Yankees left Aaron Judge OFF the ALDS roster - can they actually beat the Rays without him?
Boone left Aaron Judge off the ALDS roster against the Rays - right calf strain, hasn't played since Sept 16, and Boone said he needs the week to build endurance. Meanwhile Giancarlo Stanton is ON the roster but hasn't had a single at-bat since April 24 after three separate calf strains. He was a pinch-hit option in the wild-card sweep of Boston and Boone never even used him in two blowouts. Game 1 was Saturday at the Trop. So the Yankees are trying to win a best-of-five with Rice at first, Grisham in center, and Spencer Jones in right. Is this lineup actually deep enough to take the Rays, or is this a gentleman's sweep waiting to happen? What am I missing - does the 11-pitcher roster (Weathers can't go back-to-back days) change the math?
1 answer
- Stanton's bat is a mirage
Stop counting on Stanton's bat. He hasn't swung in a live game since April 24 - three calf strains - and Boone kept him glued to the bench through two wild-card blowouts where a pinch hitter would have been free. If Boone wouldn't use him up 9-0, he's not using him down 2-1 in the 8th. The thing to watch is the Weathers restriction: he's a one-inning lefty who isn't cleared for back-to-back days, so Boone's bullpen plan only works if the off days after Games 1 and 2 hold. If this goes five, Game 4 is where the whole thing cracks.