Ben

Rice

No surprise here. This certainly changes if Cody Bellinger re-signs with the Yankees this offseason. Rice walloped 26 round-trippers in just 138 games this past season, splitting time between the cold corner, DH and catcher. The 26-year-old figures to draw the occasional start behind the dish, but those opportunities will likely evaporate if he establishes himself as New York’s long-term answer at first base. He’ll retain catcher eligibility for at least one additional season, which makes him an early-round pick in all fantasy drafts next spring as a top-five range option at the position.

There was speculation that Paul Goldschmidt might get a start against Shane Bieber, perhaps at Rice’s expense, but the Yankees are staying the course with their season on the line.

Yankees manager Aaron Boone will not make any changes with New York facing Blue Jays rookie sensation Trey Yesavage following a lopsided series-opening defeat earlier this weekend. Here’s the full lineup: Trent Grisham (CF), Judge (RF), Cody Bellinger (LF), Ben Rice (1B), Giancarlo Stanton (DH), Jazz Chisholm Jr. (3B), Ryan McMahon (3B), Anthony Volpe (SS) and Austin Wells (C).

Bellinger is good to go after suffering a bruised heel during Thursday’s series-clinching victory over the Red Sox on a slide into home plate. The presence of Blue Jays ace Kevin Gausman gives New York the clearance to roll with a lefty-heavy lineup that also includes Ben Rice and Jazz Chisholm Jr. in addition to Ryan McMahon.

Rosario plays against most southpaws so it’s not surprising to see him manning the hot corner against Red Sox’ rookie left-hander Connelly Early. What is more surprising is that Paul Goldschmidt is not in the Bomber’s lineup against a left-hander, as Yankees’ skipper Aaron Boone has opted to stick with the hot-hitting Ben Rice at first base. Here’s how the Yankees will line up in full as they play for their postseason lives: Trent Grisham (CF), Aaron Judge (RF), Cody Bellinger (LF), Giancarlo Stanton (DH), Ben Rice (1B), Amed Rosario (3B), Jazz Chisholm Jr. (2B), Anthony Volpe (SS) and Austin Wells (C).

Rice made an instant impact in his return to New York’s lineup after being relegated to the bench during the AL Wild Card Series opener. The 26-year-old slugger took Red Sox starter Brayan Bello deep in the opening frame with a no-doubter to right field as part of a multi-hit performance. There’s a chance he’ll be absent from the lineup card for Thursday’s winner-take-all showdown with rookie southpaw Connelly Early likely to take the ball for Boston.

Chisholm didn’t start Tuesday’s game with Garrett Crochet on the bump, but with right-hander Brayan Bello on the mound for Boston, the 27-year-old is hitting in the middle of the lineup for the must-win game. Ben Rice is also back in the lineup, as is Ryan McMahon with Paul Goldschmidt out and Jose Caballero also on the bench. The full lineup for the Yankees: CF Trent Grisham, RF Aaron Judge, LF Cody Bellinger, 1B Rice, DH Giancarlo Stanton, 2B Chisholm. C Austin Wells, SS Anthony Volpe and 3B McMahon.

Rice finds himself on the bench against Red Sox ace Garrett Crochet to kick off the series, but he’ll be back in the lineup for the middle contest of the best-of-three series with righty Brayan Bello toeing the rubber. The 26-year-old backstop clobbered 26 regular-season homers and posted a robust .860 OPS against right-handed pitching.

That means the Yankees with carry three catchers with Austin Wells and Ben Rice also on the roster. Perhaps Rice will be used mostly as a first baseman in this series, but Escarra has been in the minors for the entire month of September, so this comes as a bit of a surprise.

The Yankees lost the tiebreaker with the Blue Jays also prevailing today, but both can call themselves AL East champs after finishing 94-68. Rice’s homers were his 25th and 26th, as he finishes up at .255/.337/.499 in a season that’s seen him entrench himself as part of the Yankees’ long-term plans. The Bombers will host the Red Sox in a Wild Card series beginning Tuesday.