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Who has the upper hand at each position between the Blue Jays and Yankees in the ALDS

How do both teams fare at each position in the ALDS between the Blue Jays and Yankees?
Sep 7, 2025; Bronx, New York, USA; New York Yankees right fielder Aaron Judge (99) slides to steal 2nd base against Toronto Blue Jays third baseman Ernie Clement (22) during the eighth inning at Yankee Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark Smith-Imagn Images
Sep 7, 2025; Bronx, New York, USA; New York Yankees right fielder Aaron Judge (99) slides to steal 2nd base against Toronto Blue Jays third baseman Ernie Clement (22) during the eighth inning at Yankee Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark Smith-Imagn Images | Mark Smith-Imagn Images
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Shortstop - Andrés Giménez vs. Anthony Volpe

Shortstop isn't as strong offensively with Giménez playing shortstop until Bichette returns. The Blue Jays would have the advantage if Bichette were playing, but until then, Giménez doesn’t provide the same offensive production. Giménez is strong defensively with 10 outs above. In his two postseason trips, he's provided three RBIs, but has struck out 27 times in 69 plate appearances.

Volpe doesn't offer much more than Giménez. Defensively, he posted a .963 fielding percentage with 19 errors. Offensively, he is also not very productive, hitting .212/.272/.391 this season, although he set a career high in RBIs (72).

Even though he hasn't lit up the scoreboard offensively in the regular season, he has shown flashes of excellence in the postseason. In his two trips, he has scored 11 runs and driven in eight runs. He’ll bat in the bottom third of the lineup, but has shown that the regular season numbers mean nothing, as he's been a contributor in the postseason.

Advantage: Yankees

Third base - Addison Barger vs  a committee

This is Barger’s debut in the postseason, and he's looking to continue his breakout season. He hit 21 home runs and knocked in 74 runs in his second MLB season, although he struck out 121 times over 502 plate appearances. Barger will likely be in the middle of the batting order due to his power potential.

The Yankees started three different third basemen in the Wild Card round. They started three different players in the Wild Card round (Amed Rosario, Jose Caballero, and Ryan McMahon).

McMahon came over from the Colorado Rockies to serve as a defensive replacement and may likely receive the starts due to his superior defense, but neither of the three offers much contribution on the offensive side of the ball.

Advantage: Blue Jays

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