Yankees' Risky Gamble: Chisholm & Rice Back! Can They Save the Season?

The New York Yankees are facing elimination in Game 2 of the AL Wild Card Series against the Boston Red Sox, and manager Aaron Boone is shaking things up. After a disappointing 3-1 loss in Game 1, where sitting Jazz Chisholm Jr. and Ben Rice backfired, both players are back in the starting lineup against Red Sox right-hander Brayan Bello.

Why the Change?

In Game 1, Boone opted to stack the lineup with right-handed hitters against Red Sox lefty Garrett Crochet, benching the left-handed hitting Chisholm and Rice in favor of Paul Goldschmidt and Amed Rosario. While Goldschmidt had a decent game, Rosario struggled, and the Yankees' offense sputtered.

The decision to bench Chisholm, in particular, raised eyebrows. Chisholm had a stellar regular season, joining the 30-30 club with 31 home runs and 31 stolen bases. His absence was noticeable, and his frustration was evident after the game when he gave reporters the cold shoulder.

"We gotta do whatever we gotta do to win, right? That’s how I look at it," Chisholm said, seemingly begrudgingly, when asked about not starting. He admitted he was surprised by Boone's decision.

Game 2 Outlook

With their season on the line, the Yankees are hoping that the return of Chisholm and Rice will provide a much-needed offensive spark. They'll face a tough challenge against Bello, who pitched well against the Yankees during the regular season. The Yankees will need to get to him early and often if they want to force a Game 3.

The Red Sox will counter with Bello (11-9, 3.35 ERA). During the regular season, Bello pitched 19 innings against the Yankees, allowing four earned runs on 11 hits and striking out 19.

The pressure is on for both teams as they battle for a spot in the Divisional Series. Will the Yankees' gamble pay off, or will the Red Sox send them packing?

Key Players to Watch

• Jazz Chisholm Jr.: Can he shake off the disappointment of Game 1 and provide a spark at the plate?
• Ben Rice: Will his bat be enough to give the Yankees the edge they need?
• Brayan Bello: Can he replicate his regular-season success against the Yankees?