PHILADELPHIA – Cody Bellinger might not have anticipated holding up the Ted Williams trophy, presented to the All-Star Game’s MVP.
But he probably didn’t plan on batting .094 during the Yankees’ team-wide slump, when they posted a 5-15 record and watched the Tampa Bay Rays open a five-game lead.
“Baseball is the craziest game in the world,’’ Bellinger said late Tuesday night, after opening a path to the AL’s 4-0 victory over the NL at Citizens Bank Park.
Anyone who watched the first inning basically saw it all, as Bellinger’s two-out, two-run single – followed by teammate Ben Rice’s RBI single – provided a three-run lead.
And it came against Phillies’ lefty Christopher Sanchez, as if Philly fans needed more reasons to despise anyone in a New York uniform; even mascots Mr. & Mrs. Met.
Of course, this trio of Yankees All-Stars – including Cam Schlittler, who did not pitch – found this atmosphere passionate and familiar, before jumping right into another spotlight setting.
“You always want to see how you’re stacking up against the best teams in the league,’’ Rice said of the Dodgers’ Bronx arrival this weekend. “Definitely looking forward to playing them at home, too.’’
Yankees changing the narrative
Since that 20-game stretch where an Aaron Judge-less lineup averaged less than three runs per game, the Yanks have won four straight games.
They scored 12 runs last Thursday against the Rays, then swept the Nationals in three close, comeback wins by exploiting a brutal Washington bullpen.
But the fog lifted, a bad narrative changed, and Bellinger went 7-for-16 as the Yanks hit the break on a four-game winning streak, with the two-time defending world champs waiting.
“Best team, best record in the big leagues. We’re going to have to come out ready,’’ Bellinger said of facing his original club.
Cody Bellinger and Ben Rice, back to back
Bellinger waited seven years to become an All-Star again, something that would’ve surprised his 24-year-old self in 2019.
“I was here two of my first three (MLB) years’’ with the Dodgers, leading Bellinger to believe “I’ll be here every year.’’
He’s been a reliable Yankee in every facet of the game, and more valuable now – along with Rice, who ascended to an All-Star level this year – while Judge and Giancarlo Stanton are absent.
On Tuesday, they found themselves batting back-to-back in the AL lineup, but not in the usual order.
“It’s funny, I’m used to hitting in front of him,’’ said Rice. “And he always tells me that I’m his guinea pig, see what (a pitcher has) got out there and he makes a judgement off that.
“So, it’s kind of cool being behind him and to rip a single up the middle,’’ Rice said of the “all right, here we go’’ start for the AL.
Ben Rice ‘fired up’ for Cody Bellinger
This was a memorable week for Rice, getting to participate in Home Run Derby with his dad pitching, and sharing a clubhouse with Mike Trout and Justin Verlander.
And then Bellinger became the fourth Yankee – along with Derek Jeter (2000), Mariano Rivera (2013) and Stanton (2022) – to claim the All-Star Game MVP.
“I was so excited for him, especially seeing him drive in those two runs early,’’ said Rice. “I was so fired up for him, and so happy for him and his family.’’
That was Caiden, 5, and Cy, 3, on the podium with their dad. Bellinger’s wife and father were in the room, too, sharing a proud moment.
“I knew he was good,’’ said Clay Bellinger, a role player on two Yankees world championship teams. “But not this good.’’
We’ll see how good these 2026 Yankees are at getting to the finish line, and making an October run, possibly with reinforcements – both within the organization and without.
“On Friday, it’s right back to it,’ said Bellinger, with the first goal to “try and win the division. There’s a long way to go. I’m just excited to get it going.’’
This article originally appeared on NorthJersey.com: How Cody Bellinger and Ben Rice can fuel Yankees after All-Star boost
