NEW YORK — Jazz Chisholm Jr. never had to say much after the Yankees’ 3-1 loss to the Red Sox in Game 1 of the Wild Card Series. His body language spoke louder than his words.
The usually animated second baseman faced reporters with his back turned inside the clubhouse Tuesday night. He flipped through hangers in his locker and kept his eyes elsewhere as questions came about Aaron Boone’s decision to leave him out of the starting lineup.
Surprising text message sparks frustration
Jazz Chisholm revealed that Boone informed him by text message on Monday night that he would not start. The news surprised him.
“I mean, I guess,” Chisholm said when asked if he was caught off guard. “Yeah.”
The 27-year-old added that he had “a little conversation, not much” with Boone about the decision. His tone was flat, stripped of the energy he normally brings.
“Just move forward after it,” Chisholm said.
At first, he told reporters “no comment” before offering short, clipped answers. For a player known for his charisma, it was a jarring change.
Matchup strategy backfires spectacularly
Boone’s reasoning was matchups. He filled the infield with right-handed bats to counter Boston ace Garrett Crochet. That meant Amed Rosario started at second base, backed by a career 6-for-9 record against the left-hander.
It did not work. Rosario went 0-for-3 before Chisholm replaced him in the eighth. Meanwhile, Crochet carved up the Yankees, striking out 11 and giving up just one run in 7 2/3 innings.
José Caballero got the nod at third base over Ryan McMahon for defensive purposes behind Max Fried. He also went 0-for-3, including two strikeouts against Crochet.
The Yankees finished with only four hits. Anthony Volpe’s solo homer in the fifth was the lone run.
One at-bat, one crushing moment
Chisholm entered the game late, with a chance to change everything. In the ninth inning, he faced left-hander Aroldis Chapman with the bases loaded and the Yankees trailing 3-1.
He lifted a fly ball to shallow right. Paul Goldschmidt had no chance to tag from third, and the rally fizzled.
“It’s always tough watching when your team is down,” Chisholm said afterward.
It stung more because of what he accomplished this season. Chisholm became only the fourth Yankee in history to record a 30-30 campaign. He finished with a 126 wRC+ and an .813 OPS. His .733 OPS against lefties showed he could have been more useful than Boone’s plan suggested.
Boone had promised before the game he would not hesitate to use Chisholm off the bench. But Crochet’s dominance meant Chisholm didn’t get his shot until the late innings.
Chisholm’s team first mentality tested
Asked if he agreed with Boone’s decision, Chisholm’s answers were guarded.
“I agree that we could do whatever we could do to win. You feel me?” he said.
Earlier, he added, “We got to do whatever we got to do to win, right? That’s how I look at it.”
Neither response sounded convincing. His slouched shoulders and lack of eye contact gave away what his words did not.
Chisholm has worked hard to build trust in the Yankees clubhouse after past clashes with teammates during his days in Miami. On Tuesday, he kept his composure, showing maturity even while frustrated.
Elimination looms for Yankees
The Yankees now face a win-or-go-home Game 2 against right-hander Brayan Bello. Chisholm, along with McMahon and Ben Rice, is expected to return to the starting lineup.
Boone had also sat Rice in favor of Goldschmidt at first base in Game 1. Goldschmidt collected two hits, but the rest of the lineup offered little resistance.
Austin Wells caught Fried as usual but went 0-for-3 with two strikeouts.
Boone admitted Chisholm was fully healthy after being hit by a pitch on the forearm late in the regular season. He said the decision “pretty much” came down to matchups.
Trust remains despite disappointment
Even with his disappointment visible, Chisholm expressed faith in his team.
“I trust all my teammates and I believe in them,” he said. “So that’s what makes me believe that we can come back and win. And we’re playing at home.”
New York will need his bat and his speed in the lineup Wednesday. Chisholm’s 30-30 season helped carry the Yankees through rough stretches. His absence in Game 1 was glaring.
Boone’s matchup gamble failed. The Yankees cannot afford another one with their season at risk.
Chisholm’s body language left no doubt. In what could be a pivotal contract year, the second baseman wants to be on the field when it matters most. If the Yankees don’t put him there, their season may end sooner than they expected.
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