With his team not hitting and down two games in the ALCS, New York Yankees manager Joe Giradi has totally shaken up his lineup for Game 3 by benching Alex Rodriguez and Nick Swisher against Detroit Tigers ace Justin Verlander. Girardi has inserted Brett Gardner in left field and at the leadoff spot and Eduardo Nunez at shortstop. Eric Chavez is the team's starting third baseman on Tuesday. Rodriguez is 0 for 18 with 12 strikeouts against right-handed pitching in the playoffs. Against Verlander this season, he is 4 for 6 with two home runs. In his career, Rodriguez is a .267 hitter in 30 at-bats against Verlander. Girardi previously benched Rodriguez for Game 5 of the ALDS. Chavez has struggled in the postseason, going 0 for 11. He does have the best numbers of any Yankee against Verlander, hitting .360 (9 for 25). Swisher is 4 for 26 (.159) in these playoffs. For his career, he has batted .167 in 177 postseason at-bats. He has batted .180 with 23 strikeouts in 61 at-bats against Verlander. Source: ESPN
