STAMFORD, CT – Monday night. The Yankees had a chance to lock up the division. The Giants had a chance to go 3-0. The Rangers kicked off their season with a preseason tussle versus the Islanders. A few thoughts on each.
GIANTS
Daniel Jones: has a troublesome combination of a lack of pocket awareness and the propensity of holding the ball too long when nothing is there. Not an ideal combo.
Evan Neal got taken to school. DeMarcus Lawrence abused the rookie for three sacks in less than quarters. Only an injury slowed him down.
More Horrible Officiating: The pass interference call on Sheppard on a big Golloday (who?) reception late in the first half. A ridiculous taunting call on Shepard after a late hit on Jones. If that’s taunting there would be about 100 penalties per game. It’s hard to understand what they were thinking.
No Deep Threat: The Cowboys were criticized for letting Amari Cooper go, leaving them with no explosive receivers – besides CeeDee Lamb. Well, imagine having no explosive receivers OR Lamb. Golladay is a well-paid observer. Kadarius looks like a lost cause. And now poor Shepard looks dunzo. Ouch. D coordinators aren’t exactly shaking in their boots.
MANNINGS on MNF: I still can’t decide if I like these two boobs on MNF. One part funny, two parts cringe.
Giants are currently imploding in the fourth.
YANKEES
Judge Doesn’t Go Deep: The ads for the Yankees have turned from “Judge’s pursuit of 61” to “Judge’s pursuit of the triple crown.“ My man is way too patient.
Yankees Pen: is not what it was early in the season. Michael King was a monster loss. Holmes was dominant early but is inconsistent now. This is no longer a strength, heading into the playoffs.
Harrison Bader: does not look like he was worth Jordan Montgomery. He can play defense, and he got a few hits early, but he seems to lack plate discipline.
Righty Heavy: Yanks need another lefty bat back. Benintendi? Carpenter? Where you at?
Division Not Clinched: Blue Jays survive another day by walking Judge with two guys on in the tenth.
RANGERS
Zac Jones: looks like he’ll get the first crack at the sixth D spot for the Rangers. He showed again last night that he definitely has the offensive skills for the job.
Brennan Othmann: is only 19 but he doesn’t look too far off from making this roster. Two assists, including a shorthanded beauty to the tape of K’Andre Miller in the final seconds of the first period.
Jimmy Vesey: got off to a good start in his bid to make the team as a role player with a sharp angle goal in the first on the PP.
ISLES’ NEW COACH
I don’t know much about Lane Lambert but I’m betting the Isles will be worse without Barry Trotz.
I’m pretty fired up for hockey season.
The night didn’t go as planned, but I can’t complain about a triple toggle with Yankees, Giants, and Rangers action. The Yanks will wrap up the decision shortly, the Giants looks competitive at least, and there is high hopes for the Rangers.
Come back tomorrow for Angry Ward. Follow us on Twitter at @BenWhit8, @MeetTheMatts, @Matt_McCarthy00, Instagram @MeetTheMatts and like our Facebook page, Meet The Matts.
