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2 hours ago
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The New York Yankees are making a surprise change to their starting lineup for Game 4 of the ALDS.
Paul Goldschmidt is in. Ben Rice is out.
Goldy will start at first base and bat sixth with the Yankees' season on the line. Rice retreats to the bench.
The Toronto Blue Jays are starting an opener, Louis Varland, and will have a bullpen game behind him. The Yanks must feel matchups beyond Varland favor Goldschmidt over Rice.
Goldschmidt has started just a single game in the postseason (and none of the three games against Toronto).
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In the regular season, the former MVP batted .274 with a .731 OPS. He had 31 doubles and 10 homers. Goldy turned 38 years old in September.
Rice has started all three games against the Blue Jays so far.
In the ALDS, Rice is 2-for-11 with a double, two RBI, a walk and five strikeouts.
During the season, the 26-year old Rice batted .255 with an .836 OPS that included 28 doubles and 26 home runs.
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Leaving Rice on the bench does give the Yankees some more lineup flexibility than when he's in the lineup. Rice can catch, so if the Yanks opt to pinch-hit for Austin Wells at some point, Rice could then come in the game as his catching replacement.
Rice would also be a logical pinch-hitter for Goldschmidt himself if the Blue Jays go to a power righty later in the game in a key spot.
It's certainly an intriguing decision from manager Aaron Boone, and the Yankees will see how it plays out.
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