The day after the Yankees clinched the AL East title, they shifted their focus to the postseason.
Aaron Judge wasn't in the lineup Friday despite hitting a home run in five consecutive games and hitting his 58th home run of the season.
Manager Aaron Boone said Judge would play in the final game of the regular season series against Pittsburgh in the Bronx, but added that the outfielder was not focused on getting back to 60 home runs.
“He doesn't play for that,” Boone said.
The manager said he tried to pinch hit for Judge or Giancarlo Stanton in the bottom of the ninth inning with a two-run deficit, but was unable to hit the tying hit against former Yankee Aroldis Chapman at 4-2. loss.
Judge is also a candidate for the American League Triple Crown with 58 home runs and 144 RBIs, but his batting average is .325, just behind Kansas City's Bobby Witt (.332) and Toronto's Vladimir Guerrero.・Junior (. 325).
The ALDS isn't scheduled to start until October 5, so the Yankees have plenty of time to rest and prepare their roster.
Boone said those discussions began in earnest Friday.
In addition to Gerrit Cole starting Game 1, Boone said Friday's starting pitcher, Carlos Rodon, will likely be in either Game 2 or 2, depending on who the Yankees end up facing. He said he is likely to start in three games.
Rodon allowed two runs in 5 1/3 innings and lost.
Boone said the team hasn't decided on a third starting pitcher, but that options include Lewis Gill, who will pitch on Saturday, and Clark Schmidt, who will pitch in Sunday's final regular-season game.
“We talk about these things and feel that's how we feel.” [to make] “It was a difficult decision, but a good one,” Boone said. “We have a lot of confidence in who's going to pitch in that Game 3, Game 2.”
Coach Boone said the team plans to have Monday off, have another workout on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday, then have a final workout on Friday.
DJ LeMahieu remains hopeful of playing in the postseason after receiving a cortisone injection for right hip impingement.
“He's definitely moving better,” LeMahieu said. “The cortisone injections were very effective. More than I expected.”
He plans to begin baseball activities “within the next few days.”
Of course, there's also the question of how effective LeMahieu will be even if he's healthy, as he's had a particularly tough season.
“I don't know if they're going to use me,” LeMahieu said. “But I will definitely try to be available.”
With Jazz Chisholm Jr. at third base, Anthony Rizzo at first base, and Jon Berti and Oswaldo Cabrera ready to come off the bench, it may be difficult for LeMahieu to find his way onto the postseason roster. do not have.
Boone said Berti, who missed most of the season with a calf injury, will likely play Saturday and Sunday for a playoff berth.
If the Yankees go into the ALDS with just three starting pitchers, that will leave another position player spot open.
Jason Dominguez's experiment as a left fielder continued, as he caught Isaiah Kiner-Falefa's fly ball at the line in the second inning, the type of pitch that gave him trouble in his new position.
He also had two walks and two strikeouts, and manager Boone said his at-bat was “so-so.''
Jake Cousins played some light catch Friday as he works his way back from a pectoral strain.
If healthy, the right-hander could become an integral part of the Yankees' playoff relief corps.
