After pinch-hitting for him in the last two games, Joe Girardi has benched Alex Rodriguez in the Yankees Game Five matchup against the Orioles.

The third baseman has struggled immensely in the 2012 playoffs. In four games, he’s hitting just .125 with no extra-base hits.

Rodriguez hasn’t gotten a hit against right-handed pitchers this series, going 0-12 with nine strikeouts against righties. With Baltimore starting right-hander Jason Hammel, lefty Eric Chavez will get the start at third.

Rodriguez has been criticized for his postseason performance, ever since he was traded to New York in 2004. His struggles have been even worse over the past few years. Since 2010, he’s hitting .167 in the postseason.

The future Hall of Famer had started each of the previous four games, hitting third in the lineup. He'll sit, despite having good  numbers against Hammel. He's 8-22 against the Baltimore starter in his career.

Raul Ibanez hit the game-tying and game-winning home runs in Game Three, after coming in for Rodriguez. He gets the Game Five start at designated hitter.

Most of the Yankees hitters have underperformed in this year’s playoffs. Curtis Granderson and Nick Swisher are a combined 3-31 with 12 strikeouts. New York is hitting just .216 as a team in the ALDS.

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