Boone’s lineup decision jolts Yankees’ ALCS victory march

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The New York Yankees’ march to win their 41st pennant received a jolt on Thursday with their 7-5 extra-inning loss to Cleveland in Game 3 of the ALCS. It came after manager Aaron Boone shook up the lineup for the game, leaving an impact both at the first base and in backstop Jose Trevino’s gaffes.

The first base problem, which the Yankees were able to face after Anthony Rizzo’s lingering right-hand injury, hadn’t surfaced in their first six postseason games. However, it came to haunt them in Game 3 of the ALCS.

Manager Aaron Boone decided to start right-handed hitter Jon Berti at first base against Cleveland’s lefty starter, Matt Boyd. While Berti had performed well in the ALDS despite his unfamiliarity with the position, his defensive struggles were on display in Game 3. Though he avoided any official errors before Rizzo took over for defensive purposes in the eighth inning, Berti mishandled a few plays, including a third-inning miscue that led to a Cleveland run.

Rizzo, upon entering the game, also had difficulties. He was unable to cleanly field a Will Brennan double in the eighth inning, which skipped past him into right field. Later, in the ninth, he committed an error on a grounder from Jose Ramirez. Fortunately for the Yankees, neither mistake proved costly on the scoreboard.

Brennan was left stranded in the eighth, and Ramirez was erased in the ninth when Josh Naylor hit into a double play. After the game, Rizzo told reporters his hand was feeling relatively good, though the first base situation remains a concern for New York moving forward.

The Yankees are still working through the repercussions of Anthony Rizzo’s hand injury, which occurred just before the end of the regular season when a pitch hit him. Manager Aaron Boone remains cautious about Rizzo’s recovery, stressing the importance of managing his playing time to avoid setbacks while maintaining the positive momentum of his progress.

Rizzo, for his part, expressed his willingness to help the team, whether starting or coming off the bench.

In another lineup adjustment, Boone gave the starting catcher role to Jose Trevino for the first time since the postseason began. The decision came as Boone aimed to match Trevino’s right-handed bat against Cleveland, opting to sit the slumping left-handed Austin Wells. Trevino delivered an RBI single in the second inning but also endured some missteps, getting picked off at first base and allowing Cleveland to steal two bases during his time behind the plate.

As the Yankees prepare for Game 4, both Rizzo is expected to return to the lineup against Cleveland’s right-handed starter, Gavin Williams. If Rizzo is not ready to start, switch-hitter Oswaldo Cabrera could be a potential option to fill in at first base.

Backstop concern for the Yankees

The Yankees’ catching situation has emerged as a significant concern this postseason, largely due to Austin Wells‘ extended slump, which began late in the regular season. In an effort to address the issue, manager Aaron Boone made a lineup adjustment for Game 3 of the ALCS, starting Jose Trevino behind the plate against Cleveland’s left-hander Matt Boyd.

Trevino had a mixed performance. He delivered an RBI single in the second inning, giving the Yankees a brief lead, but later got picked off at first base and allowed the Guardians to steal two bases while he was catching.

With the Yankees down by two runs in the eighth inning, Boone turned to Wells as a pinch-hitter for Trevino. Wells, however, struck out in both of his at-bats, unable to spark a comeback as New York ultimately fell 7-5 in extra innings.

Despite his ongoing struggles at the plate, Wells did show his defensive capabilities, making an important stop of a pitch in the dirt while Will Brennan stood on second base. The at-bat ended with a flyout, averting further damage.

Trevino’s postseason track record remains lackluster, with just one hit in 22 at-bats in previous playoff appearances. He hadn’t seen game action since the regular season finale.

Wells, currently mired in a 0-for-19 slump with nine strikeouts, has been a key focus for Boone. The manager has maintained confidence in the young catcher, who spent much of the second half of the season hitting in the cleanup spot, protecting Aaron Judge in the lineup.

Yankees manager Aaron Boone downplayed concerns about Austin Wells’ recent struggles, dismissing the idea that the young catcher might need time off. Boone expressed confidence in Wells’ mental toughness, emphasizing that despite his challenges, Wells remains sharp and locked in.

Wells’ offensive issues date back to the closing weeks of the regular season, where he recorded just three hits in his final 45 at-bats across 14 games, including two doubles, six walks, and 12 strikeouts.

However, Wells’ defensive abilities have earned him high marks from the pitching staff, which has excelled during the postseason. Boone credited Wells for his work behind the plate, noting that the catcher’s handling of the staff has been instrumental in their success. The manager reiterated his faith in Wells, stating he wouldn’t hesitate to rely on him in key at-bats during crucial moments.

In an attempt to deflect the criticism, Boone also praised veteran catcher Jose Trevino for his professionalism in adapting to a reduced role. He acknowledged Trevino’s ongoing value to the team, stressing that his influence remains significant whether he’s in the starting lineup or not. Boone also credited Trevino for playing a vital role in Wells’ development as a young catcher.

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