New York Yankees manager Aaron Boone made a few changes to the batting order for Game 2 of the ALCS after dropping Game 1 to the Houston Astros.
The New York Yankees dropped the first game of the American League Championship Series, losing 4-2 to the Houston Astros, their hated rival and who have turned out to be their road block from the World Series in years past. The lineup that manager Aaron Boone put out for the opening game certainly did not help matters.
Matt Carpenter started in his first game since August, struck out four times, and stranded four runners on base as their designated hitter. Josh Donaldson struck out three times and stranded four runners on base batting out of the No. 5 hole. The team, as a whole, struck out 17 times. Not ideal for a Yankees team that is still trying to make it to the Fall Classic for the first time since 2009.
One day later, manager Aaron Boone has made numerous changes to the lineup for Game 2 on Thursday night.
Aaron Boone makes numerous changes to Yankees lineup for ALCS Game 2
Carpenter is not in the starting lineup, as he was relegated to the bench. Giancarlo Stanton, who started in left field, is now back as the team’s designated hitter. But the changes did not end there.
Oswaldo Cabrera, who has played numerous positions since receiving his call-up this season, will head to left field after not being put in the Game 1 lineup.
Shortstop Isiah Kiner-Falefa is back to the bench as well, with New York’s second-ranked prospect Oswald Peraza starting in his place.
There are changes to the batting order. Outfielder Harrison Bader, who has hit four home runs this postseason, is the new leadoff hitter for the Yankees, with second baseman Gleyber Torres dropping down to the No. 5 spot.
As for Donaldson, he still remains in the starting lineup, but he dropped from the No. 5 spot to No. 6.
After dropping the first game, taking Game 2 will be critical for the Yankees. If not, they return to New York with an 0-2 deficit. Boone needed to make changes to the lineup for Game 2. They had to be done. Let’s see if they are enough to lead the team to victory.
