The regular season is over and the Yankees have a few days to rest up before the ALDS begins, but that doesn’t mean Aaron Boone won’t be busy this week. He and other key decision makers will determine the first round’s playoff roster, lineup, and pitching rotation.
It’s no surprise that, aside from a couple of blips this season, that the majority of folks approve of the job Boone’s done this season. He’s handled all of the injuries with aplomb and has the club in great position for a deep October run. At the same time, his in-game decision making hasn’t had to be challenged much over the last couple of months because the Yankees have held such a large division lead. We’ll get a better sense of that later this week.
With that, let’s get to the season’s summary and news:
2019 Regular Season Record: 103-58 (AL East Champions!)
Last Week: 1-4
Upcoming: American League Division Series vs. Twins (Games 1 & 2 at home, October 4 & 5)
Recent Aaron Boone News:
- The Yankees used Masahiro Tanaka in relief yesterday after Chad Green opened the game. Boone indicated that it doesn’t necessarily mean that’s how they’ll handle Tanaka in the playoffs.
- Nothing’s been announced about the ALDS rotation just yet, but the good news is that the skipper is optimistic about James Paxton being ready after leaving with glute tightness on Friday.
- CC Sabathia will probably be on the ALDS roster, per Boone. Minnesota has a few lefties he could neutralize in relief. Jorge Polanco, Max Kepler, and Eddie Rosario come to mind.
- Boone expects Gio Urshela to play in Friday’s game 1. Under normal circumstances, he would have stayed in if yesterday’s game was meaningful.
Now, a bit of housekeeping before getting to the poll questions. We’ll continue publishing the manager evaluation survey weekly on Mondays as long as the Yankees are still alive. Once the Yankees win it all (or are eliminated, but let’s not think that way), we’ll publish the final survey of the season. After that, this feature will return in 2020.
Please take a moment to vote on the three poll questions below:
[democracy id=”43″]
[democracy id=”44″]
[democracy id=”45″]
dasit
as great as he’s been, batting gardner 3rd (assuming judge/stanton/sanchez are healthy) is hard to defend
billymartinvanburenboys
Until Boone starts stacking Judge, Stanton, Gary together I can’t go above a 6 on that first question
ruralbob
People will be annoyed unless everyone in the lineup goes 5 for 5.
CountryClub
Will people be happy or annoyed if Gardner hits 3rd on friday?
Bobby
I’m guessing a mix–I think some people (including me) will be irritated that they *insist* on splitting Judge/Stanton with a lefty, but if they’re going to do it (and I think they are!) then Gardner has the best case, so whatever I guess.
CountryClub
Yes, if they’re going to do it, I’d rather him than Didi at this point.