The New York Yankees come into the American League Division Series against the Tampa Bay Rays with plenty of momentum. They easily defeated the Boston Red Sox in the Wild Card round of the playoffs with two one-sided victories.
Not only did the Yankees get excellent starting pitching from likely Cy Young winner Cam Schlittler and Max Fried, they got excellent clutch hitting from a lineup that did not include injured slugger Aaron Judge. Aaron Boone used a strong left-handed hitting lineup when the Yankees clinched the series with Red Sox right-handed ace Sonny Gray on the mound.
Boone will use the same strategy in Game 1 against the Rays, as the Yankees will confront Tampa Bay starting pitcher Drew Rasmussen with a lineup that includes eight left-handed hitters. The Yankees will arguably have their two most dangerous hitters at the top of the lineup. Ben Rice will bat lead off in Game 1 at the Tropicana Dome while Cody Bellinger will bat second.
The only right-handed bat in the Yankee lineup is shortstop George Lombard Jr. He was quite successful against the Red Sox as he had 4 hits in 8 at bats and scored 3 runs.
Rice dominated the Red Sox with 5 hits in 9 at bats, and he also delivered 2 home runs and 6 runs batted in. Bellinger had 3 hits in 9 at bats with a home run and 4 RBI.
The Yankees are going to their left-handed lineup because Judge is not on the roster for the divisional playoffs. There is a chance that he could play in the next round if the Yankees can get by the first-place Rays.