NEW YORK -- The New York Yankees try to make it 3-of-4 from the Chicago White Sox in Sunday afternoon's series finale at Yankee Stadium. Rookie Luis Severino goes against righty Erik Johnson in a game that doesn't mean all that much, since the Yankees are virtually assured of two things: One, that they will not win the AL East, and two, that they will make the playoffs anyway, probably as the first AL wild card. The Yankees' magic number to clinch a playoff spot is four; the Toronto Blue Jays' magic number to nail down the division title is five, each with eight games to go.
As such, Joe Girardi is sending out a somewhat unusual lineup today -- no Alex Rodriguez, no Chase Headley, both of whom are just being given days off -- against Johnson, who is making his second career start against the Yankees.
Here's the lineup:
Greg Bird 1B
Brendan Ryan 3B
Severino (4-3, 3.10)
Severino pitched well but took a no-decision in his last outing, allowing two earned runs in six innings against the Blue Jays in a game the Yankees would eventually win, 6-4, in 10 innings. He has never faced the White Sox. ... The last time Johnson (3-0, 3.52) faced the Yankees was on Sept. 4, 2013, when he took a loss after allowing five runs (three earned) on seven hits in six innings at Yankee Stadium. The only Yankee in today's lineup who also played in that game is Gardner, who went 2-for-4 with two RBI.
