Will Yanks put Volpe or Caballero in starting lineup for Game 3?
Yankees shortstop Anthony Volpe in the dugout during Game 2 of the American League Division Series at Tropicana Field on Monday in St. Petersburg, Fla. Credit: Newsday/Thomas A. Ferrara
Thus far in the American League Division Series between the Yankees and Rays, most of the enduring images have been the Yankees miscues in the field during Monday’s 5-2 loss in Game 2 at Tropicana Field.
There’s no denying, however, that their offense has been almost as bad in the two losses that turned Wednesday’s Game 3 at the Stadium into an elimination game.
The Yankees have totaled two runs — both Ben Rice solo home runs — and five hits. Their batting average is .086 and their on-base percentage an equally anemic .145.
One lingering question is whether manager Aaron Boone might make changes to the lineup with his teams’ collective back to the wall. Asked about the possibility during a Zoom interview Tuesday, he replied, “I'm considering a couple things, but I haven't settled on anything. I'll kind of work through that through the day and talk to some of my coaches and make a decision hopefully [Tuesday night] on which way I want to go.”
The Yankees faced a pair of righthanded starters at the Trop and went with their standard lefty-heavy lineup where shortstop George Lombard Jr. is the only righthanded hitter. Tampa is throwing a third righthander in Nick Martinez for Game 3.
Two players who could be in play are Jose Caballero and Anthony Volpe.
The starting lineup the Yankees used in the first two games is also supposed to be their best defensive lineup. They are using lefthander Max Fried, and defense is usually a priority when he pitches because he gets a lot of soft contact and groundballs.
So how much defense might Boone be willing to give up to get an offensive spark?
Caballero does offer a spark because he gets under opponents skin and is always a threat to steal a base. He could an option to start at third base over Ryan McMahon. Boone said he’d considered playing Volpe over McMahon in Game 2, but eschewed the move because Volpe has barely played the position.
Could Volpe get the nod over Jazz Chisholm Jr. at second base?
That could be a tougher call, even though Chisholm is coming off a poor defensive performance in Game 2. Chisholm has a .742 OPS at the Stadium with 11 home runs and 29 RBIs in 69 games at the Stadium this season. Volpe has just a .641 OPS with one home run and 11 RBI in 30 games in the Bronx this season.
Roger Rubin returned to Newsday in 2018 to write about high schools, colleges and baseball following 20 years at the Daily News. A Baseball Hall of Fame voter since 2011, he has covered 13 MLB postseasons and 14 NCAA Final Fours.
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