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Yankees’ Aaron Boone explains why he didn’t move Aaron Judge into the lineup
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Yankees’ Aaron Boone explains why he didn’t move Aaron Judge into the lineup

When you’re down 3-0 in the World Series, any lineup change is on the table.

That’s something New York Yankees manager Aaron Boone had to decide ahead of a do-or-die Game 4 on Tuesday night in the Bronx.

Speaking to the media on Tuesday afternoon, Boone revealed that one possible lineup change would be putting Aaron Judge at No. 1. Judge’s problems have been well documented this postseason, with the AL MVP favorite hitting just .140 in the team’s 12 playoff games. Judge struck out in seven of 12 at-bats in three World Series games against the Dodgers, while allowing just one hit in the series.

The move to leadoff would be a drastic change, especially considering Judge has only hit from that spot 36 times in his career. Instead, Boone decided to keep Gleyber Torres at first for Game 4. The second baseman has been effective in getting on base, with 13 hits and 10 walks so far this postseason.

For Game 4, Judge remains in his familiar third spot in the lineup behind outfielder Juan Soto. In addition to Judge, Boone decided to play Jazz Chisholm Jr. to trade for the mop-up spot, which would push the red-hot Giancarlo Stanton to fifth in the order. Of the lineup adjustments, Boone attributed the changes to the Dodgers using their bullpen for Game 4.

By swapping Chisholm and Stanton, the Yankees will have alternating right-handed and left-handed hitters through eight of the nine spots in the lineup. Catcher Austin Wells returns for Jose Trevino as the only other change to the starting nine.

Boone also stated that top pitcher Gerrit Cole will not be available from the bullpen on Tuesday night. Cole will start Game 5 if necessary, but Boone has confidence in the bullpen if rookie starter Luis Gil struggles early.