Edwin Encarnacion Actually in Lineup for Yankees Debut Monday

It's happening!!

The New York Yankees begin a three-game set against the Tampa Bay Rays in the Bronx on Monday with first place on the line, and tonight marks the team debut for the newly-acquired slugger Edwin Encarnacion.

Encarnacion will start at DH and bat fifth behind Gary Sanchez and in front of Didi Gregorius.

Encarnacion was already having a big year with the Seattle Mariners, as he was slugging .531 with an AL-leading 21 home runs and 49 RBI. Now he'll have a lot more protection in this Yankee lineup, as well as having the short porches in left and right field to elevate his home run totals.

The rest of the lineup looks pretty normal, as Aaron Hicks, Brett Gardner and Cameron Maybin round out the Yankee outfield. That will obviously change when they get more regulars back in the fold, including Giancarlo Stanton, who is expected to return on Tuesday.

DJ LeMahieu and Luke Voit remain in the top two spots of the lineup, with Hicks batting in the third spot. Gleyber Torres will bat seventh and start at second base.