Ginuts Bytes Week in Review: 05/08/2021

Yeah, I missed last week’s Bytes. Too much going on. So, sincere apologies to all my readers. It was a crazy friggin week, especially for the Rangers, so let’s get to it.

NY Yankees: Holy Stanton to the rescue! Leaving aside his 0-4 effort against Scherzer and the Nets Friday night, Stanton has been in beastmode. He signgle-handedly carried the team a few games en route to a 5-2 week for the Yankees, putting them over .500 and back in it. Tonight’s thrilling 4-3 extra inning win against said Scherzer was the highlight of a very good week. And those two wins against those cheating scumbag Astros sure felt great too. But what the heck is going on with Judge? Is he playing hurt or just trying to join the bottom half the order a.k.a the sub .200 club?

NY Mets: Here they come! The hype train is real. Sure the injury scares surrounding deGrom are troubling to say the least (he is their best pitcher and batter for heaven’s sake), but the team is putting up dubs. Four-in-a0row to be exact. Today’s 4-2 win over the D-Backs saw Lindor go 2-3 with a BB. He continues to search for the exit off of the interstate.

NY Rangers: What an insane week for the Rangers. It all started Monday night with P.O.S. Tom Wilson trying to kill Panarin. Then the league decided that a mosquito bite penalty was enough. (What’s the league going to do when this roid head ends a player’s career or life, by-the-way?) Anyway, the joke of penalty lead to a harsh letter from the Rangers calling for NHL head of player safety, and former NHL enforcer, George Parros to step down. This led to a $250,000 fine. Concurrently and for reasons made murky, Jimmy D decided he had seen enough the Rangers rebuilding efforts, and promptly fired GM Jeff Gorton, and President/NHL Royalty, John Davidson. Was it Jeff and John distancing themselves from the response letter? Was it a difference in the future visions of the team? We may never know. Nevertheless, Chris Drury takes over. I support Chris fully and Chris’ first job is to add some size, strength, and fighting tenacity to the team. The Rangers’ lack of fighting skills became clear in the follow up game against the Caps Wednesday night. It was old school brawl hockey and what the league wanted as we saw three pairs of skaters square off at the drop. Three more fights ensued before the game hit the 5 minute mark. Brendan Smith drew the short straw and sacrificed himself bravely against the animal on ice Tom Wilson. Brendan of course lost the fight, but man that’s some bravery. Fact is though that the Rangers had few answers for Wilson or for the Caps other fighters. Later in the 2nd period, Buchnevich, victim of Wilson’s sucker punches two night prior, exacted some revenge. Not on Wilson though, he left the game due to an “upper body injury”. No, Pavel went after Anthony Mantha and cross-checked him across the face. He of course was suspended a game. You can’t cross-check a player’s face even if they are lunging at you. You can however, body slam a player without a helmet on into the ice twice by the head. I’m still learning these NHL rules. In the end, the season is over for the Rangers. Let’s see where they go from here. Congrats to Mika on his 200th NHL goal.

NY lslanders: As I predicted a few weeks ago, the Islanders would be looking over their shoulder at the ascending Bruins. As of right now, the Islanders are in the playoffs of course and sit in 4th place in the East, one point behind the Bruins. Whether they play the Pens or Caps, it’s going to be a tough first round. Brock Nelson though is playing real well,

NY Knicks: Randle and Rose. Rose and Randle. These two continue to get it done. As long the Knicks don’t have to play the Suns too often the rest of the way, the team is in good shape. Yes, the wins this week weren’t exactly against the higher caliber NBA, but hey, they are winning the games they should.

Brooklyn Nets: The Nets followed up a four game win streak last week with a four game losing streak this week. They responded well to this adversity though as their 125-119 victory over the Nuggets today was impressive. KD and Kyrie lead the charge scoring a combined 64 points. They now sit three games back of the 1st place Sixers in the East.

NY Giants /NJ Jets: Draft draft draft. We did Draft Previews and Reviews for both of the teams. In real succinct summation: NY Giants’ have a new Davey Day Trader as Gettleman worked the Board and secured three additional picks next year including the Bears 1st rounder. No o-line picks though. Curious. The Jets landed their much coveted QB in Zach Wilson. Sure he looks like he is still in middle school, but the boy can chuck it. They added pieces around him on offense. From what I saw, no one was laughing at the Jets draft this year. These sure are weird times.