Yankees Carrying Emergency Lefty Tyler Lyons Instead of Hot-Hitting Mike Ford is Baffling
By Parker White
Today's big league manager loves having as many options out of the bullpen as possible, which is the only reason left-handed reliever Tyler Lyons made the New York Yankees' ALDS roster.
Of course, the lefty specialist struggles getting lefties out -- they hit .286 with five runs over 5.1 innings against Lyons.
Lefty hitters have a .414 wOBA against Lyons. So Boone better recheck his spreadsheet.
— Andrew (@Andrew_Rotondi) October 4, 2019
So, if you're Boone, why didn't you just put first baseman Mike Ford on the roster? We know Luke Voit is already there, but wouldn't you rather have a left-handed power bat off the bench for a late-game situation than Lyons, who will only get in the game during a blowout?
Perhaps Lyons' two scoreless appearances in the final weekend of the season in Arlington made a huge impression.
Yankees go with 12 pitchers. There had been a lot of discussion internally about 13. Loaisiga, Cessa, Lyons among the 12 pitchers who made it. Voit makes it over Ford
— Erik Boland (@eboland11) October 4, 2019
Boone better hope he doesn't regret not having Ford on the roster. Over his last 80 at-bats, the slugger slashed .338/.398/.738 with 9 home runs and 20 RBI. The dude has game-changing power. Spare us the lack of experience.