The New York Yankees secured a dominant 9-0 victory over the Boston Red Sox in the opening game of the AL Wild Card Series on September 29, 2026. manager Aaron Boone opted to bench Jazz Chisholm Jr. for the start, choosing instead to play Anthony Volpe at second base. This marks the second consecutive year Chisholm has been excluded from the first game of the postseason.
Why Aaron Boone chose Anthony Volpe over Jazz Chisholm Jr. against Payton Tolle
The decision to sideline Jazz Chisholm Jr. was not a simple one,as manager Aaron Boone reportedly deliberated over the move for several days. According to the report, Boone prioritized Anthony Volpe for the start against Red Sox left-hander Payton Tolle. This choice was influenced by Chisholm's recent health; the outfielder had played only three games after returning from a right thumb sprain last week.
To manage the potential fallout, Boone texted Chisholm to ensure he remained ready, suggesting he could still be the "most important person in the building" if a late-game situation demanded his skill set. While the New York Yankees ultimately cruised to a 9-0 win without him, the tension surrounding the move is palpable. Chisholm, a pending free agent who struggled for much of the year before a late-season surge, has previously expressed open displeasure when benched for postseason openers.
The irony of Payton Tolle’s .624 OPS against right-handed hitters
From a statistical perspective, the decision to bench Chisholm is puzzling. As reported, Boston Red Sox pitcher Payton Tolle is a reverse-splits pitcher, meaning he is actually more effective against right-handed batters, allowing a .624 OPS compared to a .704 OPS against lefties. This trend suggests that left-handed hitters generally have the advantage against Tolle.
The irony deepens when looking at head-to-head history: the only home run Payton Tolle has ever surrendered to a New York Yankees batter was hit by Jazz Chisholm Jr. This pattern of prioritizing specific matchups over raw momentum echoes last year's Game 1, where Volpe's success against lefty Garrett Crochet validated Boone's strategy. It highlights a recurring tension in the New York Yankees' clubhouse between analytical platooning and the desire to play "impact guys" regardless of the pitcher's hand.
The mystery of Amed Rosario’s .208 average against lefties
While the Chisholm benching drew the most attention, the inclusion of Amed Rosario in the starting lineup raises significant questions. Rosario started at third base but struggled against Payton Tolle, going 0-for-1 with a walk before being replaced by Ryan McMahon in the fifth inning. The decision is jarring when considering that Rosario hit just .208 with a .606 OPS in 160 plate appearances against left-handed pitching during the regular season.
It remains unclear why Aaron Boone viewed Rosario as a more viable threat than Jose Caballero, who the team values as a versatile 10th man and elite pinch-running option. While Boone maintains that Rosario remains a "real threat" despite the poor numbers, the disparity between Rosario's performance and the team's reliance on him in high-leverage lefty matchups remains an unverified strategic gamble.
Ryan Yarbrough’s roster spot and the return of Ryan Weathers
The New York Yankees' roster management extended to the bullpen, where Ryan Yarbrough was selected over lefty specialist Tim Hill. The team prioritized Yarbrough's ability to provide "length"—pitching multiple innings—rather than Hill's specialized approach, which had become homer-prone toward the end of the season. This move gives the Yankees more flexibility in the middle innings of the series.
Looking toward a potential ALDS appearance against the Tampa Bay Rays, the New York Yankees are monitoring the recovery of Ryan Weathers. Weathers, who is recovering from a left forearm flexor strain, was left off the Wild Card roster to continue his build-up. According to the report, Weathers threw a live session during Monday's workout, and Boone believes he could play a "massive role" if the team advances deep into the playoffs. Additionally, the return of Trent Grisham to center field after a three-week hamstring strain provides the New York Yankees with much-needed defensive stability.
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