The Return of Castro, Bird, and Holliday Is Just What the Yankees Need Heading into October

The New York Yankees have stayed in the playoff race despite injuries to some of their better hitters. Those hitters are getting healthy and appear close to a return to the Bronx just in time for the final playoff push.

The absences of Starlin Castro, Matt Holliday, and Greg Bird have had an immense impact on the New York Yankees lineup.

With the trio moving towards completing their minor league assignments, the Yankees can now look forward to implementing three key figures into a lineup that is finally starting to put it together with 36 games remaining in a tight AL East and Wild Card race.

Heading into a three-game set next week against the Cleveland Indians, a lineup infused with Castro, Holliday, and Bird adds much-needed pop and plate discipline that the Yankees have desperately needed.

Aaron Judge, who was previously regarded as the AL MVP and Rookie of the Year, will be lucky if he continues to be considered for the latter as his batting average continues to drop due to a 37-game strikeout streak that recently came to a merciful end. Joe Girardi could still consider making a gutsy decision to drop Judge in the batting order to get his mind right. Castro and Holliday could replace Judge in the middle of the order to provide the plate discipline and approach that is needed in the four-hole with runners in scoring position.

BALTIMORE, MD – MAY 30: Matt Holliday and Starlin Castro (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images)

With the starting pitching and bullpen coming together, the key will be for Girardi to put together a lineup that will produce not only for the tail end of the season but hopefully for October playoff baseball.

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Although Ronald Torreyes has filled in quite well for Castro, his defense and offense do not measure up to the All-Star production that Castro brings to the lineup. Prior to his injury, Starlin Castro was hitting .307 with 12 home runs and 45 RBI.

Matt Holliday can provide the veteran presence that is always crucial to any team’s success heading towards playoff baseball. His leadership is even more important with this young team, especially Aaron Judge.

Greg Bird can fill the void at first base while providing another potent lefty bat while Joe Girardi rotates Todd Frazier, Chase Headley, and Ronald Torreyes at third base, depending on who has been the most consistent.

Next: Is It Too Late for the Yankees to Get the Division Crown?

With 36 games remaining and a 4.5 game deficit in the AL East, there’s plenty of reasons to be optimistic. The team is finally getting everyone back healthy and a deep lineup is always needed for postseason success. Now it’s time to put it all together.