Last night, for really the first time this season, Brett Gardner was a catalyst atop the lineup for the Yankees. The team’s longtime leadoff man took a .198/.320/.248 (65 wRC+) batting line into the game, which is objectively awful, and prior to the game Aaron Boone was asked whether it’s time to consider a change in the leadoff spot. Boone dismissed the notion.
“There is nothing that has me moving him down right now,” said Boone to George King. “I would consider it if he is in there against a tough lefty, I might move him down and hit Aaron (Hicks) at the top.