The New York Yankees are one win away from advancing to the American League Championship Series (ALCS) after taking a 2-1 lead in their best-of-five series against the Kansas City Royals. The stage is set for a pivotal Game 4 at Kauffman Stadium, where Gerrit Cole will face off against Michael Wacha in a rematch of Game 1.
Yankees' Lineup for Game 4
The Yankees have announced their lineup for Game 4, which includes Gleyber Torres at second base, Juan Soto in right field, Aaron Judge in center field, Austin Wells behind the plate, Giancarlo Stanton as the designated hitter, Jazz Chisholm Jr. at third base, Anthony Volpe at shortstop, Alex Verdugo in left field, and Jon Berti at first base.
Pitching Matchup: Gerrit Cole vs. Michael Wacha
Gerrit Cole, the Yankees' ace, will be looking to bounce back from a challenging outing in Game 1 where he pitched on seven days of rest. This time around, he has the benefit of regular rest and is expected to deliver a strong performance. Manager Aaron Boone expressed confidence in Cole's ability to perform under pressure, stating, 'I'm excited to see him go back out there. Anytime he's challengedhe usually answers the bell'.
Michael Wacha, the Royals' starter, also had a tough outing in Game 1 but showed promise. He allowed three runs on four hits and three walks over four innings. Despite the struggles, Wacha remains confident and determined to lead his team to victory. 'I just want to go out there and win the ballgame,' Wacha said. 'Whether it's a clinching game or it's an elimination game, it's a must-win in my mind either way'.
Royals' Lineup and Strategy
The Royals are looking to stave off elimination with a strong lineup that includes Michael Massey at second base, Bobby Witt Jr. at shortstop, Vinnie Pasquantino as the designated hitter, Salvador Perez behind the plate, Yuli Gurriel at first base, MJ Melendez in left field, Tommy Pham in right field, Kyle Isbel in center field, and Maikel Garcia at third base.
The Royals have been known for their ability to perform in close games this postseason. They have played five games decided by two runs or fewer, with four of them being one-run games. This experience could give them an edge as they face off against the Yankees in a high-pressure situation.
Bullpen Strategy
Both teams have well-prepared bullpens ready to support their starters. The Yankees have not faced any major issues with their bullpen despite playing consecutive games for the first time in this ALDS. If the series extends to a Game 5, any relievers would have a day of rest before the ALCS begins on October 14.
The Royals also have a solid bullpen with Lucas Erceg ready to go for one-plus innings after not being used in Game 3. However, Kris Bubic might be questionable due to his recent performance.
Aaron Judge has been quiet so far in the ALDS, going 1-for-11 with three walks and five strikeouts. The Royals are hoping that Bobby Witt Jr. can continue his momentum after finally getting on the board with a hit in Game 3. Vinnie Pasquantino also needs to find his form as he is 0-for-12 with a walk.
