The New York Yankees are set to kick off their playoff journey against the Kansas City Royals in the ALDS Game 1 on Saturday night. The Royals are coming in strong after sweeping the Baltimore Orioles in the Wild Card Series. Meanwhile, the Yankees had a break thanks to their top record in the American League.
As they prepare for this crucial game, Alex Verdugo will be taking his position in left field instead of Jasson Domínguez. Here’s how New York plans to line up for this important match:
Postseason Baseball on deck in the Bronx. #RepBX
— New York Yankees (@Yankees)
Manager Aaron Boone shared, “I just felt like this was the way to go for Game 1,” emphasizing Verdugo’s defensive prowess despite recent struggles at bat. Boone believes Verdugo can still contribute significantly from lower down in the lineup.
Lineup Decisions and Player Updates:
Boone mentioned that choosing Verdugo was a relatively straightforward decision due to his defensive skills. Although Verdugo hasn’t been hitting well lately, slashing .225/.275/.336 since May, he remains a key player because of his fielding abilities. Domínguez had a chance late September but didn’t impress with his performance (.192/.333/.327) and made some errors .
Fans might wonder why Domínguez isn’t starting given his potential, but it seems defense is taking priority for now.
Domínguez is still part of the roster and could pinch-hit during Game 1 if needed. The Yankees have struggled offensively from positions like left field (.652 OPS), shortstop (.663 OPS), and first base (.619 OPS) this season, though their top lineup remains strong.
Interestingly, Anthony Rizzo won’t be playing due to two broken fingers after being hit by a pitch recently; he can’t grip a bat or close his glove yet. Marcus Stroman also didn’t make it onto the ALDS roster after an unsteady end to his season.
What do you think about these choices? Are you excited or worried about how things might turn out?
