Ben Rice’s Breakout Game: Rookie Powers Yankees with Seven RBIs in Win Over Cardinals

Ben Rice, a rookie star, gave the New York Yankees’ playoff aspirations a major boost on Saturday night in St. Louis. The young first baseman and catcher, who has often been called the “unluckiest hitter” on the team because he hits a lot of hard balls that don’t go far, finally got a break. His bat was full of power and accuracy, driving in seven runs and helping the Yankees come back to win 12-8 over the Cardinals.

A Big Moment for Ben Rice

It couldn’t have been a better time for Rice to enjoy a good night at Busch Stadium. He got the Yankees back on track when they were down 5-2 early in the game, which they had to win. The rookie hit three home runs, a bases-clearing double, and a quick RBI single, going 3-for-5 at the plate. He got a career-high seven RBIs, which is the same number he had in his rookie breakout game last season when he blasted three home runs in one game against the Boston Red Sox.

After the game, manager Aaron Boone commended Rice, saying he was the “poster child for bad luck” since so many of his hard-hit balls have landed in defenders’ gloves this season. Boone smiled as he called Rice’s most recent performance “seven steaks.” This was a deserved reward for a batter who has been working hard all year.

Fighting for Time to Play

Rice’s ascension has occurred at a time when the Yankees’ roster is changing. He started the season as the team’s designated hitter while Giancarlo Stanton healed from an injury. However, in the past several weeks, Rice has been sharing catching duties with Austin Wells and playing first base. Rice has become one of the team’s most dangerous left-handed hitters, even if his batting average is only around.240. This is because he can consistently hit the ball hard and square it up.

Saturday’s breakthrough not only showed that he can come through in huge situations, but it also showed why Boone wants him in the lineup almost every day. As veteran Paul Goldschmidt gets more rest and Stanton deals with minor issues, Rice’s hitting has grown even more important to the Yankees’ playoff drive.

Numbers That Show the Story

Rice has 18 home runs and 45 RBIs this season, which is really good given he has only played in 78 of the Yankees’ first 123 games. Advanced statistics reveal why the Yankees still like him, even though the stats don’t tell the whole story. His exit velocity, barrel rate, and hard-hit percentage are all among the best in the league, which means that he could make even more if he got lucky.

Captain Aaron Judge has noticed that Rice has improved over last year. He praised Rice’s more controlled swing and steady approach at the plate. Judge added, “He can get the barrel on every pitch, whether it’s a fastball, slider, or changeup. When you can do that, you’ll have nights like this.”

What the Yankees See in the Big Picture

The Yankees beat the Cardinals 12-8, which kept them in the running for the playoffs. They stayed close to the Toronto Blue Jays, who are in first place in the division, and they also got a bigger lead in the Wild Card standings. The team showed that they still have the offensive firepower to contend down the line, even when important players like Stanton, Cody Bellinger, and Goldschmidt are hurt. Rice stepped up at a pivotal time.

His performance is also being boosted by his confidence. His bat has always been his calling card, from high school in Massachusetts to college at Dartmouth and then on through the minor levels. That same power is now helping the Yankees a lot in his first complete MLB season.

As the season comes to an end, Rice’s big night could be a turning point for both him and the Yankees. If his luck keeps getting better, his bat may be one of the greatest unknowns in New York’s postseason chase.

Sources

• MLB.com (Game Recap & Stats)

• ESPN (Yankees vs. Cardinals Coverage)

• New York Post (Yankees Player Analysis)