The Yankees have a chance to take a commanding 2-0 lead over the Astros before returning to the Bronx, but they’ll have to do it shorthanded against Justin Verlander.
Giancarlo Stanton is out with a quad strain he suffered while legging out a single in the second inning Saturday. He hit a home run afterward and looked fine in the field, but he underwent an MRI. Though he’s a pinch-hitting option tonight, Aaron Boone didn’t say he would definitely return this series.
Meanwhile, the offense has enough trouble in store as Verlander is on the mound. Here’s my preview of Verlander’s start from earlier. He gave up a career-high 36 home runs this year, yet the right-hander was still good enough to be a Cy Young favorite. The Yankees will have to beat either Verlander or Gerrit Cole at least once to win this series.
To the lineups
Yankees (1-0)
DJ LeMahieu, 1B
Aaron Judge, RF
Gleyber Torres, 2B
Edwin Encarnación, DH
Brett Gardner, CF
Gary Sánchez, C
Gio Urshela, 3B
Cameron Maybin, LF
Didi Gregorius, SS
LHP James Paxton
Astros (0-1)
George Springer, RF
Michael Brantley, LF
José Altuve, 2B
Alex Bregman, 3B
Yordan Álvarez, DH
Yuli Gurriel, 1B
Carlos Correa, SS
Robinson Chirinos, C
Jake Marisnick, CF
RHP Justin Verlander
News & Notes
- If you’re wondering why Hicks isn’t starting, he’s 2-for-23 against Verlander with 10 K, so that could be part of the picture. Otherwise, it’s hard to see his role.
- The Yankees hope the two days before Game 3 will be enough for Stanton to return, Boone said.
- Jake Marisnick gives Houston a better defensive outfield while also sporting good career numbers off Paxton. George Springer has hit Paxton well, too.
The game is set for an 8:08 p.m. first pitch on FS1 while you can listen on WFAN. Enjoy the game!
BillyMartinVanBuren Boys
Definitely voting Boone’s bullpen management a 10 in the poll tomorrow. Only two games but he is NOT messing around
BillyMartinVanBuren Boys
Nice jinx idiot
Brian M
Ultimately it falls on Ottavino to get those outs. That slider he threw was a nothing pitch.
Dan A
Let’s do this!!
Maybin may actually be a good AB versus Verlander. We need tough ABs and to run up his pitch count. I think Maybin is a good spot for that. (Obviously, I’d rather have Stanton in, but I’m being optimistic).
bardos
Looking at Monday’s newspapers: “Verlander knocked out early as yankees score 4 in the first inning.”