How will the Yankees handle their playoff infield?

How will the Yankees handle their playoff infield?

Shortstop

No need to waste time here. Ever since being called up on Aug., 4, George Lombard Jr. has started every game at shortstop except four, missing three due to injury. There is no reason to believe Lombard won't continue to start in the playoffs. 

First Base

Options: Paul Goldschmidt, Luis Garcia Jr., Ben Rice. 

Before the trade deadline, Rice and Goldschmidt split time, with Goldschmidt facing lefties and Rice facing righties. Since Garcia's acquisition, Rice has made one start at first base compared to Garcia's 36. 

Despite not playing first, Rice's bat is needed in the lineup. Since then, he has made 43 of the possible 46 starts as the designated hitter. 

Going into the playoffs, Goldschmidt will continue to start against the lefties, while Garcia makes the starts against the righties and Rice will continue to be the daily DH. 

What makes things complicated is the potential returns of Aaron Judge and Giancarlo Stanton. Stanton is a permanent DH, and Judge recently suffered a calf strain and won't be at his best for the playoffs. If both return and need to start at DH, then Rice goes back into the field and the platoon is no more. 

Second Base

Options: Jazz Chisholm Jr., Anthony Volpe, Jose Caballero

Getting this out of the way, Caballero is a potential option at second, third, short or even outfield, either off the bench or to make a start. He is the Yankees' defensive utility man. 

Who will be getting the majority of the starts is either Chisholm or Volpe. Fresh off the IL, Chisholm has made 128 starts at second this year. After his injury, Volpe has been a solid replacement over ten starts. 

Similar to first base, this decision may come down to who's on the mound. Over his career, Chisholm's average rises by 14 points and his slugging by 95 points against righties compared to lefties. For Volpe, his average rises by 33 points and his slugging by 38 points against lefties. 

There's a real case that Chisholm should be the starter against righties, but despite everything, Volpe should make starts at second against lefties. 

Third Base

Options: Ryan McMahon, Anthony Volpe, Jose Caballero

For most of the season, McMahon has been the third baseman, making 89 starts there. In mid-August, McMahon went on the IL and Caballero and Amed Rosario took over.

Once McMahon returned, it hasn't gone well, as he's only been hitting .174 with an OPS of .501. This season, McMahon is slightly above average against righties and well below average against lefties. 

Despite never playing an MLB game at third, Yankees manager Aaron Boone stated that Volpe would see some time at third as the season ends. 

The defense would drop off from McMahon to Volpe, but the offensive production would be needed.

The infield

The only infield guarantee is Lombard at short; besides that, the Yankees have the depth to platoon their infield depending on the pitcher. 

Volpe, Caballero and Chisholm can play multiple positions, and the Yankees have the pieces at the corners for either arm.