Because the Yankees ready for south-pawed Purple Sox ace Garrett Crochet in Recreation 1 of the Wild Card Sequence, Aaron Boone didn’t go away any wiggle room when requested in regards to the righty-swinging Paul Goldschmidt beginning over the lefty-swinging Ben Rice at first base.
“Goldie is going to play against every lefty we face,” Boone stated Tuesday earlier than Goldschmidt went 2-for-4 in a 3-1 loss. “That’s a pretty easy call.”
However with the Yankees going through one other lefty, Connelly Early, in a do-or-die Recreation 3 and Rice, who may catch, hitting a two-run homer within the Yankees’ 4-3 Recreation 2 win, Boone determined to take a seat Goldschmidt on Thursday.
When requested why he modified his stance, the skipper replied, “Ben Rice.”
“Obviously, I want Goldie in there, just because he’s been such a presence against lefties, but I also want [Austin] Wells behind the plate because he’s been so good back there, but also swinging the bat well,” continued Boone, who left the door open for Rice to begin after Wednesday’s recreation. “And I didn’t necessarily want Benny’s first playoff catching game to be a winner-go-home, although maybe it gets to that point at some point. Hopefully, if we keep advancing, who knows how that shakes out?”
The 38-year-old Goldschmidt, a former MVP and a 15-year professional, posted a .981 OPS in opposition to left-handers in the course of the common season. Nevertheless, he solely had a .676 OPS in opposition to them after June 1.
Rice had a .752 OPS in opposition to lefties in his second massive league season and a .723 OPS in opposition to them after June 1. He additionally completed the common season on a tear, hitting .304 with a .943 OPS, 10 doubles, 10 homers and 30 RBI over his final 44 video games.
Rice hit .255 with 26 dwelling runs, 65 RBI and a .836 OPS total. With a 133 wRC+, he was the Yankees’ second-best certified batter behind Aaron Decide.
With these numbers and Rice’s Recreation 2 efficiency in thoughts, Boone thought beginning the 26-year-old was “the right thing” to do due to “Benny’s presence and the threat to put one in the seats.”
“The threat that Ben is right now to change the game won out,” Boone added whereas noting that he feels Rice has improved in opposition to lefties.
Nonetheless, Boone stated it was a troublesome name to take a seat Goldschmidt.
The skipper made the choice earlier than leaving Yankee Stadium on Wednesday evening, and he had a “great conversation” with Goldschmidt shortly thereafter. The veteran advised Boone he’d be prepared for a late at-bat or defensive substitution if wanted, as he’s nonetheless a greater fielder than Rice at first.
“He’s as good as it gets,” Boone stated of Goldschmidt, whose clubhouse presence earned rave opinions in his first season with the Yankees.
Boone went on to laud Goldschmidt’s humility and known as him the “ultimate teammate.”
Whereas Goldschmidt didn’t get the beginning in opposition to Early, one other right-handed swinger, Amed Rosario, began at third over port-side swinger Ryan McMahon.
