Daily Report – 4/18/25
Here is today’s report and weekend roundup:
Yankees
Big Ben strikes FOUR!
Ben Rice registered a career-high four hits last night to help the Yankees beat the Rays 6-3. The Bronx Bombers have now won four straight games.
Juan Soto wore #22 last season, but Rice wears it now. No, there aren’t any undercover Yankees fans dressed as Mets ANYWHERE, not even in Tampa. And we aren’t watching Juan Soto in a Ben Rice mask. I think it’s important to clear the air on that.
Rice has recorded unprecedented numbers this season, batting at the top of the Yankees’ order. So far, he has slashed .317/.414/.650 with five home runs, nine RBI, and a 1.064 OPS. He has served primarily as the Yankees’ designated hitter because Giancarlo Stanton is injured. If Rice continues to hit like this, the Yankees will have some tough roster decisions to make once Stanton returns.
Benjamin Kimball Rice grew up a Yankees fan. “He’s one of a kind,” said Aaron Judge. “The kid grew up in the Boston area, but I think he bleeds Yankee pinstripes, man.”
Steve Serby interviewed Ben Rice’s father, Dan, and wrote a fascinating article it. Ben Rice noticeably increased in size during the offseason, thanks to a formula designed by Yankees director of performance nutrition Drew Weisberg and “a lot of chicken nuggets.”
Rice’s performance up to this point is nothing short of incredible. Throughout the last few years, fans had never heard much about this kid except that he could catch Gerrit Cole in rehab games and play first base. No one anticipated he’d become this powerful hitter.
He’s torching the baseball all over the field,” Will Warren said about Rice. Warren struggled through his start last night, tossing 53 pitches over 1 2/3 innings. He allowed four hits, one run, and two walks. In the bottom of the first inning, Aaron Boone pulled him with the bases loaded because he was concerned about his pitch count.
“I just think the execution wasn’t quite where we wanted it,” said Warren. But the Yankees’ bullpen backed him up. Ryan Yarbrough relieved Warren and struck out Brandon Lowe to leave the bases loaded. Tampa Bay loaded the bases four times in this game but stranded 10 batters.
Yarbrough allowed two runs across two 2/3 innings, Tim Hill was perfect through two innings, Ian Hamilton struck out three in one 2/3 shutout innings, and Devin Williams tossed six pitches to earn his fourth save of the season. “What a great team effort,” said Aaron Boone. “[The bullpen] did a phenomenal job,” added Will Warren. “Yarbs came in and got out of a big jam. Then just the length of all those guys.”
But not everything was perfect in Tampa Bay last night. While it was weird for the Yankees to be the visiting team in their own facility, and Aaron Boone did not enjoy the view from the visiting dugout, the headline of the night was Jazz Chisholm Jr.’s tantrum at the plate. In the seventh inning, Chisholm ferociously argued with home plate umpire John Bacon about a strike call. Bacon’s response further aggravated Chisholm, and after he stated his spiel, Bacon ejected him.
Immediately after the ejection, with Aaron Boone trying to calm him down, Chisholm shouted profanities at Bacon before storming through the dugout and into the locker room, where he posted about the incident on X. Chisholm wrote, “Not even f*****g close.” The post has since been deleted, and Chisholm is facing a suspension and fine for his actions. He has decided to appeal the suspension, so he will play for the Yankees tonight.
The Yankees are playing the Rays as we speak. LHP Carlos Rodón (1-3, 5.48 ERA) has the start for the Yankees against RHP Drew Rasmussen (1-0, 0.60 ERA). Rasmussen has held the Yankees scoreless in his last 21 innings against them, dating back to 2021.
Tomorrow, at 4:10 PM (3:10 PM CDT), RHP Carlos Carrasco (2-1, 5.94 ERA) will start against RHP Shane Baz (2-0, 1.42 ERA) (YES).
On Sunday, at 1:40 PM (12:40 PM CDT), the four-game series will conclude as LHP Max Fried (3-0, 1.88 ERA) toes the slab against RHP Ryan Pepiot (1-2, 4.91 ERA) (YES).
Rangers
As disappointing as this Rangers season was, it got worse on its final day. I discussed the article about Artemi Panarin’s sexual assault allegation in yesterday’s report. That news was an awful conclusion to a disastrous season.
And after becoming the fourth defending Presidents’ Trophy winners (and the second such New York Rangers team) to miss the playoffs, all Vincent Trocheck had to say was, “I still think, even after this season, I know what this team is capable of.” He added, “We saw it last year.”
Not all good things come in pairs, Vincent, although the tea leaves suggest Trocheck will be selected as the next Rangers captain. Perhaps that’s why he was so positive last night.
Artemi Panarin declined to comment on the article The Athletic released about him. The NHL released a statement saying, “The [Rangers] retained an outside law firm to conduct an independent investigation which the League was fully apprised of. We consider the matter closed.”
It’s difficult to pull anything positive from this Rangers season. But Sam Rosen has officially retired. His legacy shines a positive light on areas of this season. Don’t worry, he’ll be back for a bit next season when the Rangers celebrate their Centennial.
Rosen was named the first star of last night’s game. Chills.
The Rangers are expected to decide on Peter Laviolette’s future this weekend, and breakup day is scheduled for Monday. I’m waiting for Part II of “The Letter.”
I’ll discuss the 2024-25 Rangers season in further detail next week. There will be much to write about following breakup day.
Knicks
I will release an exclusive Round 1 preview report tomorrow, ahead of Game 1. The Knicks are preparing to play the Detroit Pistons in the first round of the 2025 NBA Playoffs.
Weekend Roundup
Saturday 4/18:
4:10 PM (3:10 PM CDT): NYY at TB; YES; SP: RHP Carlos Carrasco (2-1, 5.94 ERA)
6:00 PM (5:00 PM CDT): 2025 NBA Playoffs, Round 1, Game 1 – NYK vs. DET; MSG, ESPN
5:00 PM (4:00 PM CDT): 2025 Knicks Playoff Preview; MSG
5:30 PM (4:30 PM CDT): Knicks Playoff Pregame; MSG
Sunday 4/20:
1:40 PM (12:40 PM CDT): NYY at TB; YES; SP: LHP Max Fried (3-0, 1.88 ERA)
That will conclude this report. Enjoy your weekend!
