The New York Yankees are preparing to play the Boston Red Sox in an American League Wild Card series. The Yankees are going into the series without the services of star slugger Aaron Judge. Another New York slugger meanwhile is ready to step up and lead.
That slugger is infielder Jazz Chisholm Jr., who says he will be mad if he is benched in Game 1.
“Yeah,” Chisholm said, per The Athletic, adding that he would be upset if he doesn’t play.
“Who wouldn’t be?” he said. “As a competitor, who wouldn’t be? It’s the playoffs. You want to play.”
Game 1 is on Tuesday night in the Bronx. New York is going with Cam Schlittler as their starting pitcher, while the Red Sox are going with young hurler Payton Tolle.
Chisholm wants a crack at Tolle.
“But I feel like (Boone) will come up to me and let me know what’s going on before it’s put out there,” Chisholm said, “which I always respect out of him. He’s always been good on that side.”
The Yankees and Red Sox play Game 1 Tuesday at 8:00 ET.
Article Continues BelowYankees are hoping to defeat the Red Sox without Aaron Judge
Chisholm will be needed to step up and help the Yankees in this series. New York will be without Aaron Judge, while other players like Giancarlo Stanton are available but still recovering from health issues.
This season, Chisholm is hitting at a .231 batting average. He has hit 19 home runs and 55 RBIs. The Yankees finished the year second in the American League East, with a 93-68 record.
New York and Boston have met countless times in the playoffs over the years. The Yankees are looking to play in their second World Series over the last three seasons. New York lost the 2024 Fall Classic to the Los Angeles Dodgers.
Heliot Ramos will be playing in Judge's place. Yankees fans hope that the Bronx Bombers can advance in the playoffs, despite these injury issues.