The New York Yankees will face the Los Angeles Angels without Giancarlo Stanton on Wednesday, as he takes a breather after playing in the last two games. In his absence, Jasson Dominguez will step in as the designated hitter, batting eighth, while Ben Rice makes his first start of the season at catcher. Rice has had limited opportunities since his call-up, primarily playing designated hitter or first base due to the presence of established players like Paul Goldschmidt. His versatility is being tested as the Yankees look to leverage his left-handed bat in an effort to break a five-game losing streak.

Ben Rice is set to make his MLB debut as the starting catcher for the New York Yankees, marking a pivotal moment in his career. With Giancarlo Stanton taking a breather, Rice's first start comes amidst a five-game losing streak for the Yankees, who are seeking a competitive edge. At 26, Rice's journey has seen him transition from minor league training to the big leagues, and Yankees manager Aaron Boone has praised his defensive skills, calling a recent two-inning stint 'noticeably excellent.'

However, Rice's recent offensive performance has been lackluster, hitting just .130 over his last week with no extra-base hits, so tonight’s game will be a critical test of his resilience at the plate. Yankees' lineup flexibility is on display with this move, and Rice has the opportunity to solidify his role going forward. A strong performance could be a turning point for both him and the struggling Yankees lineup.

On June 19, 2015, Alex Rodriguez made baseball history by joining the 3,000 hits club with a home run against Justin Verlander, becoming the 29th player to achieve this milestone. The Yankees won that game 7-2, but the night was all about A-Rod, whose comeback from a year-long suspension was capped with a career-defining moment. Rodriguez's 33 home runs that season defied expectations and revitalized his legacy, placing him alongside legends like Derek Jeter and Wade Boggs as one of only three players to hit a home run for their 3,000th hit.

Though now retired, A-Rod remains a prominent figure in sports as a co-owner of the Minnesota Timberwolves and a commentator on Fox Sports. However, his achievement is bittersweet, overshadowed by his past controversies involving performance-enhancing drugs. Nonetheless, the excitement of that moment at Yankee Stadium continues to resonate with fans today.

The MLB action on Wednesday, June 18, is highlighted by Chris Sale of the Atlanta Braves, who looks to extend his impressive run against the New York Mets after a string of five starts allowing one run or less. The Braves are slightly above .500 in those outings, yet Sale remains a solid target for prop bets. Meanwhile, the Minnesota Twins are struggling against the Cincinnati Reds, having lost their last five games. The Reds, currently favored at -128, have a 59% chance of winning according to the latest simulations. Lastly, the New York Yankees are eager to end their five-game losing streak against the Los Angeles Angels, with Aaron Judge struggling at the plate, yet the Yankees are still favored to win...

The New York Yankees faced a disheartening defeat against the Los Angeles Angels, suffering a shutout loss at home, marking their fifth consecutive defeat. The Yankees' offense continued to falter, recording only four hits and striking out 12 times. Star player Aaron Judge went 0-for-4 with three strikeouts, highlighting the team's struggle for offensive consistency. Manager Aaron Boone's lineup changes, including placing rookie Jasson Domínguez at the leadoff spot, failed to ignite the bats as they fell to 42-30 overall, still maintaining their lead in the AL East.

The Yankees have now gone scoreless for 28 consecutive innings, a streak that places them on the verge of a franchise record. Their recent performance has raised eyebrows as they became the first AL team to be shut out with 10 or more strikeouts in three straight games. As they prepare for the final game against the Angels, tomorrow's matchup presents a crucial opportunity to halt the downward trend and regain momentum.