Some Playoff Perspectives - 2026 Wild Card
by Paul Semendinger
September 26, 2026
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Let's cut to the chase right away. The Yankees should win the Wild Card series against the Red Sox.
The Yankees have the better pitching. The Yankees also have a more talented roster, I believe.
Of course, we have seen bad series of play, poor managing, a lack of fundamentals, strange decision-making, and more get in the way of the Yankees and their championship quest.
The Yankees have made the post season.
Now we get to see what happens.
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There is talk that the Yankees won't start Cam Schlitter in Game One.
This makes no sense. The game coincides with his regular day to throw. He has been the best pitcher on the staff and in the league.
The Yankees need to pitch their ace. This is an obvious decision on its face.
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It seems Giancarlo Stanton will make the postseason roster. If he is strictly a pinch-hitter, I have no problem with this as long as the Yankees realize that as soon as he gets on base (if he even does) he will need to be pinch-run for.
To use Stanton will use up three players: (1) The player he is pinch-hitting for, (2) Stanton himself, and (3) the pinch-runner. That is a lot to use for one at bat with a player who has not seen game action in months.
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I have the lowest expectations of Stanton being able to get a big hit, but the fun of baseball is the hoping in big spots. "Can he do it?"
I don't think he can or will, but seeing him stroll to the plate late in a close game will create some excitement, some hope, if nothing else.
***
I advocated strongly for George Lombard, Jr. to bat ninth to acclimate to the big leagues. The Yankees didn't do that.
Since his call-up, Lombard has shown poise and maturity. He also had some big games recently against the Rays.
I don't, necessarily, buy into big games once the pennant race is determined. The intensity for many players is lessened when the games do not matter. Still, for Lombard they were big games and he played well.
We will see in the playoffs how Lombard responds to real pressure and pitchers (and managers) doing everything they can to win.
I hope he lives up the the hype that surrounds him.
I do remain concerned about putting a team's playoff hopes on a 21-year-old kid. I would still prefer Lombard to be a piece of the puzzle rather than a player they are counting on in big spots in the playoffs.
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Some fans might say, "You know, Brian Doyle and Bucky Dent were great in 1978 - and no one expected that from them."
And, they're correct!
Dent and Doyle (when he played - Fred Stanley had more at bats and defensive innings in those series than most remember) also batted 8th and 9th. They weren't expected to carry the team.
That they did so well was a bonus and not part of the master plan. That's what I hope for Lombard, Jr., but I suspect the Yankees will approach this differently.
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Which Yankees pitcher has started the most games over the last two seasons?
Will Warren.
I don't think Warren gets enough credit for what he has provided the Yankees the last two seasons.
He's actually been a steading force in the rotation.
***
The Yankees should win the series against the Red Sox.
I hope they do.
Let's Go Yankees!
Actually in some cases you'd have to add a 4th player, the one who is the onfield replacement.
Paul, lineups are a lot different today than when we were 10 years old. If we're talking 1978, no question that GLJ is hitting first, and with Ramos in RF for Judge, he'd be hitting 7th or 8th, not 3rd, with the whole bunch of lefty batters in between.
good essay.
good point about Stanton pinch-hitting necessitating the use of two position players in addition to Stanton.
it should be noted that the roster for a best-of-three series would likely include fewer pitchers and extra hitters.
and sometimes...................
considerations other than rational ones factor into sporting exhibitions
When Reed hobbled onto the court for the opening tip, the roar from the Garden crowd was deafening. “The scene is indelibly etched in my mind,” as Walt Frazier would recall. “Because if that did not happen, I know we would not have won the game.”
https://www.nba.com/knicks/nyk70-1970-willis-reed-limps-court
the Yankees have the better starters, but they might benefit from something that induces an emotional booster shot.
Last year after missing so much time Stanton had two hits in each of his first two games, so I think he could help in the right spot - likely pinch hitting for someone like Wells or McMahon.
Just having him just in the dugout could impact relief pitching decisions by Boston, perhaps keeping them from overloading the lefties.