Yankees might’ve finally found right lineup as Andrew Benintendi heats up

2022 Yankees playoff lineup

1. Andrew Benintendi – LF
2. Aaron Judge – RF
3. Anthony Rizzo – 1B
4. Giancarlo Stanton – DH
5. DJ LeMahieu – 3B
6. Gleyber Torres – 2B
7. Oswaldo Cabrera – SS
8. Jose Trevino – C
9. Harrison Bader – CF

Only one personnel change, but it’s a significant one!

The Yankees’ best-case scenario in October involves getting a healthy Stanton as many plate appearances as possible. It also involves Rizzo returning to form and no longer being a black hole who needs to be insured against. Thank LeMahieu for his service, but he should probably be moved around by the postseason.

This isn’t how things will be. Kiner-Falefa will get the bulk of the starts, despite Cabrera’s spunk and world-class arm. Donaldson will find his way onto the field quite often, unless Stanton really can’t play the outfield. Bader might be nothing more than a defensive replacement. Who knows? His September audition might go horribly, or might never really get started at all.

Benintendi leading off seems to have unlocked something for now, though, and it’d be nice to keep that static, even as returning pieces change the lineup’s DNA again — hopefully, for the better.

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