NEW YORK -- Paul Goldschmidt made his first start of this American League Division Series in Wednesday night’s Game 4, inserted at first base in place of Ben Rice in the Yankees' season-ending 5-2 loss to the Blue Jays.
The right-handed Goldschmidt went 0-for-1 with a walk and a hit by pitch before Rice pinch-hit for him in the eighth. The Blue Jays threw a bullpen game, beginning with right-hander Louis Varland as their opener.
"It's just to not be in that situation early where you're just giving them good matchups," manager Aaron Boone said before the game.
Goldschmidt, 38, had four singles in nine at-bats (.444) this postseason. His only previous start came in Game 1 of the AL Wild Card Series against the Red Sox; at the time, Boone said Goldschmidt would start against every left-handed starter the Yanks faced.
However, Boone changed his mind when the Yankees faced Red Sox lefty Connelly Early in Game 3, a nod to Rice’s excellent recent at-bats. Rice went 2-for-11 (.182) in the ALDS against Toronto.
Goldschmidt slashed .274/.328/.403 with 31 doubles, 10 homers and 45 RBIs during the regular season. He was especially productive against left-handed pitching, posting a .336/.411/.570 slash line.