Aaron Boone explains big Yankees lineup changes for ALCS Game 3 vs Guardians

As Michael Kay reported Wednesday, the New York Yankees are making sweeping changes to their lineup for Game 3 of the ALCS against the Cleveland Guardians, who will be starting left-hander Matthew Boyd.

The Yankees famously cannot hit lefties so they removed a couple lefty hitters from their lineup for at least the start of Thursday's matchup. Boyd has been extremely effective this postseason, even if his outings were abbreviated. In two starts he's logged 6 2/3 innings, allowing just five hits and three walks while striking out 10.

As a result, that prompted Aaron Boone to make the most alterations we've seen ... in months? It's quite possible. Both Anthony Rizzo and Austin Wells will be on the bench. Rizzo is playing with fractured fingers while Wells is 2-for-24 and has just 10 hits since the start of September. He definitely, at least, needed to be moved down in the lineup.

In place of them, Jose Trevino will be starting at catcher and Jon Berti will get the nod at first. If you're asking why not Oswaldo Cabrera, it's because Berti is a natural right-handed hitter. Giancarlo Stanton got bumped up to the cleanup spot and Jazz Chisholm will be batting fifth.

One can hope this sparks the offense in some capacity, since the unit has yet to fully unleash itself in the postseason, but at least these moves were made with intention.

Aaron Boone explains big Yankees lineup changes for ALCS Game 3 vs Guardians

Boone spoke to the media prior to Thursday's 5:08 p.m. ET matchup and explained why he has a new-look group going tonight. For as frustrating as his responses usually are, he was certainly candid and detailed in his response.

Can't disagree with any of those points. If the Yankees want to preserve Rizzo, he needs to rest when it makes the most sense, and it's not like he won't play at all when he's not starting. Expect him to slot into that No. 6 spot later in the game when the Guardians start using right-handed relievers.

As for Trevino, Boone is right: he is an important piece of this team and certainly deserves reps because of his elite defense. Trevino also sports a clutch bat from time to time, so it's a good asset to have in the lineup, especially at the bottom. And then there's Berti, who is an impressive defender, a contact-first bat, and someone who can threaten on the bases.

The goal is to chase Boyd from the game as early as possible, and these two new bats plus Judge and Stanton hitting back-to-back might be the best formula to do that. Armed with Rizzo, Wells, Cabrera, Jasson Dominguez and Trent Grisham on the bench, there are plenty of options for the Yankees to adjust later on.

The Yanks just need Clarke Schmidt to provide five solid innings and they'll really be able to put the pressure on. And if this lineup gets the job done? Boone gets another gold star for his efforts this postseason.