Yankees’ Aaron Boone explains why he didn’t move Aaron Judge in the lineup

When you’re down 3-0 in the World Series, any lineup change is on the table.

That’s what New York Yankees manager Aaron Boone had to decide ahead of a do-or-die Game 4 Tuesday night in the Bronx.

Speaking to the media Tuesday afternoon, Boone revealed that a potential lineup change was to put Aaron Judge in the leadoff spot. Judge’s struggles have been well documented this postseason with the AL MVP favorite hitting just .140 in the team’s 12 playoff games. Judge has struck out seven of 12 batters across three World Series games against the Dodgers, while mustering just one hit in the series.

The move to leadoff would be a drastic change, especially considering Judge has only hit from that spot 36 times in his career. Instead, Boone decided to keep Gleyber Torres in the leadoff spot for Game 4. The second baseman has been effective getting on base with 13 hits and 10 walks so far this postseason.

For Game 4, Judge will remain in his familiar third spot behind outfielder Juan Soto. Beyond Judge, Boone decided to trade Jazz Chisholm Jr. into the cleanup spot, which will push red-hot Giancarlo Stanton to fifth in the lineup. Of the adjustments to the lineup, Boone attributed the changes to the Dodgers using their bullpen for Game 4.

The switch between Chisholm and Stanton gives the Yankees alternating right- and left-handed batters through eight of the nine spots in the lineup. Catcher Austin Wells re-enters for Jose Trevino as the only other change to the starting nine.

Boone also stated that ace pitcher Gerrit Cole will not be available from the bullpen Tuesday night. Cole is slated to start Game 5 if necessary, but Boone has confidence in the bullpen if rookie starter Luis Gil struggles early.