DJ LeMahieu

Giancarlo Stanton drops a flare into center and DJ LeMahieu scores to give the Yankees a 2-1 lead in the top of the 8th

DJ LeMahieu was scratched from the Yankees' lineup just before their series opener against the Philadelphia Phillies on Tuesday.

The New York Yankees got on the board and drew even with the Boston Red Sox, 1-1, thanks to an RBI single off the bat of DJ LeMahieu in the fifth inning.

The New York Yankees got on the board and drew even with the Boston Red Sox, 1-1, thanks to an RBI single off the bat of DJ LeMahieu in the fifth inning.

With the second half starting Thursday, USA TODAY Sports examines five of the most important players in the months to come.