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On the final day of the regular season, Alex Verdugo said he did not know how he viewed his role entering the playoffs. But the much-maligned Yankees left fielder was more certain about the postseason offering the potential for a reset. Playoffs is every pitch, every inning, every at-bat matters, Verdugo said Sunday after delivering a go-ahead, two-run single in the bottom of the eighth to help the Yankees . Alex Verdugo hit a go-ahead single for the Yankees during their win on Sept. 29. Bill Kostroun for the NY Post Alex Verdugos role for the postseason remains unknown. Robert Sabo for the NY Post Its no longer about what you did in the [regular] season, its really not. Its about what you go out there and do and how clutch you Eduardo Salazar Jersey can be. How much of an opportunity Verdugo will have for redemption in October, though, remains to be seen. Among the biggest Yankees questions heading into the ALDS is how they will handle left field, a versus Ja son Dominguezs more impactful offensive skills. Explore More Verdugo just had the worst offensive season of his career, batting .233 with a .647 OPS acro s 149 games, but he has proven to be reliable defensively in left field. He also has previous playoff experience, batting .310 with a .835 OPS in Bostons 11-game run to the ALCS in 2021. Dominguez, a natural center fielder who was called up Sept. 9, but offers a much higher ceiling with his bat and legs, even though he hit only .179 with a .617 OPS in 18 games. Ja son Dominguez, pictured Sept. 9, started the Yankees final five games during the regular season. Jason Szenes for the NY Post Ive been encouraged with the last couple days out there, manager Aaron Boone said Sunday of Dominguezs defense. Especially [Saturday], I thought he made some really good plays on a tough-condition day with the drizzle and the wind. I thought he moved well out there, made some tougher plays look easy. So thats encouraging. Well continue to work out there and hes certainly keeping himself in the mix. Boone has said that defense will play a big factor in the left field decision, though it was notable that he started Dominguez there in each of the last five games of the season. Go beyond the box score with the Bombers Sign up for Inside the Yankees by Greg Joyce, exclusively on Sports+. Thank you By clicking above you agree to the and . Enjoy this Post Sports+ exclusive newsletter! He also slightly left the door open for the Yankees to move Juan Soto to left field and Aaron Judge back to right so Dominguez could play center, though it would be surprising to try that alignment at Yankee Stadium with a spacious left field. It could work somewhere like Minute Maid Park if the Astros advance to the ALCS, but the Yankees have to get there first. Cj Abrams Jersey
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