Daily Report – 3/22/25
Here is today’s report and weekend roundup:
Yankees
I have some updates to share about the New York Yankees.
First, because of the high number of left-handed hitters competing for a spot on the Opening Day roster, veteran Dom Smith opted out of his contract with the Yankees. Given his age, he understands the implications of being unable to play this season, and I wish him the best.
Next, the Yankees announced that Paul Goldschmidt will return to the lineup today. Also, Austin Wells is expected to lead off against righties this season, while Paul Goldschmidt will lead off against lefties. Furthermore, the Yankees plan to bat Aaron Judge second and Cody Bellinger third this season. I would prefer it the other way around, but we’ll see if this plan works.
Opening Day is this Thursday, and the Yankees are rolling out their final rotation pieces this weekend. In his final Spring Training start ahead of taking the mound on Opening Day, Carlos Rodón threw 77 pitches across 4.2 scoreless innings last night.
This afternoon, at 1:05 PM (12:05 PM CDT), the Yankees will send RHP Cam Schlittler (0-1, 5.84 ERA) to the mound against LHP Jesús Luzardo (1-1, 7.88 ERA) as they host Philadelphia (YES). This gives the Yankees the chance to test their lefty-focused lineup, which Paul Goldschmidt leads off. Schlittler gets the start because of the day off following Opening Day.
On Sunday at 1:05 PM (12:05 PM CDT), the Yankees will host Tampa Bay with LHP Max Fried (1-0, 2.53 ERA) starting against RHP Ryan Pepiot (0-2, 4.50 ERA) (YES).
Rangers
If I told you on Thursday night that the Toronto Maple Leafs are one of the NHL’s best odd-man rush teams and the New York Rangers give up some of the most odd-man rushes in the league, then how would you recommend the Rangers prepare for a game against Toronto?
If you said by focusing on defending odd-man rushes, then – ding ding ding! – you’re correct. But are you?
Arthur Staple wrote a fantastic article in the Athletic yesterday that includes intriguing Rangers stats from Clear Sight Analytics. This season, the Blueshirts rank 29th in the NHL in expected goals against off the 5v5 rush. During their 12-4-1 stretch, their rush defense ranked 19th in the league. When they went 4-15-0, it ranked 32nd. Since January 1st, their rush defense ranks 18th in the NHL.
When a team struggles to score, the riskiest solution – especially when playing a marquee club that is among the league leaders in rush goals created – is to place two offensive-focused defensemen on the same blue line. The Rangers already struggle enough to defend their blue line, but without a consistent defensive structure, they are dysfunctional.
Just a reminder: Since the 2019 St. Louis Blues, every Stanley Cup-winning team has ranked among the top five in odd-man rush defense.
In last night’s game, Peter Laviolette paired Adam Fox and K’Andre Miller together on defense. The goal was to generate more offense. The linemates certainly generated a good amount of offense – for their opponents. K’Andre Miller gave the puck away four times and was on the ice for three of Toronto’s four goals, all of which were scored directly because of his mistakes. One of those goals was scored off the rush, something Miller hasn’t permitted in a while.
While the Rangers have lost three straight games, they only played poorly on Tuesday and Thursday. Nonetheless, Peter Laviolette panicked after Tuesday’s loss, otherwise, he would not have separated K’Andre Miller from Will Borgen, who was signed to a long-term contract because of his positive impact on Miller’s defense. Due to roster moves throughout the season, the Rangers are incredibly deep defensively, so there is no need to pair two offensive defensemen on the same line – especially when one of them notoriously struggles to adapt to lineup changes.
The implications of Laviolette’s decision to pair Adam Fox with K’Andre Miller could extend far beyond last night’s game. And given how vulnerable the Rangers are to slumping and defending poorly, this decision has probably made it much more difficult for them to rebound from three straight losses. I hope I’m wrong, but if not, the Rangers will miss the playoffs, and I will have to call for the team to fire Peter Laviolette.
Today at 1 PM (12:00 PM CDT), the Rangers will host the Vancouver Canucks at the Garden (MSG).
Compared to the Rangers, the Vancouver Canucks are a low-shooting, low-scoring team this season, and the amount of time they spend in each area of the ice compares nicely with the Rangers. Given the current NHL Eastern Conference Wild Card standings, the Rangers must win this game. They also need to win it for Sam Rosen, who will be honored before the game.
And I’m willing to bet they’ll be raising the number 40 to the rafters in his honor. “Do you believe it?!”
Today is a special moment in Rangers history as Sam Rosen prepares to conclude his decorated 40-year career at the end of this season. Rosen is a Lester Patrick Trophy winner, Foster Hewitt Memorial Award winner, Hockey Hall of Famer, National Jewish Sports Hall of Famer, and a four-time New York Emmy Award winner.
I will discuss Rosen’s career and legacy in further detail next week. For now, it’s time to celebrate him.
Knicks
Tonight at 8 PM (7 PM CDT), the Knicks will host the Washington Wizards at the Garden (MSG). Both hockey and basketball will be played at Madison Square Garden today!
Giants
The Giants have signed a (back-up) quarterback! Former first-overall pick Jameis Winston is now a New York Giant for 2 years and $8 million.
Winston played 105 games and made 87 starts for Tampa Bay (2015-2019), New Orleans (2020-2023), and Cleveland (2024). He has completed 61.2% of passes in his career for 24,225 yards, 154 touchdowns, and 111 interceptions. He has also rushed for over 1,000 yards with 12 rushing touchdowns.
Winston is one of nine NFL quarterbacks to record a 5,000-year passing season, which he achieved in 2019. He also passed for at least 450 yards in back-to-back games that season. He is the all-time leader in Tampa Bay in pass attempts, completions, passing yards, and touchdown passes.
Winston is also a former Heisman Trophy winner with Florida State in 2015. He went 27-1 as a freshman starter that season.
Schedule
Saturday 3/21:
1:00 PM (12:00 PM CDT): A Salute to Sam – NYR vs. VAN; MSG
1:05 PM (12:05 PM CDT): 2025 MLB Spring Training – NYY vs. PHI; YES; SP: RHP Cam Schlittler (0-1, 5.84 ERA)
8:00 PM (7:00 PM CDT): NYK vs. WSH; MSG
Sunday 3/22:
1:05 PM (12:05 PM CDT): 2025 MLB Spring Training – NYY vs. TB; YES; SP: LHP Max Fried (1-0, 2.53 ERA)
