Yankees’ projected ALCS roster vs. Astros: Oswald Peraza, Ron Marinaccio added?
Peraza #Peraza
UPDATE (12:14 p.m.): The Yankees announced their roster for the American League Championship Series. It includes many changes form the American League Division Series. Read more about that here.
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NEW YORK — No sleep ‘till Houston.
Or that was at least for manager Aaron Boone, general manager Brian Cashman, some front office members and the coaching staff as their Delta charter zipped them from New York to the Lone Star State for an American League Championship Series matchup with the top-seeded Astros.
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With Game 1 slated for Wednesday night at Minute Maid Park, the Yankees didn’t have much time to fashion their upcoming roster after beating the Guardians in the AL Division Series at Yankee Stadium on Tuesday night.
“We’ve got to have those conversations,” Boone said after a 5-1 victory in the winner-takes-all Game 5. “That will be plane conversations that will kind of finalize that stuff.”
Here’s how we project the Yankees’ ALCS roster shaking out. The official roster will be released later today.
Lineup (9)
1. Gleyber Torres, 2B
2. Aaron Judge, RF
3. Anthony Rizzo, 1B
4. Giancarlo Stanton, LF
5. Matt Carpenter, DH
6. Josh Donaldson, 3B
7. Oswaldo Cabrera, SS
8. Jose Trevino, C
9. Harrison Bader, CF
Breakdown: Boone hasn’t ruled out Stanton playing left field in Houston because of the big wall that would be behind him. It’s far less imposing than the vast expanse of left field at Yankee Stadium. Stanton has been dealing with left Achilles tendonitis for the whole second half. So, maybe he won’t start there in Game 1. But it’s possible. And it would be the best way to get Carpenter’s bat in the lineup. It’s unclear whether the Yankees would be comfortable with Carpenter playing the outfield on the right foot he broke on Aug. 8. The Yankees seem to want to stick with Cabrera at shortstop following Isiah Kiner-Falefa’s defensive issues in the ALDS.
Bench (5)
Isiah Kiner-Falefa, SS/3B; Kyle Higashioka, C; Oswald Peraza, SS/2B; Tim Locastro, OF; Marwin Gonzalez, Utl.
Breakdown: With Aaron Hicks (knee) hurt and out for the rest of the playoffs, the Yankees can add Peraza, who was a close cut from their ALDS roster. Gonzalez could remain as the backup left fielder. Locastro remains the speed threat on the bases off the bench. Boone said he didn’t think Andrew Benintendi (broken hand) would be ready. DJ LeMahieu (toe) said he was feeling better, but hasn’t faced live pitching in a week.
Starting rotation (4)
Gerrit Cole, Nestor Cortes, Luis Severino, Jameson Taillon
Breakdown: Same as the ALDS. Taillon starts Game 1. Severino likely starts Game 2 on regular rest. Cole gets Game 3 on six days’ rest at Yankee Stadium. Cortes starts in Game 4 on regular rest in the Bronx. And then it’s back to Taillon in Game 5 and so on.
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Bullpen (8)
Righties: Clay Holmes, Clarke Schmidt, Jonathan Loaisiga, Lou Trivino, Domingo German, Ron Marinaccio
Lefties: Wandy Peralta, Lucas Luetge
Breakdown: It’s possible the Yankees could activate righty Frankie Montas (shoulder), who typically pitches well against the Astros and use him as some sort of opener or out of the bullpen. That could affect the roster status of Luetge or Miguel Castro, who each didn’t pitch in the ALDS. German seems a safe bet as a righty who could give the Yankees length. Marinaccio (shin) threw a live batting practice session in Tampa over the weekend and Boone said he could be activated.
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Brendan Kuty may be reached at bkuty@njadvancemedia.com.
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New York Yankees starting pitcher Nestor Cortes (65) delivers a pitch in the first inning of Game 5 of the ALDS against the Cleveland Guardians on Tuesday, Oct. 18, 2022 in Bronx, N.Y.
© Andrew Mills/nj.com/TNS