In a winner-take-all situation, moves are magnified to the greatest extent. Every pitching change, intentional walk or sacrifice bunt attempt is relentlessly critiqued, whether fair or not. This will absolutely be the case on Wednesday night when the Yankees prepare for their third Wild Card Game in four years, this time against the upstart A’s. For rookie manager Aaron Boone, the critiques will likely begin well before first pitch, when lineups are posted.
With the Yankees seemingly at full strength after fending off potentially scary injuries to Aaron Hicks and Didi Gregorius, Boone should have any and all options at his disposal.