NEW YORK -- The New York Yankees figure to be very right-handed against Houston Astros starting pitcher Dallas Keuchel for the wild-card game, which could mean one, two, maybe three of their biggest money players could be on the bench. Brett Gardner, Jacoby Ellsbury and/or Brian McCann could be sitting to start Tuesday night's game.
They represent $300 million worth of contracts.
Either Ellsbury or Gardner could very well be benched for the right-handed Chris Young. Young is 6-for-20 with three extra base hits. Ellsbury is 2-for-7, while Gardner is 0-4 vs. Keuchel. For the most part, against left-handers this year, Joe Giardi has found a spot for Young. My best guess is that Girardi sits Gardner, an All-Star this year, and let's the $153 million man, Ellsbury, start.
Behind the plate, there has been discussion about putting McCann on the bench and starting John Ryan Murphy, according to ESPN Insider Buster Olney.
The Yankees have talked internally about possibly starting Murphy at catcher and Young in the outfield vs, Keuchel, who dominates lefties.
— Buster Olney (@Buster_ESPN) October 5, 2015McCann has caught vast majority of Tanaka's starts. In five starts with Murphy behind the plate, Tanaka has 2.83 ERA, 32 Ks, 4 walks, 35 IP
— Buster Olney (@Buster_ESPN) October 5, 2015Personally, I think the Yankees will stick with the $85 million McCann, but McCann has been one of the worst every day hitters in baseball in the second half. He hit .200 after the All-Star break.
Here is my projected lineup:
Jacoby Ellsbury CF
Chris Young LF
Brian McCann C
Greg Bird 1B
Rob Refsnyder 2B
It is not the most impressive lineup, but if Masahiro Tanaka can pitch well, they may only need four runs to win. Of course, Keuchel has a 1.13 ERA in 24 innings against the Yankees so four runs may not be so easy.