Yankees announce wild card roster, with some notable omissions

The New York Yankees have released their roster for the 2017 American League Wild Card Game.

Eight hours to go until the Yankees and Twins clash in New York for the winner-take-all contest. The Yankees’ roster is out, but the lineup will remain a secret for a little while longer. Here is a preview of what it might look like:

1. Brett Gardner, LF
2. Aaron Judge, RF
3. Gary Sánchez, C
4. Didi Gregorius, SS
5. Starlin Castro, 2B
6. Greg Bird, 1B
7. Chase Headley OR Matt Holliday, DH
8. Jacoby Ellsbury OR Aaron Hicks, CF
9. Todd Frazier, 3B

P – Luis Severino (14-6, 2.98 ERA, 193.1 IP, 10.7 K/9, 2.4 BB/9, 1.04 WHIP)

This is the Yankees’ complete list of pitchers and position players:

• Pitchers: Severino, Sonny Gray, Adam Warren, Tommy Kahnle, Chad Green, David Robertson, Dellin Betances, Aroldis Chapman, Chasen Shreve, CC Sabathia
• Position players: Bird, Castro, Gregorius, T. Frazier, Headley, Sánchez, Ronald Torreyes, Austin Romine, Tyler Wade, Judge, Ellsbury, Gardner, Hicks, Clint Frazier, Holliday

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Masahiro Tanaka is not included because A) The Yankees will not pitch him on short rest, and B) The team can reconstruct their roster if they advance to the ALDS. Sabathia is a bit of a surprise since his last start happened Sept. 30. Makes sense for Sabathia to face an important left-handed hitter out of the bullpen in a pressure spot. Who would you trust more between Sabathia, Shreve and Jaime García, who did not make the roster? Give me the big guy.

The Twins are starting right-hander Ervin Santana, who finished 2017 with a 16-8 record, 3.28 ERA, 211. 1 IP, 7.1 K/9, 2.6 BB/9, and 1.13 WHIP.

Yanks Go Yard mentioned here the Yankees’ Wild Card hot topics and previous successful match-ups versus Santana. The numerical history is encouraging, though it does not always predict the future. It is worth noting that Santana is 0-6, with a 6.03 ERA in eight games (six starts) when pitching at Yankee Stadium.

The Twins are leaving Miguel Sanó off their Wild Card roster. Sanó, who was activated from the disabled list Sept. 29, missed 38 games with a shin injury. The Twins hoped to prepare him in a handful of games, but they ultimately did not feel he was ready. Losing Sanó’s powerful bat is bad news for Minnesota, awesome news for the Yanks.

Next: What Yankees can expect vs. Twins

It is win or go home for both teams today. First pitch is scheduled for 8 p.m. ET and will be broadcast on ESPN.