Yankees' opener vs. Red Sox gave them perfect excuse to use fan favorite in lineup

The Yankees could use a desperate vibe infusion and defensive competence at third base after a weak opening salvo to their latest four-game series at Fenway Park. The lollipop gimmick might've worn off. They're about to face a pair of nasty young lefties. Probably as good a time as any to deploy the beloved fan favorite third baseman with a comfortable glove and a .385 average against left-handed pitching in the minors this year?

If not now for Oswaldo Cabrera ... when?

The Yankees brought Cabrera back this week as a steady hand when Ryan McMahon's ear infection became an abscess became a throat mess ... don't really want to think about that, if I'm being honest. And while the Yankees certainly could've used McMahon in the Fenway opener, the next best thing is sitting on the bench waiting to be deployed.

Cabrera started the year off at Triple-A mired in drudgery, but has completely turned things around in recent weeks, and deserves a chance to maintain his cadence to see if his spiking production might just continue on the big-league stage. His next appearance in the bigs will be his first since the horrific ankle injury that cut his 2025 season extremely short and resulted in his minor-league exile, with the Yankees' roster overstuffed.

Look at this video and tell me the Yankees couldn't use a little bit of this to battle the encroaching demons at the Fens (and against Payton Tolle and Jake Bennett on the mound the next two games).

Yankees' lineup vs. Red Sox must include Oswaldo Cabrera vs. Payton Tolle

Cabrera should send Amed Rosario to the bench on Friday night and bat in a low-pressure spot between 7-9. JC Escarra's demotion insinuates Ali Sanchez is returning from the paternity list, and he should supplant Austin Wells as well.

In an ideal world, either Spencer Jones or Max Schuemann would start in favor of Jose Caballero, with Cody Bellinger moving to left field, but we understand that level of generosity might be asking too much of Aaron Boone.

Regardless of how the rest of the lineup shakes out, Cabrera/Sanchez at the bottom should flip the opener's frowns upside down, and we beg of Boone to make the call.

Add us as a preferred source on Google

Follow