BOSTON — For a team struggling to score runs all weekend, the Yankees only made matters worse against the Red Sox with some shaky baserunning that cost them again in Sunday’s 2-0 loss. This time, the culprit was Ben Rice, who was caught breaking too early while trying to steal third in the top of the third inning.

SportsLine's model is up 41.95 units on HR picks in the last 65 days. Use its MLB picks for MLB sportsbook promotions like MLB boosts

Ben Rice may be part of lineup twist Boone hinted at originally appeared on Athlon Sports. Giancarlo Stanton could be back in the Yankees’ lineup as soon as this weekend. And when he returns, he’ll take over the designated hitter spot. That means fewer chances for Ben Rice—at least at DH.

Facing the Red Sox (37-36) on back-to-back weekends, the Yankees (42-28) dropped five of six and seemingly gave life to their rival’s season. In The Bronx, it was their pitching that failed them. At Fenway, it was their lifeless bats, plus a costly baserunning miscue in each of the past two games.

With Giancarlo Stanton's return from injury looming, the whole Yankees lineup gets thrown into flux. Rice has been the every-day DH, but that will have to be Stanton's role when he's in there. Yankees manager Aaron Boone shared with reporters that the plan is for Rice to catch some once Stanton is back.

Aaron Boone of the New York Yankees stared straight ahead after Ben Rice got picked off to end yet another rally vs. the Boston Red Sox.

According to Statcast, Yankee Stadium has a park factor of 126 on home runs for left-handed hitters, making it 26% more favorable. However, it also has a park factor of 82 on singles for left-handed hitters, making it 18% harder for lefties to reach first on a hit.