NEW YORK – Ben Rice waited his whole life for this: Yankees-Red Sox on a postseason stage, the youngster in pinstripes facing the team he grew up following from Cohasset, Mass.
Rice made the most of his first playoff moment, launching a Brayan Bello cutter into the right-field seats for a two-run first-inning homer that sparked instant electricity in Wednesday night’s 4-3 victory that forced a deciding Game 3 in the American League Wild Card Series.
It was a full-circle moment for Rice, who once scribbled “Yankees Rule!” on the Pesky Pole at Fenway Park and wore a Derek Jeter replica jersey for his first-grade photo day. Now, instead of a tourist in the stands, he’s the one creating Yankee Stadium memories.
The blast represented a continuation of a late-season surge that included a pair of homers in Sunday’s Game 162 against the Orioles. Rice concluded his first full Major League season slashing .255/.337/.499 with 28 doubles, 26 homers and 65 RBIs across 138 games.
Despite that performance, Rice was on the bench for Game 1 against Boston left-hander Garrett Crochet. Manager Aaron Boone has said he will start Paul Goldschmidt at first base against all left-handed starters this postseason, adding that the club also preferred Austin Wells behind the plate.
Home run on first career postseason pitch seen, since 2000:
2025 ALWCS G2 Ben Rice
2024 ALDS G1 Lane Thomas
2022 NLWCS G1 Juan Yepez
2008 ALDS G1 Evan Longoria
2004 NLDS G2 Raul Chavez
2004 NLDS G1 Jason Laneh/t @EliasSports
— Sarah Langs (@SlangsOnSports) October 1, 2025
“I think if you go up there with a good plan and execute, you’re probably going to hit the ball on the sweet spot,” Rice said.
