Giancarlo Stanton is out of the Yankees’ lineup again on Wednesday as they face the Seattle Mariners. This marks the second consecutive game Stanton has been benched. He’s struggled significantly in September, slashing just .171/.271/.390 with four RBI in 48 plate appearances.
As a result, Aaron Judge will continue in the designated hitter role, while Alex Verdugo, Jasson Dominguez, and Juan Soto cover the outfield.
Rizzo’s stability vs. Volpe’s ongoing development: Yankees weigh experience and youth vs. Mariners
In contrast, Anthony Rizzo remains a reliable fixture in the lineup after returning from the IL two weeks ago. The Yankees‘ first baseman will start and bat seventh against the Mariners. Rizzo has been a consistent presence at first base for New York and is expected to play a key role in their efforts to stabilize the offense.
Meanwhile, Anthony Volpe, the Yankees’ young shortstop, returned to the lineup tonight after a day off last Tuesday. Volpe, who had started 139 consecutive games, was given a brief rest as part of Boone’s plan. Despite his impressive 20/20 rookie season, Boone has emphasized that Volpe is still a work in progress. Boone recently discussed Volpe’s ongoing adjustments at the plate, pointing out that his .666 OPS ranked as the sixth-lowest among qualified hitters last year. While praising Volpe’s potential, Boone made it clear that he’s not yet a “finished product offensively.”
Ultimately, Boone and the Yankees face the challenging task of managing both emerging talents like Volpe and established stars like Stanton and Judge. With just a few games left in the regular season, their decisions, including lineup choices and player rest, will be pivotal in determining the Yankees’ fate as they push to make the playoffs.
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