The New York Yankees offense has struggled a lot in the 2022 playoffs.
They might have gotten past the Cleveland Guardians, but the lineup looked punchless at times, and it was exposed again on Wednesday night in Game 1 of the American League Championship Series against the Houston Astros.
The unit seems incapable of having more than six hits in a game, and if the runs don’t come via the home run, they will hardly score.
One of the most problematic positions has been third base: the team just hasn’t gotten enough production out of Josh Donaldson.
He is a terrific fielder, but the numbers with the bat just haven’t been there (he hit .222/.308/.374 in the regular season and has been even worse in the playoffs).
Boone Is Sticking With Donaldson
Despite his prolonged slump, manager Aaron Boone is sticking with him at the hot corner.
“Aaron Boone said on @TMKSESPN that he did not consider putting IKF at third base over Josh Donaldson. He explained that after a tough night, Donaldson’s walk in his last at-bat was encouraging. Also, that the #Yankees need Donaldson to produce in order to win going forward,” SI.com’s Max Goodman tweeted.
Aaron Boone said on @TMKSESPN that he did not consider putting IKF at third base over Josh Donaldson.
He explained that after a tough night, Donaldson's walk in his last at-bat was encouraging. Also, that the #Yankees need Donaldson to produce in order to win going forward.
— Max Goodman (@MaxTGoodman) October 20, 2022
While Donaldson’s at-bats against Justin Verlander on Wednesday were awful, he does have something that Isiah Kiner-Falefa lacks: upside.
Donaldson has been great before, so he can definitely hit a homer or two eventually and take walks.
That, and the fact there are no better alternatives at the moment, make Boone hesitant to bench him.
He will need to do better if the Yankees are going to stun the Astros, though.
New York needs him to remember how to swing a bat.
NEXT: The Yankees Are Trying To Jumpstart The Offense