Yankees' Ben Rice Historic Homer Extends AL Wild Card Series vs Red Sox

Ben Rice has emerged as a key player for the New York Yankees during the 2025 season and postseason. In a crucial AL Wild Card Game 2 against the Boston Red Sox, Rice hit a two-run homer on the very first pitch of his postseason career, a feat not accomplished by a Yankees player since 1998. Despite being benched in Game 1 due to matchup decisions, Rice's powerful performance helped the Yankees secure a vital 4-3 win and extend the series to a decisive Game 3. Manager Aaron Boone has suggested using Paul Goldschmidt against left-handed pitchers, leaving Rice's starting status for Game 3 uncertain, but his impact so far has been undeniable. Rice's combination of power hitting, a strong on-base percentage, and clutch postseason performance have made him a fan favorite and an important asset for the Yankees. The team's success in this series has been significantly buoyed by Rice's contributions alongside other key players like Jazz Chisholm Jr.