Facing elimination in the American League Wild Card Series, the New York Yankees have again shuffled their lineup ahead of Game 2 against the Boston Red Sox at Yankee Stadium.
With Boston sending right-hander Brayan Bello to the mound — after left-hander Garrett Crochet started Game 1 — Yankees manager Aaron Boone made three changes from the previous night’s order.
Paul Goldschmidt, who went 2-for-4 as the leadoff hitter Monday, will start on the bench in favor of Ben Rice. Jazz Chisholm returns at second base, replacing utility man Amed Rosario. At third base, Ryan McMahon gets the start over José Caballero, who went hitless in the opener.
The changes shift the top of the order as well. Trent Grisham will lead off, with Rice slotted into the cleanup spot. Giancarlo Stanton drops one place in the lineup.
On the mound, New York turns to left-hander Carlos Rodón. The 31-year-old went 18-9 with a 3.09 ERA and 203 strikeouts during the regular season, but he has struggled in October throughout his career, holding a 1-3 record and 6.64 ERA across six postseason appearances.
Boston’s Bello, meanwhile, has given Yankees captain Aaron Judge trouble. Judge is just 2-for-27 in nine career games against the right-hander, a trend New York will hope to reverse with its season on the line.
If the Yankees win Wednesday night, they will force a decisive Game 3 at Yankee Stadium on Thursday. A loss would end their season and would see the Red Sox move on to face the Toronto Blue Jays in the Division Series.