Jacoby Ellsbury has been left out of the New York Yankees lineup for their American League wild-card game against the Houston Astros tonight.
Manager Joe Girardi kept his struggling left-handed swinging center fielder on the bench with lefty Dallas Keuchel starting for Houston. Brett Gardner takes Ellsbury spot in center field and atop the batting order.
Chris Young, who is 6 for 20 (.300) against the AL Cy Young Award candidate, is batting second and playing left field.
Ellsbury has slumped to a .220 average with five homers and 23 RBIs since the All-Star break. Gardner has been worse.