The New York Yankees are trotting out another new lineup to begin the Subway Series against the New York Mets on Tuesday.
Facing a lefty in Mets starter Jose Quintana, manager Aaron Boone felt it best to give rookie Ben Rice the day off — given his 62 OPS+ against southpaws.
This led to Jahmai Jones entering the lineup in the leadoff spot, making him the sixth different Yankee to hit from the top spot in the order this season.
Jones at least brings some encouragement in a small sample size. He has a .321 batting average an 165 OPS+ in 33 plate appearances when in the starting lineup.
The more questionable move is what the Yankees did to protect Aaron Judge — putting J.D. Davis in the cleanup spot.
Even Jose Conseco couldn't believe it.
Yankees starting lineup today
| 1 | Jahmai Jones | DH |
| 2 | Juan Soto | RF |
| 3 | Aaron Judge | CF |
| 4 | J.D. Davis | 1B |
| 5 | Anthony Volpe | SS |
| 6 | Gleyber Torres | 2B |
| 7 | Alex Verdugo | LF |
| 8 | Carlos Narvaez | C |
| 9 | DJ LeMahieu | 3B |
Putting Davis behind Judge is a very questionable move even if there aren't many better options available. He has a 70 OPS+ from the cleanup spot this season in limited at-bats.
Meanwhile, Narvaez replaces Austin Wells behind the plate against a lefty considering the latter's 75 OPS+ against southpaws this season.
The Yankees need players other than Judge and Soto to step up — as they did in Monday's win — if they want to avoid another two-game sweep against their crosstown rivals.
