New York Yankees fans might be wondering why Paul Goldschmidt is finding himself on the bench more often than usual lately. The veteran first baseman was out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Red Sox, marking the second time in the series he's been sidelined. This trend raises questions about his role within the team and his performance against right-handed pitchers.
Goldschmidt's Struggles Against Righties
While Goldschmidt boasts a respectable .795 OPS in August, his overall numbers against right-handed pitching this season paint a different picture. He's slashing just .237/.279/.323 with a concerning 21.7 percent strikeout rate in 322 plate appearances versus righties. This disparity in performance likely contributes to the Yankees' decision to sit him against certain pitchers.
This isn't an isolated incident. Goldschmidt also sat out Friday's game against the Red Sox, further fueling speculation about his role and potential struggles. In that game, Ben Rice took over at first base, while Austin Wells started at catcher against Red Sox righty Brayan Bello.
What's Next for Goldschmidt?
Goldschmidt had started three of the previous four games and has an .823 OPS through 15 games in August, demonstrating his potential when he's in the lineup. However, the Yankees will need to find a way to maximize his contributions while addressing his struggles against right-handed pitching. Whether that involves more strategic rest or adjustments to his approach at the plate remains to be seen.
Yankees fans will be watching closely to see how Goldschmidt's role evolves as the season progresses. His performance and availability could be a key factor in the team's playoff push.