It was approximately six weeks ago that Gary Sánchez received an impassioned defense from general manager Brian Cashman, who loudly proclaimed that the Yankees catcher represented “by far our best option on both sides of the ball.”

Yet the organization’s stance appears to have shifted, as Kyle Higashioka received the nod behind the plate for Game 3 of the American League Division Series against the Rays on Wednesday. It marked the third time in the club’s five postseason games that Higashioka has started over Sánchez.

“It’s more about what Kyle’s done over the last month and a half, just playing really good baseball,” manager Aaron Boone said on Wednesday. “He’s been really good behind the plate, has done a good job offensively. It’s just about Higgy earning more opportunities here of late.”

Higashioka went 0-for-3 in the Yankees' 8-4 Game 3 loss, though he made a loud out in the seventh inning with the Rays employing a four-man outfield, and was later pinch-hit for in the ninth.

Boone said that right-hander Masahiro Tanaka was not involved in the decision to go with Higashioka, with Boone adding that he finalized the decision after speaking with bench coach Carlos Mendoza on the bus after Game 2.

Tanaka and Sánchez were paired in Game 2 of the AL Wild Card Series against the Indians, when Tanaka was knocked for six earned runs in four-plus innings, an outing interrupted by a first-inning rain delay.

Asked if Higashioka is now considered the Yankees’ starting catcher, Boone replied: “It’ll be day to day. I think both guys are going to continue to play for us and play a big role for us as we move forward.”

Sánchez’s .147 batting average (23-for-156) during the regular season was the lowest of any Major Leaguer to hit 10 or more home runs in a season, combined with a dismal .253 on-base percentage and a .365 slugging percentage (69 OPS+).

By comparison, Higashioka posted a .250/.250/.521 slash line with four homers and 10 RBIs (106 OPS+), with three of those homers coming in a Sept. 16 rout of the Blue Jays.

“We're fortunate that when a guy like Gary is not going well, we've got a guy that we can put in there like Kyle that we obviously feel really, really good about on both sides of the ball,” outfielder Brett Gardner said. “Gary's had a rough year. It's been a tough year for a lot of reasons. He's one of the most dangerous hitters in the game, and at any point, things could click for him and he could really take off.”

Second guessing
The Yankees’ call to use Deivi García as a surprise opener in Game 2 did not work out, though Boone said that he is comfortable with the thought process behind that move. J.A. Happ relieved García and gave up a pair of two-run homers in the Yanks’ 7-5 loss.

“Anytime we make a decision, especially this time of year around a roster decision, lineup change or a unique pitching situation, it’s done with a lot of thought and discussion,” Boone said. “We’re trying to win games, win series. You also understand that doesn’t mean it’s always going to work out.”

Gardner said that the Yankees have no choice but to brush off the unorthodox pitching move quickly.

“Anytime things don’t go according to plan, they obviously get questioned more,” Gardner said. “That’s something that it’s up to us as players to go out there and play, and not worry about the decisions that are made.”

Boone said that the Yankees could have García available in relief for Thursday’s Game 4. García tossed 27 pitches in the first inning of Game 2.

Bombers bits
The Yankees’ 13 home runs through their first four postseason games shattered a Major League record of 10, shared by the 1995 Yankees, 2016 Blue Jays and '18 Astros. They will also hold the record for the most through a club’s first five postseason games, eclipsing the '15 Cubs (12).

Giancarlo Stanton is the third Yankee to register multiple games of at least four RBIs in a single postseason, joining Yogi Berra (1956) and Hideki Matsui (2004).

This date in Yankees history
Oct. 7, 1950: Rookie left-hander Whitey Ford fired 8 2/3 innings as the Yankees secured their second consecutive World Series title, completing a sweep of the “Whiz Kid” Phillies. At 21 years and 351 days of age, Ford had been the youngest Yankees starter in a postseason game until Tuesday, when García (21 years, 140 days) broke that record.