In Game 3 of their American League Championship game against the Cleveland Guardians on Thursday, the New York Yankees are anticipated to sit a struggling starting despite holding a 2-0 lead in the game. As the series moves to Progressive Field in Cleveland, catcher Austin Wells may be substituted in the lineup against lefty pitcher Matt Boyd, according to the New York Post.
In the regular season, Wells, a left-handed hitter, smashed southpaws.197/.299/.227 in 66 at-bats, with just 13 hits in 66 at-bats (and no home runs). He also had twenty-one strikeouts.
Furthermore, Wells is just 2-for-24 overall with 10 strikeouts in the postseason, including 0-for-8 in the first two ALCS games. That is not the kind of performance you want from your cleanup hitter.
Aaron Boone, the manager of the Yankees, appears unconcerned with Wells’ offensive shortcomings, though. Boone told the Post that despite having some offensive issues, “he’s done an outstanding job.”
In the event that Wells sits, designated hitter Giancarlo Stanton would probably move up to the No. 4 spot. Despite having four home runs, Trevino’s slash line versus lefties was.189/.282/.344.
Boone told the Post that Trevino “has a very real chance of getting in there.”
However, Trevino has not yet participated in the postseason and did not start the regular season’s final game until September 29. Clarke Schmidt will get the start for the Yanks against the Guardians. Game 3’s first pitch is set for this Thursday at 5:08 p.m. ET.
