**Yankees Shake Up Lineup for Game 3 Following Offensive Struggles**

Catcher Austin Wells was one of the standout stories for the Yankees in the 2024 season. After making his debut late last year, he secured a regular role, especially stepping up when veteran Jose Trevino was sidelined due to injury. Over the summer, Wells was impressive, slashing .296/.387/.543 with 19 extra-base hits in 53 games from mid-June to the end of August. However, his performance has faltered significantly.

In September, Wells posted a .411 OPS and has struggled in the playoffs, going 2-for-24 in the Yankees' first six games and striking out 10 times. His recent struggles led manager Aaron Boone to make a strategic change for Game 3 of the ALCS against Cleveland's lefty pitcher Matthew Boyd. Boone decided to shift the hot-hitting Giancarlo Stanton to the cleanup spot and give Trevino the starting catching duties, dropping Wells to the bench. Despite this, there remains a possibility that Wells could pinch-hit for Trevino in a crucial moment later in the game.

Jazz Chisholm Jr. is another Yankee who has been in a slump, with a 3-for-24 stretch, compounded by some poor baserunning decisions. His only notable contribution came from a solo home run in ALDS Game 2. Despite the lefty-on-lefty matchup against Boyd, the Yankees are sticking with Chisholm due to his impact as a significant Trade Deadline acquisition.

Additionally, Jon Berti will be starting at first base in place of Anthony Rizzo, who is recovering from fractured fingers and has had a decline in performance against left-handed pitchers in 2024. Berti, who performed well at first base during the ALDS with a 2-for-7 record against Kansas City, will make his first ALCS appearance in Game 3.

As the Yankees face a challenging matchup against Cleveland, these lineup changes reflect a strategic effort to overcome recent offensive woes and capitalize on favorable matchups.