New York Yankees outfielder Giancarlo Stanton is out of the lineup for the second straight game as the Bronx Bombers get set for a pivotal Game 3 of the ALCS on Tuesday afternoon.

Although Stanton will once again be available to hit, manager Aaron Boone has some concern over his ability to play in the outfield. Boone suggested that the team must be cautious with Stanton's status:

Stanton suffered a right quad strain legging out an infield ground ball during Game 1 of the series. He would remain in the contest, hitting a home run off of Astros starter Zack Greinke to extend New York's lead as they cruised to a 7-0 victory.

However, Giancarlo Stanton told Boone that he did not feel comfortable enough to start in Game 2, and he told reporters earlier today that the baseline for his return will be his comfort running and moving in the outfield:

Aaron Hicks–who recorded his first at-bat since August in Game 2–will start in Stanton's place.

The Yankees put a dent in Houston's pitching staff during Game 1, scoring seven runs on 13 hits and dominating every phase of the game.

But outside of an Aaron Judge homer in Game 2, New York's bats were completely neutralized by Justin Verlander and an Astros bullpen that did not allow a hit from the between the sixth and eleventh innings.

Stanton's status is also of note because of what it could mean not only for the remainder of this series, but for the World Series, should they defeat the Astros. If the Yankees were to remove Stanton from the ALCS roster, then he would not be eligible to play in the Fall Classic.

As of now, the Yankees have insisted that they will take a day-by-day approach to Stanton's progression.