Who's in right field??
As the World Series has shifted to Philadelphia for next three games, the Yankees have a dilemma. Who do you start in right field?
Nick Swisher had been the starting right fielder for the most part of the regular season and that role continued into the postseason. Swisher however has been in a terrible slump since the playoffs started. Looking to make a switch, manager Joe Girardi started Jerry Hairston Jr. in right field for Game 2 in place of Swisher. The move was mostly because Hairston had very good career numbers against Phillies starter Pedro Martinez.
Will Swisher be back in the lineup tonight against Game 3 starter Cole Hamels? Girardi has a few options. He can put switch hitting Nick Swisher back in the lineup, he can let Hairston stay in after his single in the seventh inning started a Game 2 Yankees rally, or he can give lefty Eric Hinske the start. Since Hamels is a lefty pitcher, that most likely rules out Hinske.
You could put Brett Gardner in center field and move Melky Cabrera over to right. This would greatly improve the defense but since Hamels is left handed, I doubt Girardi would put the lefty hitting Gardner in the lineup against him. I personally like Gardner using his speed off the bench and as a late inning defensive replacement.
Another option the Yankees have is to put regular designated hitter, Hideki Matsui in right field. Since the next three games are Philadelphia, which is a National League park, there will be no DH. Matsui has not played the outfield at all the past year and a half. He has not played right field in three years. The dilemma with Matsui is that if he does not play the outfield, you lose his bat. He is consistently a money player, and this time of year is when money players show up big. Game 2 in New York was a perfect example. Matsui hit a solo home run against Pedro Martinez that gave the Yankees the lead for good. If Matsui plays the outfield, the defense will suffer. Matsui's knees are bad and he can not run and cut well at all. If Matsui is left on the bench, he is a very dangerous option as a pinch hitter in a big situation.
So, basically I see this dilemma coming down to Nick Swisher or Jerry Hairston Jr. This is one time when Girardi really cant go to the books for an answer. Neither player has much experience against Cole Hamels. Joe Girardi and the Yankees are going to have to go with their gut feeling.
I was all for Swisher sitting in Game 2, however I think now is the time you put him back in there and see he if can find a way to get some hits. Or at least start taking walks again. One player really shouldn't make that much of a difference in a lineup like the Yankees have, but since they have been struggling offensively for the most part, one move could mean a lot.