Two games, two wins for the 2018 Yankees. They won the first game because the big bats led the way offensively, and they won the second game because the bottom of the lineup picked up the slack when the big guys went silent. Hooray for lineup depth. The Yankees are 2-0 for the first time since 2011. Today they’re looking to go 3-0 for the first time since 2003.
On the mound this afternoon is CC Sabathia, though that’s not really the big story. Sabathia’s rotation spot just happened to come up today. The bigger story: Aaron Judge in center field! Brett Gardner is sitting this one out, and with Aaron Hicks and Jacoby Ellsbury on the disabled list, Judge is the next man up on the center field depth chart. He last played the position with Triple-A Scranton in 2016.
Both Aaron Boone and Brian Cashman mentioned Judge as a center field candidate in recent days, so today’s assignment didn’t come out of nowhere. Judge said he prefers center to right because the reads are easier. He’s a good athlete and his speed is about average for a center fielder based on last year’s data, according to Statcast. I think he’ll be just fine. Here are the starting lineups:
New York Yankees
1. DH Neil Walker
2. CF Aaron Judge
3. RF Giancarlo Stanton
4. SS Didi Gregorius
5. C Gary Sanchez
6. 3B Brandon Drury
7. LF Billy McKinney
8. 1B Tyler Austin
9. 2B Tyler Wade
LHP CC Sabathia
Toronto Blue Jays
1. LF Steve Pearce
2. DH Josh Donaldson
3. 1B Justin Smoak
4. 3B Yangervis Solarte
5. RF Randal Grichuk
6. CF Kevin Pillar
7. SS Aledmys Diaz
8. C Luke Maile
9. 2B Gift Ngoepe
RHP Marco Estrada
It is cold and rainy in Toronto today, so the Rogers Centre roof will be closed once again. Supposedly the ball carries a little better with the roof closed. Whatever. Today’s game will begin at 4:07pm ET and you can watch on YES. Enjoy the game.
Leave a Reply
You must be logged in to post a comment.