Yankees set lineup for Wednesday matchup with AL East champion Rays
The short version
- Gerrit Cole (9-9, 3.63 ERA) starts for the Yankees against Rays right-hander Mason Englert (0-3, 4.54).
- The Rays are AL East champions; the Yankees hold the top AL wild card and will host a best-of-three series starting Tuesday, likely vs. Boston.
- Jose Caballero starts in left field and George Lombard Jr. bats second.
- Anthony Volpe worked out at third base before the game and is expected to see time there.
Gerrit Cole makes his final regular-season start as the Yankees, already locked into the top AL wild card, host Tampa Bay at Yankee Stadium.
The Yankees host the Tampa Bay Rays on Wednesday night at Yankee Stadium in the third game of a four-game series. Gerrit Cole (9-9, 3.63 ERA) makes his final regular-season start for New York, opposed by Tampa Bay right-hander Mason Englert (0-3, 4.54).
The Rays have clinched the AL East title, while the Yankees are locked in as the top AL wild card. New York is expected to host a best-of-three Wild Card Series beginning Tuesday, likely against the Red Sox.
With their postseason position settled, the Yankees are using the final games to settle roster questions, including how Cole fits into a playoff rotation and which regulars and relievers will get rest. Manager Aaron Boone and the front office must also finalize the first-round postseason roster.
Wednesday's lineup includes Jose Caballero starting in left field and George Lombard Jr. batting second at shortstop. Earlier in the day, Anthony Volpe worked out at third base, a position he is expected to play at times over the remaining games.
The full Yankees lineup: Ben Rice at DH, George Lombard Jr. at SS, Luis Garcia Jr. at 1B, Heliot Ramos in RF, Spencer Jones in CF, Jazz Chisholm Jr. at 2B, Jose Caballero in LF, Ryan McMahon at 3B, and Ali Sanchez at C. After the Tampa Bay series, the Yankees close the regular season with a weekend series against Baltimore.
