetailed well with Mason Mount, who was playing in the left sided No 10 role, oozed confidence and aggression and claimed a thoroughly deserved first goal for the club. It was a fine one, too. Mount had the presence of mind to play a quick free-kick over the top and Dorgu showed strength and awareness to hold off Philip Billing and allow the ball to run into his path from where he surged forward before shooting underneath goalkeeper Djordje Petrovic to make it 2-0. Dorgu had already made his mark on the game before then, curling in a fine cross with his right foot that Hojlund headed home. His body-language could not have contrasted more starkly with his first few months at the club. The ball from Mason Mount 💫 The finish from Patrick Dorgu 💫 — Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) July 31, 2025 Cunha 'fatigued' and Mbeumo not ready Matheus Cunha had produced a lively display against West Ham but the new £62.5m signing from Wolves was missing against Bournemouth because of fatigue. 'Matheus felt a little bit fatigued,' Amorim said. 'He was ready to play and he wants to give everything but we need to be careful.' Mbeumo, who only completed a £71m move from Brentford last week, was never scheduled to play against Bournemouth given he is still working his way towards full fitness having reported back for pre-season later than his new United team-mates. But United fans are set to get their first glimpse of the Cameroon international when they face Everton in Atlanta on Sunday. Torrential rain, empty stands… and drinks breaks It was a foul night in Chicago and with Soldier Field being an open air stadium those supporters present had no protection from the torrential rain. There was still more than half an hour to play when the ground began to empty as drenched fans began to make their way for the exits or the protection of the concourses. The ground was barely a third full by the final whistle although there were still thousands in waterproof ponchos who hung around until the end, with the United fans among them delighted with the performance from Amorim's side. Chicago had been hit by a heatwave last week but the weather was very different on Thursday and West Ham manager Graham Potter, whose side had beaten Everton 2-1 in the earlier Premier League Summer Series game at Soldier Field, was bemused as to why there were drinks breaks in each half. The Premier League said both clubs had agreed to have drinks breaks before the game, but Potter did not agree with it. 'I assumed there wasn't going to be one because I came out with a jumper,' he said. 'I was as surprised as everyone else in the stands when there was a water break. Somebody needs to tell me why that was the case. If we want to do something to promote soccer over here, I don't see why we have to have water breaks in a pre-season match. We're hoping to get used to the pace playing 45 minutes when it's 74 degrees or something. You have to adapt to the conditions.'
