Yankees' Alex Verdugo gets start in leftfield for ALDS Game 1 vs. Royals

And starting in leftfield . . . Alex Verdugo.

The Yankees, several hours before Saturday’s Game 1 of the Division Series against the Royals, at last answered the most discussed question — inside and outside of the organization — when it came to their postseason plans.

Would it be the defensively superior Verdugo or top prospect Jasson Dominguez, whose bat contains more potential, in left?

Not surprisingly, and the tea leaves on it could be read for weeks for those paying attention, the Yankees went defense-first.

“Obviously, Alex has been tremendous for us out there defensively, and even though it’s been up and down for him in the second half, especially offensively, I still feel like there’s a really good hitter in there that can provide something for us at the bottom,” Aaron Boone said Saturday before Verdugo made a nice sliding catch and singled home what proved to be the winning run in the seventh inning in the Yankees’ 6-5 win over the Royals.

Verdugo hit .233 with 13 homers and a .647 OPS in 149 games this season. The switch-hitting Dominguez, whose defense was an issue in the minors after his season began mid-summer as he started the year on the injured list and whose defensive struggles continued after he was promoted to the big leagues Sept. 9, hit .179 with two homers and a .617 OPS in 18 games.

“Dugey [Verdugo] is obviously a veteran in this league, [has] playoff experience, outstanding defensively,” Boone said. “I think that all factors in, but it doesn’t mean Jasson is not going to play a big role . . . and still impact us in some way, shape or form.”

Boone did not guarantee Verdugo would start Game 2, saying he sees the leftfield situation in the postseason as “fluid.”

The Yankees also went defense-first when it came to first base as Oswaldo Cabrera got the start Saturday night rather than rookie Ben Rice or utility man Jon Berti. With Anthony Rizzo out of the Division Series because of two broken fingers on his right hand, Cabrera, a shortstop during his development in the minors, was the best of three not-great options at first, at least when it comes to defense.

“Obviously, losing Riz is a tough below, but Cabby [Cabrera] has been such a steady player for us this year and just a guy that you can count on in so many different roles,” Boone said. “He’s very prepared. Feel really good about him taking the field tonight for us. And again, hopefully not only providing a spark for us offensively but doing his thing on the defensive side, which he usually does so well.

No Stro Show

Brian Cashman irked Marcus Stroman back in 2019 when the Yankees general manager, in need of pitching depth at that year’s trade deadline, didn’t bring in the righthander, saying later he didn’t see him as an October “difference-maker.”

Five years later, the Yankees clearly viewed the Patchogue-Medford High School product the same way.

At least for this round of the playoffs.

The Yankees took 11 pitchers for their ALDS roster and Stroman — put in the bullpen some three weeks ago when they decided he wouldn’t be in the rotation for the first round — was not among them.

“A hard decision, especially going down to the very end, still considering 12 pitchers [or] 11 pitchers, and then where’s the role [for Stroman]?” Boone said. “Obviously, this series potentially only needing only three starters . . . just felt like for the role in this series, better to go with another reliever.”

The Yankees went with two lefties in the bullpen, Tim Hill and Tim Mayza, the latter an in-season pickup after he was DFA’d by the Blue Jays.

In a bit of a surprise, the Yankees took speedy outfielder Duke Ellis, a pinch-running specialist who isn’t likely to see the field otherwise, as their final position player for the series.