As the New York Yankees prepared for the finale of a three-game series against the Chicago White Sox on Wednesday night, several lineup changes came into play. This guide will offer an in-depth analysis of the expected changes and the possible impact.
Expected Lineup Changes
Yankees fans can anticipate a few tweaks in the lineup, notably including the following:
- Anthony Volpe Getting the Day Off: A decision was made to rest Anthony Volpe for the game.
- Isiah Kiner-Falefa Featuring at Shortstop: Initially expected to play at shortstop, Kiner-Falefa’s role was shifted due to subsequent changes.
- Late Change with DJ LeMahieu: A late alteration ruled out utility man DJ LeMahieu, who was expected to feature at third base.
Impact of Losing DJ LeMahieu
LeMahieu’s recent performance has been particularly strong, making his absence notable. His stats for August:
- Batting average: .364
- OBP: .440
- OPS: .895 (across 22 at-bats)
Although his season’s statistics include a .240 average with a .315 OBP, eight homers, and 29 RBIs, losing him to a right calf injury could still be considered a significant drawback.
Yankees Replacement Strategies: Oswaldo Cabrera’s Role
With DJ nursing his injury, the Yankees have called upon Oswaldo Cabrera to step in at shortstop, thus moving IKF to third base.
Cabrera’s Season So Far
Cabrera’s performance this year hasn’t been promising:
- Batting average: .205
- OBP: .266
- Four homers and 22 RBIs
- Strikeout rate: 21.4%
- Walk rate: 7%
Despite these less-than-ideal numbers, the Yankees will be looking for Cabrera to take advantage of facing a struggling White Sox team.
The Opposing Team’s Starter: Mike Clevinger
Mike Clevinger, the White Sox’s starter for the game, could be a player to watch:
- ERA: 3.72 across 72.2 innings
Conclusion: A Strategic Finale
The Yankees’ changes to their lineup, especially the unexpected loss of LeMahieu, added an extra layer of complexity to the game against the White Sox.
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