close
close

The Yankees' great weakness is burning against them at the worst moment of the postseason

The Yankees' great weakness is burning against them at the worst moment of the postseason

CLEVELAND – The Yankees began the postseason with a problem at first base, attributed to Anthony Rizzo's broken fingers on his right hand and the inexperience of his backup players at the position.

That wasn't a problem in the first six games of the postseason.

They weren't so lucky in Thursday's 7-5, 10-inning loss to Cleveland in Game 3 of the ALCS.


Jon Berti pitches during the Yankees' loss to the Guardians on October 17, 2024.
Jon Berti pitches during the Yankees' loss to the Guardians on October 17, 2024. USA TODAY Sports via Reuters Con

While left-hander Matt Boyd was on the mound for Cleveland, Aaron Boone initially chose right-hander Jon Berti after the veteran infielder performed well there in the ALDS despite never having played the position before.

And although Berti made no errors before being replaced by Rizzo for defense in the bottom of the eighth, he fumbled several plays, including one in the third inning that led to a run.

Rizzo also had a few difficult innings after coming into the game, including a double by Will Brennan that went past him and into right field with one out in the eighth and an error on a grounder by Jose Ramirez to open the ninth.

None of the runners came by to score.

Fry was stranded in the eighth and Ramirez was wiped out by a double from Josh Naylor.

Rizzo said his hand felt “pretty good” Thursday.


Follow the Post's coverage of the Yankees in the postseason:


It's been less than three weeks since he broke his fingers when hit by a pitch a day before the end of the regular season.

“I just want to keep in mind that (Rizzo) is playing with broken (fingers),” Aaron Boone said before the game. “As good as it’s gone, I want to keep it if we can.”

Rizzo said he feels “ready to go … as a starter or off the bench.”


Anthony Rizzo fumbles a play during the Yankees' loss to the Guardians on October 17, 2024.
Anthony Rizzo fumbles a play during the Yankees' loss to the Guardians on October 17, 2024. Aaron Josefczyk/UPI/Shutterstock

Boone also brought Jose Trevino behind the plate for the first time since the regular season, again taking advantage of Trevino's right-handed bat – and keeping struggling left-hander Austin Wells out of the starting lineup.

Trevino delivered a run-scoring single in the second inning, but was also batted out to first, allowing Cleveland to steal a pair of bases.

Wells, like Rizzo, came into the game late, with Wells pinch-hitting Trevino early in the eighth – scoring twice.

The rookie catcher went hitless in his last 20 at-bats in the playoffs, but he and Rizzo expect him to be back in the lineup for Game 4 on Friday, with Cleveland starting right-hander Gavin Williams.

If Rizzo can't leave, moving Oswaldo Cabrera would be the other option.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *