Good morning, New York. The Giants lost more than a game in Los Angeles: Jaxson Dart hurt his left knee on the opening drive, while Malik Nabers, Andrew Thomas and Brian Burns also left banged up. The Yankees open a doubleheader against Tampa Bay today, with the Rays one win—or one Yankees loss—from clinching the AL East in the Bronx.
RAMMED
The Giants’ first loss of the John Harbaugh era came with a much bigger cost. Dart left on New York’s seventh offensive snap with a left-knee injury, Jameis Winston could not revive the offense, and Los Angeles pulled away for a 28–6 win, dropping Big Blue to 1–1 and scrambling its plans for Sunday’s Tennessee game.
Dart’s doubt: Dart is believed to have sprained his MCL. X-rays were negative; the MRI comes Tuesday. Harbaugh called avoiding a “devastating outcome” “really good news.”
Bruised Blue: Malik Nabers popped his shoulder back in; Andrew Thomas left with a groin injury; Brian Burns suffered a low-ankle sprain. All three join Dart on the injury watch for Tennessee.
Holland’s start: Jevon Holland already has two interceptions in two games, plus two forced fumbles and a recovery. The problem: Stafford threw for 327 yards and four touchdowns, Adams had 195 receiving yards and two scores, and the Rams piled up 481 yards.
BRONX BLOCKADE
Tampa Bay arrives at Yankee Stadium six games up with four head-to-head games remaining—and one Rays win, or one Yankees loss, clinches the AL East. The Yankees have already booked their October ticket. Now they need a sweep to keep the Rays from celebrating in the Bronx.
Two shots: Carlos Rodón and Max Fried start Tuesday’s day-night doubleheader. Rodón gets Nick Martinez at 1:05 p.m.; Fried faces Drew Rasmussen at 7:05. If New York is going to make Tampa Bay wait, it needs its best starters to lead the way.
Champagne problem: Aaron Boone called stopping Tampa Bay from “spraying bubbly in the Bronx” a “tall order”. The Rays lead the season series 6–3 and need one win to lock up the division; New York needs four straight to keep the race alive.
No. 99, no margin: Aaron Judge’s right-calf strain has sent him back to the injured list. Judge can return Sept. 27, but the Yankees have not set a timetable—and October will not wait for him to find his timing.
Arms race: Underscore’s own John Jastremski calls the lineup “incredibly mediocre” without Judge, but still sees a path through a vulnerable American League: great pitching and low-scoring wins. “Imagine if they actually won the World Series without Aaron Judge, and how crazy that would be,” he said.
GANG GREEN GOES DOWN
Underscore’s own Sal Licata and John Jastremski went live Sunday night to break down the Jets’ overtime collapse against Green Bay—from Aaron Glenn’s late-game decisions to the mistakes that turned a 17–7 lead into a 20–17 loss.
LIBERTY SLIP
The Liberty lost more than Monday’s game: Atlanta’s 95–84 win at Barclays Center sent New York to the road for the opening round. They close the regular season against the Dream again Wednesday, but can’t finish higher than fifth; their first-round opponent remains unsettled.
What to Watch
Rays at Yankees, Game 1, 1:05 p.m. ET, YES: Carlos Rodón (6–3, 2.95 ERA) faces Nick Martinez (15–4, 2.94) as the Yankees begin a day-night doubleheader with Tampa Bay one win from the AL East. Then it’s time to keep the Rays waiting.
Rays at Yankees, Game 2, 7:05 p.m. ET, YES: Max Fried (5–4, 2.63) takes on Drew Rasmussen (15–5, 2.72) in the nightcap, with New York trying to turn a long-shot division chase into something worth caring about through Wednesday.
Mets at Rangers, 8:05 p.m. ET, SNY: Sean Manaea starts opposite MacKenzie Gore as the Mets open a three-game set in Texas. The Rangers remain in the AL West fight, while New York begins its final road swing of the season.