Video summary
Ben Rice acknowledges Aaron Boone's continued confidence in the team's batting order despite a prolonged offensive slump that has baffled many observers. While he admits it would be unusual for such a struggle to last as long as it currently has, Rice emphasizes the necessity of moving forward once the current difficulties are overcome. He expresses hope that the team can soon string together more wins and believes there is light at the end of the tunnel given their roster construction.
The primary reason for this optimism lies in the significant depth within the lineup and the high offensive upside possessed by many players on the squad. Rice points out that numerous teammates have historically performed well and have already demonstrated great things earlier in the season, suggesting a strong foundation to bounce back from recent struggles. Although he admits it is frustrating not being rewarded for hitting balls hard after feeling increasingly good with his swing over the last few series, he maintains that keeping going is the only viable option available to them right now.
Facing teams that rely heavily on bullpen games presents unique challenges compared to traditional starting pitchers, as batters often get fewer opportunities at a single arm rather than two or three cracks against one starter. Rice notes that these situations require specific matchup adjustments and strategic planning before stepping up to the plate, treating each game much like any other despite the added complexity of facing relievers repeatedly. Ultimately, he defers to manager Aaron Boone regarding potential lineup changes, stating they will roll with whatever strategy is implemented while focusing on execution against every pitcher encountered.
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Aaron just said he continues to have
confidence in the guys in this batting
order that you'll be able to to get it
done. But is it somewhat baffling to you
that this offensive slide kind of has
continued for quite some time as a team?
>> Um
I mean
you know, of course you're going to go
through the ups and downs of the season.
Um I'd say
we we definitely wouldn't ever expect it
to to to go so long, but uh with that
being said, you know, we got to agree
with Boone like we're we're we're going
to come out of it and um once we get all
one will uh
um
you know, hopefully start stringing more
wins together.
>> Kind of what makes you guys kind of
believe that there is light at the end
of the tunnel here?
>> Just cuz you just look up and down our
roster, I feel like we got a lot of
depth, a lot of guys who um
have have really great um
upside offensively and guys who have
historically performed well and and um
have a
have done a lot of great things this
year. Um so um just got to have
confidence that we'll bounce back.
>> How much time just frustrating as a
scratchman?
>> Yeah, it's frustrating. I mean
I'm not sure exactly what the
the numbers are across the stretch. I
know we've we've, you know, had some
good series here and there and and and
once won some against some good teams.
Um of course we, you know, haven't have
just dropped three in a row, right? So
um
but you know, just just got to keep
going. It's the only thing you can do.
>> Are there unique challenges that come
with facing a team who's throwing a
bullpen game?
>> Um
yeah, I mean you're you're you're likely
going to going to see
a guy once, um whereas when you face a
starter, you're getting two or three
cracks at him.
Um so that can present some challenges.
Of course you're going to play the match
up game and you're going to face guys
that um
they favor against you. So um
but but with that being said, you know,
it's just it's really just like any
other game. You just got to go up there,
have a plan against that pitcher and and
try to execute.
>> Aaron said he might look for a way to
shake up the lineup in one way or the
other. Uh do you think that a different
looking lineup or uh guys in different
spots could
breathe life into things?
>> Maybe.
You know, I don't
I don't have any idea how it would go,
but um
you know, whatever whatever skipper
wants to put out there is is what we're
rolling with.
>> Hit the ball hard a couple hard a couple
times this series, but how have you been
feeling at the plate just over this last
stretch?
>> I felt increasingly good, you know, as
over the last couple series I feel like
I've
um
been you know, the swing has felt good
and
um
hitting some balls hard, not getting
rewarded for it, so
um just got to keep going. That's
literally the only thing you can do is
just keep going. So, that's all you can
do in this game.