sad news: A minute ago, ESPN Announce the death of Yankees Manager Aaron Boone who died in a car crash today….
Either the Yankees don’t have much interest in taking their best shot at winning Friday night’s game in Baltimore, or they suspect it’ll be rained out and want some part-time players to feel good about seeing their names in a phony lineup.
In a matter of weeks, the team known for being “dawgs” after years of muzzling has been silenced once again, putting up a 7-18 record that outflanks even Jonathan Papelbon’s wildest collapse dreams. When the Yankees were going good, they ran out the same lineup everyday, and outside observers theorized that newfound consistency might be among the reasons for their success.
Now, after only having lost Giancarlo Stanton to injury from the everyday lineup, the team has pivoted. Anyone can go anywhere at any time. The leadoff spot became a black hole with Anthony Volpe in charge, so Ben Rice was handed the keys. He mashed three homers, then immediately stole Alex Verdugo’s cleanup spot. Verdugo led off for a few days, but didn’t put much English on the ball; on Friday, he’s been sent to the nether realm, batting sixth against left-handed rookie Cade Povich.
Povich has reverse splits, struggling against left-handed batters thus far in his big-league career (drilling them, allowing them to reach base at a higher rate, and surrendering a similar batting average to both sides, all amounting to a 6.51 ERA in six starts). Never mind that, though! Aaron Boone (or whoever’s responsible for this stuff) saw a lefty on the mound, so a lefty lineup he will employ! Jose Trevino, welcome! Jahmai Jones, dust off your cleats! Jorbit Vivas? Thanks for showing up; no start for you!
Oh, and DJ LeMahieu’s leading off now.
Yankees Lineup vs Orioles for Friday night opener screams, “All-Star Break, please!”
Three cheers for Aaron Judge, who asked for “DJ, Soto, me” atop the lineup in one of his first appearances of 2024. The context has changed, but there it is.
Judge and Soto should probably hit 1-2 in some order, though Soto’s sore hand (and success in the two hole) clouds that somewhat. Bottom line? The Yankees could use some better players, and the lineup’s never going to look whole until they add a pair of bats and Stanton returns. No matter how you line them up, there’s always going to be a .500 OPS guy somewhere.
Still, though … benching one of your most consistent bats since May in Austin Wells when you’re hurting for offense, just to potentially stunt his development against lefties in the name of guarding against Cade Povich? Running out an assortment of slap hitters simply because of their handedness when the pitcher himself doesn’t discriminate against walking dudes from either side of the dish? By all accounts the team’s current worst hitter receiving the most at-bats instead of losing reps to Vivas, who’s nowhere to be found? Congratulations. This lineup should be eaten by bears.
