New Yankees Announce Ben Rice Change During Braves Series

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NEW YORK, NEW YORK - AUGUST 07: Ben Rice #22 of the New York Yankees reacts after his ninth inning game tying RBI single against the Atlanta Braves at Yankee Stadium on August 07, 2026 in New York City. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images)

The New York Yankees are currently taking on the Atlanta Braves in a 3-game set this weekend.

After being down 2-0 in the late innings, the Yankees put together a nice come-from-behind victory on Friday night to win 3-2.

Saturday’s contest between the Braves and Yankees is an afternoon showdown. Atlanta is rolling with Chris Sale (12-6, 2.08 ERA, 143 SO) for game two, and the Yankees are going with ace Gerrit Cole.

Before game two, the Yankees revealed their lineup, which features a notable Ben Rice change.

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Ben Rice Batting 3rd on Saturday

Yankees’ first baseman/DH Ben Rice has bounced around in the Yankees lineup this season, but he usually bats either leadoff or second in Aaron Boone’s order. On Saturday, Ben Rice is batting third against the dominant southpaw Chris Sale.

Here is the full New York Yankees batting order for 8/8:

Yankees 8/8: “P. Goldschmidt 1B H. Ramos LF B. Rice DH A. Rosario 3B T. Grisham CF G. Lombard Jr. SS S. Jones RF J. Caballero 2B A. Wells C G. Cole SP”

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Yankees 8/8

P. Goldschmidt 1B H. Ramos LF B. Rice DH A. Rosario 3B T. Grisham CF G. Lombard Jr. SS S. Jones RF J. Caballero 2B A. Wells C

G. Cole SP

11:37 am · 8 Aug 2026

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There are a lot of changes in this Yankees batting order compared to Friday night’s lineup, and it’s likely because of the LHP on the mound for Atlanta. Trent Grisham is batting fifth for New York, and Jose Caballero is getting the start at second in favor of Jazz Chisholm Jr.

Heliot Ramos is batting 2nd, and Luis Garcia Jr. gets the day off.

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Inside Ben Rice’s 2026 Season Thus Far

Given all of the New York Yankees injuries this season, Ben Rice has been a true rock in the batting order, and just for the Yankees overall.

Across 412 at-bats, Ben Rice is batting .260 with 31 home runs, 74 RBI, 71 runs scored, and a strong OPS+ of 148.

Rice was named to his first All-Star appearance last month, and he really should be getting more buzz in the AL MVP conversations with his emergence while Aaron Judge has been sidelined.

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