Good morning New York. Jaxson Dart’s season is officially over, Aaron Judge’s October status is still up in the air, and the Knicks are already facing a $277 million Karl-Anthony Towns question with training camp around the corner.
Winston’s Way
With Jaxson Dart officially set for season-ending knee surgery, it’ll be up to Jameis Winston to lead a banged-up Big Blue the rest of the way.
Plan B: Winston gets a full week with the starters after being thrown into Monday’s loss in Los Angeles, where he went 11-of-27 for 111 yards with an interception off the bench.
Slim pickings: With Jake Haener the only other healthy quarterback in the organization, the Giants need to add someone, but the options (Jimmy Garoppolo? Mac Jones?) are thin.
Sal says: Underscore’s Sal Licata called Dart’s injury the worst thing to happen to New York sports this year, but he doesn’t think the Giants are finished. “I still believe that Harbaugh will get this team to be competitive,” he says, adding that Winston is a better option than any of the quarterbacks being floated.
Watch The Sal Licata Show every weekday at 9 a.m.
Pending Judgment
The Yankees beat the Rays, 9–2, but the bigger October question still hangs over the Bronx: Will Aaron Judge play in the Wild Card Series?
Judge’s call, Boone’s caution: Judge says he’ll be ready for Game 1. Boone is less certain, saying the Yankees have to prepare for the possibility of playing the series without their captain.
Rice, Rice baby: Ben Rice went deep twice to tie for the AL lead in homers, while Ryan McMahon added a grand slam.
Ace timing: Cole allowed two runs on three hits and struck out eight in 5⅔ innings—his best start in weeks as the Yanks’ Wild Card roster decisions loom.
Towns Talks Stall
With training camp days away, extension talks between the Knicks and Karl-Anthony Towns have hit a wall. Towns is reportedly seeking a four-year, $277 million max extension. The Knicks want a Brunson-style discount—and are counting on their New Jersey-born lifelong fan to take less after helping bring a title back to New York.
If talks stay stuck, Towns can decline his $61 million player option for 2027–28 and test free agency next summer.
What to Watch
Mets at Rangers, 2:35 p.m. ET, SNY: Zac Thornton (5–5, 3.40 ERA) faces Kumar Rocker (5–11, 4.47 ERA), the former Mets first-rounder who went unsigned in 2021 before Texas drafted him third overall a year later.
Rays at Yankees, 7:05 p.m. ET, YES: Cam Schlittler (14–6, 1.94 ERA) takes on Ian Seymour (9–7, 4.38 ERA) as the Yankees look to clinch the series before the regular season’s final weekend begins Friday.
Falcons at Packers, 8:15 p.m. ET, Prime Video: Fresh off beating the Jets in overtime, the 1–1 Packers host the 0–2 Falcons at Lambeau Field.