Home / Sports / Slugger Ben Rice Sits Out Game 1, Blasts Game 2 Homer for Yankees
Slugger Ben Rice Sits Out Game 1, Blasts Game 2 Homer for Yankees
2 Oct
Summary
- Ben Rice didn't get an at-bat in Game 1 against lefty pitchers
- Rice hit a 2-run homer in Game 2 to put the Yankees up 2-0
- Rice has carved out a significant role in the Yankees' lineup
On October 2nd, 2025, the New York Yankees faced off against the Boston Red Sox in the wild-card series. In Game 1, Yankees manager Aaron Boone made a controversial decision to keep slugger Ben Rice on the bench, despite Rice's impressive stats of 26 home runs and an .836 OPS this season. Boone opted not to use Rice against Red Sox southpaws Garrett Crochet and Aroldis Chapman, a decision that left many questioning his strategy.
However, in Game 2 the following day, Boone put Rice back into the cleanup spot, and the move paid off. With Cody Bellinger keeping the inning alive with a two-out single, Rice stepped up and drilled a pitch from Brayan Bello over the right-field fence for a 2-run homer, putting the Yankees up 2-0 in the bottom of the first.
Rice has carved out a significant role in the Yankees' lineup, splitting time between first base and catcher. His powerful bat has become an indispensable part of their offense, and his performance in Game 2 served as a reminder of his importance to the team. As the Yankees look to advance in the playoffs, they'll be counting on Rice's bat to provide the spark they need.
