After a four-day break, the Yankees are back in action for Game 1 of the ALCS against the Cleveland Guardians tonight at 7:38 p.m. ET. There was some suspense about who would take the field, particularly regarding the first base position. Here’s the lineup supporting starter Carlos Rodon as they open the series in the Bronx:
1. 2B Gleyber Torres
3. CF Aaron Judge
4. C Austin Wells
5. DH Giancarlo Stanton
6. 3B Jazz Chisholm Jr.
7. SS Anthony Volpe
8. 1B Anthony Rizzo
9. LF Alex Verdugo
Anthony Rizzo will be making his playoff debut in this game. The veteran first baseman fractured two fingers after being hit by an 88-mph slider during the second-to-last game of the regular season, raising questions about his availability. Manager Aaron Boone had kept hope alive, saying, “It’s a pain tolerance issue, so we’ll see what happens.” Today, Rizzo told The Athletic’s Chris Kirschner that the crowd’s adrenaline would help him push through the pain.
Now, Rizzo finds himself starting at first base and batting eighth. Before his injury, Rizzo was struggling offensively with an 81 OPS+ for the year, but he had been heating up, slashing .389/.542/.444 in the week before the injury. He was also a standout defensively, frequently bailing out his fellow infielders with impressive plays.
While Oswaldo Cabrera and Jon Berti were considered solid alternatives at first base, the Yankees have opted for the experience and steady glove of Rizzo, despite the uncertainty surrounding his recovery. His offensive upside may be limited, but his defensive contributions could be crucial in such high-stakes games.
Otherwise, the Yankees are sticking with their usual lineup against Cleveland’s starter Alex Cobb. Much of the attention will be on the heart of the order. Juan Soto and Aaron Judge didn’t display their usual power in the ALDS, but they remain capable of carrying the Yankees through the ALCS. The team is also counting on Austin Wells to get hot in the cleanup spot, while Giancarlo Stanton will look to continue his postseason dominance batting fifth.
This series could very well be determined by the Yankees’ stars at the top of the order. If they perform at their peak, New York may find themselves one step closer to the World Series.
Leave a Reply