Giancarlo Stanton Out of Yankees Lineup for Game 2 Against Astros

Well, this is more than a bit concerning.

Only one day after showing how effective he can be with the bat on the big stage, Giancarlo Stanton is not in the Yankees' lineup for Sunday's ALCS Game 2 against the Astros and Justin Verlander. Though the Yanks went up 1-0 in the series on Saturday night, every game is crucial, and this benching raises alarm bells.

Let's get back in there. #NextManUp pic.twitter.com/ovZgCKxT4z
— New York Yankees (@Yankees) October 13, 2019

Also, it's somewhat wild that Cameron Maybin earns the start and not Aaron Hicks, someone who was deemed ready to return for the series, but apparently not ready enough to fill in for a game in which he's sorely needed.

Stanton not playing after having a good game is concerning to me. https://t.co/K1eb1DXJLa
— Erin (@erinnmarieeg) October 13, 2019

Stanton launched a home run the other way to help ruin Zack Greinke's day on Saturday, and in what's sure to be a tight contest where every longball matters against an ace who certainly surrenders them, you'd think a healthy Giancarlo would be involved.

Let's put it another way: If this isn't injury-related, it's bad managing.