NEW YORK — Paul Goldschmidt will make his first start of this American League Division Series in Wednesday night’s Game 4, inserted at first base in place of Ben Rice.
The right-handed Goldschmidt provides more balance to the Yankees’ order. The Blue Jays are throwing a bullpen game, beginning with right-hander Louis Varland as their opener.
“It’s just to not be in that situation early where you’re just giving them good matchups,” manager Aaron Boone said, “and you’re maybe a little reluctant to fire pinch-hitters — especially if they happen to go to [Kevin] Gausman or something, who is that very neutral guy that I feel like Goldy matches up well with anyway. I just wanted the five and four.”
Goldschmidt, 38, has four singles in eight at-bats (.500) this postseason. His only start came in Game 1 of the AL Wild Card Series against the Red Sox; at the time, Boone said Goldschmidt would start against every left-handed starter the Yanks faced.
However, Boone changed his mind when the Yankees faced Red Sox lefty Connelly Early in Game 3, a nod to Rice’s excellent recent at-bats. But Rice is 2-for-11 (.182) in the ALDS against Toronto; he was 0-for-3 with a sacrifice fly in New York’s 9-6 Game 3 victory at Yankee Stadium.
Goldschmidt slashed .274/.328/.403 with 31 doubles, 10 homers and 45 RBIs during the regular season. He was especially productive against left-handed pitching, posting a .336/.411/.570 slash line.
