Stanton bats cleanup as Yanks rework lineup for Game 3
Bryan Hoch
@BryanHochCLEVELAND ¨C Giancarlo Stanton moved to the cleanup spot in a new-look lineup as the Yankees prepare for Thursday¡¯s Game 3 of the American League Championship Series against the Guardians at Progressive Field.
Jon Berti also replaced Anthony Rizzo at first base and Jose Trevino will make his first start of this postseason behind the plate, offering catcher Austin Wells a breather with Cleveland starting left-hander Matthew Boyd.
Rizzo is continuing to receive treatment as he plays with two fractured fingers on his right hand. The veteran¡¯s at-bats have been better than Boone expected, yet the club wants to be conservative so they can keep Rizzo on the field for future contests.
¡°The way Rizz has looked, it gave me some pause,¡± Boone said. ¡°But I also feel like I¡¯ve got a ton of confidence in Jon and how he¡¯s looked in the first series and even down the stretch. I just want to be mindful of Rizz. As good as it¡¯s gone, I want to keep that going too.¡±
Stanton has had another strong postseason thus far, with the Bombers' designated hitter producing seven hits in 23 at-bats (.304), including two doubles, two homers and five RBIs.
Asked if he could see Stanton remaining in the cleanup spot beyond Game 3, whether against lefties or righties, Boone would not commit.
¡°I wouldn¡¯t say it¡¯s not possible, but I also try and create as much balance as I can,¡± Boone said.
Wells has earned rave reviews from the Yankees¡¯ pitching staff through the first six games in this postseason, but he has struggled at the plate, with just two hits in 24 at-bats (.083) as Aaron Judge¡¯s protector in the lineup.
¡°I think he¡¯s still playing at a really high level,¡± Boone said of Wells. ¡°He¡¯s been amazing behind the plate. Even going through this, I still have a ton of confidence that he¡¯s going to bring the right at-bat in a big situation.¡±
Though Trevino has been displaced as the Yanks¡¯ starting catcher down the stretch, Boone said that he believes the backstop has handled the situation ¡°great.¡±
¡°He¡¯s such a big part of it, whether he¡¯s in the lineup or not, with what he brings to the table day in and day out,¡± Boone said.