This Week on the Blog

It was sort of a surreal week, especially for the Yanks and Giants, but it's ending and a new one's about to start. Let's take a look.

Yankees:  The German situation is shocking. Whether he is innocent or guilty, the Yanks have lost a key arm heading into the playoffs, and may have to do some extra shopping this winter. That was surreal.  On the field, the Yanks took care of business and clinched, but they are giving away a few too many games and could lose home field advantage as a result.  Also, Gleyber Torres left the game last night and had to have an MRI on his leg. That's an injury they really cannot afford. The regular season ends next Sunday and the playoffs start on 10/4. They need to keep the hammer down.

Giants:  The Giants named Daniel Jones the starter this week, to end the long and glorious then gross Eli Manning Era. The Jerry Reese FO is absolutely responsible for the gross years, by refusing to restock the OL when the classic guys dropped like flies in their early 30s. So if, for some reason Eli doesn't make the Hall, it's Jerry Reese's fault. But that's past now, and a New Era could start tomorrow. The OL seemed to love Jones in the preseason, picking him up after his first TD pass. Now  Daniel gets to play with Saquon Barkley. Barkley has been underused and used as a decoy over the first two games. That can't happen any more and the two 22 year olds need to find major chemistry.  And they very well might, as the playbook will now be wide open, and we're liable to get our first look at the real Shurmur offense. Of course, there could be growing pains, but, if Jones is really the guy - and he sure looked like it in preseason - the Giants will head into this offseason with high picks and a ton of open cap room, with which to build around their young stars and fix the freaking D.

Rangers:  The Rangers now have everyone in camp.  They started playing game this week, and in each of the two games they gave up a goal in the first minute or so.  Last night Jack Hughes undressed Hank in the first minute. Suboptimal.  They play Philly later today, and we'll see what the game roster looks like. They've already sent down Joey Keane and Gave Fontaine who played last night.  Chytil, like Kravstov, on Wednesday,  almost scored a bunch of times, but didn't. Howden did, and people seem to forget about hm and his good hands. Buch had an assist on a Namestikov goal, and that was it for the Rangers.  Judging by who they are running out there, the Rangers seem to be way more interested in giving chances and getting looks than they are in winning these games. We'll see if those priorities can produce a win, or even a lead later today,

Knicks: The Knicks will open camp this week, though from their social media updates, it seems like they never stopped practicing. There should be some interesting battles going on.  First, if they are out of "tank" mode, Elfrid Payton may well beat out Dennis Smith Jr. at the point.  And Marcus Morris may well beat out Kevin Knox at the 3, unless they play him at the 4.  Then there's the question of which 4 will play the 5, because they have a lot of 4's but no real 5, unless Mitchel Robinson has grown into one.  He does have the Bill Russel tool box, so it's possible. Anyway, it should be an interesting camp.

So there it is, the Yanks need to get healthy and stay healthy, the Giants need to open the playbook, the Rangers need to get a lead and a win, and the Knicks need to have a great camp.  I hope all of you have a great week.