Yankees throw rocks at dartboard with another pathetic lineup choice vs Orioles.
Either the Yankees don’t have much interest in taking their best shot at winning Friday night’s game in Baltimore, or they suspect it’ll be rained out and want some part-time players to feel good about seeing their names in a phony lineup.
In a matter of weeks, the team known for being “dawgs” after years of muzzling has been silenced once again, putting up a 7-18 record that outflanks even Jonathan Papelbon’s wildest collapse dreams. When the Yankees were going good, they ran out the same lineup everyday, and outside observers theorized that newfound consistency might be among the reasons for their success.
Now, after only having lost Giancarlo Stanton to injury from the everyday lineup, the team has pivoted. Anyone can go anywhere at any time. The leadoff spot became a black hole with Anthony Volpe in charge, so Ben Rice was handed the keys. He mashed three homers, then immediately stole Alex Verdugo’s cleanup spot. Verdugo led off for a few days, but didn’t put much English on the ball; on Friday, he’s been sent to the nether realm, batting sixth against left-handed rookie Cade Povich.
Povich has reverse splits, struggling against left-handed batters thus far in his big-league career (drilling them, allowing them to reach base at a higher rate, and surrendering a similar batting average to both sides, all amounting to a 6.51 ERA in six starts). Never mind that, though! Aaron Boone (or whoever’s responsible for this stuff) saw a lefty on the mound, so a lefty lineup he will employ! Jose Trevino, welcome! Jahmai Jones, dust off your cleats! Jorbit Vivas? Thanks for showing up; no start for you!
Oh, and DJ LeMahieu’s leading off now.
