Aaron Boone just lost his Opening Day goodwill with Yankees' second lineup vs. Giants

Time for Aaron Boone to backtrack and start pushing the narrative that Brian Cashman does make the Yankees' lineup, actually. After a 7-0 win on Opening Night - which, according to the Giants is entirely separate from Opening Day - the Yankees are giving three new contributors a chance to crash the lineup against hard-throwing lefty Robbie Ray.

It's the Giants who need a fresh start after being thrashed in the real opener, but Boone and the Yankees are cracking open the door by going full platoon in this one. Jazz Chisholm Jr. gets the start, unlike in Game 1 of the AL Wild Card Series against the Red Sox last fall, but Ryan McMahon, Trent Grisham, and (gasps) Ben Rice are all on the bench.

That means Paul Goldschmidt isn't only playing, but leading off, while Amed Rosario hits fifth and plays third, and Randal Grichuk slots in eighth and moves over to left field. Wisely, Austin Wells remains in the No. 9 hole, where he was extremely functional in the opener.

Yankees' lineup vs. Giants for Game 2 takes sledgehammer to bench

Could it work? Sure. We expected at least two righties to kick this one off, but we estimated Goldschmidt would remain wedded to the bench in order to foster the next steps of Rice's all-important development process. Nope.

Notably, this means JC Escarra is the only member of the typical bench mob who isn't starting, but is now one of four left-handers available off the bench. If a righty reliever enters, Boone has plenty of work he can do. If a lefty counters him? He doesn't have a single move available. Good luck, starting lineup, and good luck, Cam Schlittler/whoever's piggybacking him.

Chris Kirschner of The Athletic noted that the Yankees aren't slated to face a single left-handed starter in their upcoming series against the Mariners. Clearly, Boone would rather go Full Righty here than risk a lack of opportunity for Goldschmidt and Co. in two consecutive series.

Hopefully, the gambit works and the Yankees aren't left longing for something they no longer have in reserve late in the game. The bottom of the Yankees' lineup was sneakily masterful in the opener, helping to carry the day while Aaron Judge scuffled. Boone deserves a lot of credit for the construction and mindset adjustment. Game 2 represents a pretty major pivot, and fans will not be kind if this unit falls short (as Jasson Domínguez plays Opening Day up in Buffalo).