The New York Yankees have announced that Oswaldo Cabrera will return to first base for Game 3 of the American League Division Series (ALDS) against the Kansas City Royals on Wednesday.
After starting Cabrera in Game 1, the Yankees opted for Jon Berti at first in Game 2, marking his first MLB appearance in that position. Berti’s solid defensive performance, including an unassisted double play in the sixth inning, was not enough to secure him a repeat start, with manager Aaron Boone deciding to go back to Cabrera for Game 3.
Oswaldo Cabrera’s strength against right-handers
The decision to start Oswaldo Cabrera is largely influenced by his better performance against right-handed pitchers. Cabrera posted a .268 batting average with a .729 OPS against right-handers this season, a significant contrast to his struggles against left-handers, where he hit just .190 with a .469 OPS. The Royals will start right-hander Seth Lugo in Game 3, a factor that made it easier for Boone to pencil Cabrera back into the lineup, especially after facing All-Star left-hander Cole Ragans in Game 2.
The Yankees’ first base situation has been complicated by injuries to regular starters Anthony Rizzo and DJ LeMahieu. Rizzo has been sidelined with fractured fingers, while LeMahieu has been dealing with a hip injury that has kept him out since early September. These injuries have forced Boone to alternate between Oswaldo Cabrera and Jon Berti at first base during the series. Although Ben Rice is on the Yankees’ ALDS roster, the rookie first baseman has yet to see action in the postseason.
In Game 1, Oswaldo Cabrera went 1-for-4 with a double, though he struck out three times. Jon Berti, meanwhile, went 1-for-4 with a single and one strikeout in Game 2. Despite Berti’s respectable showing, Boone has chosen to revert to Cabrera, banking on his track record against right-handers to boost the Yankees’ offense as they aim to take control of the series.
Up next
Game 3 of the ALDS, with Oswaldo Cabrera back at first base, is set to take place at Yankee Stadium on Wednesday, with a 7:08 p.m. ET start time. Clarke Schmidt will take the mound for New York as they face the Kansas City Royals, with the series currently tied 1-1.
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