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.

Aaron Judge's pursuit of a .400 batting average has hit a rough patch, with his average plummeting to .372 following a bad June. Despite starting the month at .398, a surge of strikeouts has significantly impacted his performance. From June 1 to June 17, Judge struck out 26 times in 15 games, raising his strikeout percentage to a staggering 41.3%. This is a stark contrast to his 20.6% rate in April.

The increase in strikeouts can be attributed to Judge's struggle with pitch selection. He is facing more four-seam fastballs and changeups this month and is chasing pitches outside the strike zone more frequently. The adjustments by opposing pitchers might be a significant factor in his current struggles.

The Los Angeles Angels face off against the New York Yankees in the Bronx, having already secured victories in the first two games of their four-game series. The Yankees struggle with a five-game losing streak, during which their offense has produced only four runs, including three shutouts. While Aaron Judge is faltering, Giancarlo Stanton's recent return holds some promise as he boasts four hits in eight at-bats this series.

Today’s matchup features Jack Kochanowicz for the Angels, who has a 5.53 ERA, against Yankees' Ryan Yarbrough, sitting at a 3.96 ERA. The odds favor the Yankees, but their recent performance casts doubt on their ability to deliver. The Angels, with a better current form, might just take this one, making the betting landscape intriguing.

In the latest MLB lineup analysis, trends reveal that players such as Coby Mayo of the Baltimore Orioles are experiencing uneven playing time, primarily against left-handed pitchers. Mayo has started a majority of games since his recall, but his absence against righties raises concerns about his future role. Meanwhile, Dylan Carlson has solidified his position in the St. Louis Cardinals' outfield with a .308 batting average, showcasing his potential value as a fantasy asset.

The Boston Red Sox made headlines by trading Rafael Devers to the Giants, prompting lineup changes including rookie Roman Anthony's successful debut with his first home run. The New York Yankees welcomed Giancarlo Stanton back, affecting the playing time of Paul Goldschmidt and Jasson Dominguez, both of whom are now facing decreased at-bats. Other teams, like the Tampa Bay Rays and Toronto Blue Jays, are seeing players like Jake Mangum and Alejandro Kirk emerge as valuable contributors thanks to their impressive batting performances.