KANSAS CITY, Mo. — If manager Aaron Boone lets the numbers dictate, the Yankees will start John Barty at first base for the second straight playoff game.
It's hard to believe that Boone's eyes and intuition wouldn't lead him to the same conclusion.
However, Boone withheld naming a starting first baseman during the travel day before the ALDS moved to Kauffman Stadium for Game 3 on Wednesday.
The Yankees and Royals split two games in the Bronx.
“Let's see,” Mr. Boone said. “That's still something that's under consideration.”
Berti, who made his first career start at first base at an odd time with Anthony Rizzo (two broken fingers) out, handled a cutoff throw from right field and started the run-up to end the inning when the fielder seemed to be going well.
He also made a diving catch on a line drive near the infield turf, leading to an unassisted double play.
“There's a lot of nuance to it,” Berti said. “There are many other things to do [first base] Probably more than people realize. ”
In addition to those plays, Berti is 3-for-5 in his career with a double and a walk off Game 3 starter Seth Lugo, and Berti is better than Game 1 starter Oswaldo Cabrera and Ben's replacement. It will seem like you have the upper hand. Rice.
Only Juan Soto (4-for-16) has more hits than former Met Lugo among the Yankees.
Berti appeared at the plate in just 66 at-bats during the injury-plagued regular season, but in Game 2 he threw 17 pitches in four at-bats.
Gleyber Torres came to bat with a two-out single in the 9th inning and had a chance to tie the game.
“He seems very comfortable,” Torres said. “John is a great athlete. Everyone believes in what he can do for the team, and he showed it. [Monday] night. “
Torres knows firsthand how difficult it is to change positions.
He attempted to transition from second base to shortstop, but that experiment ended after two error-filled seasons in 2020 and 2021.
When the Yankees traded for Jazz Chisholm Jr. earlier this season, Torres was hesitant to play third base.
Therefore, he is the perfect teammate for Berti, a versatile infielder and outfielder, to understand what is required under increased pressure.
“As an infielder, it's not that easy to change positions, especially in the postseason,” Torres said. “He's done a really good job. I'm proud of him. We know he's always up to the job.”
So why didn't Boone make his decision by the time the Yankees finished practice at Yankee Stadium before boarding the plane?
Because I wanted it to marinate.
“I'm going to sit down with a few coaches and figure out who to ask for input,” Boone said. “You're trying to make the best decision. It's not necessarily just who starts the game, but how that puts them on the bench. John handles first base well in his first go-around. It was really good to see some quality at-bats.”
