The New York Yankees are shaking up their Wild Card lineup, and this time it’s Ben Rice’s chance to take center stage. With Boston Red Sox right-hander Brayan Bello set to start Game 2, manager Aaron Boone is expected to pencil in Rice at first base, while veteran Paul Goldschmidt will be on the bench.

It’s a decision rooted in matchups, and one that shows just how much trust the Yankees have in their homegrown slugger when the lights are brightest.

Bello’s unusual splits create an opening

Most pitchers show a clear edge against batters of the same handedness, but Bello’s numbers paint a different picture. Oddly enough, he has nearly identical splits against left-handed and right-handed hitters this year, holding both to a .232 average with a .322 on-base percentage and .364 slugging.

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