Jacoby Ellsbury not in Yankees' lineup vs. Dallas Keuchel

— -- NEW YORK -- Jacoby Ellsbury will be on the bench to start the New York Yankees' biggest game of the season.

Yankees manager Joe Girardi has left Ellsbury, whom the Yankees signed for seven years and $153 million prior to the 2014 season, out of the lineup Tuesday against Houston Astros ace Dallas Keuchel in the American League wild-card game.

Starting in the left-handed-hitting Ellsbury's place is righty hitter  Chris Young, who will play left field, while Brett Gardner will move into Ellsbury's center field position.

The rest of the Yankees' lineup is pretty much normal. Brian McCann is batting fifth and behind the plate after the Yankees toyed with the idea of putting the right-handed-swinging John Ryan Murphy at catcher.

Gardner will lead off for the Yankees, followed by Young, right fielder Carlos Beltran, designated hitter Alex Rodriguez, McCann, third baseman Chase Headley, first baseman Greg Bird, second baseman Rob Refsnyder and shortstop Didi Gregorius.

Girardi will address the media prior to the game and will be asked about his decision. Ellsbury played in Baltimore on Sunday.

Ellsbury batted .220 in the second half this season and is 2-for-7 against the left-handed Keuchel in his career, while Gardner is 0-for-4. Young is 6-for-20 and has a .972 OPS in his career against Keuchel.