CLEVELAND — With a lefty on the mound, the Yankees are making moves to their lineup for Game 3 of the ALCS.
Jose Trevino and Jon Berti entered the lineup for Austin Wells and Anthony Rizzo, with Giancarlo Stanton moving up into the cleanup spot against Guardians left-hander Matthew Boyd.
The lefty-hitting Wells had been slumping in the playoffs, batting 2-for-24 with 10 strikeouts, but had continued to hit cleanup because Aaron Boone wanted to keep his lineup balanced between left-handed and right-handed bats.
But Stanton hit cleanup against lefties for most of the regular season and will do so again Thursday, with the red-hot DH offering better protection behind Aaron Judge.
Rizzo had been productive in his first two games back from fracturing two fingers, though his absence from Thursday’s lineup appeared to be to avoid a left-on-left matchup rather than a physical concern.
Berti had hit the ball hard in two starts at first base during the ALDS.