The San Francisco Giants are hoping they can find some late-season magic to get into the playoffs.

After deciding to hold onto the majority of their tradeable pieces instead of moving them, the front office still clearly felt this team had the capability of getting hot down the stretch to earn themselves a Wild Card spot.

Their work is cut out for them, though.

Entering Tuesday, the Giants trail the Atlanta Braves by 3.5 games for the final spot in the playoffs as only the New York Mets have a better record among those National League teams who are on the outside looking in.

But as San Francisco gears up for their final 35 contests of the year, they have been dealt a huge blow to their pitching staff.

According to Andrew Baggarly of The Athletic, the Giants are shutting down reliever Randy Rodriguez for two weeks after he was diagnosed with a a flexor strain over the weekend. Following this stretch of not throwing, he will be “re-evaluated” to see how his elbow feels.

San Francisco called up their former Top 30 prospect to the Majors on May 4, and even though he’s ridden the rollercoaster of promotions and demotions, the right-hander has put together a solid rookie season with a 3.93 ERA and 52 strikeouts across his 33 outings and 50.1 innings pitched.

Unfortunately, Rodriguez now faces the possibility that his year is now over.

Getting shut down for two weeks before getting checked to see how his injury has progressed doesn’t inspire much confidence they think he’ll be ready to return.

In November Denver voters will decide on whether or not to increase the city’s sales tax in an action aimed at growing affordable housing in the city. The Denver City Council approved the measure that put the question on the ballot in a 9-4 vote in their meeting on Monday night.  

Denver Mayor Mike Johnston has been pushing for the tax increase. He says it’s greatly needed in Denver because it would provide funding to building thousands more affordable housing units in the city.

Proponents say the .05% sales tax increase would raise $100 million to support 20,000 affordable units over 10 years.

The area media income — or AMI — in Denver is $91,280 for a single person. For a family of four, it’s $130,400.

Council member Shontel Lewis debated the council on what percentage of that income should have this money directed to them, while others said that there is a difference between market rate apartments and rates reflecting the median income, and that fewer and fewer people are not able to afford market rent nowadays.

One Denver resident said he believes more affordable housing is needed if the money is being directed properly.

“I think most people have no issues paying a little more and doing their fair share to help everyone else, but I absolutely want to see results and not just lining some politicians’ pockets,” said Blake Malone.

Voters will have the final say in November.

If approved by voters, the affordable housing tax would be the eighth dedicated tax in the city and the largest to date.

Voters have also approved sales taxes for parks, college scholarships, mental health care, healthy food for kids, climate change action and ending homelessness.

Last week former Denver Mayor Wellington Webb said he thinks now is not the time to be putting this issue before voters.

Seattle Seahawks quarterback Sam Howell continues to make an impression on his new team, and his confidence in offensive coordinator Ryan Grubb’s offense appears to be growing.

Howell left a mark in the team’s preseason contest against the Tennessee Titans. Despite the 16-15 loss, Howell inched closer to earning consideration as a starter someday.

“He ran Seattle’s offense efficiently in the preseason opener, though, and was even better against the Tennessee Titans on Saturday,” Bleacher Report writes. “The Seahawks gave Howell four series, and he helped lead them to 10 points. He finished 11-of-14 for 153 yards and a touchdown while flashing the type of arm talent that meshes perfectly with new coordinator Ryan Grubb’s offense. Howell isn’t likely to spark a quarterback controversy at this point in the preseason, but he could be a threat to do so if Smith doesn’t quickly return to his 2022 form.”

Make no mistake about it: There is no quarterback controversy in Seattle. Geno Smith will start the team’s Week 1 match against the Denver Broncos on Sept. 8. However, Howell was acquired via trade for a reason. Eventually, he will get an opportunity.

It remains to be seen when that chance will come, but Howell could step in as the team’s top quarterback if Smith gets injured this season or if he underperforms. The chances of Howell stepping in are far greater in 2025 when the Seahawks can get out of Smith’s contract without much penalty and Howell will enter the final year of his rookie deal.

Howell and the Seahawks will play in the preseason finale on Saturday against the Cleveland Browns. Kickoff is scheduled for 7 p.m. PT.