At SB Nation’s Pinstripe Alley, they posted a list of things they want to see in Thursday night’s game. One of them:
Nick Swisher Gets Benched For Game 2
I want to see Brett Gardner in center field, with Melky Cabrera in right and Nick Swisher playing cheerleader from the bench. I know what kind of weapon Girardi feels Gardner is off the bench, but the guy is way more than a pinch-runner. He’s a terrific center fielder, a respectable hitter (.270 regular season, .345 OBP) and Girardi needs to remember he can help the Yankees in ways other than stealing second base. Swisher is still slumping, at .114 for the post-season. C’mon, Joe, give Gardner a chance before it’s too late to matter.
Well, dreams really do come true, because Nick Swisher will be playing cheerleader, as it turns out. Although their entire wish won’t be realized: Hairston will be in the line-up tonight in Swisher’s place, not Gardner. From Yankees beat writer Tyler Kepner:
Jeter, Damon, Teixeira, ARod, Matsui, Cano, Hairston, Cabrera, Molina vs. Pedro in Game 2
Hairston is 10-for-27 career off Pedro. And Swisher is 4-for-35 this postseason. So, yeah, pretty easy decision on that one.
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