Rice entered Tuesday leading MLB in OPS (about 1.253) and on-base percentage (.508), while hitting .362 with four homers and 12 RBIs through 15 games. Boone again opted for veteran Paul Goldschmidt against Angels left-hander Reid Detmers, continuing the team’s platoon approach that has kept Rice out of the lineup against lefties.
The decision backfired in the series opener, a 7-1 Angels win in which Rice did not start until the eighth inning when the outcome had long been decided. Rice delivered a sacrifice fly, but the result underscored the mismatch Boone has faced with Detmers on the mound and the effectiveness (or lack thereof) of the platoon plan.
Detmers has shown stronger splits against left-handed hitters than right-handed ones, complicating Boone’s rationale for the platoon. Data cited by outlets such as The Athletic and The New York Times illustrate that Rice’s edge against left-handers hasn’t always held true in this matchup, leaving the managerial decision more nuanced than the traditional lefty-on-lefty disadvantage.
Rice, a Dartmouth-educated, 12th-round pick, has earned his big-league reputation through sustained success, including a 2025 season with 26 homers and a high OPS. In 2026, his Statcast metrics (exit velocity, hard-hit rate, wOBA) remain elite, reinforcing his case to play every day, especially when the lineup benefits from his bat in the cleanup spot.
Tonight’s game, with the Yankees at 8-7 and the Angels at 8-8, pits Luis Gil against Kochanowicz. With a right-hander on the mound and Rice expected back in the cleanup position, New York would appear to have its strongest lineup on the field for the first time in two nights. The lingering question is whether Boone will adjust his approach to Rice’s usage again, or stick with the established platoon plan.
