Ben

Rice

This is now the second straight game that Rice has missed since suffering a “contusion” in Sunday’s game. The Yankees have not put him on the injured list, so he could return later this week. For now, Paul Goldschmidt will continue to play first base.

Rice was hit in the hand on Sunday while trying to field a pickoff throw from Max Fried. The Yankees don’t seem concerned about the injury long-term, but he will at least get Monday off. Paul Goldschmidt is starting at first base and batting sixth in this one.

Rice suffered the injury while fielding a pickoff throw from Max Fried in the third inning. Fortunately, preliminary X-rays came back negative for any fractures. He’s considered day-to-day. Prior to exiting, Rice had been 2-for-2 with a homer, double and two runs scored.

There’s just no stopping this guy, even against a lefty! Rice’s third inning, three-run shot gave the Yankees a commanding 5-1 lead and more importantly, it was his fifth homer of the season off a left-handed pitcher. While manager Aaron Boone was hesitant to unleash Rice against lefties when the season began, he’s now started against six of the last seven which the Yankees have faced. Rice’s 1.169 OPS is the highest among all qualified players as he continues to establish himself as one of the league’s best hitters.

All were singles, as were the Yankees’ other two hits. Rice is currently seventh in the majors with a .327 average. He’s second to Yordan Alvarez with an 1.157 OPS.

Rice drove in the first run of the game with a fielder’s choice in the opening frame then scored on a two-run knock off the bat of Jazz Chisholm Jr. He then led off the fifth inning with a double and scored on an RBI single by Giancarlo Stanton. Rice later pulverized a sweeper from Colton Gordon for a 402-foot (105.5 mph EV) solo shot to open the seventh inning, extending the Yankees’ lead to 9-2. For fantasy purposes, Rice has been among the best at the catcher position this season, slashing a blistering .316/.450/.747 with nine homers, 20 RBI, 24 runs scored and one stolen base through his first 100 plate appearances.

Rice has started to receive more opportunities against left-handed starters, but the Yankees are going to let veteran Paul Goldschmidt take his hacks against Red Sox southpaw Ranger Suárez in this one. The 27-year-old rising star figures to be back in there to face rookie lefty Payton Tolle during Thursday’s series finale.

It’s rare to see Stanton out of the lineup with a left-hander on the mound for the opposition, but the Yankees have done a good job giving him rest when needed this season in order to keep him healthy and productive. Ben Rice will function as the designated hitter on Sunday and bat leadoff against Cole Ragans and the Royals.

Yankees manager Aaron Boone has begun trusting Rice against left-handers over the past week and he’s rewarded that faith with a couple round-trippers. The 27-year-old first baseman’s seventh round-tripper of the season came off Royals lefty starter Noah Cameron in the third inning to give New York a commanding five-run lead at the time. The 398-foot blast was his second big fly against a southpaw within the past week. He’s been one of the best hitters in baseball this season and should be starting everyday for New York, regardless of whoever is on the mound.

Finally. Rice will get a chance to face Royals left-hander Noah Cameron after spending the first couple of weeks on the bench against southpaws in favor of veteran Paul Goldschmidt. The 27-year-old burgeoning slugger launched his sixth round-tripper of the season during Friday’s series opener at Yankee Stadium and is hitting .339 (20-for-59) through 19 games this season. He’s 4-for-15 with one homer against lefties this year and is beginning to see more opportunities in those matchups, which would provide a meaningful boost to his fantasy value from a volume standpoint.