The Seattle Mariners and New York Yankees faced off at T-Mobile Park in Seattle from May 12 through May 14, 2025. The three-game series came at a time when both teams were dealing with numerous injuries to key players. While both clubs had similar win-loss records entering the series—Seattle at 22–17 and New York at 23–17—the real focus was on how each team could cope with missing talent and make adjustments.

The series featured scheduled matchups between Bryan Woo and Max Fried in Game 1, followed by Luis Castillo and Will Warren in Game 2. Each game was aired on MLB Network, ROOT Sports NW, and the YES Network.

Mariners Dealt With Missing Starters But Found Stability

Seattle entered the series without several important players. Luke Raley, on the 10-day injured list due to a side issue, had been batting .206 with 2 home runs and 8 RBIs this season. His absence limited Seattle’s left-handed hitting options. More importantly, the Mariners were without Logan Gilbert, who was on the 15-day IL with a forearm injury. Before the injury, Gilbert had posted a 2.37 ERA and 13.1 strikeouts per nine innings.

George Kirby remained sidelined as well. The starting pitcher had not yet made an appearance this season due to a shoulder injury. Gregory Santos was also on the 60-day IL with a knee problem. He had allowed a 5.14 ERA in earlier appearances and recorded no strikeouts across those outings.

Trent Thornton missed the series while on the 15-day IL due to a stomach injury. Jackson Kowar, Ryan Bliss, and Victor Robles were all on the 60-day IL with injuries ranging from elbow and biceps issues to a shoulder problem. Robles had been hitting .273 in limited action before going down.

Yankees Entered Series in Deeper Health Crisis

The Yankees were missing even more players during the series. DJ LeMahieu remained on the 10-day IL with a calf injury. Jazz Chisholm Jr. also missed the entire series due to a side injury; he had hit 7 home runs and driven in 17 RBIs before landing on the IL. Marcus Stroman was unavailable, having suffered a setback in his rehab from a knee injury.

Before going on the IL, Stroman pitched 9.1 innings and allowed 12 earned runs across three starts, leading to an ERA of 11.57. The right-hander’s injury has contractual implications. Under the terms of his two-year, $37 million deal, Stroman would earn an $18 million player option for 2026 only if he pitched at least 140 innings in 2025. With the new setback, that milestone now appears out of reach.

Gerrit Cole was still out due to an elbow injury and remained on the 60-day IL. He is not expected to start throwing until August. Luis Gil, also on the 60-day IL, was recovering from a back injury and was not available during the series. Giancarlo Stanton stayed on the injured list with an elbow injury as well, and his return was not scheduled before May 24.

Additional Yankees on the IL during the series included Clayton Beeter (shoulder), Jonathan Loáisiga (elbow), Scott Effross (hamstring), Jake Cousins (elbow), and JT Brubaker (ribs). Several other minor-league options like Spencer Jones, Brennen Davis, and Jayvien Sandridge were not activated or available during this stretch.

Team Performance and Statistical Comparison Leading Into the Series

In the 10 games leading up to the Seattle series, both the Yankees and Mariners had records of 5–5. The Yankees’ offense had been more productive, especially with power. They had hit 19 home runs in that span compared to the Mariners’ 9. New York’s slugging percentage was .481, while Seattle’s was lower at .386.

Seattle had a higher team batting average at .259 compared to New York’s .246, but the Yankees had a better on-base percentage at .336. Seattle’s OBP was .319.

On the pitching side, the Yankees had a stronger ERA at 3.84 versus Seattle’s 4.69. Opposing batters hit just .238 against the Yankees, while Mariners pitchers allowed a .278 opponent batting average. The Yankees also had a higher strikeout rate, averaging 9.2 strikeouts per nine innings compared to Seattle’s 6.8.

Chris Kreider has played his entire NHL career with the New York Rangers. For 13 seasons, he has been one of their most consistent forwards and a respected leader. Now, reports say his time with the team may be ending.

During his exit interview after the 2024–25 season, Kreider said he wanted to stay in New York. He called it “home” and said this was the organization that gave him his start. However, multiple reports suggest that both he and the Rangers agree that it might be time to move on. NHL writer Phil Kocher said, “There is a strong sense that the feeling is mutual… Kreider recognizes that the relationship has run its course.”

Kreider is 34 years old and still has two years left on a seven-year, $45.5 million contract he signed in 2020, which includes a $6.5 million cap hit each season. Last season, his performance dropped, as he scored only 22 goals and had 8 assists in 68 games—a total of 30 points; his lowest in several years.

General Manager Chris Drury has already started changing the team. He traded away former captain Jacob Trouba and former second-overall pick Kaapo Kakko during the season. Now, Kreider appears to be next.

Utah Mammoth Could Trade for Kreider in Exchange for Barrett Hayton

One possible trade would send Kreider to the Utah Mammoth. This team recently relocated from Arizona and is working to rebuild its identity and become competitive in its new home.

In return, the Rangers would get Barrett Hayton, a 24-year-old forward. Hayton is in the final year of a two-year, $5.3 million contract. Drafted in the first round and played all 82 games last season for Utah, he scored 20 goals and made 26 assists, finishing with 46 points.

If this trade goes through, Hayton would give the Rangers a younger player who can play on the second or third line, which fits the team’s goal of adding youth and improving long-term depth. It would also reduce the team’s salary cap burden and help with future roster flexibility.

For Utah, Kreider would bring experience and leadership. The Mammoth has many young players and future draft picks. Adding a veteran like Kreider could help the team grow and compete. After years of struggles as the Arizona Coyotes, the franchise wants to make a fresh start in Utah. Kreider’s presence would help support that goal.

Bruins Also Interested in Kreider to Fix Power Play Issues

Another possible trade involves the Boston Bruins, who missed the playoffs after a disappointing 2024–25 season. The team finished with just 76 points and had one of the worst power plays in the NHL. They converted only 15.22 percent of their chances, ranking 29th out of 32 teams. They scored just 35 power-play goals in total.

In response, Boston is looking to add scoring help. Kreider is one of the league’s top power-play scorers. In the 2021–22 season, he led the NHL with 26 power-play goals and also had 11 game-winning goals, finishing that season with 52 goals. In the next two seasons, he scored 36 and 39 goals. Over his career, he has 315 goals in 845 regular-season games.

The Bruins are considering sending Pavel Zacha, Fabian Lysell, and a 2026 first-round draft pick to the Rangers in exchange for Kreider. Zacha is a 28-year-old center with a $4.75 million cap hit. Lysell is a Swedish rookie winger who spent most of the season in the AHL. He has a cap hit of $863,000. The Bruins would also need to move additional salary or get the Rangers to retain part of Kreider’s contract, since Boston currently has only $744,000 in cap space.

This trade would also be personal for Kreider. He grew up in Boxford, Massachusetts, just north of Boston, and played college hockey at Boston College. A move to the Bruins would be a homecoming. It would also give Boston a top goal-scorer to play alongside David Pastrnak, who leads the team with 391 career goals and ranks 14th among active NHL players.

New Coach Mike Sullivan Brings New Vision to the Rangers

These possible trades are happening as the Rangers adjust to their new head coach, Mike Sullivan. He replaced Peter Laviolette and brought a new direction to the team. Sullivan said clearly, “Talent doesn’t win championships. Teams win championships,” clearly showing he wants players who work together and support a strong locker room culture.

Sullivan said he had early conversations with players and believes there is leadership in the room. He noted, “Whether you wear a letter or you don’t wear a letter, leadership manifests itself in many ways.” He also said he would work closely with Chris Drury to decide which players would fit the team’s plan.

Kreider has been a leader in the Rangers’ locker room for years. But with the team aiming for change, and his contract being hard to manage, the front office may feel this is the right time to make a move.

Sports are full of excitement, but nothing is more thrilling than a true upset – when a team or athlete no one believes in defeats the favorite. Undoubtedly, these kinds of surprises are a part of what makes sports so fun to watch. They remind us that anything is possible, no matter the odds.

This report will go through the biggest upsets in sports history. Each one was unexpected, and each one changed the way people saw the game.

The Miracle on Ice – 1980 Winter Olympics

The United States men’s hockey team shocked the world at the 1980 Winter Olympics. The event took place in Lake Placid, New York, on February 22. The U.S. team was made up of amateur and college players. Their opponent, the Soviet Union, had the best hockey team in the world and had won gold in nearly every Olympics since 1956.

Before the Olympics, the Soviets beat the U.S. team 10–3 in an exhibition game. However, in the Olympic medal round, the U.S. team won 4–3. Mike Eruzione scored the winning goal. The game became one of the most famous in sports history. Broadcaster Al Michaels asked, “Do you believe in miracles?” and many still remember his call today.

Buster Douglas Defeats Mike Tyson – 1990

Next, one of boxing’s most surprising results happened on February 11, 1990. Mike Tyson was the undefeated heavyweight champion. He had never lost and was considered unbeatable. The fight took place in Tokyo, Japan. Tyson’s opponent, James “Buster” Douglas, was a 42-to-1 underdog.

Douglas was not well-known. Most people thought Tyson would win easily. But Douglas knocked Tyson out in the 10th round. It was Tyson’s first loss. This result changed boxing and showed that no champion is invincible.

Leicester City Wins the Premier League – 2016

In one of the greatest team upsets, Leicester City won the English Premier League in 2016. At the start of the season, their odds to win were 5,000-to-1. The team had narrowly avoided relegation the year before.

Under coach Claudio Ranieri, and with players like Jamie Vardy, Riyad Mahrez, and N’Golo Kanté, Leicester surprised everyone. They played with discipline and speed. They officially won the title on May 2, 2016, after Tottenham Hotspur failed to win their game. Leicester’s victory proved that teamwork can beat big budgets.

UMBC Beats Virginia – 2018 NCAA Tournament

In the NCAA men’s basketball tournament on March 16, 2018, a major upset took place. The University of Maryland, Baltimore County (UMBC) was a 16 seed. They played the University of Virginia, the top overall seed. Before this game, no 16 seed had ever beaten a 1 seed.

UMBC won 74–54. Jairus Lyles scored 28 points. The game was tied 21–21 at halftime, but UMBC dominated the second half – a result that shocked college basketball and broke a barrier that had lasted for decades.

Appalachian State Defeats Michigan – 2007

Another historic upset happened in college football. On September 1, 2007, Appalachian State played against the University of Michigan at Michigan Stadium in Ann Arbor. Michigan was ranked No. 5 in the country. Appalachian State was from the FCS, one level below Michigan.

Appalachian State won the game 34–32. They blocked a field goal in the final seconds to secure the win, which was the first time a ranked FBS team lost to an FCS opponent. The game is still remembered as one of the biggest college football upsets ever.

Super Bowl III – New York Jets vs. Baltimore Colts (1969)

Moving to football, the third Super Bowl in 1969 featured the New York Jets against the Baltimore Colts. The Colts were 13–1 and heavy favorites. The Jets played in the AFL, which was seen as the weaker league.

Jets quarterback Joe Namath guaranteed a win before the game. On January 12, 1969, the Jets won 16–7. Namath completed 17 of 28 passes and led his team with confidence. This win helped prove that AFL teams could compete with NFL teams and led to the full NFL merger.

George Mason Reaches the Final Four – 2006 NCAA Tournament

In 2006, George Mason University made a surprise run in the NCAA men’s basketball tournament. They were an 11 seed and had to face strong teams. George Mason beat Michigan State, defending champion North Carolina, and top-seeded UConn.

The most memorable game was the 86–84 overtime win over UConn. George Mason reached the Final Four, becoming one of the few double-digit seeds to do so. Their coach, Jim Larrañaga, led a team that showed heart and focus.

Fairleigh Dickinson Beats Purdue – 2023 NCAA Tournament

On March 17, 2023, Fairleigh Dickinson University made history. They became only the second 16 seed to beat a 1 seed in the men’s tournament, beating Purdue 63–58.

FDU was the shortest team in Division I basketball. Purdue had 7’4″ center Zach Edey, who scored 21 points. However, Edey did not attempt a shot in the last nine minutes. FDU’s defense and energy won them the game. This was an even bigger surprise because they only got into the tournament after another team was ruled ineligible.

Rulon Gardner Defeats Alexander Karelin – 2000 Olympics

In Greco-Roman wrestling at the 2000 Olympics in Sydney, Rulon Gardner of the United States faced Alexander Karelin of Russia. Karelin was undefeated for 13 years and hadn’t given up a point in six years.

Gardner won 1–0. He stopped Karelin from using his signature move and scored the only point of the match. After the match, Karelin retired. Gardner’s win was one of the biggest Olympic wrestling surprises ever.

Cassius Clay Beats Sonny Liston – 1964

On February 25, 1964, 22-year-old Cassius Clay faced heavyweight champion Sonny Liston in Miami Beach. Liston was expected to win easily. But Clay used speed and movement to frustrate Liston.

After six rounds, Liston quit. Clay was declared the winner by TKO. Soon after, he changed his name to Muhammad Ali. This fight marked the beginning of one of the most famous careers in boxing history.

Y.E. Yang Beats Tiger Woods – 2009 PGA Championship

On August 16, 2009, Y.E. Yang became the first golfer to beat Tiger Woods in a major after Woods held a 54-hole lead. The accomplishment took place at Hazeltine National Golf Club in Minnesota during the PGA Championship.

Yang hit an eagle on the 14th hole and finished with a birdie on the 18th. He won by three shots. Woods, known for closing out leads, struggled with putting and lost. This upset showed that even the best players can be beaten.

Pittsburgh Pirates Win the 1960 World Series

The 1960 World Series ended in one of the most dramatic ways in baseball history. The New York Yankees outscored the Pittsburgh Pirates by 55–27 across seven games. But the Pirates won four close games.

Game 7 was held at Forbes Field in Pittsburgh. With the game tied 9–9 in the bottom of the ninth, Bill Mazeroski hit a home run. It was the first and only Game 7 walk-off homer in World Series history. Despite being outplayed in runs, the Pirates won the championship.

Boston Marathon Bombing – 2013

On April 15, 2013, during the Boston Marathon, two bombs exploded near the finish line. Three people were killed, and more than 260 were injured. The attack shocked the nation.

The suspects were found days later. One was killed in a shootout, and the other was captured and sentenced to death. The event changed security at sporting events. In response, the phrase “Boston Strong” became a symbol of strength and unity.

Malice at the Palace – 2004

On November 19, 2004, an NBA game between the Indiana Pacers and Detroit Pistons ended in a brawl involving players and fans. It happened at the Palace of Auburn Hills in Michigan. After a fan threw a drink at Pacers player Ron Artest, he ran into the crowd and began fighting.

Nine players were suspended for a total of 146 games. Artest missed 86 games, Stephen Jackson 30, and Jermaine O’Neal 25. The incident led to new NBA rules about player conduct and fan behavior.

Lance Armstrong Doping Scandal

Lance Armstrong was once a symbol of strength and recovery after surviving cancer and winning seven Tour de France titles. However, in January 2013, during an interview with Oprah Winfrey, he admitted to using banned substances.

As a result, Armstrong was stripped of all titles from 1999 to 2005 and banned from professional sports for life. His fall changed how the public viewed cycling and sports integrity.

Petra Kvitová made a successful return to the WTA Tour by winning her first match since giving birth to her son. She defeated Irina-Camelia Begu of Romania 7-5, 6-1 in the opening round of the Italian Open in Rome. This win ended a four-match losing streak and came after a 15-month break from the sport.

The match took place on the clay courts of the Foro Italico. It was Kvitová’s first victory since stepping away from tennis following her appearance at the Beijing Open in 2023. She had taken time off to recover from physical and mental fatigue and to focus on starting a family. Her son, Petr, was born in July 2024.

Before her return, Kvitová had not played any competitive tennis for over a year. She rejoined the tour in February 2025. Since then, she has suffered first-round losses in four tournaments. She lost to Jodie Burrage in Austin, Varvara Gracheva in Indian Wells, Sofia Kenin in Miami, and Katie Volynets in Madrid.

In Rome, she started slow but finished strong. She was broken once in the first set while serving at 5-4, but recovered quickly. From that point on, she dominated, winning eight of the last nine games. Her shots were clean, and her movement showed she could still compete at a high level.

Kvitová Adjusts to Life as a Mother and Player

After her break, Kvitová’s life changed in many ways. For example, she is now balancing tennis with motherhood. During her pregnancy, she could not train, but once she was cleared to return to light activity, she picked up her racket again. She said that when she started hitting tennis balls, she realized she still had good timing and control.

This comeback is different from earlier stages in her career. Now, she is not playing for rankings or titles. Instead, she is playing because she enjoys it. She is also managing her time carefully, especially with a young child.

Travel has become more complicated. Since her son Petr is now crawling and sleeping less, she and her husband-coach, Jiri Vanek, prefer to stay in rented apartments rather than hotels. This gives their son space to play and keeps their living situation more comfortable during tournaments.

Kvitová is not setting any long-term goals. She is focused only on playing well and staying healthy. Despite the challenges, she has returned with a clear mindset: to play without pressure and to enjoy the sport again.

Following her win over Begu, Kvitová will face Tunisia’s Ons Jabeur in the second round. Jabeur, ranked 36th in the world and seeded 27th at the Italian Open, is a three-time Grand Slam finalist. Kvitová leads their head-to-head record 4-2. However, this will be their first meeting on clay.

Other Results from the Italian Open

Elsewhere in the Italian Open, British and Australian players experienced different results.

In the women’s draw, Great Britain’s Sonay Kartal came back from a set down to beat Australia’s Kimberly Birrell. Kartal won 4-6, 6-3, 6-4 in a match that lasted two hours and ten minutes. Kartal, who was outside the world’s top 250 last year, is now ranked 56. She will play the Czech 30th seed, Linda Noskova, next.

On the men’s side, Cameron Norrie lost to Dusan Lajovic of Serbia in qualifying. Lajovic won 6-1, 4-6, 6-3. Even though he lost, Norrie made it into the main draw as a lucky loser after three players—Zizou Bergs, Jan-Lennard Struff, and Benjamin Bonzi—withdrew due to injury. Norrie now faces Christopher O’Connell of Australia in the first round.

Australia’s Ajla Tomljanović defeated compatriot Olivia Gadecki in the final qualifying round. Tomljanović will now face Varvara Gracheva of France. Another Australian, Maya Joint, also reached the main draw and is set to face 2021 US Open champion Emma Raducanu. Daria Kasatkina, who recently switched from Russia to represent Australia, is seeded 14th and received a bye into the second round.