by NEW YORK — Facing the prospect of falling 3-0 in the American League Championship Series, the Yankees are reshuffling their lineup.
Facing Houston Astros right-hander Cristian Javier, New York will start first baseman Anthony Rizzo, drop Harrison Bader from leadoff to No. 6, start Oswaldo Cabrera at shortstop, trade Giancarlo Stanton to left field and put Matt Carpenter in the designated hitter role.
This is New York’s third lineup in the series. Manager Aaron Boone said the decision to put Rizzo in the leadoff spot was because he wanted a lefty at the top of the lineup. Also, Boone wanted to space out the three lefties in the lineup: Rizzo, Carpenter and Cabrera, who is a switch hitter.
“I only have three lefties in there today, I just want a little bit of space with them because we haven’t had that typical leadoff hitter necessarily rotating that spot today against Javier with all three lefties,” Boone said. “More than anything, it’s about separating them a little bit and trying to have a little bit of balance in the lineup.”
The Astros are largely sticking with the same lineup they used in Game 2, though Yordan Alvarez will play left field instead of being the designated hitter. Trey Mancini will serve as designated hitter on Saturday for his first series appearance, and Christian Vazquez will replace Martin Maldonado at catcher.
Boone said he opted for Cabrera over Isiah Kiner-Falefa to add another lefty bat to the lineup against Javier, who has allowed lefties to hit .189/.274/.318 while allowing righties to hit .147/.225. /. 290 this season.
“[Javier] it’s especially hard on righties,” Boone said. “I just wanted to get all three lefties in there today.”
Boone was also encouraged enough by Stanton’s defense in Houston to feel comfortable playing him in left field at Yankees Stadium, which is roomier in left field than Minute Maid Park. Stanton has played infrequently in the outfield during the second half of the season after suffering tendinitis in his left Achilles tendon.
“I thought he moved well in Houston. He obviously made a very good play,” Stanton said. “Seeing how he was after that game, which he came out of feeling good, the next day he felt good too. I deliberated on it yesterday, checked with him just to make sure he felt good about it. I told him he was considering it. , he was totally involved.”
