In Cleveland, Yankees will need lefty hitting in the center of the order

Hot scoop: Monday night, in the 8th, Austin Wells actually looked good. Well, decent, maybe. A big AB. He whacked a few foul liners, then hit one directly at the RF. In the box score, just another out from a guy who is 2 for 24 this postseason. I'm not gonna write the BA. Let's just say, it's the stuff of Joey Gallo.

But here's the thing: Wells actually barreled a few balls, and he didn't strike out - (as he has 10 times in six games) - and then trudge back to the dugout hearing boos. (Yes, in Yankee Stadium, boos.) So, symbolic victory, right? 

Well, dunno. The problem with Wells - whose slump began in late August and might not even be a "slump" - is that he bats cleanup, right after the (hopefully) awakening volcano called Mt. Judge. He's supposed to break up the string of RH bats that includes Gleyber, Judge, Giancarlo and Volpe. Thus far, it hasn't worked.  

The Yankees made their late-season run with a lefty boost: Jazz Chisholm at 3B, Alex Verdugo and The Martian in LF, Anthony Rizzo back and Wells hitting. The team punted on DJ LeMahieu, a painful divorce, but he was getting nowhere. Ever since, they have beaten up on RH pitchers, but floundered against lefties. 

So, who is likely to give a lefty lift? 

1. Wells? Don't want to mimic Boone, and assign significance to a few swings, but that's all we've got. If Wells doesn't start hitting, he must be dropped in the order (swapped with Jazz or Rizzo) or replaced at catcher by Slow Hand Trevino (against a LH pitcher.) His slump has reached DefCon mode, especially if Judge is heating up. Somebody must protect the Captain. 

2. Chisholm. Either he starts hitting, or his cocky manner takes a hit. Nice to see him fake a bunt two nights ago. I love to see Yankees bunt. It fucks up opposing pitchers and defenses. Chisholm's double Tuesday night was negated by a ridiculously bonehead base running move, something that might be becoming a problem. Imagine the cold winter if Jazz brings a world series-killing rally on the base paths?  

3. Rizzo. He's 3 for 7 since returning. Too small a sample. Smashed a double, then got picked off, horribly. Dare we dream he's all the way back? A candidate to take over cleanup, in place of Wells. And he's eliminated concerns that Oswaldo/Berdi should be playing first.  

4. Verdugo. His stellar LF fielding has justified his presence. He's 5 for 20 - not bad - and when he gets on base, we roll into Gleyber/Soto/Judge, which has the Guardians shitting their knickers. All he needs to do is grind out a few walks. 

5. Of course, Soto. Our best hitter in the postseason - 7 for 20. He has the greatest protector in baseball. And all we need is somebody hitting after Judge.