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The Ringer | Ben Lindbergh: The Yankees’ roster sticks out like a sore thumb in one major way when compared to the rest of the playoff participants: their lineup bares little resemblance to the one that got them here. Lindbergh writes the players on the ALDS roster account for just 73-percent of the plate appearances and batters faced recorded by the team as a whole during the regular season, by far the lowest figure among the eight teams alive. The reason behind that figure (the historic rate of injuries), and the reasons behind the team’s ability to survive those injuries (skilled coaching, player development, and pure grit) have to leave one optimistic about the Yankees’ future,
New York Times | James Wagner: Perhaps you’ve noticed, but the Yankees have some big players. Not only that, they employ large adult humans that hit the absolute snot out the ball. Here, Wagner dives deep into how exactly the team has put together a roster that packs so much muscle and manages to drive the ball so consistently. The answers range from plate approach, swing adjustments, and just flat-out targeting big dudes.
New York Post | Dan Martin: Didi Gregorius’ 2019 season hasn’t gone as planned. He missed half the season due to surprise Tommy John surgery last fall, and he’s slumped at times at the plate even when healthy. That hasn’t deterred him and the team from entering October with the full belief that Gregorius will play a part in the Yankees’ success in the playoffs. Here’s hoping Didi puts an up-and-down regular season behind him with a top-notch postseason.
NJ.com | Mike Rosenstein: If you want a quick break from postseason coverage, take a spin on the rumor mill. Reports indicate that old friend and former Yankee manager Joe Girardi will interview for the Cubs’ managing job next week. Girardi has expressed interest in the job, though retired catcher David Ross appears to be the front-runner. Girardi wasn’t perfect as Yankees manager, but I for one would wholeheartedly support him getting another chance to manage in the bigs.