Not every left-hander is the same, and that’s why Ben Rice and Jazz Chisholm Jr. are stepping into the Yankees’ lineup for Game 3, which is crucial for determining the winner of the series.
Both players started from the bench in Game 1 of the AL Wild Card Series against Red Sox ace Garrett Crochet. Rice is expected to kick things off with a base hit, while Chisholm faces rookie left-hander Connery early on Thursday night.
The only early matchup manager Aaron Boone had was with right-handed Ryan McMahon, who took the start at third base. McMahon thinks he’ll definitely see some action during the game.
Rice’s inclusion pushes Paul Goldschmidt to the bench, making him a defensive option later in the game or possibly a pinch hitter against lefties like Aroldis Chapman. Boone seemed to be favoring Rice, especially since he’s been on a hot streak, noting that he could end up keeping him in. But, the numbers were only supporting a few matchups early on.
Before Game 1, Boone had said Goldschmidt would be in against all left-handed pitchers they faced. But after Rice’s strong performance, Boone’s confidence in Goldschmidt’s matchup began to waver regarding Game 3.
“Benny is playing really well, swinging the bat consistently down the stretch,” Boone mentioned the other night. “He complicates things for me. It’s not just about facing left-handers; it’s about utilizing my bench effectively.”
Chisholm, feeling sidelined against Crochet, has had his share of success against other lefties during the regular season. Like Rice, he contributed to the Yankees’ success in Game 2, stepping up not just with a key hit, but also showing strong defensive skills.
