Jazz

Chisholm Jr.

Judge takes home a silver slugger for the fifth time in his career. He joins Byron Buxton and Riley Greene in the outfield in taking home the award. The full list of winners: Cal Raleigh (C), Nick Kurtz (1B), Jazz Chisholm Jr. (2B), Bobby Witt Jr. (SS), José Ramírez (3B), Judge (OF), Buxton (OF) and Greene (OF) and George Springer (DH).

Yankees manager Aaron Boone will not make any changes with New York facing Blue Jays rookie sensation Trey Yesavage following a lopsided series-opening defeat earlier this weekend. Here’s the full lineup: Trent Grisham (CF), Judge (RF), Cody Bellinger (LF), Ben Rice (1B), Giancarlo Stanton (DH), Jazz Chisholm Jr. (3B), Ryan McMahon (3B), Anthony Volpe (SS) and Austin Wells (C).

Bellinger is good to go after suffering a bruised heel during Thursday’s series-clinching victory over the Red Sox on a slide into home plate. The presence of Blue Jays ace Kevin Gausman gives New York the clearance to roll with a lefty-heavy lineup that also includes Ben Rice and Jazz Chisholm Jr. in addition to Ryan McMahon.

The dynamic 27-year-old infielder singled and scored on an error by Nathaniel Lowe during the Yankees’ four-run uprising off of Connelly Early in the fourth inning. He also led off the sixth inning with a single but was ultimately erased on a fielder’s choice. The Yankees will now travel to Toronto where they’ll match up against the Blue Jays in the ALDS.

New York forces a winner-take-all showdown on Thursday night at Yankee Stadium by narrowly staving off elimination in this one. Chisholm, who opened Tuesday’s series-opening loss on the bench, drew a two-out walk against Red Sox relief ace Garrett Whitlock in the bottom of the eighth inning and raced around to score the go-ahead run when ensuing batter Austin Wells poked a well-placed hit down the right-field line. The 27-year-old speedster figures to be in the lineup for the series finale even if the Red Sox go with rookie southpaw Connelly Early.

Chisholm didn’t start Tuesday’s game with Garrett Crochet on the bump, but with right-hander Brayan Bello on the mound for Boston, the 27-year-old is hitting in the middle of the lineup for the must-win game. Ben Rice is also back in the lineup, as is Ryan McMahon with Paul Goldschmidt out and Jose Caballero also on the bench. The full lineup for the Yankees: CF Trent Grisham, RF Aaron Judge, LF Cody Bellinger, 1B Rice, DH Giancarlo Stanton, 2B Chisholm. C Austin Wells, SS Anthony Volpe and 3B McMahon.

Manager Aaron Boone confirmed that the decision to sit Chisholm was about the matchup and not a product of the forearm contusion Chisholm suffered when he was hit by a pitch Saturday.

This is probably the right call, but Chisholm has played against most lefties this season. It might also be that Chisholm is still bothered by the forearm contusion he suffered when he was hit by a pitch Saturday. The Yankees are also sitting Ryan McMahon in favor of Amed Rosario, but that’s typical. Caballero potentially could have started at shortstop over Anthony Volpe if not at second.

Chisholm stayed in to play the last two innings at second base afterwards. He left Saturday’s game with a forearm contusion after being hit by a pitch.

New York has a chance to win the AL East division title, if Toronto loses to Tampa Bay. Still, they’re not going to take an unnecessary risks with a postseason berth already locked up after Chisholm was hit by a pitch on the left forearm earlier this weekend. The positive news for the Yankees is that preliminary X-rays and a CT scan didn’t reveal a major injury. The 27-year-old power/speed combo infielder should be ready when the playoffs get underway.