"We felt like the basestealing option is a one-shot deal," Banister said before Thursday's Game 1 (4:30 p.m. ET/3:30 CT on TBS, as well as Sportsnet (English) and TVA (French) in Canada). "There are no guarantees you will get that option. The defensive option is multiple innings."
Choo was in the lineup for Game 1, batting ninth and playing right field. He was 2-for-12 in the final three games of the regular season after missing six weeks with a broken left forearm.
"I go back to trust in the person, what I know and what I have seen," Banister said.