The lineup for the Wild Card Series elimination game is set, and the Yankees are making headlines by starting eight left-handed hitters, not including switch-hitters, for the first time in MLB postseason history.
Ben Rice takes the leadoff spot after a record-breaking Game 1 performance against the Red Sox. He went 4-for-5 with two home runs, including an electrifying eighth-inning grand slam, and drove in six runs. It’s also worth noting that his fellow Massachusetts native Cam Schlittler also showed
Boston no mercy, pitching six and a third scoreless innings with 10 strikeouts to completely shut down the offense.
Cody Bellinger, who went 1-for-4, will bat second followed by Luis García Jr. in the hole. He’ll start at first for Game 2 over Paul Goldschmidt, who went 0-for-3 with two walks and a run scored on Tuesday night. Spencer Jones will take the cleanup spot after going 1-for-3 with two runs scored and a walk in the Game 1 blowout win. He’ll be playing right field alongside Trent Grisham, who made his return in Game 1 after being reinstated from the IL.
Gleaming in his postseason debut, going 3-for-4 and scoring two runs, George Lombard Jr. is the perfect segue to cruise into the bottom of the order and the lone right-handed hitter in the starting nine. Jazz Chisholm Jr. will start at second over Anthony Volpe, who gave a promising performance in Game 1.
Grisham, who was sidelined most of September with a hamstring injury, is going back to his comfort zone at center and will take the seventh spot in the lineup. He’ll be followed by Austin Wells, who went 1-for-3 with two hits and identical RBIs on Tuesday night. Ryan McMahon will round out the order and start at third over Amed Rosario, who struck out in three pitches from Payton Tolle in the second.
As confirmed ahead of the postseason matchup, Max Fried will start on the mound as the Yankees go for the sweep.
Here’s a look at the Red Sox lineup, which puts former Yankee Jahmai Jones in the leadoff spot. It’s a real blast from the past since he used to lead off for the Pinstripes not too long ago.
With a win over the Red Sox on Wednesday, the Yankees will advance to face the Rays in the ALDS. Don’t miss a second of the action and tune into NBC at 8 p.m. EST.
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