A-Rod is Back! ALCS Game 1: Tigers at Yankees

Alex Rodriguez returns to the Yankee lineup on Saturday night after taking a seat on the bench for the team’s crucial Game 5 against the Orioles. The creaky, frequently malfunctioning third baseman will be in the No. 6 slot, following Jeter, Ichiro, Cano, Teixeira, and Ibanez. So yes, for now, it appears Joe Girardi is off his brief Eric Chavez kick, though it would be humorous if the Yankee manager opted to pinch-hit for A-Rod in his first at-bat.

But perhaps a day off is what A-Rod will need at this point anyway? Or perhaps the rattled fellow should only play road games since he’s booed more loudly at home? How quickly and easily Yankee fans forget the 2009 World Series run, where A-Rod turned into a centaur and valiantly galloped to victory while everyone else stood around and watched. ‘Tis a shame.

Pitching for the Yankees will be Andy Pettitte. Going for Detroit will be Doug Fister.