Podcast Summary: Don, Hahn & Rosenberg (ESPN New York)

Episode: Hour 3: Yankees & Picks
Date: October 3, 2025

Episode Overview

This lively episode dives into the New York Yankees' playoff momentum, their upcoming divisional clash with the Toronto Blue Jays, and the intricacies of postseason baseball matchups. The crew also debates local NFL lines, makes their weekly picks, and delivers their signature blend of sports insight, classic feistiness, and banter. Key focus areas are the Yankees’ pitching and bullpen challenges, Toronto’s “nozzle” persona, scheduling headaches, and their own mixed track record in football picks.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Yankees in the Playoffs: Momentum & Matchups

• Yankees Advance on Schlitler’s Dominance
  The opening segment celebrates Yankees rookie Cam Schlitler’s stunning postseason debut: 12 strikeouts, 0 runs over 8 innings in his 16th career start. The Yankees advance after upending the Red Sox, setting up a divisional series with the Toronto Blue Jays.

  "Cam Schlitler with one of the great performances ever in his 16th major league start. First in the postseason. Pitch is an absolute gem. 12 strikeouts, no runs over eight innings."
  — Alan Hahn (01:01)

• Toronto Series: Razor-Thin Margins, Playoff History & Team Weaknesses
  The hosts agree the Yankees-Blue Jays matchup is evenly matched, and momentum could be key. Toronto is talented but unproven in the postseason.

  "The separation between these two teams, like literally is razor thin considering where they finished in the standings... I think this team is going to go to the World Series and we'll see what if Toronto can prove me wrong."
  — Alan Hahn (02:16; 03:15)

  Peter notes Yankee weaknesses that could be exposed:

  • Bullpen vulnerability (get to it early)
  • Defensive lapses (infield steadier lately)
  • Reliance on the long ball, which hasn’t shown up yet in the postseason

  "There's still a lot of things about the Yankees that, you know, in the underbelly are issues with this team. Bullpen, obviously, get to it as soon as you can and also make them play defense."
  — Peter Rosenberg (04:10)

• Toronto: The Feisty, Nosley Challenger
  The trio paints the Blue Jays as a brash, young, slightly-infuriating answer to the Astros.

  "If there's ever a nozzle team that replaced the Astros, it'd probably be the Blue Jays if they won more."
  — Peter Rosenberg (14:25)

  "Nozzle" is used to describe the Blue Jays' mischievousness on the bases and their ability to get under opponents’ skin. Bichette’s injury is noted as a loss but the team’s attitude remains aggressive.

• Rest vs. Rust Debate
  The panel discusses whether teams with a playoff bye (Toronto) face more “rust” than benefit from rest, generally leaning toward the advantage of playoff momentum.

• Series Prediction

  "Well, I said the Yankees are going to the World Series. I think the Yankees in six."
  — Alan Hahn (09:39)

• Potential for Real Animosity
  This matchup is expected to get personal—Toronto wants to take down “big brother,” the Yankees. Watch for chippy play and possible early-series fireworks.

  "I think this series is going to have an animosity in it that we aren't even thinking about right now... this is a personal thing for them."
  — Peter Rosenberg (11:50)

2. Yankees’ Lineup & Pitching Concerns

• Stanton’s and Judge’s Recent Form
  Judge was “on the ball” all series, though lacking home runs, while Stanton has been absent, taking poor at-bats.

  "While we never saw the power from Judge, he was just on the ball from the second this series started. And ironically, Stanton just hasn't been there at all."
  — Don Hahn (05:57)

• Bullpen Anxiety
  All three express worry about the Yankees’ depth beyond their top starters. Specific relievers induce nervousness, and Toronto will likely try to pounce on this.

  "I have more confidence in the Yankee starters than I do in most of what they bring out of the bullpen... I guarantee you that everybody in Toronto, all the... They're all saying the same thing. Get to their bullpen as soon as we can. Feast or famine."
  — Peter Rosenberg (36:18)

• Toronto Offense: Contact and Pressure
  Unlike the strikeout-prone Red Sox (30 Ks in the series), Toronto puts the ball in play and pressures defenses, another potential trouble spot for New York.

  "They're gonna fight, they're gonna work counts. They're just a really, they're a well-oiled machine... there's gonna be way more balls in play than you saw with the Red Sox."
  — Alan Hahn (07:09)

3. Schedule Debates and Viewing Logistics

• Intense back-and-forth over playoff scheduling (start times, off-days) and how it interferes with family life, lawn care, and travel.

• Don will be watching from Australia due to travel, adding a timezone wrinkle.

• Some playful lament about the challenge of watching (and managing) both the Giants/Jets and the Yankees during packed weekends.

  "A lot of people aren't going to be able to do the Giants and the Yankee game back-to-back... If it's at 8, at least you can get the stuff done... you got to pick your poison."
  — Don Hahn (22:45)

4. NFL Lines, Survivor, and Weekly Picks

Segment begins ~39:38

• Hosts' NFL Picks
  Each delivers picks against the spread for the NFL weekend, noting their own lackluster records and willingness to gamble on riskier lines.

  • Peter chases upsets with Cincinnati (+10.5) vs. Detroit, Houston (-2.5) vs. Baltimore, and Browns (+3.5 in London).
  • Alan takes Dallas (-2.5) over Jets, Colts (-6.5) over Raiders, and Ravens (+2.5) over Texans.
  • Don likes the Ravens, the Eagles (-3.5) over Broncos, and Buccaneers (+3.5) against Seahawks.

• Discussion about the Giants’ win The crew debates if it was a fluke or merely evidence that the Chargers are bad and the Giants seized the moment.

  "[That] story should have been more about what the Chargers weren't right than what the Giants were. Yeah, there were some plays there that were just..."
  — Peter Rosenberg (28:50)

• Jets vs. Cowboys Preview Skepticism about Jets’ ability to capitalize even against a banged-up Dallas. Fears for MetLife being overrun with Cowboys fans.

  "If that happens, that building is going to be nothing but Cowboys fans."
  — Don Hahn (33:00) "Jets not equipped to come back right like that. That's not a quick fire squad."
  — Alan Hahn (33:00)

• Betting Philosophy
  Talk on confusing “stinky” lines, reading Vegas, fear of public sentiment, and admitting their picks haven’t been great so far.

• Survivor Pick Don takes Buffalo as his survivor pick for the week:

  "I'll take the Buffalo Bills as my survivor to beat the page. Listen, you got to use them sometime, right?"
  — Don Hahn (50:03)

Memorable Quotes & Notable Moments

• On Yankees’ Playoff Prospects:

  "I think this team is going to go to the World Series and we'll see. What if Toronto can prove me wrong."
  — Alan Hahn (03:15)

• The "Nozzle" Blue Jays:

  "They are. They're a little Nosley... if there's ever a nozzle team that replaced the Astros, it'd probably be the Blue Jays if they won more."
  — Peter Rosenberg (14:09–14:25)

• About Scheduling Struggles:

  "A lot of people aren't going to be able to do the Giants and the Yankee game back-to-back... you got to pick your poison."
  — Don Hahn (22:45)

• Bullpen Anxiety:

  "Every time he gets out there, if I don't sit there, just, I half watch the screen."
  — Peter Rosenberg, on Yankees relievers (35:21)

• On Playoff Atmosphere:

  "Toronto's on the bases a lot and they love to just put pressure on you defensively... that's the kind of stuff that can really unravel a team if you're not on point."
  — Peter Rosenberg (06:16)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• Yankees’ Playoff Recap & Schlitler’s Gem: 01:01–04:00
• Blue Jays Series Preview & Weaknesses: 04:00–09:30
• Rest vs. Rust Debate: 09:38–10:14
• Personal/New York–Toronto Rivalry Angle: 10:14–14:29
• Judge, Stanton, Offense & Bullpen Concerns: 05:57–09:37, 36:18–36:44
• Schedule/Sports Fan Life Balance: 15:10–23:00
• Football Picks & Survivor: 39:38–50:20
• Listener Call & Yankees-Bullpen Discussion: 34:02–37:32

Tone and Style

True to the show’s character, dialogue is fast-paced, brash, self-deprecating, and full of inside New York references. Hahn brings steady analysis, Rosenberg injects skepticism and fun, and Don acts as both ringleader and comic foil. Plenty of playful jabs about scheduling, NFL lines, and their own picks.

For listeners who missed it:
This episode is a must-listen for Yankees fans eager for playoff analysis, especially regarding how the Blue Jays challenge will look—and for local NFL fans who enjoy banter and honesty about the pain of making football picks. The show’s chemistry and humor are on full display amid genuinely sharp sports discussion.