ALCS Game 3: Yankees' mix up their lineup

The New York Yankees are making a lot of lineup changes as they look to get out of a 0-2 hole against the Detroit Tigers in Game 3 of the ALCS on Tuesday in Detroit.

New York will sit Nick Swisher in favor of Brett Gardner, who will lead off the game and play left field. Swisher is just 4-for-26 this postseason, but is 2-for-8 in the ALCS. Gardner is a career 3-for-8 against Detroit Tigers starter Justin Verlander and a better defensive outfielder.

The Yankees will also sit Alex Rodriguez, who got a hit in Game 2 and is 4-for-6 with two home runs against Verlander this season, but has been struggling throughout the postseason. Eric Chavez will start in his place at third base.

At shortstop the Yankees will turn to Eduardo Nunez over Jayson Nix as the replacement for Derek Jeter.

"It's always a difficult decision when you have to do that," Yankees manager Joe Girardi said. "It's never easy. No one ever wants to sit down."

General manager Brian Cashman added that the lineup change was not a desperate move, but rather a necessary one.

The Yankees will start Phil Hughes on the mound.

Full lineups are below:

New York Yankees

1. Brett Gardner, LF
2. Ichiro Suzuki, RF
3. Mark Teixeira, 1B
4. Robinson Cano, 2B
5. Raul Ibanez, DH
6. Russell Martin, C
7. Eric Chavez, 3B
8. Curtis Granderson, CF
9. Eduardo Nunez, SS

Detroit Tigers

1. Austin Jackson, CF
2. Quintin Berry, LF
3. Miguel Cabrera, 3B
4. Prince Fielder, 1B
5. Delmon Young, DH
6. Andy Dirks, RF
7. Jhonny Peralta, SS
8. Alex Avila, C
9. Omar Infante, 2B