Yankees not ready to say who will start at first…
KANSAS CITY, Mo. — If Aaron Boone lets the numbers make the choice, the Yankees will start Jon Berti at first base in a second straight playoff sport.
It’s onerous to consider that Boone’s eyes and intestine wouldn’t lead him to the identical conclusion.
But Boone held off on naming a beginning first baseman during the journey day earlier than the ALDS shifts to Kauffman Stadium for Game 3 on Wednesday.
Jon Berti, who had a strong Game 2 defensively and at the plate, makes a diving stop on an errant throw during the Yankees’ loss to the Royals. Jason Szenes / New York Post
The Yankees and Royals break up two video games in The Bronx.
“We’ll see,” Boone mentioned. “It’s kind of one I’m still deliberating on.”
In a surprisingly timed first profession start at first base with Anthony Rizzo (two fractured fingers) sidelined, Berti regarded easy defensively as he dealt with a cutoff throw from proper subject and began an inning-ending rundown.
He additionally made a diving catch on a line drive on the sting of the infield grass to flip an unassisted double play.
“A lot of nuance to it,” Berti mentioned. “There’s a lot more to [first base] than people probably think.”
Add to these performs that Berti is 3-for-5 with a double and a stroll in his profession off of Game 3 starter Seth Lugo and it could appear that Berti has the higher hand on alternate options Oswaldo Cabrera, who began Game 1, and Ben Rice.
Only Juan Soto (4-for-16) has more hits off of Lugo, a former Met, among the many Yankees.
Berti solely had 66 at-bats during an injury-marred common season, however he labored 17 pitches throughout 4 at-bats in Game 2.
His two-out single within the ninth introduced Gleyber Torres to the plate with a probability to tie the rating.
“He looks really comfortable,” Torres mentioned. “Jon is an awesome athlete. Everybody believes in what he can do for the team, and he showed [Monday] night.”
Torres is aware of firsthand how tough it may be to change positions.
He tried transferring from second base to shortstop however two error-filled seasons in 2020 and 2021 ended that experiment.
When the Yankees traded for Jazz Chisholm Jr. earlier this season, Torres balked at taking part in third base.
So, he’s the right teammate to admire what Berti — a utility infielder and outfielder — is being requested to do below the magnified stress.
“As an infielder, it’s not that easy to switch positions, especially in the postseason,” Torres mentioned. “He did a really good job. I feel proud for him. We know he always can do the job.”
So, why hadn’t Boone made up his thoughts by the time the Yankees completed their exercise at Yankee Stadium earlier than flying?
Because he needed to let it marinate.
“We’ll talk to a few coaches and let who I want to weigh in on that, weigh in,” Boone mentioned. “Trying to make the best decision. It’s not always just necessarily who starts the game, but how it sets you up on the bench. It was really good to see Jon handle first base so well in his first go-around at that, and really give quality at-bats.”
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