NEW YORK (AP) — Ben Rice was in the New York Yankees’ lineup for Thursday’s decisive Game 3 of the AL Wild Card Series against Boston Red Sox rookie left-hander Connelly Early.

Rice did not start the series opener against lefty Garrett Crochet, who struck out 11 and allowed four hits in a dazzling 7 2/3-inning performance in Boston’s 3-1 win on Tuesday.

Before the series opener, manager Aaron Boone said Paul Goldschmidt would start against any left-hander the Yankees faced. Rice batted .208 against left-handed pitching during the regular season while Goldschmidt hit .336 against southpaws.

“It’s a very tough call just because of how good Goldy’s been, but I think Benny’s presence and the threat he is to put one in the seats, I thought was the right thing,” Boone said.

In New York’s

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