No. 13 Minnesota Eliminates No. 4 UCLA To Join Oklahoma In Final Four
Minnesota takes down UCLA to join Oklahoma in NCAA Gymnastics Final Four!
The Yankees are facing the Angels today, with Ben Rice, who leads MLB in on-base percentage and OPS, sitting on the bench against lefty starter Reid Detmers. Manager Aaron Boone is opting to strategically use Rice in key situations.
Yankees vs Angels live updates, score and analysis of today's game
NEW YORK – For a second straight game, Ben Rice is on the Yankees’ bench against a lefty starter.
Yes, that Ben Rice – the one leading all MLB hitters in on-base percentage (.508) and OPS (1.253) entering Tuesday night against the Angels.
Though the plan was to originally start Rice vs. lefty starter Reid Detmers, manager Aaron Boone said he prefers to “cherry pick’’ when to fire Rice in a big spot.
Rice was not in the lineup during the Yanks’ previous two games against lefty starters (Rays’ Steven Matz, Angels’ Yusei Kikuchi) and still made an impact.
Last Friday, Rice pinch-hit a homer in his only at-bat, in a 5-3 loss at Tropicana Field.
On Tuesday, Rice entered in the fifth inning and contributed a walk and a single in three plate appearances during the Yanks’ 11-10 comeback win at Yankee Stadium.
With the lefty-hitting Rice on the bench, “I’ve been able to fire him at the most important part, and it might be early in the game,’’ said Boone, insisting too that Rice “is going to play against lefties.’’
Rice should eventually get a few starts behind the plate, but Boone isn’t comfortable yet with Rice catching five-plus innings.
They intend to build up Rice by catching simulated games (he caught Carlos Rodon’s latest), but the focus has mostly been on reps at first base, not his natural position.
Boone also wants Paul Goldschmidt’s presence against lefty starters; he’s batting .331 with a .984 OPS in 157 at-bats vs. lefties since the start of 2025.
“Also early in the season, (I’m) trying to keep our bench in play,’’ said Boone, with Goldschmidt back in the leadoff spot Tuesday and Amed Rosario batting third.
Rice joins three other lefty hitters – Cody Bellinger, Jazz Chisholm Jr., J.C. Escarra – on the bench to begin this warm Tuesday night at the Stadium.
Follow us live tonight for Angels- Yankees...
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - APRIL 13: Aaron Judge #99 of the New York Yankees hits a two-run home run in the first inning against the Los Angeles Angels at Yankee Stadium on April 13, 2026 in New York City. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - APRIL 13: Aaron Judge #99 of the New York Yankees rounds the bases on his two-run home run against Yusei Kikuchi #16 of the Los Angeles Angels in the first inning at Yankee Stadium on April 13, 2026 in New York City. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - APRIL 13: Jose Caballero #72 of the New York Yankees celebrates in the dugout his two-run home run in the second inning against the Los Angeles Angels at Yankee Stadium on April 13, 2026 in New York City. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - APRIL 13: Mike Trout #27 of the Los Angeles Angels scores a run during the fourth inning against the New York Yankees at Yankee Stadium on April 13, 2026 in New York City. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - APRIL 13: Aaron Judge #99 of the New York Yankees hits a solo home run in the sixth inning against the Los Angeles Angels at Yankee Stadium on April 13, 2026 in New York City. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - APRIL 13: Mike Trout #27 of the Los Angeles Angels hits a three-run home run in the sixth inning against the New York Yankees at Yankee Stadium on April 13, 2026 in New York City. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - APRIL 13: Mike Trout #27 of the Los Angeles Angels celebrates his three-run home run with Adam Frazier #20 and Zach Neto #9 in the seventh inning against the New York Yankees at Yankee Stadium on April 13, 2026 in New York City. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - APRIL 13: Trent Grisham #12 of the New York Yankees watches his game-tying, two-run home run in the ninth inning against the Los Angeles Angels at Yankee Stadium on April 13, 2026 in New York City. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - APRIL 13: Aaron Judge #99 of the New York Yankees celebrates in the dugout his solo home run in the sixth inning against the Los Angeles Angels at Yankee Stadium on April 13, 2026 in New York City. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - APRIL 13: Jose Caballero #72 of the New York Yankees scores the walk-off run on a wild pitch in the ninth inning for an 11-10 win against the Los Angeles Angels at Yankee Stadium on April 13, 2026 in New York City. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - APRIL 13: Ryan McMahon #19 of the New York Yankees celebrates with teammates after being at the plate when a wild pitch pitch was thrown, allowing the winning run from third base score in the ninth inning for an 11-10 win against the Los Angeles Angels at Yankee Stadium on April 13, 2026 in New York City. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images)
Apr 13, 2026; Bronx, New York, USA; New York Yankees center fielder Trent Grisham (12) celebrates with second baseman Jazz Chisholm Jr. (13) after hitting a two run home run against the Los Angeles Angels during the ninth inning at Yankee Stadium. Mandatory Credit: John Jones-Imagn Images
Apr 13, 2026; Bronx, New York, USA; New York Yankees third baseman Ryan McMahon (19) is mobbed by teammates after winning against the Los Angeles Angels at Yankee Stadium. Mandatory Credit: John Jones-Imagn Images
1 / 13
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - APRIL 13: Aaron Judge #99 of the New York Yankees hits a two-run home run in the first inning against the Los Angeles Angels at Yankee Stadium on April 13, 2026 in New York City. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images)
1 / 13
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - APRIL 13: Aaron Judge #99 of the New York Yankees hits a two-run home run in the first inning against the Los Angeles Angels at Yankee Stadium on April 13, 2026 in New York City. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images)
2 / 13
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - APRIL 13: Aaron Judge #99 of the New York Yankees rounds the bases on his two-run home run against Yusei Kikuchi #16 of the Los Angeles Angels in the first inning at Yankee Stadium on April 13, 2026 in New York City. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images)
3 / 13
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - APRIL 13: Jose Caballero #72 of the New York Yankees celebrates in the dugout his two-run home run in the second inning against the Los Angeles Angels at Yankee Stadium on April 13, 2026 in New York City. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images)
4 / 13
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - APRIL 13: Mike Trout #27 of the Los Angeles Angels scores a run during the fourth inning against the New York Yankees at Yankee Stadium on April 13, 2026 in New York City. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images)
5 / 13
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - APRIL 13: Aaron Judge #99 of the New York Yankees hits a solo home run in the sixth inning against the Los Angeles Angels at Yankee Stadium on April 13, 2026 in New York City. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images)
6 / 13
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - APRIL 13: Mike Trout #27 of the Los Angeles Angels hits a three-run home run in the sixth inning against the New York Yankees at Yankee Stadium on April 13, 2026 in New York City. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images)
7 / 13
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - APRIL 13: Mike Trout #27 of the Los Angeles Angels celebrates his three-run home run with Adam Frazier #20 and Zach Neto #9 in the seventh inning against the New York Yankees at Yankee Stadium on April 13, 2026 in New York City. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images)
8 / 13
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - APRIL 13: Trent Grisham #12 of the New York Yankees watches his game-tying, two-run home run in the ninth inning against the Los Angeles Angels at Yankee Stadium on April 13, 2026 in New York City. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images)
9 / 13
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - APRIL 13: Aaron Judge #99 of the New York Yankees celebrates in the dugout his solo home run in the sixth inning against the Los Angeles Angels at Yankee Stadium on April 13, 2026 in New York City. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images)
10 / 13
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - APRIL 13: Jose Caballero #72 of the New York Yankees scores the walk-off run on a wild pitch in the ninth inning for an 11-10 win against the Los Angeles Angels at Yankee Stadium on April 13, 2026 in New York City. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images)
11 / 13
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - APRIL 13: Ryan McMahon #19 of the New York Yankees celebrates with teammates after being at the plate when a wild pitch pitch was thrown, allowing the winning run from third base score in the ninth inning for an 11-10 win against the Los Angeles Angels at Yankee Stadium on April 13, 2026 in New York City. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images)
12 / 13
Apr 13, 2026; Bronx, New York, USA; New York Yankees center fielder Trent Grisham (12) celebrates with second baseman Jazz Chisholm Jr. (13) after hitting a two run home run against the Los Angeles Angels during the ninth inning at Yankee Stadium. Mandatory Credit: John Jones-Imagn Images
13 / 13
Apr 13, 2026; Bronx, New York, USA; New York Yankees third baseman Ryan McMahon (19) is mobbed by teammates after winning against the Los Angeles Angels at Yankee Stadium. Mandatory Credit: John Jones-Imagn Images
This article originally appeared on NorthJersey.com: Yankees vs Angels live score, updates and highlights today
Ben Rice is not starting against the Angels because manager Aaron Boone prefers to use him strategically against lefty pitchers.
Ben Rice leads all MLB hitters with an on-base percentage of .508 and an OPS of 1.253.
The starting pitcher for the Angels today is Reid Detmers.
Aaron Boone is using a 'cherry pick' strategy to decide when to deploy Ben Rice in critical moments rather than starting him against lefty pitchers.
Minnesota takes down UCLA to join Oklahoma in NCAA Gymnastics Final Four!
John Leonard signs one-year extension with the Detroit Red Wings!
Hunter Goodman powers Rockies to a 3-2 win over Astros, ending a six-game skid.
Dudinha discusses her strong start with San Diego Wave and dreams of the 2027 Women's World Cup.
Steve Kerr praises Stephen Curry's incredible performance against the Clippers
Padres beat Mariners 5-2, marking their eighth straight win!
See every story in Sports — including breaking news and analysis.