New York Yankees fans are feeling frustrated with manager Aaron Boone once again. After starting the 2026 season 7-1, the Bronx Bombers have subsequently dropped six of their last eight games. Pitching has mostly been the team’s strong suit to start the campaign. In fact, their 3.38 runs allowed per game currently ranks second-best in baseball.
The Yankees’ offense, however, has also mostly produced well. While Aaron Judge, Cody Bellinger, and Jazz Chisholm receive most of the attention in the packed lineup, Ben Rice has been the team’s standout slugger so far this season. The 27-year-old power hitter currently leads New York in runs, hits, RBIs, doubles, and walks through 16 games. Rice’s OBP, slugging, and OPS tops all American League hitters as well.
Despite these impressive statistics, Boone has opted to bench Rice when the team faces left-handed starting pitchers. The manager sat the budding star in favor of veteran Paul Goldschmidt on April 13 against the Los Angeles Angels. Goldschmidt ended up going 1 for 2 with a double and a walk on the night.
Although the move worked out, many Yankees fans cannot get on board with the decision. Talkin’ Yanks then revealed on the morning of April 14 that Boone would continue to go with Goldschmidt in their next game. The Angels are once again starting a lefty (Reid Detmers) on the mound in the matchup. Detmers enters the game against New York with a 4.60 ERA in three starts on the young season.
New York Yankees Coach Previously Claimed Ben Rice Would Face More Lefties
GettyBen Rice has been one of baseball’s best hitters in 2026.
As some New York Yankees fans have pointed out, Boone previously claimed that Rice would get more opportunities to face left-handed pitchers in 2026. Rice previously hit just .208 with a .752 OPS in 106 total at-bats against southpaws during his breakout 2025 campaign. Compare this to his .269 batting average and .860 OPS against righties during the same timeframe.
Rice acknowledged his recent struggles against left-handed pitching during spring training. Nevertheless, the slugger claimed that he would essentially only improve if he received more playing time against southpaws.“It’s all about reps,” Rice told MLB.com reporter Bryan Hoch in February.
“The more I see of them, the better it’ll get. I’m really trying to prioritize seeing them if there’s ever live [batting practice] going on – just keep seeing them and seeing them. Getting used to seeing the way their stuff moves, how you swing at it, how it feels on the barrel. I just want to swing at the right pitches and try to hit them hard.”
New York Still Trying to Get Slugger Ample Playing Time
Boone, however, is still limiting Rice’s reps against lefties. So far this season, the slugger has just 11 at-bats against southpaws. Rice has managed to grab three hits (all singles) in these appearances. Goldschmidt is clearly the better hitter in these situations. In fact, the Yankees likely brought the veteran back mostly to face left-handed pitching. He hit .336 with a .981 OPS against southpaws with New York in 2025.
Yankees fans are well aware of Goldschmidt’s success against lefties, but also want Rice to remain in the lineup. Nevertheless, Boone appears willing to continue benching one of the hottest hitters in baseball during these situations. He has attempted to give the slugger ample playing time by putting Rice into games after the southpaw starter has left the game. Boone made this move during the recent victory against the Angels on April 13.
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