HOUSTON -- The Yankees are sticking with the group that got them to the American League Championship Series presented by Camping World, electing to make no changes to the 25-man roster that overcame an 0-2 deficit to dispatch the Indians in a memorable AL Division Series presented by Doosan.
That includes designated hitter Matthew Holliday, who did not get an at-bat in any of the five games against Cleveland, and did not play in the AL Wild Card Game against the Twins. Manager Joe Girardi inserted the 37-year-old veteran into the lineup for tonight's series opener (8 ET/7 CT on FS1).
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"We talked about it at length as a staff, and we looked at Matty's numbers off of left-handers and how much damage he's done this year," Girardi said. "We chose to go that way."
Holliday has not played since Oct. 1, but he hit off Sonny Gray and Chasen Shreve during a three-inning simulated game on Thursday at Minute Maid Park. Holliday is 1-for-7 (.143) lifetime vs. left-hander Dallas Keuchel, who will start tonight for the Astros. Holliday is 3-for-7 (.429) with a double against right-hander Justin Verlander, who is lined up to start Game 2.
"We're going to look at it on a daily basis, what we think is the best thing to do, and you go from there," Girardi said.
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The Yankees have not had a single hit from any of their DHs this postseason, having utilized Jacoby Ellsbury (0-for-8, two strikeouts) and Chase Headley (0-for-12, six strikeouts) in that role during the first six contests. Headley is 6-for-22 (.273) and Ellsbury is 2-for-16 (.125) against Keuchel.
"You just hope that it means you're due and you're ready to get going," Headley said. "I thought I had some good at-bats that didn't go my way, and I think the same thing with Jacoby. We're going to need to produce a little bit for us to have a chance in this series."
New York has outlined its rotation for the first four games of the ALCS. Masahiro Tanaka and Luis Severino will start Games 1 and 2, respectively. Carsten Sabathia and Sonny Gray are set to start when the ALCS shifts venues to Yankee Stadium for Games 3 and 4.
The Yanks opted to maintain a deep bullpen, keeping long relievers Jaime Garcia and Jordan Montgomery instead of adding situational lefty Shreve or an extra position player such as outfielder Clint Frazier or infielder Tyler Wade.
"The way our bullpen is used, it's nice to have that length," Girardi said. "We talked about [Shreve] because we liked the way he's been throwing the ball all year, but it's probably pretty important to have two extra starters against this team."
Here is the Yankees' roster for the 16th ALCS in franchise history, the most of any team:
PITCHERS (12)
Dellin Betances
Albertin Chapman
Jaime Garcia
Sonny Gray
Chad Green
Tommy Kahnle
Jordan Montgomery
Player Page for David Robertson
CC Sabathia
Luis Severino
Masahiro Tanaka
Adam Warren
CATCHERS (2)
Austin Romine
Gary Sanchez
INFIELDERS (6)
Greg Bird
Starlin Castro
Todd Frazier
Didi Gregorius
Chase Headley
Ronald Torreyes
OUTFIELDERS (4)
Jacoby Ellsbury
Brett Gardner
Aaron Hicks
Aaron Judge
DESIGNATED HITTER (1)
Matt Holliday