AL DIVISION SERIES: ROYALS VS YANKEES

October 10, 2024

Aaron Boone

Kauffman Stadium

New York Yankees

Pregame 4 Press Conference

Q. You have a different first baseman again today, Jon Berti. You said that that's your tough call for the day, it seems like every game. Ultimately what are the determining factors in who you go with?

AARON BOONE: Yeah, really pleased with how both have performed so far for us. I think they've both done a really good job defensively at first. They've had good at-bats. Cabby more good at-bats last night. I thought Jon's at-bats in Game 2 were excellent.

Berti brings that speed element to the game. And just with Wacha being kind of neutral and with that changeup and having another righty in there, just being real balanced right, left, right, left throughout, again, tough call for me, but felt like Jon was the guy for tonight.

Q. We've seen teams around the postseason have to use starters out of the bullpen quite a bit, high-leverage spots. You haven't had to do that because of your schedule, but you have used your guys all three guys. Could Gil be a high leverage receiver or is he more of a long man at this point in the series?

AARON BOONE: You never know. You never know where a game takes you. You could -- a guy you don't expect could be in the biggest moments of the game. So we've all got to be prepared for that. Our guys are prepared for that.

So we'll just see. With the off-days, I feel like we're still set up pretty good down there, but it is all hands on deck in these games, and you've got to be ready for any role.

Q. I know you like the right-left splits in the batting order, but did you ever consider (indiscernible) standpoint, one, because he's obviously very hot right now (indiscernible). Given any thought to maybe stacking the right-hand hitters?

AARON BOONE: A little bit, especially with Wacha being very neutral. But I feel good about all our guys where they are, having the ability to have the right at-bat and an impactful at-bat. I did give that a little bit of consideration, but ultimately wanted to -- I wanted the consistency, too.

Q. Even though this isn't an elimination game for you, do you almost manage it like it is just to do all you can to avoid the scenario of going back to New York?

AARON BOONE: We want to win today. I mean, simple as that.

I think guys are really focused on that. The opponent is really tough, though. We're going to do all we can to win the game and hopefully have that few days of rest. But we'll just let the game unfold, too.

Q. From Judge right now, we see the results, but what do you see when you break it down?

AARON BOONE: I thought he had some good swings last night. I thought he looked good. Obviously smoked that first ball in the first inning, felt like got good swings off on a couple of the fly-outs that he had. Got into some deep counts, had a walk. Actually probably had a second walk.

I think he looks pretty good to me.

Q. What have your conversations with Judge been like over the last few days? Has he changed at all?

AARON BOONE: No. No. What's up, Skip? How we looking? Just normal conversations.