One day after losing 16-1 to the Red Sox, Yankees manager Aaron Boone shook things up for Game 4 of the ALDS.
NEW YORK — Aaron Boone didn’t exactly push the panic button after the most lopsided loss in Yankees postseason history, but he did make a few major changes to his lineup.
Some were expected. Others — especially at the leadoff spot and in the outfield — show that Boone was looking for a spark in Game 4 after his bats went silent in the 16-1 loss to the Boston Red Sox the night before.
Here are the changes:
# Aaron Hicks, who sat out Games 2 and 3 after injuring his right hamstring, returned to the lineup and was scheduled to bat leadoff.
# Andrew McCutchen — with just two hits in 17 at-bats and no walks after tying for the American League lead with 22 in September — went to the bench as the Yankees manager tried to maximize lefty bats against Boston starter Rick Porcello.
# Neil Walker started at third base and batted sixth. Walker has played third base in five straight CC Sabathia starts because he is a better defensive option than Miguel Andujar.
Can CC Sabathia save the Yankees again?
# Hicks moved to center field. Brett Gardner, who batted ninth in Game 3 and made several good plays in center, moved to left field — where he had just two starts since Aaron Judge returned from his injury in mid September.
# Didi Gregorius moved up in the lineup, from sixth to third, shifting first baseman Luke Voit back to fifth.
The Yankees, trailing 2-1, need a victory to get the series back to Fenway Park for Game 5 on Thursday night. They overcame a 2-0 deficit last season when they rallied to beat the Cleveland Indians in the ALDS.
Steve Politi may be reached at [email protected]. Follow him on Twitter @StevePoliti. Find NJ.com on Facebook.
-
Women’s Navy New York Yankees Stellar V-Neck T-Shirt
$34.99 Buy Now -
Women’s Antigua Powder Blue New York Yankees Recap Sleeveless Polo
$89.99 Buy Now -
Women’s Charcoal New York Yankees Monochrome V-Neck T-Shirt
$34.99 Buy Now -
Women’s Tiny Turnip Navy New York Yankees Stega T-Shirt
$47.99 Buy Now -
Women’s Tiny Turnip Navy New York Yankees Fastball T-Shirt
$47.99 Buy Now -
Women’s Tiny Turnip Navy New York Yankees Excavator T-Shirt
$47.99 Buy Now -
Men’s Antigua Heathered Gray/White New York Yankees Esteem Polo
$69.99 Buy Now -
Women’s Antigua Coral New York Yankees Tonal Feature Polo
$74.99 Buy Now -
Women’s Antigua Heather Charcoal New York Black Yankees Compass Polo
$74.99 Buy Now -
Men’s Heather Gray New York Yankees Victory Arch T-Shirt
$34.99 Buy Now