KANSAS CITY, Mo. — If Aaron Boone lets the numbers make the decision, the Yankees will start Jon Berti at first base in a second straight playoff game.
It’s hard to believe that Boone’s eyes and gut wouldn’t lead him to the same conclusion.
But Boone held off on naming a starting first baseman during the travel day before the ALDS shifts to Kauffman Stadium for Game 3 on Wednesday.
The Yankees and Royals split two games in The Bronx.
“We’ll see,” Boone said. “It’s kind of one I’m still deliberating on.”
In a strangely timed first career start at first base with Anthony Rizzo (two fractured fingers) sidelined, Berti looked smooth defensively as he handled a cutoff throw from right field and started an inning-ending rundown.
He also made a diving catch on a line drive on the edge of the infield grass to turn an unassisted double play.
“A lot of nuance to it,” Berti said. “There’s a lot more to [first base] than people probably think.”
Add to those plays that Berti is 3-for-5 with a double and a walk in his career off of Game 3 starter Seth Lugo and it would seem that Berti has the upper hand on alternatives Oswaldo Cabrera, who started Game 1, and Ben Rice.
Only Juan Soto (4-for-16) has more hits off of Lugo, a former Met, among the Yankees.
Berti only had 66 at-bats during an injury-marred regular season, but he worked 17 pitches across four at-bats in Game 2.
His two-out single in the ninth brought Gleyber Torres to the plate with a chance to tie the score.
“He looks really comfortable,” Torres said. “Jon is an awesome athlete. Everybody believes in what he can do for the team, and he showed [Monday] night.”
Torres knows firsthand how difficult it can be to switch positions.
He tried moving from second base to shortstop but two error-filled seasons in 2020 and 2021 ended that experiment.
When the Yankees traded for Jazz Chisholm Jr. earlier this season, Torres balked at playing third base.
So, he is the perfect teammate to appreciate what Berti — a utility infielder and outfielder — is being asked to do under the magnified pressure.
“As an infielder, it’s not that easy to switch positions, especially in the postseason,” Torres said. “He did a really good job. I feel proud for him. We know he always can do the job.”
So, why hadn’t Boone made up his mind by the time the Yankees finished their workout at Yankee Stadium before flying?
Because he wanted to let it marinate.
“We’ll talk to a few coaches and let who I want to weigh in on that, weigh in,” Boone said. “Trying to make the best decision. It’s not always just necessarily who starts the game, but how it sets you up on the bench. It was really good to see Jon handle first base so well in his first go-around at that, and really give quality at-bats.”
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